Opinions on Kel-Tec...
- Thread starter Jackyl
- Start date
dirtbrokegundude
New member
Ya know, maybe it's just me, but the last time I checked you didn't have to "do something" in order to know if it sucked. I don't care how many people tell me their opinions, I know if I jump out of a plane without a parachute it's gonna hurt (in theory anyway). Does it matter that 1 or 2 people actually survived when they hit the ground? No.
I have picked up a plastic Kel-Tec and wouldn't let my kid play with it unloaded for fear he might choke on one of the little pieces that fall off. 500 rounds through mine with no problem.....oh wow. Let's not shoot that barrel off now........Talk to me when you've got 10,000 rounds, the numbers of the Kimber, Sig, and Glock guys.
OkieCruffler
New member
Okay, what would like to talk about? How about the fact that as of tomorrow, weather permitting, I will run round number 14,000 thru my P-11? Of course, it has had 23 FTF's in that time, so I guess it's no Glock. But then again, I didn't have to pay for hype either.
Zoom Wilson
Inactive
Most have never owned one? I guess I've never owned one. I guess I didn't take pictures of some of the problems with mine and post a link to them here. I guess you're right, I have nothing to complain about. Those problems were just hype.
While I've personally had terrible luck with Kel-Tec's products and even worse luck with their (lack of) service, I read a funny Kel-Tec vs. Glock list on the Kel-Tec mailing list today. It was:
Ability to shoot cast lead bullets = KelTec Perfection.
Shorter over all length = KelTec Perfection.
Thinner over all width = KelTec Perfection.
Thinner slide width = KelTec Perfection.
Thinner grip width = KelTec Perfection.
Lighter weight = KelTec Perfection.
Lower cost = KelTec Perfection.
Better value = KelTec Perfection.
Rounded top rear slide edges, less likely to catch on draw (especially from pocket) = KelTec Perfection.
Ability to fit in pocket in the first place = KelTec Perfection.
Plastic magazine catch not destroyed by metal magazines = KelTec Perfection.
Outstanding customer service = KelTec Perfection.
In the great American tradition of freedom, freedom of choice, and free will, company trusts its customers to make minor repairs themselves. Company will give you, free, a plastic magazine catch, if you would ever need one (not that it is likely) = KelTec Perfection.
Company will tell you, over the phone, how to replace parts. Company will "walk you through" the process if that is what you choose to do = KelTec Perfection.
Company will sell you whatever part you choose, for whatever purpose you choose (except the serial numbered "frame", of course), again, in the American tradition of freedom = KelTec Perfection.
American owned, American made, American parts, profits stay in America (very important) = KelTec Perfection.
LOL!!!
Sorry guys, it looks like I've stirred the pot with this one.
...but let's keep it in good humor at least. I appreciate all of your opinions, and I've decided I want a Sig, and I wouldn't mind getting the ol' lady a P11 one of these day as well. My only reason for getting the Sig over the P11 right now is the fact that I will spend most of my time at the shooting range, and will probably rarely carry it.
-AR
Sorry guys, it looks like I've stirred the pot with this one.
...but let's keep it in good humor at least. I appreciate all of your opinions, and I've decided I want a Sig, and I wouldn't mind getting the ol' lady a P11 one of these day as well. My only reason for getting the Sig over the P11 right now is the fact that I will spend most of my time at the shooting range, and will probably rarely carry it.
-AR
Johnny Guest
Moderator in Memoriam
I like the P-11.
My elder son, my only brother, and my significant other all carry P-11 Kel Tecs following my input. I regularly carry a P-32 myself. I have no experience with the P-40 or any of the carbines. P-40 seems to have a lot more problems than the P-11.
My brother was trying to shoot little, tiny, tight groups with his and getting frustrated. He thought the trigger was impossible. I had him call "GO!" for me at ten to 25 feet, with a sheet of typing paper as target. There was no trouble keeping hits on it at those ranges. They were scattered all over the paper, yes. So what? This is not an S&W model 41 or a Colt Gold Cup. It is a close, quick, down and dirty self defense piece. It is smaller than most .380s, with 9 mm power. It is lighter than many .25 autod, and holds 11 shots.
My girl friend and my son had zero problems adjusting to the proer use of the P-11, and my brother adapted nicely after minimal instruction.
I've shot perhaps a dozen P-11s and all seem to have had like capabilities. The very early guns had a heavier trigger, and don't do so well at 25 yards--But that range is pretty optomistic with such a gun anyhow.
Best,
Johnny
My elder son, my only brother, and my significant other all carry P-11 Kel Tecs following my input. I regularly carry a P-32 myself. I have no experience with the P-40 or any of the carbines. P-40 seems to have a lot more problems than the P-11.
My brother was trying to shoot little, tiny, tight groups with his and getting frustrated. He thought the trigger was impossible. I had him call "GO!" for me at ten to 25 feet, with a sheet of typing paper as target. There was no trouble keeping hits on it at those ranges. They were scattered all over the paper, yes. So what? This is not an S&W model 41 or a Colt Gold Cup. It is a close, quick, down and dirty self defense piece. It is smaller than most .380s, with 9 mm power. It is lighter than many .25 autod, and holds 11 shots.
My girl friend and my son had zero problems adjusting to the proer use of the P-11, and my brother adapted nicely after minimal instruction.
I've shot perhaps a dozen P-11s and all seem to have had like capabilities. The very early guns had a heavier trigger, and don't do so well at 25 yards--But that range is pretty optomistic with such a gun anyhow.
