I've heard of both having some problems. I like my P3AT 380 and the reliability stats are higher than the 9mm's. It's a bit smaller and lighter than the 9mm's and really easy to carry in a front pocket. It lacks the mini sights that the 9's have but this is a purely defensive weapon for close range use. I practice with my P3AT at 7 and 10 yards and can rapid fire about 10" to 12" groups. Slow fire about 5" to 6" groups. I love the size and reliability. I have about 250 rounds through mine and only run a few mags through at a time. This is not a plinking gun. Overall it's a great little gun when used for it's correct intentions. Good luck with your purchase. Hope this helps.

I am shopping for a pocket carry as well. Today I spent the afternoon at 2 different gun shops and got a good overview of the P3AT, PF-9 and the P-11.

The PF-9 seemed kinda big and the mag release catch was incredibly stiff and re-seating the magazine was very difficult - possible something that would work its way out. The P-11 seemed more solid and was about the same size. But what I kept hearing from the pro's was that if you wanted true pocket carry you want the Kel-Tec P3AT. If you go with anything larger you are talking IWB and then there are a lot of options.

Hope that helps - I think it helped me - waiting for a P3AT to come in at either store (sounds like they can be tough to get).

I traded into ownership of a used PF-9 just this week. Probably not a good idea, considering that Kel-Tec's warranty is only good for the original owner AND the record for these things hasn't been that great.

Since we're in the teeth of a snow storm, I haven't even gotten out to shoot the thing yet. I sure like the size and weight of it. I don't plan to practice with it a bunch. Just enough to get a feel for how and where it shoots and how well I can keep it on target. After that, I just want it to shoot on whatever occasion it may be needed. If that is never, that's just fine. I may pop a few rounds through it every few months, but otherwise it'll rest.... in my pocket.

The size of the two are very similar, the biggest difference is the trigger weight is much mess on the pf9 than the p11. the p11 has been on the market for many years and i know of no issues that the gun has. the pf9 has only been out about 1.5 years and is still getting the kinks out. i understand that the newest ones have been working well. check on ktog.org for the latest #'s so you don't buy an old one.

Just bought a P11 and i love it, slides right into my front pocket no problem. It's not to big for a pocket gun,get the P11 you'll not be disappointed!!

Originally Posted by hps

Just bought a P11 and i love it, slides right into my front pocket no problem. It's not to big for a pocket gun,get the P11 you'll not be disappointed!!

Congratulations! I'm hoping to get out and shoot the PF9 some more tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.

I looked at both, and bought the P11.

Fit and finish on the P11 was better. Trigger is heavier, but for a no-safety, defense-only, pocket gun, that's fine.

1- Mine shoots 3-4" groups at 7M
2- I just got a 12 round mag from Kel-Tec for $22??? 12+1 capacity!!!
3- I got 2 pinky-hook mag plates from Kel-Tec for $6 each!!! Nice.

13-Round capacity 9mm that fits in your front or rear pocket, with a 4-finger grip, and functions perfectly... (150 rounds of round-nose, and 20 old Hydrashocks)

I love mine...

PS... $250 OTD used with almost NO wear...

Jeff, you might start pushing in on the mag release button when you insert a mag. I think the catch is polymer and may wear faster than metal.

With the size and weight being so close and the only major difference being capacity, I would go with the P-11 unless you just have to have the sight rail.

Have 2 PF9s, P3AT, & P11. Oldest PF9 is over year old and never had issues. Newest one is more accurate (for me) than any of others. P11 reliable, little harder to shoot accurately due to trigger and a little bigger than I want to carry in pants pocket(coat pocket ok). P3AT reliable, amazingly accurate for its size and just disappears in pockets. PF9 can be pocket carried with good pocket holster and right pants. Carry PF9 in right front pocket as BUG and as primary in summer with 3AT as BUG.

I like my P-11...no problems so far. The trigger pull is bad, but I expected it to be....recoil is bad, but I still love it. It will do what I bought it for, if I get some more practice. LOL

Went to the range yesterday w/p11,again excellent outting no failures of any kind. The difference between Rem JHP 115's and WWB FMJ is huge those darn WWB are alot more stout than the Rem's. With Rem's its a range gun,WWB FMJ not at all a range gun,I found myself shaking when pulling the trigger with WWB ,they actually hurt my hand

My first handgun was a Kel Tec P-11. It was a good gun, but I didn't like the very long heavy trigger pull. It made it very difficult to double tap. For the past few years I have been carrying a P-3AT and I love it. I have read that the PF-9 is a crossbreed of the P-11 and the P-3AT.

The PF-9 has a great smooth trigger pull more to the liking of the P-3AT. I just bought mine two days ago and took it immediately to the range to put 100 rounds through it with no prep. I had no problems. In fact, after adjusting the rear sight, I shot a 6 shot group of 1 inch with the 7th only 2 inches to the left. I used to own a Kahr PM9 and it wasn't nearly as accurate as my PF-9.

I recommend the PF-9. The P-11 tends to bite the thumb joint and the mags tend to rattle. PF-9 all the way with a P-3AT back up.

Also, the PF-9 fits nicely in my pocket or IWB.

Just FYI, according to the KTOG forum, later this year or early next year the P-11 is going to change. It was reported that the P-11 is going to a PF9 slide and PF9 style grip including the accessory rail, except double stack wide. Imagine that, a pregnant PF-9! It also is supposed to have all the same features as the PF-9. Probably the same problems too!

Regardless of what some say, the P11 has fewer problems than the other Keltecs, especially the .380. It has been in production longer as well. All you need to do with these guns is to read the manual and do what it says to do regarding the break in period, cleaning and oiling. I love my P11. It has a long trigger pull for a reason.

I am thinking of picking up a P-11 this Friday. I have found a Hard Chrome slide version. I just don't think I can pass this up. I would love to get my hands on one of those new generation P-11's though. I bet the trigger is similar to the PF-9, which I love.

I just purchased a brand new pf9 today, it was a little more slim than the p-11. Both felt real nice in my hand though. Plus, at $277 I couldn't turn it down. I just cant wait to fire it this weekend.

The first day of firing the my pf-9 was great. The only problem i had was, after taking the slide off for cleaning, was getting the slide back on. The solution was to simply push down on the barrel as i slid it on.

Now, the second time i used it wasn't so successful. It jammed a couple times and the slide-catch wasn't doing it's job (it may have been my hand in the way, not sure). Also, it stove-pipped a live round!? i still don't understand how that happened. I'll have to see if it acts up again.