I've heard that the early versions in the P-11 and the P-32 were often less than perfect in reliability, but that the later and current production pistols seem to be better. It seems too that the serial numbers are sequential. Is there and certain serial number range to stay away from in order to better you odds of getting a good one?
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What serial numbers to look for on a Kel-Tec?
- Thread starter martin6
- Start date
I'm not sure if you can really say there are any particular serial numbers to stay away from as far as a particular problem. I'm sure over the years, some small adjustments have been made on machining but I don't know of anything major to point out. Of course, small adjustments could possibly have a big impact on overall reliability. The early P-11s had a 10 lb. trigger and the newer ones have a 8.5 lb. trigger. The 10 lb. ones were a good while ago as the P-11 has been around since 1995 or 96? With some of the early P-11s a stainless slide was an option but now the choices are blue, parkerized & chrome. The latest serial numbers are 112XXX or maybe 113XXX. Mine is 78XXX and I bought it about 2.5 years ago.
The P-32 has been around approx. 2.5 years, maybe a little more. The latest serial numbers on them are now up to 60XXX. They did upgrade the recoil springs awhile back, but no big deal, KT sells them for .50 cents.
I bought my first P-32 2 years ago, it was 8XXX and bought another in 5/00 & it was 10XXX.
I guess newer is better if you're buying used but they're not expensive guns so buy new. Customer service is top notch if they need attention and they are honoring the warranty on used guns if you buy used.
The P-32 has been around approx. 2.5 years, maybe a little more. The latest serial numbers on them are now up to 60XXX. They did upgrade the recoil springs awhile back, but no big deal, KT sells them for .50 cents.
I bought my first P-32 2 years ago, it was 8XXX and bought another in 5/00 & it was 10XXX.
I guess newer is better if you're buying used but they're not expensive guns so buy new. Customer service is top notch if they need attention and they are honoring the warranty on used guns if you buy used.
Serial Numbers....
I bought a used P-11 with a serial number in the 16xxx range. I knew that KT had their "hard chrome update" policy that you can send in ANY slide and for $20 they would exchange it with a brand new HC slide with new sights. I called and asked about other services that they could do on my used gun that I bought. I was interested in the lighter trigger pull and a good overall "check up." After Cliff in customer service found out how old my serial number was, he told me to send the whole gun to them for an "update" and that it would only cost me the $20. I received a BRAND NEW GUN with the same serial number re-assigned to it.
When I asked Cliff (via email) what was old and what was replaced in the gun (I couldn't see ANYTHING that was original) he told me that "no internal or external parts are from the original gun." The work they did cost me overnight shipping via UPS to them and $20! I ordered some parts, but besides those costs, $20 covered everything, including the return shipping to me.
Hard to argue with that kind of customer service...
It shoots beautifully!
DPS
I bought a used P-11 with a serial number in the 16xxx range. I knew that KT had their "hard chrome update" policy that you can send in ANY slide and for $20 they would exchange it with a brand new HC slide with new sights. I called and asked about other services that they could do on my used gun that I bought. I was interested in the lighter trigger pull and a good overall "check up." After Cliff in customer service found out how old my serial number was, he told me to send the whole gun to them for an "update" and that it would only cost me the $20. I received a BRAND NEW GUN with the same serial number re-assigned to it.
When I asked Cliff (via email) what was old and what was replaced in the gun (I couldn't see ANYTHING that was original) he told me that "no internal or external parts are from the original gun." The work they did cost me overnight shipping via UPS to them and $20! I ordered some parts, but besides those costs, $20 covered everything, including the return shipping to me.
Hard to argue with that kind of customer service...
It shoots beautifully!
DPS