Kel-Tec PF-9 Sub-Compact Pistol
First Reviewed November 23, 2010
Found in Kel-Tec, Pistol Reviews, Sub-Compact Pistols
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The PF-9 is a sub-compact 9mm pistol which incorporates the best design features of the company's popular P-3AT pocket gun. After ten years of concealed carry shooters toting around heavy double-stack guns and all-steel single-stack 1911s, there was a demand for something both thinner and lighter. A few single-stack guns such as the Taurus Model 709 Slim were brought to the market, but the big players such as Glock and Springfield Armory were reluctant to tool up to bring their own slim-line polymer guns to the market.
Where there is a demand some company is going to start looking to meet that demand to make a profit. Thus the birth of the PF-9 sub-compact pistol. The gun is small enough to be carried in an IWB holster or an Ankle Holster. It's thin profile means that carrying the gun is less of an intrusion than other more bulky pistols.
A quick glance at the controls of the Kel-Tec PF-9 will allow most people familiar with guns to notice that there is no external safety of any type. No thumb safety, no trigger safety. It does come with an internal hammer-block safety which is automatically engaged each and every time the trigger is pulled. The result is that the gun cannot fire if the trigger is not pulled. As with the Glock, the absence of a thumb safety implies that the gun needs to be carried in a proper holster that protects the trigger from being manipulated inadvertently. The trigger itself is setup in a double-action-only format, so each trigger pull requires a long strong pull for the gun to fire as well.
Kel-Tec PF-9 Pistol Gallery
The pistol is produced in three different finishes, blued, parkerized, and hard chrome. Each of these is mated to the polymer frame and while black is the most commonly sold color for the frame the gun is offered with grey and green lower receivers as well.. The frame itself features an integrated rail system, but the gun is so short that only one locking groove is available limiting the number of attachments which will work with the gun.
Reviews of the Kel-Tec PF-9 sub-compact pistol can be found below with the newest reviews at the bottom of the page. Please write a review of your own if you have used this gun in the past and can shed some light on its overall performance and value. Please send photos of your gun to pictures@gunreviewspot.com and we'll be sure to include them in the PF-9 Photo Gallery once your review is approved.
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I am a newby to shooting but I love the PF9. although ,due to being a lefty I have released the mag during a course of shooting.Will continue to practice,but may have to look for compact w/an ambi-mag.
Had to polish the rough feed ramp to stop feed problem with some types of ammo. No problems since.
Been shooting all my life, fairly new to this class of pistol. Picked my pf-9 up for 300 with two clips with pinkie extentions and a belt clip included; I’ve put about 250 rounds through it so far which seems to be about the learning curve for it. 4 stars for performance because the gun is slide heavy and has a high center of gravity resulting in a snappy recoil that is difficult to control. Also the polymer trigger has a pretty aggressive slap-back that hinders rapid shooting. That being said, the ergonomics are good and the action is smooth. 3 stars for durability because I’ve noticed some sheering on the outside, bottom edge of the slide rail near the front. I’m afraid this is evidence that the slide itself is a harder steel than the rail, which will shorten the life of the firearm. 5 stars for concealability; its a 9mm the size of a 380 and small for a sub compact, enough said. 5 stars for value because it’s a great gun for the price and keltec has amazing customer service. Buying a keltec means you will get that support, something a lot of people take for granted. Overall I give the pf-9 4 stars.
Morning ritual. Dress then watch, cell phone, PF-9 for just about 2 years now. Mine rides in an OWB pancake. On the day I bought it, I stopped at the range, removed it from the box and put 300 rounds down range (200 ball, 100 HP’s). it will take anything I feed it. It has had about 2000+ rounds through it to date. One of he things I like most about it is, my first carry piece was a S&W 442, this trigger is very much the same. Recoil? snappy, but nothing a little 5’4″, small handed girl can’t handle (and she puts ‘em where they belong all day long)If you are looking for a used one, find one with the metal mag release. I have a friend that had an issue with him hitting the mag release during practice, the plastic one stuck a bit too far out.
All in all? I would HIGHLY recommend the PF-9 to anyone. Have a GREAT Day Y’All!!
I put it on in the morning and don’t take it off until I put it on the night stand when I crawl into bed. I’ve been caring it with N82Tactical’s IWB original tuckable holster since 8/2011. This pistol is a very accurate, very thin, light weight 9mm (under 15oz loaded). It holds 7 in the mag and 1 in the chamber. There is no external safety. The sights are steal, 3 dot sites and the rear sight is adjustable. Mine was dead-on accurate out of the box so I’ve had no need to adjust it.
The manufacturer does not recommend using anything but standard pressure rounds (no +P or +P+). Federal Champion 115 gr FMJ work extremely well for range practice, never an issue of any kind. Hornady 115 gr FTX Critical Defense also works very well for my SD round; again, no issues (very expensive SD round). The one round that I’ve tried that the PF9 does not like is the Remington 115 gr UMC FMJ. After only 10 to 12 rounds I get multiple FTE, FTF, and strike problems. The UMC is very dirty and poorly packed and spews carbon everywhere. I can reproduce the problem every time. I hope to try the Federal Personal Defense 115 gr JHP #C9BP (used to be called the Federal Classic 9BP) for my defensive round. It has proven, over many years in police departments around the US, to have the best stopping power of any other HP 9mm on the market.
I picked up a new, parkerized version at a gun show for $270. You only want the versions with the metal mag release. If you have a plastic release you can call Kel-Tec and they will send you a metal one.
Breakdown is very simple, but there is a small trick to reassembly. After everything is assembled, but before the slide is pushed back to insert the breakdown pin, you must push the barrel down while pushing the slide back or the assembly will not align correctly.
Extra mags are easily purchased and you should always carry at least one.
I have a friend who has carried his PF9 for a couple years. Put hundreds of rounds through it and never cleaned it. He has never had a single issue ever, but he has also never fired a Remington UMC round.