*Review of the Kel-Tec PF9 9mm Single Stack Pocket Pistol*
By: Riverside
27 May 2007

I live in South Florida, so the ideal way for me to carry concealed is in the right front pocket. Slacks, shorts or bathing suit, the pocket carry is the way for me. I bought a Kel-Tec P32 .32ACP pocket pistol for my first weapon for concealed carry, and it is very comfortable, easy to conceal, and very easy to shoot accurately. However, I wanted 9mm stopping power in a concealed weapon, so I bought the Kel-Tec P11 9mm. It turned out that this is NOT really a pocket pistol. It is thick and heavy, and weighs the pocket down. It also has a TERRIBLE trigger. Even after the modifications recommended on the Kel-Tec website, I was not comfortable with my ability to shoot it in a stressful situation. I went back to carrying the P32.

About two months ago, I spotted the new Kel-Tec PF9 9mm. It is considerably smaller and lighter than the P11, and glory be, a significantly improved trigger. I was at the gun show, and there was a price of $369 on it. I asked for a deal, and the dealer said $299. Done! I went home with it, and couldn't wait to get to the range.

The Kel-Tec PF9 is a 9mm, double action only, locked breech pistol. Kel-Tec claims it is the lightest, flattest 9mm ever made. It comes with a standard accessory rail for a light or laser on the dust cover. The front and backstrap are grooved for a good firm grip. A pinky extension is available for the magazine. The sights are very nice and visible 3 white dot system. The rear sight is adjustable for windage with the included allen wrench.

The gun only comes with 1 seven round magazine, so my first order of business was to order more magazines. Kel-Tec limits you to 3 per order, so I ordered 3. I also ordered the trigger shoe, as the stock trigger is a little skinny, and after a few minutes of dry firing, my finger was getting a little sore. I also ordered a pocket holster from JS Holsters for it.

Field stripping is very easy, the same as the P11, and very similar to my XD45. Remove the mag, and make sure there is no round in the chamber. Lock the slide back with the slide stop, and pull the assembly pin. Pull the trigger, and remove the slide off the front of the gun. Remove the guide rod and springs from the barrel, and then remove the barrel. You are done. This is as much as Kel-Tec recommends be done by the user. Assembly is just as easy.

I got to the range before the trigger shoe and magazines came in, so I tried it without the shoe. Definitely get the shoe. After 100 rounds, my finger was sore. Other than that, the gun performed flawlessly. We have a range that has rows of small, steel plates at 7, 8 and 9 yards. I was able to hit the plates 8 out of 10 times.

Next time, a week later with the trigger shoe installed, I was able to shoot much better. I think I missed a couple of plates out of 100 shots.

Then I went over to the range with the drop plates, and hit six out of six. I am very pleased with the accuracy and shootability of this gun.

The only negative is that after dry firing practice one day, the magazine wouldn't drop free. Upon close inspection of the gun I noticed that a small piece of the frame in front of the hammer was cracked and pushed forward, binding the top of the magazine. I looked at my other Kel-Tec pistols, and neither one had that piece. I FedEx'd it to Kel-Tec (no return authorization necessary) on a Monday, and had the gun back the following Monday. They removed the piece that was broken, and polished where it was removed. They told me that newer production models are being made without the piece. They also replaced my barrel with a newer version, and included an extra magazine. Superb customer service as far as I am concerned.

I would definitely recommend the Kel-Tec PF9 9mm as a concealed carry weapon.
Riverside



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