New Pocket Gun KelTec P9

[2farnorth]

From what I have heard, the owner of Kel-tec's business model is to not go into debt for any reason or something like that. New guns are put into production and the production profit is used to fund expansion of the production for that gun. This is 180 degree away from S&W and Springfield who set up a whole bunch of production and introduce a new firearm with hundreds of thousands of copies in distribution. There is risk to the second approach that maybe Keltec doesn't want to take on. I have to wonder who Keltec doesn't license some of their designs. Ruger has copied their pistols before anyway.

I have one PF9. It functions fine when it fires. Have some issues with the firing pin not hitting. Just started working on getting Keltec to fix that.

However, I have 2 or 3 other Keltec products that work fine. They have some unique guns that are fun to shoot.

Probably needs the firing pin channel cleaned. Be careful as the firing pin has to go in a certain way and the bolt that retains it (extractor spring bolt) can be tightened too much. The bolt also must be blue loc-tighted when re-installed.
It's loc tighted at the factory so it's easy to strip out the torx/or allen hole. Don't know your experience or abilities so you may want to have a professional do it.

I understand that KT is expanding their facilities so they can do more in-house procedures (heat treating, coatings, etc) rather than farming it out to outside contractors. Should give them more control over the quality.

On all the detraction I see: I must say I've seen more mechanical failures of guns from "major" manufacturers....S&W revolver with a broken cylinder hand, Colt 1911 with cracked slide, Taurus's with major malfunctions, Ruger MKII 22 that will fire before the bolt fully closes...etc.etc.. Major companies that have had numerous recalls.
The PF9 is not for everyone and I don't try to sell anyone on it. I can just tell them my experience. They are fun too shoot for a short session but long sessions can make your hand/finger hurt. I've done very minor mods to alleviate some discomfort.
For any one that makes up their mind to buy one.....don't expect a Pinto/Fiesta to ride like a Lincoln.

[billfromtx]

I LOVE MY PF-9. over 500 rounds down range and not a single hiccup! Rides nice in my front pocket. Not so much with Wrangler Jeans but with shorts and slacks! Good to Go!

[CC Italian]

I felt the same way when i bought my p32. Oh god what am i doing But its size and shootability were great.

800 rounds later nothing has changed. Never an ftf or fte. Last month i replaced the mag release spring because it was getting weak but that's it. I think it was worth it.

[Duckdaddy]

I Am a big fan of Kel Tec. I carry the PF9
Affordable, made in the USA, and they have GREAT customer service. I was on a very tight budget when I purchased mine, and I bought it used. it had some problems from abuse that I was unaware of. sent it to KelTec and they sent me a brand new gun!!!

[raggededge]

I bought a PF 9 several years ago and two of my friends also bought at the same time only one of us kept the pistol and he rarely shoots. Mine went back to the factory where it stayed well over two months and on its return I sold it. My other buddy also sent his to the factory and sold it on its return. There are lots of better guns out there. I have had the Kel-Tec PF 11, P3AT , PF9 and the only reliable one was the P11. Currently have Glock 42, 27, and 23 and they are flawless. A pistol that really impressed me is the SCCY bought one and it is similar to the P11 the fact that the warranty follows the gun and not the owner is also impressive. New they are around $225+ at various gun shows, 9mm double stack mag. So if dollars are important this would be a gun to really consider.

[Splatter]

I have used Kel-tec pistols over 15 years with no problems. p40, pf9,p3at,p32, I also have a glock 23, beretta 92fs, walther p-38, sw 38spl, makarov 9mm, cz82, cz52, cz50,stoeger 22luger,rock island 45cal 1911, rossi 38spl ,sccy cpx-2,Taurus 709 slim, Taurus pt25, but I carry the kel-tec pistols on a daily basis because they fit in my pocket, not because they are cheap.