Kel Tec P11 owners

Bushwacker73 · 10-08-2009, 02:15 PM

Hey Ya'll, before I take a beating on this, I read the Kel Tec threads. I just bought a new P 11 and am looking for some honest long term reviews on the P 11. I have'nt even fired mine yet. Thanks..

Mike U. · 10-09-2009, 02:43 AM

Welcome to the forum!
Get busy and shoot that P-11 already!
Mine gave me several jams on the first couple of magazine's worth of ammo. Don't be surprised if it happens to you. New guns sometimes need a break in period.
Mine has not given me any problems after those first magazines. And, it's been many years and God knows how many hundreds of rounds have been run through it since then.

Good luck and hope you enjoy your new P-11.

MLN1963 · 10-09-2009, 02:28 PM

I don't have a long term relationship with my P-13 (12 +1) but I like it. I have a KelTec factory 12 round magazine. 13 rounds of 9 mm in a small easy to conceal package. The trigger is what many folks complain about on the P-11 and it is different but you get used to it. Remember that this is a close-in self defense pistol and not a S&W Model 41 target pistol and you shouldn't be let down.

Since ammo is hard to come by these days the only ammo I've shot through it so far is Federal 115 Gr FMJ target/practice rounds (from Wal Mart) and Hornady Critical Defense 115 Gr FTX hollow points which are my carry rounds.

I had a lot of mis-feeds on the first magazine although it's gone down from there. I only had two the last time out (120 rounds) so it appears to be getting better. The problems occurred with the Federal FMJ only. My Gun Smith (GS) warned me this may happen with the Federals. He's seen it in a few guns now as they are very long bullets (I shoot the same FMJ in my M&P and have no problems). The jams don't bother me as it has only happened with the practice ammo and I knew it may happen.

So far the Hornaday Critical Defense HPs rounds have fed perfectly while hand cycling and shooting. They are shorter than the Federals and seem to fit the magazine better. These are my choice for carry rounds.

FWIW. My GS says that the P-11s he's worked with don't like to feed certain flying ashtray large opening hollow points. I think he said the feed ramp was too narrow and made the rounds run high but don't quote me on that. He recommended that I stick with narrow or pointy type hollow points for my carry rounds. They don't get much pointier than the Hornady's!

woody1981 · 10-09-2009, 04:33 PM

My P11 is a true gem. I have not ever had a misfire, and I have just bought the grip extender from Kel Tec for $6.95. I understand that it gives a ton more of stability. My only problem--ever--was getting the pistol back together from cleaning after the first shooting. Kel Tec doesn't tell you that you have to wiggle the barrel a bit for the catch to fit in properly. Just have some initial patience with that, and you'll have a handgun that you really enjoy shooting and cleaning.

HopLax7 · 10-11-2009, 11:52 PM

Did you tweak that absurdly long and heavy trigger pull. I don't think it's a bad gun, but it has to have something like a 2.5 inch and 12 pound trigger pull. Way too long and heavy for me. For my money, I'd rather sink the extra $$ into a g26.

MLN1963 · 10-12-2009, 07:05 AM

My P-11 is for concealed carry. The trigger is not like a G26, M&P ad XDM but it is not that bad for it's intended use. There are a few things you can do to make them a little better but not a huge change. It is also 10x nicer to carry than those guns IMO so it is a worth while trade-off to me. For target shooting I would rather have one of those guns any day (In fact I do).

KW Gary M · 10-24-2009, 06:30 PM

I can't speak for the P11. I have never shot one. I do however have well over 1,000 rounds through my P3AT and can't say enough about how happy O am with it. I am thinking about getting a P9 or P11 to keep the Kel-Tec price/quality but add a little more power.

Roper1911 · 10-30-2009, 08:51 PM

check your mag release. if its plastic, it may break causing the gun to fail to lock back after the last round is shot, kel-tec will replace it with a metal one if you clean and ship it back. otherwise its a great gun, VERY mild recoil, kicks like my moms Sig mosquito firing CCI minimags.

Don357 · 11-10-2009, 06:04 PM

I have a P-11 that I bought used. Aparently it was used just enough to break it in. Very accurate, and reliable. Using 115gr "Monarch" steel cased FMJ, I can easily put all 13 (12+1) in a 6" group center mass @ 20', or make a beer can dance starting at 5' out to around 25'. We bought my wife a new one and ended up selling it after 1 10rd mag. She is devoloping arthritis in her hand and had a hard time pulling the trigger, and wanted a lighter gun anyways, so we bought her a used P3-AT .380. It works better for her.
Get that P-11 broken in and enjot it.

HopLax7 · 11-13-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roper1911

check your mag release. if its plastic, it may break causing the gun to fail to lock back after the last round is shot, kel-tec will replace it with a metal one if you clean and ship it back. otherwise its a great gun, VERY mild recoil, kicks like my moms Sig mosquito firing CCI minimags.

