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Kel-Tek P-11 lighter loads?

chaoslodge
Has anyone tried addressing the kick on these things by loading lower power ammo?

I got one at a price I could not walk away from and unless I can tame it I am probably going to turn right around and sell it. I am thinking loading lower grain projectiles with lower grain powder amounts might address some of it. I am still waiting for it to arrive. If I can tame it a bit I will give it to the wife.

Please chime in and point out where I am an idiot or encourage me. I can take it.

[:D]
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • gunnut505
    I have a P12 that had the same "problem" of being hard on my thumb joint. I solved it with a Hogue wraparound grip.
    I've tried my most puny loads for 9mm in this gun, and pretty much decided that the recoil was going to be there for a while no matter what I loaded it with.
    Think for a moment; if the recoil is hard on you, what do you think your wife is going to think about you if you give it to her?
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  • Pearyw
    Try loading it with the lighter bullets made for the 380s such as a 95 gr hp. You will have to experiment with lighter powder charges to determine how light you can go and still have it function properly. Try powders such as Winchester 231 that have a fast burning rate.
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  • tr fox
    Both my P-11's will not function reliably unless I use 124 grain or heavier bullets and +P 9mm ammo. And yeah, the recoil is pretty painful, but if in a life or death situation I probably will not even notice the recoil. In addition, if the round going downrange hurts my hand, it will hurt my attacker a whole lot more.
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  • beantownshootah
    Shot one yesterday, and didn't think the recoil was all that punishing, frankly, though this is NOT a gun for recoil-shy or novices.

    (If you want to REALLY feel some recoil, try the Kel-Tec P40, which is a somewhat similar gun in .40SW. . .ouch!).

    I suppose you could try 90 grain 9mm loads, which ought to be a bit less punishing.

    I agree with gunnut here. I suspect that no matter WHAT you do, you're going to get a pretty harsh recoil, given that this is a 15 ounce gun shooting a round that is mid-way in between a .38 special and a .357 magnum. Again, if you reduce the power enough to noticeably reduce the recoil, you're also likely to make the gun unreliable.

    I second the Hogue wraparound grip sleeve idea. That should take a little of the sting out of it. Little finger magazine extension should also help. I did both these things with mine, and the improvement in noticeable.

    As for your wife. . .unless she has a good deal of experience shooting serious-recoil pistols, this one probably isn't for her.
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  • Bob Green
    Got one of these from my brother-in-law. He's a gunsmith and polished the slide & ramp for smoother operation and better reliability. Lighter loads may cause a problem with jaming. A weak wrist can also cause jaming. They need the recoil to properly eject.
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  • bustinstainless
    i have no issue with the recoil on the p-11
    with a firm grip i stay on target hands dont hurt after 200 rounds of 124 fmj
    no problems at all for a cheap pocket rocket its overall good only problem is dao
    i use 124 +p gold dots 25 rounds just to get used to the extra recoil but didnt notice it
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  • chaoslodge
    I am probably going to forgo handing this to the wife. I will let her have one of my CZ 82s and I will keep the Kel Tek. Thanks everyone. I like the idea of using the 95 grain bullets.

    What it comes down to is I want her to practice with whatever she carries and if it beats the snot out of her it will accomplish the opposite of what I have worked so hard on. She is a yankee girl from Westport Ct with an ivy league degree and no experience with firearms at all. I have managed to get her to a gun show and to the point where she asks me to show her where my 45 is when I go on trips. I don't want to undo any of that.[:D]
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  • v35
    I wouldn't load up too many light bullet loads to prove it to yourself
    because the P11 needs a stiff slide spring to avoid jams.
    Light loads & bullets wont cycle it.
    I've fired +P+ 9mm and have the 357 SIG conversion for it. Both these loads give SERIOUS recoil but you then have the power of a full sized pistol.
    The true DA trigger may also be too stiff for her to keep on target.
    9mm, 115 gr, 5gr Bullseye, 1093 fps
    9mm Hirtenberger L7A1 NATO 124 gr.1182 fps
    357 Sig 125 gr 1285 fps
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