Kel-tec PF-9

Anyone own or have experience with this gun?

 

i had one i liked it....the trigger is way better on the pf9 than the p11. i gave it to my brother on the agreement he got his license to carry. ill probably buy another because its something you will carry because its light and small enough to always have with you.

 

x2.

 

You should consider the S&W Bodyguard. It's barely 11 ounces unloaded, has a built in red laser, and comes with a really awesome zip-up carrying case that looks like a day planner or something that you can use when you carry it in a backpack or in your truck or whathaveyou.

It's also in the same price range.

Edit: I dont think the Kel-Tec has a safety, and the S&W Bodyguard .380 does. Something to consider as well.

 

I was not impressed with Kel-tec or Ruger. I got the Kahr P380. Costs more, but I plan to keep it. The S&W wasn't out yet, and I haven't shot it yet, but got alot of good feedback from my buddies that bought them.

 

Also not sure about the S&W, but the Kahr slide stays open when empty (Glock like). The Kel-tec and Ruger do not.

 

I am 90% sure the S&W does stay back.

Let me add by saying that the likelihood you are going to load a second magazine in a self-defense situation is basically ZERO, however, if you have to load AND rack the slide, well... That's just not going to happen.


My buddy has the Ruger LCP, it has horrible feed problems and isn't a very pleasant shooter. I wouldn't have expected much out of a polymer semi-auto pocket gun, but then I shot the Bodyguard...

 

I"m at 90% also. It doesn't matter to some, but I thought I'd put it out there.
On another note, I have ZERO faith in Kel-tec. 50% of the rounds (reloads) I put through it did not fire. As a back- up weapon, I do not want to wonder if it's going to fire or not. Put the same rounds through the Kahr, and EVERY ONE fired. Enough said.

 

As far as I'm concerned with CCW if a round doesn't fire in my S&W 638 Revolver I just keep pulling the trigger until it does, but thats an ENTIRELY different conversation.

 

Apples and oranges. Lol. When you only have 7 rounds and 3 or 4 don't fire, you're fu*ked.

 

Kel-Tec tried hard to produce a good gun at a low price in a small shop. Unfortunately, variance in manufacturing and QC has kept them from meeting the quality I expect in a gun that might be used for personal defense.

Of the 3 or 4 Kel-Tecs in my circle of friends, all the pistols have gone back to the factory. One has gone back 3 times. It was a P380. The PF-9 has gone back once, and the P32 has gone back once. The folding carbine that takes Glock mags (can't recall the model at the moment) has held up OK.

Kel-Tec will absolutely stand behind their product, and will "fix" a gun as many times as you want to send it back. The question is - how many times can you afford to have it break or not work when you need it to? As a plinker, probably more often than as a carry gun.

To answer the original question, I find the PF9 snappy but controllable. Similar in snap to shooting a stout 38 +P load from an airweight S&W.

 

I have a kel-tec P3at (the .380). I am by no means a Kel-tec fan boy, but I'm gunna go ahead and weigh in on this because I see a lot of mis-information being spread.

With regard to the feed problems-

YES, Kel-tec and Ruger LCPs both have this issue. The feed ramp needs to be polished if you buy one of these guns. That said, if you buy from a reputable gun shop, they know this already, and will polish the feed ramp for you for free.

Once this is done, your good to go.

As for the mis-fires/jams/failures to feed:

READ THE OWNERS MANUAL. It says in big bold letters that you must break the gun in! My owners manual says to expect these things for the first 100-200 rounds. And I did have some- 4 out of my first 250 rounds through the gun.

Zero issues through the next 250 rounds. My gun has performed flawlessly since then.

Polish the feed ramp and break the gun in according to the owner's manual and you're good to go. I carry mine as a back up and I have no problems trusting my life with it.

 

Read our posts. I know in MY post, and I believe the other post as well, we were citing experience with other people's Kel-Tecs, Rugers respectively. Why would I read an owners manual to a gun I don't own?

 

Also, as for the safety- or lack thereof-

I dont own any handguns that have a traditional safety (Kel-tec .380, Sig Sauer 226 and 220, Glock 23) and I've never had an accidental discharge. Not worried about kids finding it either, as I'm responsible.

Don't take this the wrong way- and if you feel you need a safety, thats fine- but if you are safe and responsible with your gun(s), having a safety is not necccesary.

 

You wouldn't- I'm just offering clarification because you, likfe others, aren't informed on the things you're talking about, re: the feed issue

 

I prefer no Safeties!! Especially for CCW. PF-9 is a nice compact 9mm. The curves of the Ruger LC9 are nice but not a hundred dollars nice.

Pictured below.... Ruger LCP .380 w/Crimson Trace Laser (Daily Carry), Kel-tec PF-9 9mm, and Glock 27 .40 Cal. All for comparison purposes only!

 

Is the gun the OP ask about not a bigger sized 9mm? Why is everyone throwing in there opinions on the .380 KelTec and Ruger LCP? BTW I own both, wifey carries the LCP, me the KelTec, hundreds of rounds threw both with no problems. I carry this from March-November in a DeSantis pocket holster. Cooler weather (jacket) then it's a full-size Kimber or my H&K USP.

 

Good point. I thought the PF-9 was a .380 pocket pistol, are arguments are moot.

 

I agree with this also, as none of MY CCW weapons have safeties either (S&W 638, XD-40 Sub-C), however, I was just adding that the Bodyguard DOES have one, had that been a point the OP would have considered. I wasn't saying that I would choose the bodyguard over the Kel-Tec because of that reason personally.

 

Thanks for letting me think about opening my safe tonight! Doesnt matter what you carry. If you are prepared you will be fine. Albeit........... A laser may scare the bat squeeze out of a potential thug!