Kel-Tec P-11


Notice: Undefined index: template in /home/816281.cloudwaysapps.com/vmgxmaqkmp/public_html/wp-content/plugins/gd-rating-system/rating/base.embed.php on line 226

Kel-Tec P-11Editor’s Rating: 8.0/10

Users’ Rating (Click a star to rate this gun.)

Summary: Bruce Eimer’s review of and rating for the Kel-Tec P-11 pistol, including a description, range report, photos, pricing, specs and user ratings. (Click here to see all of Eimer’s handgun reviews.)

Editor’s Review

The PF-11 from the left.
The P-11 from the left.

Until roughly 10 years ago, serious shooters and concealed-carry practitioners avoided little pistols for serious defensive everyday carry. Then, a relatively new company introduced an ultra-thin, semi-auto, polymer micro-pistol chambered in .32 ACP and dubbed the P-32. That company is Kel-Tec.

Yes, .32 ACP is for mouse guns. But the P-32 is so small and light, practically anyone can find a spot on their body for it. As a result, the P-32 grew very popular.

Then Kel-Tec did what was considered almost impossible at the time: It created a .380 ACP version of its little gun, which it named the P-3AT. The P-3AT features the same dimensions and almost the same weight as the P-32, but fires a considerably more powerful round.
Of course, Kel-Tec already produced its P-11 pocket gun in a serious caliber, 9mm. I’ve owned, fired and carried P-11s for years, so I know them inside and out. My review follows.

The Details

The P-11 is a semi-auto, locked-breech, double-action-only (DAO) pistol chambered in 9mm. This pistol is compact and lightweight thanks to its locked breech.

The PF-11 from the right.
The P-11 from the right.

The barrel is made of SAE 4140 Ordnance steel heat treated to 47 HRC. The slide is made from carbon steel and contains the firing pin and the extractor. The rectangular frame insert is machined from solid aluminum and houses the firing mechanism.

The trigger connects via a transfer bar to the hammer. The hammer is driven by a free-floating extension spring. The trigger cocks the hammer, so you can dry-fire the gun without racking the slide to re-cock the action. The DAO trigger pull is long and heavy, providing a great safety feature because you really have to intend to fire the gun to press the trigger all the way rearward to its break point.

The grip is made of the high-impact polymer. The grip also forms the magazine well and the trigger guard. The P-11 comes standard from the factory with 10-round magazines, but you can also purchase factory 12-rounders. That gives you 13-rounds of 9mm in your pocket gun (12+1 in the chamber). That’s not bad for a gun that, in my opinion, looks good to boot.

Carrying the P-11

The P-11 measures 5.6″ long, 4.3″ tall and 1″ wide, and it weighs 14 oz. unloaded (22 oz. fully charged). The P-11 feels easier to carry than does a Glock 26. In fact, if you have big pockets, you can carry it in your pocket.

One of the author's PF-11s with the clip installed, and carried via the clip inside his waistband.
One of the author’s P-11s with the IWB carry clip installed, and carried via the clip inside his waistband.

As noted above, because the P-11 features such a heavy and long trigger, it’s safer than most pistols to carry without a holster in your pocket. However, I still recommend carrying it in a pocket holster (as I do for any pocket gun) because the trigger guard should be protected and a made-to-fit pocket holster keeps the gun positioned upright in your pocket. I often carry my P-11 in a pocket holster made by Alessi Gun Holsters. I’ve had it for years and it will probably outlive me.

If I want to carry inside the waist band (IWB), I have P-11s on which I’ve installed Kel-Tec’s proprietary carry clip. The clip is easy to install without specialty tools, and it positions the pistol to ride deep for comfort and superb concealment. I find the clip works equally well over a belt or on my pants’ waistband.

(Yes, I know: This mode of carry doesn’t protect the trigger guard. But it’s different because it’s not in your pocket, into which you may stick your hand. How often do you place your hand inside your pants once you’re dressed?)

Alternatively, I have a very comfortable leather clip-on IWB holster, also by Alessi and called the Talon. It also allows the P-11 to ride deep and comfortably inside my waistband. This is definitely the way to go if you’re concerned about keeping the trigger guard covered and protected.

