Anybody heard of Kel Tec?

ahenry · January 25, 2001, 09:41 PM

I was in a gun shop the other day looking at a Karh 9mm and a gentleman there showed me a Kel Tec 40. I am more a 40 cal. fan than a 9mm and I was wondering if any of you had heard (good or bad) of this gun or even manufacturer before as they are new to me. Anybody?? Thanks

rblack · January 25, 2001, 10:05 PM

I have the Kel-Tec P11 which is the 9mm version and like it very much for what it was designed. I had the P40 which is what you are referring to and the recoil was very sharp, and have heard some say the .40 is not as reliable. They seem to be very popular guns for their purpose. I've had mine for about 2 years and it is very reliable and fairly accurate.

Airborne · January 25, 2001, 10:33 PM

Kel-what?

dZ · January 25, 2001, 11:10 PM

never heard of 'em

http://www.ktog.org/

a gotta love a gun with an owners group website!

dZ

justice4all · January 25, 2001, 11:33 PM

I too have the P11, and I love it. I haven't tried the .40, but I imagine it would kick like a crazed mule. The 9mm is bad enough, but manageable, and IMO a great concealed handgun.

If you're not looking for a gun to carry concealed, get something bigger and heavier, and you'll have a better gun for regular practice.

Steve Smith · January 25, 2001, 11:52 PM

I have a P-32...I'm pretty happy with it for what it is! Their service is great!

ehenz · January 26, 2001, 12:00 AM

An outstanding light walter weight pistol. Want an outstanding super lightweight pistol, check out the P-32. Kel-tec, Great bang, and reliablilty for the buck. Great for CCW too.

PLASTIC SIG · January 26, 2001, 07:39 AM

Kel-Tec's rock!

I cant imagine what recoil would be like in .40 though

If you are comparing the Kahr with the Kel-Tec, theres a world of difference. I have a 9MM keltec and love it. I never had any interest in a Kahr. Its heavy, expensive, and you dont gain any ammo capacity over the Keltec (actually less I think)

To answer your question. Most all of us like the keltecs. Welcome to TFL!

Tim

shooter.45 · January 26, 2001, 07:41 AM

I also have a Kel-Tec P32 and love it great little gun and there Cust. Service is great.

David Scott · January 26, 2001, 08:59 AM

Kel-Tecs are made in Cocoa, FL about an hour away from me. My wife has the P32 and it's a little gem.

CJF · January 26, 2001, 12:28 PM

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if those of you with the Kel-Tec P32's could give me a little info? I am thinking of buying one to carry as my "summertime" CCW. Are they fairly accurate for this purpose? Also how reliable are they (jams, misfires etc)?

Thanks,
Chris

EricM · January 26, 2001, 01:39 PM

The P11 is my carry weapon.

Ledbetter · January 26, 2001, 02:01 PM

The p-32 is a great little gun. For $20, the factory will hard chrome the slide and function test the gun. Go to this site to find out all you want, including how to smooth up the action with some 600 grit sandpaper and some patience.

http://ktog.org/reviews-p32.htm
http://ktog.org/cgi-bin/ubb/Ultimate.cgi

I have the belt clip for mine, just clips inside the waistband and disappears.

Regards.

frbank6 · January 26, 2001, 02:01 PM

I carry a P-32 in a pocket holster all the time in the summer, and occasionally in the cooler months when I carry a P7. As to reliability, I had a few problems at first(first 100 rounds), but after some careful polishing I've had no further problems. It's recoil seem much less that the Beretta Tomcat I had once. Accuracy-wise, it's no P7, but it's not meant to be. Remember what its niche is and you won't be dissappointed.

BloodyThumb · January 26, 2001, 02:24 PM

OK...... Here's my two cents worth. First of all, I can only speak for the ONE that I have........ but having said that.

The facts.....

I have owned a Seecamp .32 for several years. Never a moments trouble..... I have fired it quite a bit, and carried it extensively in the extreme heat of summer, but NEVER as a primary. It's still a .32

I am a firm believer in the "you get what you pay for" school of thought, but also fully realize there are exceptions.... both positive and negative.

I have talked with several people who owned the Kel-Tec P32, and spoke very highly of it. I was skeptical. The more I heard and read, the more I thought I should try one.

About a month ago........ I bought one.

The opinions (about the one I happened to get).

