Opinions on the Kel-Tec PF9

[T3hK1w1]

Does anyone have any experience with this gun? I saw one at a local shop the other day and it looked like it would be a good piece for ultra-deep carry.

[PhilR.]

Just in case you haven't seen it -- check out ktog.org

PhilR.

[nuparadigm]

I have one and I really like it.

[BobCat]

My brother bought one about two weeks ago. He likes it very much. Says the recoil is not bad at all, even though the pistol is so light. Prints well for him, and his friend who shoots Bullseye was able to shoot a very small group at 15 yards, two hands.

The weld on the back of the magazine opened up, rendering the mag non-functional. Factory is sending him a new magazine and wants the broken one back, probably for analysis of the weld failure (one can hope).

That's all I know - no personal experience but if my brother did not like his PF9 he would not have been reluctant to tell me.

Regards,
Andrew

[Longtooths]

I've had my PF9 for couple of months now. About 500 rnds through it no errors what so ever.

I added a Houge universial grip, a X2 Laser/Flashlight combo to it, loaded it with glaser rounds and it is now my Home Defence gun.

Not to take away from it's carry potential, it just has a rail and my other pistols do not.

Great gun.

[Dwight K. Schrute]

My PF9 is on layaway for another week. Can't wait to get it. I'm suprised to hear one of you say you'd use it for "ultra deep cover". You may want to handle the pistol and even request to pocket or holster it in the shop. It is tiny, you bet, but I certainly wouldn't call it "ultra deep cover". The P-3AT may be more up your alley.

I was also suprised to hear one of you say it's your home defense gun. May I ask (with zero disrespect intended) why you wouldn't opt for a larger, likely more reliable gun than the PF9?

[Longtooths]

I was also suprised to hear one of you say it's your home defense gun. May I ask (with zero disrespect intended) why you wouldn't opt for a larger, likely more reliable gun than the PF9?

I have put several thousand rounds through it with no problems. I trust it to preform when needed. I also won't mind if it is confiscated as evidence, lost, stolen etc. if heaven forbid I am forced to use it.

The expensive toys stay in the safe. =P

[lanternlad]

I have one - I'm not thrilled with it.

On the plus side:
Carries great. Very light, barely prints at all.
Reliable so far (100 rounds thru with no hiccups whatsoever)
Inexpensive.
Accurate enough for social work.

On the minus side:
Fit & finish stinks. (Some will say, "But what do you want from a 250.00 gun?" - Oh, I don't know, how about something with at least Bersa quality? If Bersa can do it, so can Kel-Tec.)

Recoils so bad it HURTS TO SHOOT IT. Shot it this morning and my hand STILL hurts. I have the pinky extension AND a Hogue Handall Jr on it, makes no difference.

The good outweighs the bad (barely) but I'd trade it in a second for a Bersa Thunder - A far better weapon IMO, even though it uses a weaker round.

[Dwight K. Schrute]

On the minus side:
Fit & finish stinks.

Just out of curiosity, what finish do yo have? I went ahead with the hard chrome finish. Though chrome is not my style, it is not a range gun and will be seen by very few, and it is very resistant to sweat, etc. I thought, if the MSRP for the HC is $399, and I got it for $297, that was a pretty dog-gone good deal.

[lanternlad]

I just have a regular blued finish. The other finishes were not avail. when I got mine. And you did get a good deal. I saw a HC PF-9 at a gun show and they wanted 379.00

[mr surveyor]

I had my order in at three different shops from the time the PF9 release was announced until May when one became available. I did not want to risk the potentially long wait for a HC model, so I jumped on the first blued model that came available. I also knew to watch for serial numbers over the first 1000 "early release" guns.