My P11 has now stopped locking the slide back after the last round is fired. I don't see any visible damage to the mag release. Was it a pretty simple process to ship it back to Kel-Tec, and what was the turnaround time to get the weapon back?

sparkydm · 01-03-2010, 02:38 PM

Kel Tec recommends a break in period. Forgot the number of rounds they say but I never had a single jam with my P-11. You will get used to the trigger pull. A pleasure to carry daily.

WestTex · 01-03-2010, 08:16 PM

I just got a P-11 Last week. I went to the range last Wed and shot 8 rounds just to see how it would do, but it was freekin cold and light snow so I didn't stay long. I seem to shoot low and to the right but I assumed that was because I'm not use to the trigger.
Went again today and shot about 70 rounds with only one jam.
50 shots on a sihouette from 3, 5 and 15 yds, shooting 20 from 3' 15 from 5' and 15 from 15', with only one round missing completely, and one round outside the target area I figured my score at 185
Even with the long trigger pull I found it very accurate and it was comfortable to shoot. (and of course fun)
It will be my carry weapon

BONDOBOB · 01-25-2010, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushwacker73

Hey Ya'll, before I take a beating on this, I read the Kel Tec threads. I just bought a new P 11 and am looking for some honest long term reviews on the P 11. I have'nt even fired mine yet. Thanks..

I had a p-11, shot it 81/2 rounds, it jamed so bad on a fired casing that the guys at the gun range had to put it into a vise to get the wedged casing out. It fired with the breech half open so it bent the entire slide. I sent it back and they SHIPPED ME A NEW ONE, it was not repairable at all. I proptly sold the new one and bought a name brand gun. Use it but be careful with it, don't ever trust it completely

Tabdog · 02-24-2010, 09:42 AM

I got my first KelTec close to ten years ago.

They are as reliable as more expensive name
brands, as far as I am concerned.

My first was the older P 11 with the really hard
trigger pull..... I got use to it though, and shot
thousands of rounds through it.

Later,, KelTec made the P 11 with a lighter trigger
like the ones they sell today. I could have just got
a trigger kit, but I bought another one that already
had the new trigger,

After the old trigger, this one was cool as far as I
was concerned.

I recently got a P32,

Made a pocket sleeve out of an old billfold with soft,
thin leather,

KelTec pistols have to be broke in. Do not fire a new
KelTec before cleaning. There is a sticky preservative
that will cause numerous failures.

You can expect a few failures during the break in. Then
you can expect an almost flawless firing rate.

The KelTec service is American and first rate. They
will fix or replace almost any of their products, even if
they have been modified.

I lost the base plate in the woods.

I eMailed them and they sent another. There were no
shipping charges.

Just my experience.

Happy Sh@@tin,

Tabdog

10-08-2009, 02:15 PM	#1
Bushwacker73 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Great Lake's Posts: 2	Kel Tec P11 owners Hey Ya'll, before I take a beating on this, I read the Kel Tec threads. I just bought a new P 11 and am looking for some honest long term reviews on the P 11. I have'nt even fired mine yet. Thanks..

10-09-2009, 02:43 AM	#2
Mike U. Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oz, right next door to The Lollipop Guild HQ Posts: 120	Welcome to the forum! Get busy and shoot that P-11 already! Mine gave me several jams on the first couple of magazine's worth of ammo. Don't be surprised if it happens to you. New guns sometimes need a break in period. Mine has not given me any problems after those first magazines. And, it's been many years and God knows how many hundreds of rounds have been run through it since then. Good luck and hope you enjoy your new P-11. __________________ Gettin' old ain't fer sissies...

10-09-2009, 02:28 PM	#3
MLN1963 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SW OK Posts: 556	I don't have a long term relationship with my P-13 (12 +1) but I like it. I have a KelTec factory 12 round magazine. 13 rounds of 9 mm in a small easy to conceal package. The trigger is what many folks complain about on the P-11 and it is different but you get used to it. Remember that this is a close-in self defense pistol and not a S&W Model 41 target pistol and you shouldn't be let down. Since ammo is hard to come by these days the only ammo I've shot through it so far is Federal 115 Gr FMJ target/practice rounds (from Wal Mart) and Hornady Critical Defense 115 Gr FTX hollow points which are my carry rounds. I had a lot of mis-feeds on the first magazine although it's gone down from there. I only had two the last time out (120 rounds) so it appears to be getting better. The problems occurred with the Federal FMJ only. My Gun Smith (GS) warned me this may happen with the Federals. He's seen it in a few guns now as they are very long bullets (I shoot the same FMJ in my M&P and have no problems). The jams don't bother me as it has only happened with the practice ammo and I knew it may happen. So far the Hornaday Critical Defense HPs rounds have fed perfectly while hand cycling and shooting. They are shorter than the Federals and seem to fit the magazine better. These are my choice for carry rounds. FWIW. My GS says that the P-11s he's worked with don't like to feed certain flying ashtray large opening hollow points. I think he said the feed ramp was too narrow and made the rounds run high but don't quote me on that. He recommended that I stick with narrow or pointy type hollow points for my carry rounds. They don't get much pointier than the Hornady's! Last edited by MLN1963; 10-09-2009 at 02:30 PM.