Feed ramp was pretty rough when I got it. I took the Dremel and some polishing compound to it and it polished up very nicely. It may have been un necessary, but it just "needed to be done". At this point I have fired about 500 rounds through it. 400 of Fiocchi (spelling?) JHP's, and 100 Silvertips. It has been 100%. No failures to feed, extract, eject, or lock open after last round. It is accurate enough to bounce around coke cans out at 15 yards or so, but I have not tried shooting groups. That just seems like a pretty un natural thing to do with this little pistol.

Two minor complaints. The paint that in the little channel that constitutes a rear sight, came off during the first range session. A little de-greaser and some yellow sight paint fixed that right up. The other is the placement of the magazine release. People have bad mouthed the heel release on the Seecamp, and stated the 1911 like placement of the mag release on the Kel Tec is superior. I disagree. This little pistol was designed to be carried close to the body..... in a pants pocket, in a vest pocket, in "Thunderwear", etc. and the 1911 style mag release has a tendency to OFTEN cause the mag to be disengaged when removed from these close quarters....... Never a problem with the heel release on my Seecamp.

All in all, I consider THIS ONE at least to be one of those pleasant surprises where you get more than you pay for!

I ordered replacment springs and another mag from Kel-Tec, so I guess that means I'm gonna keep it.

Hope that helps a little.....

BT

frbank6 · January 26, 2001, 02:40 PM

Something else that bears mentioning. Ashley Express sights are now available for the P-32. If it needs anything to improve its accuracy, its new sights.

N2GUNZ · January 26, 2001, 04:21 PM

I have a P32 and I love it!!

ahenry · January 26, 2001, 05:26 PM

Thanks for all the response. I am certainly going to have to go check out a P-32. This would really fit a niche that is a little thin in my collection.

CJF · January 26, 2001, 05:41 PM

Yes, thank you all for the responses, I think my mind is made up. I'm gonna try one out.

-----------
Chris

January 26, 2001, 07:41 AM	#9
shooter.45 Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2000 Posts: 544	I also have a Kel-Tec P32 and love it great little gun and there Cust. Service is great. __________________ shooter.batcave.net

January 26, 2001, 02:01 PM	#13
Ledbetter Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2000 Location: California USA Posts: 4,533	Welcome to TFL CJF The p-32 is a great little gun. For $20, the factory will hard chrome the slide and function test the gun. Go to this site to find out all you want, including how to smooth up the action with some 600 grit sandpaper and some patience. http://ktog.org/reviews-p32.htm http://ktog.org/cgi-bin/ubb/Ultimate.cgi I have the belt clip for mine, just clips inside the waistband and disappears. Regards.

January 26, 2001, 02:24 PM	#15
BloodyThumb Senior Member Join Date: April 9, 2000 Location: Indyucky Posts: 111	P32 response OK...... Here's my two cents worth. First of all, I can only speak for the ONE that I have........ but having said that. The facts..... I have owned a Seecamp .32 for several years. Never a moments trouble..... I have fired it quite a bit, and carried it extensively in the extreme heat of summer, but NEVER as a primary. It's still a .32 I am a firm believer in the "you get what you pay for" school of thought, but also fully realize there are exceptions.... both positive and negative. I have talked with several people who owned the Kel-Tec P32, and spoke very highly of it. I was skeptical. The more I heard and read, the more I thought I should try one. About a month ago........ I bought one. The opinions (about the one I happened to get). Feed ramp was pretty rough when I got it. I took the Dremel and some polishing compound to it and it polished up very nicely. It may have been un necessary, but it just "needed to be done". At this point I have fired about 500 rounds through it. 400 of Fiocchi (spelling?) JHP's, and 100 Silvertips. It has been 100%. No failures to feed, extract, eject, or lock open after last round. It is accurate enough to bounce around coke cans out at 15 yards or so, but I have not tried shooting groups. That just seems like a pretty un natural thing to do with this little pistol. Two minor complaints. The paint that in the little channel that constitutes a rear sight, came off during the first range session. A little de-greaser and some yellow sight paint fixed that right up. The other is the placement of the magazine release. People have bad mouthed the heel release on the Seecamp, and stated the 1911 like placement of the mag release on the Kel Tec is superior. I disagree. This little pistol was designed to be carried close to the body..... in a pants pocket, in a vest pocket, in "Thunderwear", etc. and the 1911 style mag release has a tendency to OFTEN cause the mag to be disengaged when removed from these close quarters....... Never a problem with the heel release on my Seecamp. All in all, I consider THIS ONE at least to be one of those pleasant surprises where you get more than you pay for! I ordered replacment springs and another mag from Kel-Tec, so I guess that means I'm gonna keep it. Hope that helps a little..... BT

January 26, 2001, 04:21 PM	#17
N2GUNZ Member Join Date: January 4, 2001 Posts: 26	Kel-Tek I have a P32 and I love it!!

