9 mm Kel-Tek PF-9 and P-11 compared

Since 07-13-06

ThePirate :: 5/22/2006 5:13:28 PM

I think you can do a bit better on a blued finish P-11 than $250, but not a lot. The big difference between the soon-to-be-released PF-9 and the P-11 is the trigger. The new pistol features a DAO trigger that comes in at around 6.0 pounds, whereas the DAO P-11 trigger weighs 8.5 pounds and feels longer. Height and length are the same. The PF-9 is thinner and lighter, but only has a 7+1 capacity. P-11 gives you a 12+1 capacity (with flush fit hicap magazines, pistol comes with one 10 rounder), a proven design, and is available now.

As far as P-11 finishes, the base model has a blued (looks black) slide with an in-the-white barrel. A parkerized slide (looks dark gray) with parked barrel (looks black) is $15-$20 more. A hard chrome slide and barrel costs about $15-$20 more than the parkerized model. Kel-Tec offered a few P-11s with a stainless steel slide and barrel, but discontinued them in favor of the hard chrome some time ago. They had a dull silver/gray appearance; not the shiny affair most SS pistols you see are. You can sometimes find them used. Older P-11s (serial 28000 and below, letters came later) originally shipped with a 10.0 pound hammer (trigger) spring. Kel-Tec will send you the current 8.5 pound spring if you ask, and it is easily installed at home.

The PF-9 will probably be available in July or August and will only be offered in the blued finish at first. After a few months, Kel-Tec will start offering the parkerized models, and then later the hard chrome. This is the standard way they release their pistols.

Both pistols come in three grip colors: black, gray, and OD green. For about $25 you can change the grip to a new color yourself in about 20 minutes or less if desired.