10-09-2009, 04:33 PM	#4
woody1981 One of the Usual Suspects Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: southwest PA Posts: 1,603 Blog Entries: 1	My P11 is a true gem. I have not ever had a misfire, and I have just bought the grip extender from Kel Tec for $6.95. I understand that it gives a ton more of stability. My only problem--ever--was getting the pistol back together from cleaning after the first shooting. Kel Tec doesn't tell you that you have to wiggle the barrel a bit for the catch to fit in properly. Just have some initial patience with that, and you'll have a handgun that you really enjoy shooting and cleaning. __________________ A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity.”~Freud

10-24-2009, 06:30 PM	#7
KW Gary M Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Key West Florida Posts: 7,198 Blog Entries: 1	I can't speak for the P11. I have never shot one. I do however have well over 1,000 rounds through my P3AT and can't say enough about how happy O am with it. I am thinking about getting a P9 or P11 to keep the Kel-Tec price/quality but add a little more power. __________________ To Say Guns Kill People Is To Say Automobiles Drive Drunk and Matches Commit Arson.

10-11-2009, 11:52 PM	#5
HopLax7 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 42	Did you tweak that absurdly long and heavy trigger pull. I don't think it's a bad gun, but it has to have something like a 2.5 inch and 12 pound trigger pull. Way too long and heavy for me. For my money, I'd rather sink the extra $$ into a g26.

10-12-2009, 07:05 AM	#6
MLN1963 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SW OK Posts: 556	My P-11 is for concealed carry. The trigger is not like a G26, M&P ad XDM but it is not that bad for it's intended use. There are a few things you can do to make them a little better but not a huge change. It is also 10x nicer to carry than those guns IMO so it is a worth while trade-off to me. For target shooting I would rather have one of those guns any day (In fact I do).

10-30-2009, 08:51 PM	#8
Roper1911 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: just to the right of the artillery emplacement. Posts: 156	check your mag release. if its plastic, it may break causing the gun to fail to lock back after the last round is shot, kel-tec will replace it with a metal one if you clean and ship it back. otherwise its a great gun, VERY mild recoil, kicks like my moms Sig mosquito firing CCI minimags. __________________ What would John Moses Browning do? ~ Doc Nickle

11-10-2009, 06:04 PM	#9
Don357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Semmes Alabama Posts: 555 Blog Entries: 1	I have a P-11 that I bought used. Aparently it was used just enough to break it in. Very accurate, and reliable. Using 115gr "Monarch" steel cased FMJ, I can easily put all 13 (12+1) in a 6" group center mass @ 20', or make a beer can dance starting at 5' out to around 25'. We bought my wife a new one and ended up selling it after 1 10rd mag. She is devoloping arthritis in her hand and had a hard time pulling the trigger, and wanted a lighter gun anyways, so we bought her a used P3-AT .380. It works better for her. Get that P-11 broken in and enjot it. __________________ NRA member #151239009 NAHC Life member #40649874 G&G CETME Club Minister

01-03-2010, 02:38 PM	#11
sparkydm Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 11	Kel Tec recommends a break in period. Forgot the number of rounds they say but I never had a single jam with my P-11. You will get used to the trigger pull. A pleasure to carry daily.

01-03-2010, 08:16 PM	#12
WestTex Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Texas Posts: 94	I just got a P-11 Last week. I went to the range last Wed and shot 8 rounds just to see how it would do, but it was freekin cold and light snow so I didn't stay long. I seem to shoot low and to the right but I assumed that was because I'm not use to the trigger. Went again today and shot about 70 rounds with only one jam. 50 shots on a sihouette from 3, 5 and 15 yds, shooting 20 from 3' 15 from 5' and 15 from 15', with only one round missing completely, and one round outside the target area I figured my score at 185 Even with the long trigger pull I found it very accurate and it was comfortable to shoot. (and of course fun) It will be my carry weapon __________________ NRA MEMBER CCH TEXAS USCCA MEMBER XD 45 Rossi 38 Mosin Nagant 91/30 M44 M1 Carbine 10-22 KelTec P11

02-24-2010, 09:42 AM	#14
Tabdog Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 54	I got my first KelTec close to ten years ago. They are as reliable as more expensive name brands, as far as I am concerned. My first was the older P 11 with the really hard trigger pull..... I got use to it though, and shot thousands of rounds through it. Later,, KelTec made the P 11 with a lighter trigger like the ones they sell today. I could have just got a trigger kit, but I bought another one that already had the new trigger, After the old trigger, this one was cool as far as I was concerned. I recently got a P32, Made a pocket sleeve out of an old billfold with soft, thin leather, KelTec pistols have to be broke in. Do not fire a new KelTec before cleaning. There is a sticky preservative that will cause numerous failures. You can expect a few failures during the break in. Then you can expect an almost flawless firing rate. The KelTec service is American and first rate. They will fix or replace almost any of their products, even if they have been modified. I lost the base plate in the woods. I eMailed them and they sent another. There were no shipping charges. Just my experience. Happy Sh@@tin, Tabdog Last edited by Tabdog; 02-24-2010 at 09:49 AM.