October 27, 2003Guns > Range Report: Glock 26 and Kel-Tec P11 (9 mm)With more states switching to "shall issue" carry permits, more citizens are carrying concealed weapons. Consequently there are more small guns on the market, and in larger calibers. This week I look at two baby 9 mms. I was curious to see how well such small guns soaked up recoil. I found that recoil was manageable for both guns. Experienced shooters shouldn't have any problems.
The P11 was clearly designed for concealed duty. A few years ago, a gun this small would have been chambered in .32 or .380, but the P11 shoots the more powerful 9 mm. Thanks to a polymer frame, it weighs just 14 ounces, which is lighter than all but the titanium models of Smith & Wesson's venerable J-Frame .38s, long the standard in hideout guns. Even with a full magazine the weight is just 20 ounces. The P11 uses a double-action only trigger: each shot requires a long, heavy trigger pull. A DAO trigger is safer, since the long, heavy pull makes you very aware of your trigger pull. This could be a good feature if you're pocket carrying (it means you're less likely to give yourself a 9 mm vasectomy). Small as these guns are, though, a holster of some kind is desirable. The trigger pull, for my tastes, is just too long. The anticipation of waiting for the trigger to finally fall is ruinous to accuracy. For best accuracy, you're not supposed to know exactly when the gun is going to go off, but the trigger pull shouldn't be so long that you have to wonder if it's ever going to go off.
The 26 is built on Glock's subcompact frame. If you have a larger Glock in 9 mm the 26 will accept the same magazines. The unit I shot was equipped with a Pearse magazine grip extension, which made the handle long enough to be comfortable. One Glock isn't very different from the rest, so I won't repeat myself. If you're interested you can read my last Glock review. Conclusion Followup Notes
Read more Range Reports for other guns Posted by lesjonesComments
.380 is really a subpar round. Most that I have shot will jam due to poor spring strength and the cartridge simply doesn't have the chutzpah to force the slide back consistantly. Posted by: Drake at October 28, 2003 11:18 AMI had 2 Glock 26's when they first came out. I really didn't get comfortable with the wide grip, and the lighter trigger was disconcerting to this non-professional pistol owner. I know they are extremely popular with the law enforcement community, but I think it's a pistol you need to shoot and carry on a regular basis, as opposed to occasional concealed carry. I wound up buying a Sig P239 and found it to be ideal for me. I shot the Glock and Sig to compare the accuracy and it was excellent on both. I sold the Glocks. Recently I purchased a P11 by KelTec, and I find it to be a great firearm for the money. I've only shot 100 rds or so thru it, but it fed SJHP's and ball without a bobble. Within 5-7 yards it is quite accurate, but for greater distance it's not. But for self defense within 7 yards it is great. I think the KelTec product is one of those raritys where you actually get more than you paid for. Just my opinion.. Posted by: Jesse Pomeroy at January 17, 2004 04:52 PMI was interested in a Springfield Xd-9 and the Glock26. I went to the indoor range near me and rented both. Using same ammo at 9 and 21 feet it was no contest. Bought the 26. The long trigger pull on the Xd-9 had me jerking and flinching. The Glock was smooth and competent. Nines, tens and x's right off the line. Posted by: Fred Wacksman at April 8, 2004 08:35 PMHey wats up? I'd have to agree, as a retired cop. I've been carrying a gun for about 30 years , and I would have to say the Glock, is a much smoother gun to shoot, then the kel tec, but I found, with practice the kel is accurate. You just must get used to the trigger pull and that takes time it's lighter , and it's more concealable than the Glock. And that's the bottom line. By the way , does anyone know about hr 218, and is it effective. Now. Thank you Posted by: perry duffy at October 27, 2004 12:36 PMI own a P-11, and love the handling and punch it provides, I dont mind the long trigger pull, i have become pretty used to long pulls in double action on bigger more powerful guns, like taurus model 65 .357 mag, wich is actually lighter, and a few others. I have become really proficient in close combat shooting practice with it, especially considering the grip and look of it is sort of like and old friend, only smaller (hint hint-good ol 1911 .45acp!). And the P-11 easily eats up the P+P