I'm on a tight budget and am looking for a concealled carry piece. I like the durability and reliability of the Makarov and I like the light weight and capacity of the P-11 (and the more powerful round). What do you think? My initial thinking was the P-11, but I hear so many horror stories. Thanks.
Makarov or Kel-Tec P-11
- Thread starter martin6
- Start date
Legionnaire
New member
Well, no horror stories from me. My P-11 has been absolutely reliable. Only glitch I ever had was a broken slide release immediately after I installed the .40 conversion kit. The gun continued to function; just wouldn't hold the slide back on an empty magazine. Phonecall to Kel-Tec and they sent the replacement part at no charge. I've been very happy with mine.
I have personally spoken with Mas Ayoob and Greg Hamilton about the P-11, and both like the Kel-Tec. It ain't a Glock, but in my opinion, with the P-11 you get MORE than what you pay for. The company stands behind its product.
Of course, someday I'd like to add a Mak to my collection as well . . .
[This message has been edited by Legionnaire (edited September 25, 2000).]
I have personally spoken with Mas Ayoob and Greg Hamilton about the P-11, and both like the Kel-Tec. It ain't a Glock, but in my opinion, with the P-11 you get MORE than what you pay for. The company stands behind its product.
Of course, someday I'd like to add a Mak to my collection as well . . .
[This message has been edited by Legionnaire (edited September 25, 2000).]
I've owned three different Makarovs and five Kel-Tecs (two P-32s and three P-11s).
I chose the Kel-Tec hands down. I sold the blued P-11 I first had to get a stainless one instead. I 've had zero problems with my Kel-Tecs.
I didn't have problems with the Maks either, just some dislikes. I hate the magazine release, being at the heel of the grip, on some guns it is very stiff. The issuse sights are tiny and hard to see at night. The trigger pulls were all plagued with extreme creep in single action and pretty stout in double action.
If you're on a budget you may find that you can get 9mm ammo cheaper than 9x18 Makarov ammo these days. Where I shop it's about a dollar per box less for the 9mm.
FWIW
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Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!
I chose the Kel-Tec hands down. I sold the blued P-11 I first had to get a stainless one instead. I 've had zero problems with my Kel-Tecs.
I didn't have problems with the Maks either, just some dislikes. I hate the magazine release, being at the heel of the grip, on some guns it is very stiff. The issuse sights are tiny and hard to see at night. The trigger pulls were all plagued with extreme creep in single action and pretty stout in double action.
If you're on a budget you may find that you can get 9mm ammo cheaper than 9x18 Makarov ammo these days. Where I shop it's about a dollar per box less for the 9mm.
FWIW
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Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!
My P11 must have been one of the few bad ones. It came from the factory with a bad extractor. Sent it in to have it fixed.
It had many jamming problems. Sometimes it wouldn't eject the spent casing properly, other times it wouldn't feed properly. Tried 4 different magazines and a dozen types of ammo. It malfunctioned with all.
Sent the gun back in and complained about the poor reliability.
They sent it back and it seemed to work better but still jammed too often for my liking.
The slide stop broke and I had to send the gun in again. Also complained of the reliability problems again.
Got the gun back and it still jammed a lot. Finally I decided to cut my losses and get rid of it before the cost of shipping to Kel-Tec added up to be more than I payed for the gun originally.
I will never own another P11. However, I have heard some good things about the P32. Unfortunately those always seem to have to go back to the factory once or twice before they work properly. Maybe Kel-Tec should start including a UPS gift certificate with every gun.
Good luck.
It had many jamming problems. Sometimes it wouldn't eject the spent casing properly, other times it wouldn't feed properly. Tried 4 different magazines and a dozen types of ammo. It malfunctioned with all.
Sent the gun back in and complained about the poor reliability.
They sent it back and it seemed to work better but still jammed too often for my liking.
The slide stop broke and I had to send the gun in again. Also complained of the reliability problems again.
Got the gun back and it still jammed a lot. Finally I decided to cut my losses and get rid of it before the cost of shipping to Kel-Tec added up to be more than I payed for the gun originally.
I will never own another P11. However, I have heard some good things about the P32. Unfortunately those always seem to have to go back to the factory once or twice before they work properly. Maybe Kel-Tec should start including a UPS gift certificate with every gun.
Good luck.
Ed Brunner
New member
The only thing I can say about the Makarov is that they seem to be bullet-proof and will feed anything you put in them. If you are happy with the 9X18 cartridge they are hard to beat.
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You have to be there when it's all over. Otherwise you can't say "I told you so."
Better days to be,
Ed
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You have to be there when it's all over. Otherwise you can't say "I told you so."
Better days to be,
Ed
I hope to own a Mak in the future.
I have a P-11 and I really like it. I had the slide nickel plated by Jack Fuselier at the KTOG. A really nice carry piece and just my size.
