Seaking advice/opinions on Kel-Tec PF9

[DJGray]

I'm considering the purchase of a PF9 for carrying in my dress slacks at work. I'm looking for informed feedback on two things:

1. The Kel-Tec PF9 itself
2. The best pocket holster for carrying it

Thanks a ton!

- damon

 

[B2Tall]

I have one and carry it on a regular basis. Not a pretty pistol but effective and accurate. Highly concealable and ideal for pocket carry (my preferred method). I had one FTE on the 2nd round I ever fired through it but after that it's been flawless. I carry it in a DeSantis Gunhide, right rear pocket.

 

[wolf_fire]

I'm considering the purchase of a PF9 for carrying in my dress slacks at work. I'm looking for informed feedback on two things:

1. The Kel-Tec PF9 itself
2. The best pocket holster for carrying it

Thanks a ton!


- damon

I'm partial to the Sig Sauer P290 (pocket 9mm). It shoots like a dream and the Sig Lite Sites are phenomenal.

As far as the pocket holster, it's not pretty but it gets the job done (and since they are in your pants, who cares what it looks like) try Mika's Holsters. He's a retired LAPD cop who makes leather gear. His website is: Link Removed

What I like about Mika's is that you can actually custom order your holster according to YOUR specifications for only $39.95. He's great to work with and does great work too.

Good luck to you.

 

[Throttleup]

I carry a PF-9 (24/7 - 365) in a Galco PH460 Horsehide pocket holster. So snug and comfortable you forget it's even there. I carry an extra mag in the other front pocket with my knife and keys. At least once every couple of weeks I'll pull it out at the range and shoot 3 or 4 quick rounds of Federal Hydro Shock ammo from a defensive crouch. It always goes boom, boom, boom, boom! Enjoy.

 

[CRW]

I've never shot the PF-9 but owned the P11 and it was the worst handgun I ever owned. I shot two on the same day to see if it was just mine but both proved to be poor firearms. What made you decide on the keltec?

 

[mwbackus]

I would strongly suggest that you spend a bit more time researching the PF9 before making your purchase. There are a lot of video reviews both pro and con on YouTube about the PF9. Personally I would spend a little more cash and take a good look at the new S&W Shield in 9mm. Much better quality and a really sweet trigger as well.

 

[George Bill]

One of the few guns that I would pass on. I owned one and there are some good ones and some terrible ones. Their forum consists of thousands or problems and work arounds for specific refinments that need to be done on different batches. Don't get one. It's a very unreliable gun. You would better off with an LCP, same size hole, and at close range with powerball or gold dot will have the same effect.I went to the LC9 after 3yrs with the Lcp. Laser built in and an external safety. It's the only one I have with a safety, but I carry 24/7. I have dogs and grandkids, a safety is appropriate god forbid some little paw or hand got in there. It does conceal almost as well as the lcp and it's8 rounds of 9mm. Put 100 rounds downrange and it shoots right on the laser dot.I have a half dozen small 9' 40's an 45's but the lc9 worked better than the Nano, SIG 290, Shield and anything else, you can stash it in a "sticky" holster and move it when you drive to your frontal area. Great setup. I like the gun, it's no springer but it goes bang every time.

 

[spriestley]

I have carried a PF-9 every day for about 3 years. I put about 100rnds through it a couple times a month. As many have mentioned, initially I had some issues with it, but did what's referred to as a "fluff-n-buff" where I tore the pistol down to the frame and gently softened specific sharp edges and polished the feed ramp. Since then, it's run absolutely perfectly without a FTF or FTE.

However, with that said, if I was new to firearms and cautious about tearing them apart, I would probably consider the Ruger LC9 as a direct competitor. At this point, however, I'm thinking about replacing my PF-9 with a Springfield XDs single-stack .45 when they are more available.

 

[B2Tall]

I bought my PF9 before the LC9 came out. If the Ruger were available I probably would have gone with it for no other reason than (at the time) I was much more familiar with Ruger as compared to Kel Tec. That being said, I have no regrets buying the PF9.

I would never fully trust a pistol until I had a couple of hundred rounds through it. This holds true for my $289 PF9 as well as my $1000 HKs.

 

[DJGray]

See?? This is why I asked the questions, and why I asked them HERE!!

Excellent feedback. I was browsing "lesser" sites and saw someone recommend the PF9 because it is so thin and lightweight. Carrying in my work slacks, I really don't want there to be any printing that might cause even a single question to be asked.

As a new owner and CCarry man (have a .40 that is too big, so carry off-body), I am deeply concerned about the reliability issues cited below. I will take all your advice to heart and continue my investigation. I won't be making this purchase until I am fully satisfied I'm making the right move.

