Kel Tec PF9 Review and Range Report – KelTec PF9 Compared to Ruger LC9

Kel Tec PF9 Review and Range Report and Comparison to the Ruger LC9. The Kel-Tec PF9 subcompact 9mm is said to be the lightest and thinnest 9mm pistol available. At 12.7 ounces and .88 inch wide the little pistol is very easy to conceal. It holds 7 + 1 rounds of standard or +P 9mm ammunition and reliably shoots FMJ or JHP personal defense ammunition. It has a CNC milled steel slide and an aluminum alloy frame that inserts into the plastic grip assembly. The design and construction details of the PF9 are clearly evident in the new Ruger LC9 when you compare them side by side.

After my first trip to the range I really like the Kel Tec PF9. Surprisingly accurate, very nice trigger, recoil is not an issue, Shot over 200 rounds including FMJ, JHP, +P, 115 grain, 124 grain ammunition without any problems. And did I mention that it is very accurate!

The PF9 is one of those guns that you either love or hate. The Kel Tec PF9 is in fact an inexpensive gun but it is not a cheap gun. After shooting it side by side with the Ruger LC9 I can say that the Ruger has a better finish and a better quality feel than the Kel Tec, but the PF9 is lighter, has a better trigger, and because of the trigger is more accurate. The LC9 is an accurate pistol too but the trigger requires more practice and the pull is so long that it needs to be staged in order to get the accuracy out of it. Another advantage to the PF9 is that it can shoot more and different brands of ammunition. There is something with the firing pin on the Ruger that causes some primers to melt and clog the firing pin channel. The result is light firing pin strikes and failures to fire. I prefer the PF9 but that doesn’t mean the LC9 isn’t a good pistol. Just feed it the ammo it likes, learn the trigger, and then no problems.

I found the PF9 to be extremely accurate right out of the box. The 3 dot white dots are bright and make it quick and easy to acquire the target. The bullets pretty much go where ever the front dot is placed.

I was quite surprised and pleased at the short smooth trigger pull and crisp break. I’m comparing the trigger to the Ruger LC9 and in my opinion the Kel Tec PF9 has the superior trigger. One thing I did not like is the tight trigger curve. Open the trigger curve radius and shooting the PF9 would be a pleasure. As it is, the small curve radius causes the tip of the trigger to dig into my trigger finger. This is similar to the Kimber Solo that has the same problem. I don’t understand why these gun manufacturers like Kimber and now Kel-Tec make a trigger that fits petit fingers. What would it take to open that curve and make the pistol much more comfortable to shoot. The LC9 has a more comfortable feeling trigger curve.

Take down for the Kel-Tec PF9 is typical of many pistols. A slight variation is the take down pin which is designed to be removed using the rim of a 9mm round. Lock the slide back, remove the take down pin, Ease the slide forward and off the frame. Remove the recoil spring assembly, remove the barrel and the gun is field stripped and ready for cleaning.

With the pistol field stripped you will notice that the slide is light in weight compared to any other.

I saw the Kel-Tec PF9 the beginning of this year when I was also looking at the Kimber Solo for concealed carry. I passed on the PF9 because it was a cheap gun, or so I thought at the time. Since then I watched YouTube video reviews and range reports, read website PF9 reviews, and discovered that PF9 owners have a lot of good comments to say about their PF9 pistols. There is a Kel Tec Owners group online that has a section dedicated to the little PF9.

I bought my black PF9 through GunBroker for $260 plus $15 shipping. The black was out of stock at Buds when I was in the market. The Kel Tec PF9 for sale at Buds Gun Shop online in black for $260.00 with free shipping. Buy the PF9 for sale at Buds in gray or green for $213.00. The PF9 price at GunBroker.com ranges from $240.00 up to $369.00.

The PF9 is available in three different slide finishes. Blued finish, Parkerized finish, and Hard Chrome finish. The frame is also available in Gray, Green, and black. The various color PF9 pistol combinations are identical except for color of finish. One feature of the PF9 is that the serialized aluminum alloy frame inserts into the Polymer grip assembly. This means that you can change the frame color if you like and still have the same serial number. The cost of a grip assembly is about $39.00 from the Kel Tec Store.

Kel Tec PF9 Magazine – Single stack 9mm holds 7 rounds. Has easily replaceable base plate. The PF9 comes with a flat and an extended base plate that provides a pinky rest. I shot mine with the flat plate and don’t intend to use the extended base plate at all. PF9 magazines with flat base plate are available from the Kel Tec store and are reasonably priced at $21.85 each.

Kel Tec PF9 Holsters –

PF9 Accessories –

Kel Tec PF9 Problems –

Kel-Tec PF9 Specifications

• Caliber: 9mm Luger 9 x 19 mm
• Weight unloaded:        12.7 oz.
• Loaded magazine: 5.5 oz.
• Length:      5.85″
• Height:      4.3″
• Width:       0.88″
• Barrel Length: 3.1″
• Capacity:       7 + 1
• Trigger Pull:    5 lbs