January 25, 2001, 09:41 PM	#1
ahenry Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,764	I was in a gun shop the other day looking at a Karh 9mm and a gentleman there showed me a Kel Tec 40. I am more a 40 cal. fan than a 9mm and I was wondering if any of you had heard (good or bad) of this gun or even manufacturer before as they are new to me. Anybody?? Thanks

January 25, 2001, 10:05 PM	#2
rblack Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 1999 Posts: 293	I have the Kel-Tec P11 which is the 9mm version and like it very much for what it was designed. I had the P40 which is what you are referring to and the recoil was very sharp, and have heard some say the .40 is not as reliable. They seem to be very popular guns for their purpose. I've had mine for about 2 years and it is very reliable and fairly accurate.

January 25, 2001, 10:33 PM	#3
Airborne Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 1999 Posts: 229	Kel-what?

January 25, 2001, 11:10 PM	#4
dZ Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 1999 Location: Exiled, Fetid Swamp, DC Posts: 7,548	never heard of 'em http://www.ktog.org/ a gotta love a gun with an owners group website! dZ

January 25, 2001, 11:33 PM	#5
justice4all Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2000 Location: Grand Junction, CO Posts: 327	I too have the P11, and I love it. I haven't tried the .40, but I imagine it would kick like a crazed mule. The 9mm is bad enough, but manageable, and IMO a great concealed handgun. If you're not looking for a gun to carry concealed, get something bigger and heavier, and you'll have a better gun for regular practice.

January 25, 2001, 11:52 PM	#6
Steve Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 1999 Posts: 4,131	I have a P-32...I'm pretty happy with it for what it is! Their service is great!

January 26, 2001, 12:00 AM	#7
ehenz Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 1999 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 308	An outstanding light walter weight pistol. Want an outstanding super lightweight pistol, check out the P-32. Kel-tec, Great bang, and reliablilty for the buck. Great for CCW too.

January 26, 2001, 07:39 AM	#8
PLASTIC SIG Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2000 Location: Pasadena, Maryland Posts: 268	Kel-Tec's rock! I cant imagine what recoil would be like in .40 though If you are comparing the Kahr with the Kel-Tec, theres a world of difference. I have a 9MM keltec and love it. I never had any interest in a Kahr. Its heavy, expensive, and you dont gain any ammo capacity over the Keltec (actually less I think) To answer your question. Most all of us like the keltecs. Welcome to TFL! Tim

January 26, 2001, 08:59 AM	#10
David Scott Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2000 Posts: 2,456	Kel-Tecs are made in Cocoa, FL about an hour away from me. My wife has the P32 and it's a little gem.

January 26, 2001, 12:28 PM	#11
CJF Junior Member Join Date: January 26, 2001 Posts: 8	Hello everyone, I was wondering if those of you with the Kel-Tec P32's could give me a little info? I am thinking of buying one to carry as my "summertime" CCW. Are they fairly accurate for this purpose? Also how reliable are they (jams, misfires etc)? Thanks, Chris

January 26, 2001, 01:39 PM	#12
EricM Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,060	The P11 is my carry weapon.

January 26, 2001, 02:01 PM	#14
frbank6 Member Join Date: April 4, 2000 Posts: 44	I carry a P-32 in a pocket holster all the time in the summer, and occasionally in the cooler months when I carry a P7. As to reliability, I had a few problems at first(first 100 rounds), but after some careful polishing I've had no further problems. It's recoil seem much less that the Beretta Tomcat I had once. Accuracy-wise, it's no P7, but it's not meant to be. Remember what its niche is and you won't be dissappointed.

January 26, 2001, 02:40 PM	#16
frbank6 Member Join Date: April 4, 2000 Posts: 44	Something else that bears mentioning. Ashley Express sights are now available for the P-32. If it needs anything to improve its accuracy, its new sights.

January 26, 2001, 05:26 PM	#18
ahenry Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,764	Thanks for all the response. I am certainly going to have to go check out a P-32. This would really fit a niche that is a little thin in my collection.

January 26, 2001, 05:41 PM	#19
CJF Junior Member Join Date: January 26, 2001 Posts: 8	Yes, thank you all for the responses, I think my mind is made up. I'm gonna try one out. ----------- Chris