 

[njsportsman]

I have a PF9 and although I have had no problems with it I would stay away anyway. I don't have a lot of rounds through so that maybe the reason for no real major problems but it seems like the gun is not a longevity gun. People are going to say what do you expect from a cheap gun and they are right. I guess you learn from your mistakes. As someone said there are plenty of YouTube videos about them, if at the time I bought the PF9 the Kahr CM 9 was available it would have been no contest I would have spent the extra $140. I even saw a video where the gun came a part as the guy was shooting. Here's a YouTube video and the link to KTOG which is a Kel Tec forum. Take it for what it is worth it just seems to me there are a lot of complaints on these guns. As a matter of fact I am going to trade my gun in for a CM9 when I save up the difference or I may keep it but, it will not be used for CCW when I get the CM9. As a matter of fact the CM9 H=4.0", L=5.42" and W=.9" and the PF9 H=4.3", L=5.85" and W=.88" so, with the exception od the width Kahr is the smaller gun and we are only talking .02". My advice and it's my opinion go with the Kahr if you can. If not I am sure the Kel Tec will srve just fine but, may need a lot of breaking in amd mods before I would trust it and the PF9 is better than no gun. I was in your position wanted something cheap but now I wish I did my homework a little better. Good luck

Link Removed

 

[DJGray]

Wow!! And the excellent feedback just keeps rolling in.

I'm thoroughly dissuaded as far as the PF9 goes. In fact, I'm thinking Kel-Tek altogether is a brand to avoid.

Leaning toward a Ruger LCP or LC9, or possibly a Kahr now.

I appreciate the suggestion of S & W, but am staying away from them on principle. S & W STILL owes me $50 and two magazines for the M & P I bought from them. Until they honor the rebate, I will not buy another S & W or even recommend them as a vendor.

Thanks everyone!! This is a great forum.

- damon

 

[longslide10]

Forget the Kel-Tec go M&P Shield 9 or 40 or XDS 45 (the same size as the shield). The LC9 is another decent choice if price is a concern but it lacks things the Smith doesn't like it's blued vs SW melonite, it has a mag disconnect which means if the mag falls out ya can't fire it, ya can't rack the slide if the safety is on, it has a plastic guide rod, it only comes with 1 mag, the sights aren't as good and is less accurate (according to some on youtube), it is lighter and more of a pocket gun than the others though.

 

[snatale42]

I love my PF9, I usually carry a G26 but once it's get's hot I go to the PF-9. I usually carry IWB in a Kholster but when I need to have no chance of printing I use my SmartCarry.

 

[Robby3006]

Look into bodyguard 380 its all ull need for pocket pistol shield is a way better gun but a ltl big for pocket

 

[snatale42]

Look into bodyguard 380 its all ull need for pocket pistol shield is a way better gun but a ltl big for pocket

Any how is this a opinion on the PF9?

 

[spriestley]

I can understand that at this point in history there are better alternatives to the PF-9. I disagree that Kel-Tec is a brand to stay away from, they are consistently considered innovators in the industry and are often copied - example: the PF-9 and P3AT copied by Ruger, the PMR-30, the Sub-2000, the new KSG-12, etc.

A couple of points to consider as well - unless things have changed at Kahr, I remember the 70's and I really dont want to send any of my money anywhere near the Reverend Sun Myung Moon - his eldest son is the Founder/CEO of Kahr. If someone wants to tell me Im wrong about that now I'd love to hear it, but it was true within the past few years. Kahr Arms - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Secondly, I've always heard "friends don't let friends carry mouseguns" and .380 is marginal (arguable) but I have never felt completely comfortable with my Ruger LPC .380 because of capacity, controllability and stopping power - i fully believe its less about "knock-down power", but it's about shot-placement - however, my ability to produce accurate, rapid shot placement from a tiny platform has always been very difficult beyond 3-5 yds - I'm much better with a little bit larger frame (PF-9/LC9/etc).

Personally, I am very interested in the Sprinfield XDs single-stack slim .45acp - XD-S Compact 45ACP Pistol | Springfield Armory USA - - it's dimensions 4.4" x 6.3" x 1".

Good luck!!

 

[Robby3006]

Look into bodyguard 380 its all ull need for pocket pistol shield is a way better gun but a ltl big for pocket

Any how is this a opinion on the PF9?

Well i figured the PF9 is a giant pile of **** and the BG380 is a nice gun maybe i can save the guy some troubles since he most likly will be sending it back for an ejector problem.

 

[George Bill]

I have many guns in this size to weight area. I must say although not one of the more expensive guns, the LC9 has been a great little gun to shoot. I recentlly," 2nd time out" with it, shot a standard "100 yd rifl sight in target" with it, and all were on the pie sized plate at 25 yards. That was the length of the range 75 feet. I used the laser only for all shots, I never brought the gun up to eye level, just shot one handed ,weak hand and from the hip, chest etc. Not 1 miss. i cut out the center of the target and the 4 smaller targets on all 4 corners, and I am not what I once was, in my 60's. So the gun is a super accurate little pistol with no problems of any kind. If you pocket carry get one, and if you need help at night even better, you can make accurate shots with the laserlight laser.I feel perfectlly safe with it. The wobble in the trigger prompted a call to Ruger, their explanation made sense.The internal carriage heats up and can seize the trigger with continual firing, "it's not a target gun", so they left about 1/8 inch of play, side to side, on the trigger. I felt better after speaking with a tech.