New Pocket Gun KelTec P9

[ralewis]

Considering a KelTec P-9. I have a P3AT that I really like, and it's perfect for pocket carry. I've carried the P3AT for about 10 years now, and it's been a good gun. I'm looking for something with a little more punch but still good to pocket carry. Any opinions?

[jmra]

Not a big fan of keltec - IMHO for a little more money there are much better firearms out there.

[TVGuy]

Not a big fan of keltec - IMHO for a little more money there are much better firearms out there.

You were more guarded with your answer than I would have been.

[jmra]

Not a big fan of keltec - IMHO for a little more money there are much better firearms out there.

You were more guarded with your answer than I would have been.

[CoffeeNut]

For a tiny bit more (literally just a few dollars) you can get the well reviewed SCCY CPX-2.

For about $100 more you can get a Shield. Then again if you like KelTec, know what you're buying and test your firearms I say get the gun you want. I did that with Taurus and I'll continue to do that with guns I am drawn to.

[jmra]

I guess if I'm going to knock a firearm I should recommend some alternatives.
Pocket carry is very subjective. Some people can pocket carry a double stack 9 like a G26 (I cannot) and some people can't pocket carry a .22 derringer. So I will try to keep my recommendations to subcompact single stack 9s.
The first that comes to mind is the CM9 which I think is actually a little smaller than the PF9 IIRC. Others that fall into the $300 - $400 range would be the Nano, LC9, And the M&P Shield.
Others that will be well north of $400 include PM9, Sig P938, G43, and the Kimber Solo.
I'm not a huge Tauras fan either, but I would carry the PT 709 before I would the PF9.

[TVGuy]

A Glock 43 can be found for $358 on a regular basis, don't trust your life with a pistol that is known for nothing other than problems like a PF9. (There are also other options that have been pointed out)

Most people I've seen can't put 200 rounds through that gun without breaking it. Watch some YouTube reviews and /or shoot it at the range and see if you can get any more usage out of it.

I was always under the impression that Kel Tecs were only sold on the black market in the hands of criminals.

Sorry, couldn't hold back!

[jmra]

A Glock 43 can be found for $358 on a regular basis, don't trust your life with a pistol that is known for nothing other than problems like a PF9. (There are also other options that have been pointed out)

Most people I've seen can't put 200 rounds through that gun without breaking it. Watch some YouTube reviews and /or shoot it at the range and see if you can get any more usage out of it.

I was always under the impression that Kel Tecs were only sold on the black market in the hands of criminals.

Sorry, couldn't hold back!

I think that $358 price on the G43 is Blue label pricing.

[2farnorth]

I have carried a PF9 since about 2011. Initially had problems with WWB and SB ammo. All others worked great. Last year I noticed a small crack starting on the slide and sent it back to KelTec. They replaced the entire gun and the replacement has been outstanding. No FTE's or any other "jams". The quality of the bluing is much better also. Overall, I'd buy another if I had the need.
I quit the KTOG board so I haven't kept up with what's going on with KT's products now

[TVGuy]

A Glock 43 can be found for $358 on a regular basis, don't trust your life with a pistol that is known for nothing other than problems like a PF9. (There are also other options that have been pointed out)

Most people I've seen can't put 200 rounds through that gun without breaking it. Watch some YouTube reviews and /or shoot it at the range and see if you can get any more usage out of it.

I was always under the impression that Kel Tecs were only sold on the black market in the hands of criminals.

Sorry, couldn't hold back!

I think that $358 price on the G43 is Blue label pricing.

I think you're right. Need. More. Coffee.

I stand on my point though. Even at $450 it's a better value.

[The Annoyed Man]

I guess if I'm going to knock a firearm I should recommend some alternatives.
Pocket carry is very subjective. Some people can pocket carry a double stack 9 like a G26 (I cannot) and some people can't pocket carry a .22 derringer. So I will try to keep my recommendations to subcompact single stack 9s.
The first that comes to mind is the CM9 which I think is actually a little smaller than the PF9 IIRC. Others that fall into the $300 - $400 range would be the Nano, LC9, And the M&P Shield.
Others that will be well north of $400 include PM9, Sig P938, G43, and the Kimber Solo.
I'm not a huge Tauras fan either, but I would carry the PT 709 before I would the PF9.

Springfield XDS-9 is another one.

[The Annoyed Man]

All prices listed here are MSRP. Nobody pays MSRP. I could not get the Glock USA page to load this morning, so none of their models are included in this list. In no particular order.....

Kel-Tec PF9

Weight unloaded: 12.7 oz.
Loaded magazine: 2.8 oz.
Length: 5.85"
Height: 4.3"
Width: 0.88"
Barrel Length: 3.1"
Capacity: 7 + 1
Trigger Pull: 5 lbs
MSRP $356.36

Kahr CM9

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Operation: Trigger cocking DAO; lock breech; "Browning - type" recoil lug; passive striker block; no magazine disconnect
Barrel: 3.0", conventional rifling; 1 - 10 right-hand twist
Length O/A: 5.42"
Height: 4.0"
Slide Width: .90"
Weight: Pistol 14 ounces, Magazine 1.9 ounces
Grips: Textured polymer
Sights: Drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights
Finish: Black polymer frame, matte stainless steel slide
Magazine: 1 - 6 rd flush floorplate
MSRP: $460 (I know for a fact that these are retail priced in the $350-$399 range)

Kahr PM9 - virtually identical to pistol above, but more refined, and MSRP $800...