This is not to say I have had no problems with it. I have had an extractor and an ejector break.
Sent it back to KT and they made it right.
I liked it well enough that I bought a P-32.
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"Any world that I'm welcome to.....Is better than the one I come from"
I have a P-11 and I really like it. I had the slide nickel plated by Jack Fuselier at the KTOG. A really nice carry piece and just my size.
This is not to say I have had no problems with it. I have had an extractor and an ejector break.
Sent it back to KT and they made it right.
I liked it well enough that I bought a P-32.
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"Any world that I'm welcome to.....Is better than the one I come from"
I don't own a MAK but I can tell you that I love my P-11. It has performed perfectly during the 1000 or so rounds that I put through it in a short time. It is also very accurate. I prefer it even over a Glock which I have shot at the range a few times. I love the small size, weight & high round capacity(10+1). I don't think there is another 9mm as light (14oz). I think it is built strong with the Browning locked breach design. Fired lots of +p
Cor-Bons with out any problem. Have tried about 7 or 8 brands of ammo from very cheap to very expensive without a problem. I also like the double strike capability. The customer service is first rate. I sent it in for Hard Chrome, a Trigger Shoe And Finger Rest - took 7 days door to door including free return next day shipping all for about $33.00! You can speak to the Kel-Tec gunsmith on the phone any time you want within a few minutes if you have any questions and the people are very friendly. The guns also have a lifetime warranty.
I guess you could say that I am very happy with both my P-11 & P-32.
Mike
[This message has been edited by MIKE10538 (edited September 25, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by MIKE10538 (edited September 25, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by MIKE10538 (edited September 25, 2000).]
Cor-Bons with out any problem. Have tried about 7 or 8 brands of ammo from very cheap to very expensive without a problem. I also like the double strike capability. The customer service is first rate. I sent it in for Hard Chrome, a Trigger Shoe And Finger Rest - took 7 days door to door including free return next day shipping all for about $33.00! You can speak to the Kel-Tec gunsmith on the phone any time you want within a few minutes if you have any questions and the people are very friendly. The guns also have a lifetime warranty.
I guess you could say that I am very happy with both my P-11 & P-32.
Mike
[This message has been edited by MIKE10538 (edited September 25, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by MIKE10538 (edited September 25, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by MIKE10538 (edited September 25, 2000).]
I have an EG Mak, and two Keltec P11's. For concealed carry, it's the Keltec, it's lighter, fires a much more potent round, and has a couple extra rounds to boot. I will say that the Mak is dead reliable, it's never done anything but empty the magazine without a hitch, it's just not as good a choice for carry IMO.
I have both. I trust the Makarov enough to consider it a good bugout gun: accurate, 100% reliable. P11 is a better gun in many ways (easier to conceal, lighter, more rounds of stronger and more common ammo, better sights) BUT mine is going to KT for a refund. Its tendency to throw bras sin my face makes it unusable for me.
Bulgie Makarovs rock. Never have had a single problem with one. Maks are stout. They can take what you can dish out. They're heavy, but relatively thin. They especially like home cooking, read cheap ammo. Use Wolf or whatever else you can buy and rest assured they'll work. I like them a lot.
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"Get yourself a Lorcin and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol."
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"Get yourself a Lorcin and lose that nickel plated sissy pistol."
The Mak gets my vote too. The 9x18 cartridge is hard to beat for a "mouse gun" round. (yeah right!!) If you want to opt for something smaller, you can go to .380ACP with just a barrel change.
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Yeah, I got a permit to carry,it's called the friggin Constitution.---Ted Nugent
"Glock 26: 17 rounds of concealed carry DEATH comming your way from out of nowhere!!! THAT'S FIREPOWER, BABY!!!"
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Yeah, I got a permit to carry,it's called the friggin Constitution.---Ted Nugent
"Glock 26: 17 rounds of concealed carry DEATH comming your way from out of nowhere!!! THAT'S FIREPOWER, BABY!!!"
Well, I have both, and I would have to say that I find the Mak much more pleasant to shoot. I do not enjoy shooting my kel-tec. It is difficult to get it to actually hit anything. I find that you have to keep a very firm grip with both hands, and even then it just is not comfortable to shoot. I bought it for a CCW gun, and I would have no hesitation to carry it for that. I have had zero feeding problems. It is very reliable, just don't expect to have a lot of fun at the range with it.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RCS:
Well, I have both, and I would have to say that I find the Mak much more pleasant to shoot...I bought it for a CCW gun, and I would have no hesitation to carry it for that. I have had zero feeding problems.[/quote]
Since the question was about a CCW gun, you'd throw in with the Keltec, right?
Well, I have both, and I would have to say that I find the Mak much more pleasant to shoot...I bought it for a CCW gun, and I would have no hesitation to carry it for that. I have had zero feeding problems.[/quote]
Since the question was about a CCW gun, you'd throw in with the Keltec, right?