Range Report

The P-11 isn’t a match-grade pistol, but you can plink with it. It’s fun to shoot. It’s trigger pull stretches just about the length of Texas for its rearward pull and all the way back again to El Paso for the reset. I don’t find this to be a problem; I’m a long-time snubby revolver shooter, so I’m used to heavy DAO triggers. And, the trigger pull gives me the opportunity to practice the most important fundamentals of marksmanship—trigger control and sight alignment.

For me, perceived recoil is manageable, the gun points well and the little full-power 9mm pistol feels nice in my hands.

Two of the author's PF-11s. Both have the carry clip installed, and one is in an Alessi Talon IWB holster.
Two of the author’s P-11s. Both have the carry clip installed, and one is in an Alessi Talon IWB holster.

The P-11’s accuracy is acceptable up to 10 yards and good at 7 yards or closer in. This isn’t a gun you shoot a one-hole drill with. However, with practice, you can keep all 7 yard or closer shots on an 8.5″x11″ piece of paper, which approximates the high center-mass area of a bad guy’s torso.
The P-11 is easy to field strip for cleaning, making routine cleaning as easy as cleaning a Glock.

Bonus: Also like a Glock, the P-11 can go a lot of rounds without cleaning. I shoot my guns a lot, and I hate cleaning guns. I’ve lost track of how many thousands of rounds I have run through my P-11s with no problems.

Kel-Tec offers a lifetime warranty on all of its guns. Three of mine were good right out of the box. I had to ship one back to the factory for service. It stubbornly shot left, and it wasn’t my trigger work or the sights. I also had difficulty inserting a fully charged magazine into this P-11. One month later I received the gun back from the factory, and it’s worked fine ever since.

Final Thoughts

Overall: 8.2
Concealed Carry: 9.5
Reliability: 9
Accuracy: 7.5
Shootability: 5
Capacity/Size: 10

Yes, I own four P-11s. Why? I like them. I bought all of them brand new, and now they are all well used. I have owned three of these four for close to 10 years.

The P-11 is my favorite in the Kel-Tec line, and one of my favorite small semi-autos. What’s not to like in a lightweight and reliable pocket gun that holds 13 rounds of 9mm +P’s?

Bruce N. EimerBruce N. Eimer, Ph.D., is a practicing licensed psychologist, a Pennsylvania State Police Certified Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor and an NRA Certified Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor who advocates for responsible gun ownership and thorough gun education. He is the founder and president of Personal Defense Solutions, LLC, a professional firearms training company in the Philadelphia area that offers non-resident multi-state concealed gun permit classes and private firearm instruction sessions as described at PersonalDefenseSolutions.net. Dr. Eimer also qualifies retired police officers to carry concealed firearms under HR 218, which is the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (for more information, go to RetiredPoliceCCW.com). And he writes a blog at ConcealedCarryLaw.com and runs the online forum DefensiveHandguns.com.

The Specs

Caliber Capacity BBL OAL Height Width Weight
9mm 10+1, 12+1 3.1″ 5.6″ 4.3″ 1″ 14 oz., unloaded

Pricing & Shopping

MSRP: $333
Retail: $249 (black frame, blued slide) at Brownell’s 
Retail: $249 (gray frame, black slide) at Brownell’s 

No votes yet.
Please wait...

15 thoughts on “Kel-Tec P-11”

  1. Pingback: ArmaLaser SB3 Info & Photo | HandgunLasers.net

  2. I own three of these, and I like everything about them, except for looks. I’m one of those people who appreciate beauty in a weapon, in addition to the usual requirements for concealed carry. The P-11 is an inexpensive pistol, and it looks it. However, it functions well, and I especially like the fact that certain higher capacity S & W mags will work well with the P-11.

    No votes yet.
    Please wait...
  3. I have one , had a good bit of trouble with it when I first got it , rear sight screwed up , chamber was too small for cartridge to go in , front sight fell off , I sent it back to Keltec and they fixed it , it is like new shoots well and eats anything I feed it . Will buy more Keltec’s in the future . Be prepared and ready . Keep your powder dry .