Having owned 5 different kT's over the years, including a P11 pistol and Sub 2000 rifle (both traded for other KT's), and currently a P32 (for the wife), a P3AT, and PF9, I am very familiar with KT products, service department and functionality. Out of the five, the P3AT was the only one I had any issues with. I wanted that one to work so much that I insisted on keeping it moving back and forth to Cocoa, FL, until it did. As much as I like my Kimber Stainless Compact, I have to admit that I have fewer problems with my P3AT. It serves a real purpose in concealability as there are few pockets it won't fit in to. The PF9 is obviously a larger platform as far as pocketability, although not a whole lot larger. At only 11.8 ounces it carries well in a sport coat, vest pocket or larger pants pocket. The thin profile makes IWB very comfortable. The sights are very similar to standard iron sights found on most guns, with painted white dots, and easily adjustable for windage. Elevation can be adjusted by adding shims, although I have no experience with that aspect. The new package only comes with a single magazine, but both the flat base plate and the pinkie rest base plate are included. The trigger is DA only and about 7-8 pounds (mine, and I have not guaged it since break-in), and long, but smooth with a crisp break. For a light weight self defense pistol I have had no problem with controlability or recoil related problems, but I don't take it to the range to shoot more than 20-30 rounds at a time. I have a lot more guns available for range/target shooting that are more suited to that purpose. As for accuracy, the little gun can be amazingly accurate given a strong wrist and grip. I have benched and sandbagged and easily shot 2 inch groups at 7 yards. Standing, off hand, 4-6 inch groups are more the norm for me. I have found the gun totally reliable two handed, strong hand only and weak hand only. I have shot Magtech, Winchester, Remington, Aguilla, and a few other brass cased rounds, as well as CCI aluminum, with absolutely no ammunition related problems. I have not, and will not shoot commie steel cased ammo in anything but a commie gun, so I have not tried wolf, monarch or silver bear in my PF9.

One of my best friends ended up with a HC model in July, and it is very nice looking, and like mine is 100% reliable so far. The HC would by far be the best for IWB carry, but I will not complain about being "stuck" with plain old blue.

[OnTexasTime]

I have had a HC PF 9 for the last month and have been very happy with it. I am currently carrying it everyday. 350+ rounds and no problems. I have the pinky extentsion and it helps with control of the gun. The PF 9 does not hurt my hand when I shoot it, but the 380 does when I shoot 25 or more round with it at one time. They are both good guns in that price range.

[Dwight K. Schrute]

I got mine for secondary carry, if that's the right term to use, meaning I carry it when the weather/attire/setting or all of those things combined does not permit me to confidently or comfortably conceal my big honkin' XD40 (4"). My internship this summer put me in a tight spot as I was required to wear slacks and a dress shirt tucked in but not a jacket/tie. This made concealing a real thorn in my side, so, even though the Kel-Tec wasn't around then, I know where to turn in that and other similar situations in the future. Anybody have photos of their PF9s and/or their PF9 carry rigs?

Edited to add:

Also, as mine is arriving in a week, I'd love to hear thoughts on holsters from anyone here. I'm looking at KTOG, too, but I like you guys better. Right now I feel confident about purchasing the DeSantis "Nemesis". I've always been pleased with their holsters.

http://www.desantisholster.com/n38.html

[mr surveyor]

for what it's worth, here's a pic:





while waiting on the paper to "clear", I dug through the shop owner's boxes of used holsters and found the IWB Don Hume for 15 bucks. Even though it was made for compact 1911 (my Kimber also fits), the PF9 fills it very nicely. I would prefer an IWB like my Galco, with the waist band/belt clip to be offset, but the Dun Hume works o.k. for now

[nuparadigm]

....Also, as mine is arriving in a week, I'd love to hear thoughts on holsters from anyone here. I'm looking at KTOG, too, but I like you guys better. Right now I feel confident about purchasing the DeSantis "Nemesis". I've always been pleased with their holsters.

http://www.desantisholster.com/n38.html

The PF-9 will, generally, fit into anything a PM9 Kahr will fit into .... BUT, for $35 you can get the IWB I carry mine in. It's called the Hidden Companion
http://www.grandfatheroak.com