Kel-Tec PF9 impressions

[TN_Mike]

I am really thinking of picking up a Kel-Tec PF9 in the near future. I would be very interested in hearing any comments from folks who own and have shot this gun.

I have read several on line reviews and most are pretty favorable but I'd like to hear from some of the members here.

 

[doglb]

I had one for awhile, no problems what so ever...
It was a decent 9 for the price, not the prettiest but it did what it was suppose to do. I just sold it for something else.

 

[baldmax]

Trigger is not great, but can be made better. It is a small carry gun, not a range gun. That being said. they are great for what they are.

 

[structure]

I almost picked one up, but I got this guy instead

I'd be interested to see what people thought of the PF9, I might be interested in a pocket carry at some point.

 

[groovatron]

I almost picked one up, but I got this guy instead


snip.

wow....that's quite a switch

 

[Rockhound]

Nice pocket gun, structure, how's it shoot?

 

[rimfire_crazed]

I carry my PF9 daily. Not because I want to - because I need to. Most days I can not pull off carrying a full size auto. I also have concealment issues at the workplace.

My PF9 is rock solid reliable. I carry Fiocchi Extrema 115 XTP Hollow points, or Federal 9PB standard pressure JHP's. The Extrema's are just a little hotter and the XTP bullet has proven to expand at much slower velocities than should be expected out of this short barrel.

The trigger pull is long. It is a true DAO trigger - much like a revolver trigger - maybe a tad lighter. Fit and finish on mine was ROUGH. The slide bluing is thin, one of my rear sight dots had a chip missing out of it, etc. reassembly was just a tad tricky the first time but I can do it with my eyes closed now. I'm considering having it duracoated in the near future - the only thing holding me back is that I do not want to be without it for long.

It's small enough for limited pocket carry, and conceals IWB very nicely. Recoil isn't as harsh as I thought it would be, but it is not a range gun. Probably closer to .38+p out of a very light framed snub revolver. Not as bad as .357 out of a snubby. I can shoot 50 or so before I've had enough of it.

Holster options are somewhat limited. Fobus C21b paddle holsters are useable - especially with the retention adjustment screw. You'll have to play "fit the gun" with most soft holsters. I currently rotate between pocket carry, a soft armor #2, and the C21B.

Accuracy is good. I can reliably keep a seven shot string within the center of a paper plate - about six inches. I'm not a good shot with a DAO trigger - but my groups have been tightening up over time.

Two more advantages over the P3AT are cheap 9mm practice ammo and it has ACTUAL SIGHTS - not just a bump at the end of the slide and a groove to sight through.

One disadvantage. This is not a gun you can safely dry fire. There is a screw that is impacted by the firing pin when dry fired and over time, the screw will loosen or the firing pin will break. Shame - this is one gun where dry fire practice can really help you.

 

[rimfire_crazed]

wow....that's quite a switch

Could've bought 3 PF9's for the price of that.

Or one PF9 and a butt-ton of ammo to practice with.

Still - I'm slightly Kahr jealous.

 

[structure]

Nice pocket gun, structure, how's it shoot?

This is my first handgun, so I don't have much to compare to (g19, xdm, older .38 wheel gun). It felt great in my hand, the all steel construction is a big plus (as far as shooting is concerned). The trigger is a bit long, but I really started to get used to it towards the end of the session. Need more range time

Definitely too heavy to consistently pocket carry (IMO), but I was already aware of that before purchasing.

 

[booey50]

I love mine for the price and like rimfire said it is not a range gun. mine "bites" the fleshy part of my hand between my pointer finger and my thumb. Give it some time and you will become a pro with it. With the less recoil ammo like 95 gr. it is not bad at all...

 

[rimfire_crazed]

I've been considering loading up some 90gr XTP's but haven't had time to get a die set and experiment. Probably feel like a PF9 chambered in .380.

 

[Squib]

A lot of good, fair comments on the PF9, and for the most part they are applicable to the P-11, as well. I still have the P-11 because of the larger ammo capacity; but I'm thinking it's about time to move it along, too.

The finish is kinda rough, but never had a problem mechanically. "Not a range gun" means it hurts to shoot it and it only takes a few magazines before folks are ready to call it quits. But you are not buying a range gun, you are buying a CC pistol at a good price. Of course, the down side you have to make lots of trips to the range.

I did not find much carry difference between them, that's the reason I kept the P-11. I did not think of either as a pocket gun, and carried both OWB. I only fired SD loads once to make sure they cycled properly, and I was ready to quit after one magazine!

If you are buying the pistol for self defense and you intend to use it for that, you are good to go. If you want a SD pistol, and a range gun, you might be better served with something else.

 

[indyjoe]

I found it too think for pocket carry, but the P3AT just ok. Personally, I have the P3AT and the P11, because the P11 is about the same size as the PF9 other than thickness. If carrying with holster, that thickness doesn't matter, but you get a few more rounds.

I know many people that can handle the PF9 in pocket carry. It is a typical Kel-Tec. Reliable, but nothing fancy.

 

[sadclownwp]

I thought about getting a PF9 for a long long time. But decided on a P11 instead, its just as "accurate", with a higher round count, feels more comfortable in my hands at least, and when carried on my ankle, its not detectable. not saying anything against the PF9, I just think the P11 is a better pistol.

 

[groovatron]

snip

One disadvantage. This is not a gun you can safely dry fire. There is a screw that is impacted by the firing pin when dry fired and over time, the screw will loosen or the firing pin will break. Shame - this is one gun where dry fire practice can really help you.

Hmm....I'd be curious as to what 451_Detonics has to say about that. I shot his carry PF9 at a NWI meet and shoot. He claims to have put lots of rounds through it..(over a thousand? I don't remember) The trigger pull on his was very smooth and broken in. He specifically recomended dry firing it ALOT to get the trigger as smooth as his.

I'm not saying you ar wrong, I just recall something different.

Do you think snap caps would solve the problem?

 

[indyjoe]

Hmm....I'd be curious as to what 451_Detonics has to say about that. I shot his carry PF9 at a NWI meet and shoot. He claims to have put lots of rounds through it..(over a thousand? I don't remember) The trigger pull on his was very smooth and broken in. He specifically recomended dry firing it ALOT to get the trigger as smooth as his.

I'm not saying you ar wrong, I just recall something different.

Do you think snap caps would solve the problem?

Yes, completely. That is what I use on the P3AT, which shares this same design issue.

 

[groovatron]

Yes, completely. That is what I use on the P3AT, which shares this same design issue.

Do LCP's have the same problem?

 

[indyjoe]

Do LCP's have the same problem?

I believe so. Other than adding a slide stop, I believe Ruger pretty much stole the design as is.

 

[Regionnus Rattis]

I have both a PF-9 and a P-11...but I end up carrying the larger one more oftern, just because of a few extra rounds. Both fit nicely IWB and never even notice they are there. As others say, they're not pretty, not a range gun, and have a long trigger (i.e., not a gun for a average shooter). They do what they are made for and I will always have one.

 

[LEaSH]

I thought for awhile about trading my PF9. Really don't think I will get rid of it though. It's cheap and wouldn't fetch as much money as it is worth to me.
The main reason I considered getting rid of it is that it lacks double strike capability. In reality, it shouldn't be as much a deal breaker, but until I find something as small and powerful (and reliable), it's going to stay with me.