    No votes yet.
    Please wait...
  4. For those on a tight budget… this is a superior CCW pistol. Hi-cap, moderate recoil, surprisingly accurate, at least out to 50′. I gave mine to a family member, and prefer the Kahr P40 Black Diamond, but it was a very acceptable, reliable, lightweight carry gun.

    No votes yet.
    Please wait...
  5. I would recommend not dry firing it without an empty case in the chamber. I broke a firing pin that way and scarier still, didn’t know it had broke, so for weeks I carried a gun that, when I finally tried to shoot it at the range only went click.
    Keltec sent me a free firing pin in the mail (only took 3 days after I called them) and I repaired the gun in 10 minutes.
    All that said, I think it’s a good pocket or backup gun and reminds me of the venerable Walther PPK which due to it’s shape and size makes it, IMHO, the ultimate pocket pistol.

    No votes yet.
    Please wait...
  6. Where is the serial # on the P11?

    No votes yet.
    Please wait...
  7. Is there a dealership in my area,

    No votes yet.
    Please wait...
  8. Yeap, it is not fancy, it is not pretty, it doesn’t have a lot of features, it feels plasticky at times, its finish is rough, the sights aren’t the best and I rather pick up a hammer than pull the heavy trigger…..But man, it has ALWAYS gone bang after every trigger pull in thousands of rounds. Years ago, the P11 was my second gun purchase, after buying a Marlin 22LR rifle 20 years before, since I could only afford a budget CC at the time. Since then, I’ve purchased other different types of guns (.30-06 bolt action, AR-15 type, CZ-75 clone, used Walther PPK imitation – Interarms PPH, etc) but have never intended to replace my P11…..until now. Living in Florida means either IWB or pocket carry and the P11, in this weather, doesn’t cut it for me for pocket carry, I always have to buy larger sized, loose t-shirts so it won’t print while IWB. I also wear light nylon fishing pants since they will keep you fresh and dry off faster than any cotton jeans can. Additionally I hike the AT and at Ocala at times and putting the waist belt of the backpack on top of the IWB makes it painful after a couple of days. I am looking at something smaller but with good quality like the Kahr CM9 but this will mean losing the extra rounds of the P11…..I am a bit torn on the issue, but maybe it is time to move on.

    No votes yet.
    Please wait...
  9. Does anyone have a problem with the trigger on their P11 pinching their finger when they fire it? I put a trigger shoe on mine thinking it would stop the pinching but it didn’t. Anyone?

    No votes yet.
    Please wait...
    1. Bought a P11 for my wife as a concealed carry piece. She shot the pistol surprisingly well. I on the other hand could not stand the skinny trigger. It was very uncomfortable and pinched my finger. Elected to put a trigger shoe on. My wife still shoots it well and its now become tolerable for me. Still a slight pinch but far better than original.

      Rating: 1.00/5. From 1 vote.
      Please wait...
  10. I was on the toilet, playing with my P-11, when suddenly, it discharged. What a MESS !!

    No votes yet.
    Please wait...
  11. I have a question for all P11 owners. I recently bought one from a local pawn shop which was in excelliant condition. I like the pistol alot and really like the safety features it has as I use it for my concealed carry weapon. My question is how can I reduce the trigger pull? Not a lot but it takes 3 men and a boy to pull the trigger which has me putting rounds all over the dang place. I used to carry a hammerless S&W in .38spl so I’m use to a fairly stiff pull but no where near the pull I have with the P11. Any help or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks

    No votes yet.
    Please wait...
    1. You evidently have a newer P-11 they have an ungodly hard trigger pull and frankly that’s why I don’t like the newer ones but if you have an earlier model P-11 you will find that the trigger pull is much smoother! I love mine it’s a earlier model I believe that they came out with the P-11 in 1995 and mine is around the year 2000 and it’s a Nickel version!

      No votes yet.
      Please wait...
  12. Buy the trigger spring kit from Mcarbo… They have several upgrades for the P11.

    No votes yet.
    Please wait...
  13. Don’t waste your money. I bought one let them put it in and it didn’t help. Best thing you can do is get rid of the pistol.

    No votes yet.
    Please wait...

Comments are closed.