Beretta BU9 Nano

Action Striker
Barrel length (mm) 78
Barrel length (in) 3
Caliber 9x19 (PARA)
Magazine 6
Overall height (mm) 106
Overall height (in) 4.17
Overall length (mm) 143
Overall length (in) 5.63
Overall width (mm) 23
Overall width (in) 0.9
Weight unloaded (g) 562
Weight unloaded (OZ) 19.8
MSRP (most models): $450

Ruger LC9

Caliber: 9mm Luger
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel Length: 3.12"
Barrel Material: Alloy Steel
Barrel Finish Blued
Slide Material Through-Hardened Alloy Steel
Slide Finish Blued
Grip Frame Black, High Performance, Glass-Filled Nylon
Width 0.90"
Height 4.50"
MSRP: $449

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7 Round & 8 Round
Action: Striker Fire
Barrel Length: 3.1" / 7.874 cm
Front Sight: White Dot
Rear Sight: White 2-Dot
Overall Length: 6.1" / 15.5 cm
Frame Width: .95" / 2.413 cm
Overall Height: 4.6" / 11.684 cm
Weight: 19.0 oz / 538.7 g
Frame Material: Polymer
Barrel/Slide Finish: Black 68 HRc
Trigger Pull: 6.5 lbs. +/-
Sight Radius: 5.3" / 13.3 cm
MSRP: $449

Springfield XDS-9

CALIBER
9mm
RECOIL SYSTEM
Dual Spring w/ Full Length Guide Rod
SIGHTS
Fiber Optic Front & Dovetail Rear (Steel)
WEIGHT (WITH EMPTY MAGAZINE)
23 ozs.
HEIGHT
4.4"
SLIDE
Forged Steel, Melonite® Finish
BARREL
3.3" Steel, Melonite®, Hammer Forged
LENGTH
6.3"
GRIP WIDTH
.9"
FRAME
Black Polymer
MAGAZINES
1 - 7 Round Flush Fitting, 1 - 8 Round With Mid-Mag X-Tension™, Stainless Steel
MSRP: $599

Kimber Solo

Specifications
Caliber: 9mm
Height (inches) 90° to barrel: 3.9
Weight (ounces) with empty magazine: 17
Length (inches): 5.5
Magazine capacity: 6 rounds
Frame
Material: Aluminum
Finish: Matte Black
Width (inches): 1.14
Slide
Material: Stainless steel
Finish: Satin silver
Barrel
Length (inches): 2.7
Material: Stainless steel
Twist rate (left hand): 10
Sights
Fixed low profile
Radius (inches): 4.4
Grips
Black synthetic
Checkered / smooth
Trigger
Double action striker- fired
Factory setting (approximate pounds): 7
MSRP:$815.00

Sig P938

Caliber 9mm
Action Type SAO
Trigger Pull DA N/A
Trigger Pull SA 7.5-8.5 lbs
Overall Length 5.9 in
Overall Height 3.9 in
Overall Width 1.1 in
Barrel Length 3.0 in
Sight Radius 4.2 in
Weight w/Mag 16.0 oz
Mag Capacity 7 Rounds
Sights SIGLITE Night Sights
Grips Black Rubber Wrap Around Grips
Frame Finish Black Hard Anodized
Slide Finish Nitron®
Accessory Rail No
Features Ambi-Safety, Beavertail style frame, Black rubber wrap around grip, 7 Round extended mag
MSRP $836.00

Taurus PT 709

Model: 709FS
Finish: Blue
Status: Available
Caliber: 9 mm
Grips: Checkered Polymer
UPC: 7-25327-61066-3
Capacity: 7 +1
Weight: 19 oz
Barrel Length: 3"
Frame: Compact
Action: SA/DA
Front Sight: Fixed
Length: 6"
Order #: 1-709031FS
MSRP: $403.98

By way of comparison, I own both a Kahr PM9 and a Springfield XDS-45, which is the exact same size as the XDS-9. The following pictures compare both of those pistols in size to a Springfield XDM-45 Compact 3.8, which is a double stack compact sized pistol, similar in size to a Glock 30.

Left to right: PM9, XDS-45 3.3, XDM-45 Compact 3.8


Top to bottom: PM9, XDS-45 3.3, XDM-45 Compact 3.8


Top to bottom: XDM-45 Compact 3.8, XDS-45 3.3, PM9


It is worth noting that when you compare just the two smaller pistols side by side, the Springfield is about 1/8" taller, and only 1/2" longer. The Kahr is a for sure pocket pistol, but the Springfield can be pocketed. It's just a bit heavier.

Hopefully this information will help you to see that there are lots of alternatives, without sacrificing quality, and they run the gamut from pretty affordable to pretty expensive.

(EDITED TO CORRECT A "THERE/THEIR" TYPO - TAM)

[Javier730]

Sorry but I am gonna have to agree, there are much better options for not much more.

[TVGuy]

Well done, TAM.

[TVGuy]

I have carried a PF9 since about 2011. Initially had problems with WWB and SB ammo. All others worked great. Last year I noticed a small crack starting on the slide and sent it back to KelTec. They replaced the entire gun and the replacement has been outstanding. No FTE's or any other "jams". The quality of the bluing is much better also. Overall, I'd buy another if I had the need.
I quit the KTOG board so I haven't kept up with what's going on with KT's products now

See, here's the problem.

First of all, if a gun doesn't like one brand of ammo that's one thing. If you start striking out various makes, that's a problem.

More importantly, a slide should not crack, especially after only two years. Of course they sent you a new one. It was defective and if they didn't and you continued to use it and blew your hand off you would have a serious liability suit against them. They make them so cheaply that they can still fully replace guns and turn a profit.