Older Kel Tec p11?

[ARV]

I have a chance to pick up an older Kel Tec P11 for a price Id hate to pass up. Does anyone know if there any problems with the earlier guns that I should look for or be aware of?

 

[FiringDragon]

I have one and they don't have a particular problem. However, generally speaking they are not as comfortable to shoot as other pistols, they are not as accurate (mostly due to size) as other similar pistols, and sometime finicky about feeding.

I use mine as a back up to my back up... when I need something very small.

 

[CharonPDX]

Some people dislike the early model's heavier trigger pull - you can send it to Kel-Tec to have it replaced with a lighter pull. Some people claim that the original plastic guide rod is too weak and prone to failure - but I've never seen any actual confirmed case of failure (and Kel-Tec claims they haven't, either.) They do make a replacement steel rod, which they will do for you, too.

Their service is great, and very reasonably priced. I sent my 10+ year old one in for a refurbishing last year, and a full refurbishment, with all the 'upgrades' and trimmings, plus a few accessories (12 round mag, mag extension, wider trigger finger pad,) came to less than $80. And that was off-warranty, as I was not the original purchaser.

 

[Unythios]

I'm with FiringDragon. My brother in law had one. Although very accurate in the right hands and thin for CC, it's not a fun gun to shoot at all. It will punish the palm of your hand as well as beat up your trigger finger. YMMV

 

[ARV]

Thanks guys. Ive got plenty of carry guns for what ever I need them for from a M&P40c down to a tiny Seecamp. Ive had zero experiance with Kel Tec's. I figure for $125 it'll serve some purpose, most likely when I know Ill be in conditions Id rather not subject the others to. Maybe Ill take it swimming or something..... :sarcastic:

 

[obxfshr]

At $125 jump on it. Great little guns that won't win any beauty contests but are solid shooters and pretty accurate in the right hands. Spend some time with it at the range, show it some love and she'll love you for life.

 

[rdc2co]

I have three- one older P-11, one newer, both blued (Dura-coated). I bought a two-tone one recently. I like them. The blued ones started to rust, so I spent the money to have them Dura-coated. The older ones were not finished well. I also learned that, with any blued gun, wax it with carnuba car wax. Yup, that's right. Car wax. Make sure it is 100% carnuba wax- no polymers, not "cleaning wax" with the gritty stuff in it. That will screw up anything. Johnson's paste wax or Mothers can be bought at most car parts stores, Wal-Mart, etc. It does work. Moisture and perspiration bead right off.
Also had a guy tell me that he put Sno-Proof inside his holster! I have yet to really research that, though.

 

[ARV]

I did pick it up. Seems to have been carried but not shot much, theres not a whole lot of wear on the frame. Stripped it down to a pile of parts, inspcted and reassembled. Seems like a good gun over all. Ill use it as is until the blue is gone or it gets really prone to rust, then I'll either coat it or send it out to be hard chromed