Kel-Tec P-11

The Kel-Tec P-11 is a compact, semi-automatic, short-recoil operated pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger. It has been manufactured by Kel-Tec CNC Industries of Cocoa, FL since 1991.

Design & Specifications

The P-11 was designed by George Kellgren, the Swedish designer who also designed many earlier Husqvarna (Sweden), Intratec, and Grendel brand firearms. The P-11 uses an aluminum receiver surrounded by a polymer grip housing held to the receiver by polymer pins. The slide, barrel, and magazine are steel. A standard magazine holds ten rounds, although twelve round magazines (factory & after-market) are available. At fourteen ounces unloaded, and twenty ounces loaded, the handgun itself is comparatively light. The slide, barrel, and ammunition constitute most of its weight. The P-11 lacks an external or manual safety, relying instead on a long Double Action Only (DAO) trigger pull to prevent accidental discharge. A firing pin spring and low-mass hammer prevent accidental discharge if the gun is dropped. The P-11 comes with a ten round magazine as standard, with an option to purchase a twelve round magazine. The P-11 will also accept the Smith and Wesson 59 Series fifteen round magazines. ["P-11." Kel-Tec. "Kel-Tec-CNC.com". [http://kel-tec-cnc.com/p11.html] ]

Intended market

The P-11 is designed for concealed carry by civilians and law enforcement officers. It is only slightly wider than the staggered-column magazine it uses. The barrel is near the minimum length possible with a Browning tilting-barrel system of operation. The gun easily fits into a pocket, small holster, or inside a handbag. All edges are rounded and smoothed allowing comfort while concealed carry. There are no protrusions on the pistol to catch on a pocket holster, a deep concealment, or an inside of waistband holster. A specially designed belt clip is available which attaches to the side of the gun, effectively allowing it to be carried clipped inside the waistband without the need for a separate holster.

Accessories and modifications

A wide range of accessories are available. The aforementioned belt clip allows the wearing of the gun without a holster tucked inside or outside the pants. A magazine extension wraps around the base of high-capacity magazines designed for the Smith & Wesson model 59 and various later models. Users can also install trigger shoes, finger-rests, rubber grip sleeves, and other accessories, most available from the manufacturer.

The 9 mm ammunition used in the P-11 is inexpensive relative to .45 ACP, .38 Special, or even .32 ACP cartridges. Total numbers manufactured are not published, but are believed to be over 100,000 as of 2005.

For a short period, the P-11 was offered in .40 S&W and .357 Sig. These weapons were designated P-40 and P-357. These models mated a P-11's frame to a larger magazine and slide with a barrel specific to the caliber. While the larger rounds reduce the number of cartridges the magazine can hold, the operator enjoys considerably greater power. Due to the difficulty most users experience controlling the small pistol with these higher-powered calibers, the upgrade was removed from the market.

See also

* Kel-Tec CNC Industries of Cocoa, FL

References and external links

* [http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/p11.html Kel-Tec CNC Industries P-11 Handgun]
* [http://www.ktog.org/ Kel-Tec Owners Group ] (KTOG)

Reviews

* [http://www.building-tux.com/dsmjd/tech/kel_tec.htm Review By Markowitz]