Best,
Johnny
ArmsAkimber
New member
I own a P11 and a P32. The P11 was purchased used. I have had _NO_ problem with it. The trigger pull is long and heavy, but buttery smooth. It kicks like a mule with +P loads, but is very manageable with normal pressure loads.
The P32 has needed factory work on two occasions. It is a pre-1000 serial numbered gun, so there were still some kinks in early production that needed to be worked out. Service has always been friendly.
Both are currently at the factory for hard chrome application on the slides. They're both keepers.
The P11 especially fits a niche, with its combination of relatively high capacity, light weight, simple controls, and low cost.
BTW- This is my first message to TFL. Hi everyone!
ArmsAkimber
The P32 has needed factory work on two occasions. It is a pre-1000 serial numbered gun, so there were still some kinks in early production that needed to be worked out. Service has always been friendly.
Both are currently at the factory for hard chrome application on the slides. They're both keepers.
The P11 especially fits a niche, with its combination of relatively high capacity, light weight, simple controls, and low cost.BTW- This is my first message to TFL. Hi everyone!
ArmsAkimber
weldonjr2001
New member
Jackyl,
I liked my P11 adequately until the extractor hook disappeared around round count 200. I sent it off for repair and sold it after it returned.
It's a pistol that fits a niche, but I hate to see a person get one for their first handgun. It doesn't represent the best of anything. You will most certainly be disappointed if you expect to go to the range and have any fun at all, unless you really like challenges.
I liked my P11 adequately until the extractor hook disappeared around round count 200. I sent it off for repair and sold it after it returned.
It's a pistol that fits a niche, but I hate to see a person get one for their first handgun. It doesn't represent the best of anything. You will most certainly be disappointed if you expect to go to the range and have any fun at all, unless you really like challenges.
Satisfied with Kel-Tec
I have owned a P32 for about 6 months now. I have put about 300 rounds through it (not alot, I know, but .32 is not cheap). I have only had one FTE, and that was when a friend was shooting it sideways (gangster style). I have read all about limp-wristing with Kel-Tecs, so I never shoot it without a firm upright grip if I can help it. I have used 3 or 4 different types of ammo and it eats anything I feed it.
I just bought a P11 two weeks ago at the gun show and took it out and put about 150 rounds through it. I used 3 different types of ammo - Winchester white box, UMC, and CCI Blazer. I used 3 different mags - the 10 rounder that came with the P11, a 12 rounder that came with my Marlin 9mm Camp Carbine, and a 15 round S&W aftermarket that I picked up at a gun show. The P11 only had 3 FTFs in that 150 rounds - none of those were with the factory mag. One was with the Marlin mag and the other 2 were with the S&W mag. However, after the P11 got warmed up, the Marlin mag fed flawlessly and I have had probems with the S&W mag in the past (I think it needs a stronger spring). The P11 is great - low recoil, easy to follow up on the second shot - my wife even shot it and liked it. The cons are - the sights suck, it is a little rough around the edges (nothing a fluff and buff can't fix), and the trigger pull is very very long.
Overall, so far, I am a satisfied Kel-Tec owner - 2 guns for less than $500 that have worked great so far. I would like to get both of them hard chromed or stainless steeled or something - the P32 is starting to rust already on the slide even though I clean it every time I shoot and don't carry it against my skin and I'm sure the P11 will start to do the same thing.
I have owned a P32 for about 6 months now. I have put about 300 rounds through it (not alot, I know, but .32 is not cheap). I have only had one FTE, and that was when a friend was shooting it sideways (gangster style). I have read all about limp-wristing with Kel-Tecs, so I never shoot it without a firm upright grip if I can help it. I have used 3 or 4 different types of ammo and it eats anything I feed it.
I just bought a P11 two weeks ago at the gun show and took it out and put about 150 rounds through it. I used 3 different types of ammo - Winchester white box, UMC, and CCI Blazer. I used 3 different mags - the 10 rounder that came with the P11, a 12 rounder that came with my Marlin 9mm Camp Carbine, and a 15 round S&W aftermarket that I picked up at a gun show. The P11 only had 3 FTFs in that 150 rounds - none of those were with the factory mag. One was with the Marlin mag and the other 2 were with the S&W mag. However, after the P11 got warmed up, the Marlin mag fed flawlessly and I have had probems with the S&W mag in the past (I think it needs a stronger spring). The P11 is great - low recoil, easy to follow up on the second shot - my wife even shot it and liked it. The cons are - the sights suck, it is a little rough around the edges (nothing a fluff and buff can't fix), and the trigger pull is very very long.
Overall, so far, I am a satisfied Kel-Tec owner - 2 guns for less than $500 that have worked great so far. I would like to get both of them hard chromed or stainless steeled or something - the P32 is starting to rust already on the slide even though I clean it every time I shoot and don't carry it against my skin and I'm sure the P11 will start to do the same thing.
Johnny Guest
Moderator in Memoriam
ArmsAkimber - - -
Another hearty "Welcome Aboard," sir.
Re: your profile--Telsa coil? Certainly. An absolutely crucial prop in every Mad-Scientist-in-his-Laboratory movie ever made.
Hope to find you on the fora frequently.
Best,
Johnny
Another hearty "Welcome Aboard," sir.
Re: your profile--Telsa coil? Certainly. An absolutely crucial prop in every Mad-Scientist-in-his-Laboratory movie ever made.
Hope to find you on the fora frequently.
Best,
Johnny