loads available now, like Black Hills 115 JHP+P, Mag-Tec and Remington, but doesnt seem to like Selier and Ballot, the primmers sometime need a "double tap" to go off, apparently a common problem, even tho i've never had that problem in my .45 acp. the Glock, its a line that i just am not really fond of, looks chincy, chamber looks sloppy, especially the loading ramp, i dont like how the shell is exposed out the bottom of the chamber by the shallow ramp. and it doesnt feel right to me, but thats just me many might say, well so be it Posted by: Pete Gravell at March 23, 2005 10:58 PMI recently traded the .380 kel-tec in for the I bought a P-11.. Though trigger pull was really long when I first bought it, oil and shooting has gotten it to seem shorter... Ryan, I just purchased the 26 as the first Glock to my collection. One cannot argue with the refinement of a Glock over other autos. At the range, I steadily moved the target from 7 feet out to 20 feet with little change in accuracy. After just three boxes of average grade ball ammo, I was able to launch 10 rounds into a six inch group at 25 yards, which is quite impressive for a gun it's size. In all reality, one will never engage at distances much beyone six feet, but it's nice to know that the refinement pays off. Posted by: Rich at April 16, 2005 07:36 AMThe Glock 26 is the best gun I've ever fired. The Glock line of pistols has to be one of, if not, the best line of pistols out as of current. I recommend them highly to anyone. Posted by: Larry at May 12, 2005 02:11 PMjust bought p11 9mm have shot 300 shots no jams. new concealead liscened. been shooting guns since i was 8 love it , i have been practicing , the trigger was totally different than i was used too, but now pretty accurate about 15 yrd,sfor the price its awesome it packs a hell of a punch i recommend. Posted by: tony at July 28, 2005 12:04 AMOK guys, but the Glock 26 is BIG. I know it is smaller than other Glocks. But, carrying a Glock 26 is not easy in the summer. It is relatively heavy and wide, compared to the P11. I have tried several ways to carry the G26, it's too obvious in an ankle holster, any holster that leaves it above the belt line means its handle will make obvious dents in your shirt, holsters that place it inside the waistband under the belt line work, but then it becomes very uncomfortable, since it is so large. I hear good and bad on the P11 realiabilty. But, the size makes it an interesting choice. My Glock works great ofcourse, always has, but if it's not with me..... then what good is it going to be. Posted by: Joe at August 7, 2006 09:23 AMhow can i break down my p11 9mm to clean it out? 9mm Glocks rule to roost! I shoot a model 34 in IDPA and open carry my model 17 when "in the woods". For concelled carry I like the model and 19 and the little 26. However, for summer carry and times when wardrobe malfuctions are forebiden, I actaully carry a SW J frame snub in .38 spl. Yeah that 26 is a fat bastard. I actually find it easier to conceal the model 19 Glock in an IWB holster. On the down-side, I had a Glock 27 in 40SW that jammed all the time, even when broken in! I don't have it anymore. The only Glocks that have really proven themselves are the 9mm bread....rule on! Posted by: IDPA Shooter at October 5, 2006 06:52 PMI own a Keltec P11, Kahr P9-Covert, and Glock 22 and love them all for different reasons. The Kahr is very compact, easy to conceal, accurate, & comfortable to shoot. The Keltec is a little thicker than the Kahr, a little more accurate, but kicks a bit more. With the Keltec accessory belt hook the P11 allows IWB carry without the discomfort and thickness of an IWB holster. This P11 with clip is actually slimmer than the Kahr inside a leather holster, plus you get 12+1 rounds in the Keltec P11! Posted by: YangKi Rebel at October 9, 2006 05:05 PMHad my Glock 26 for 4 years as an off duty pistol. Over 2k rounds, no jams. I have a variety of concealment holsters - Gould and Goodrich Small of Back (least favorite), Bianchi inside the waistband style (like it - untucked/baggy shirt needed) and a Fobus ankle holster (love it - bootcut or baggy jeans are a must - I've got pretty large calves, to "blend" in with, and haven't noticed the previously mentioned problems about ankle concealment). I'm sporting Trijicon night sights, a jentra plug, various mag extensions, and an A&G Mag Spacer (sleeve that fits over a 17rnd mag to give it a full grip feel). I highly recommend the Mag Spacer as a $10 full grip conversion - especially if you can only afford one "all around" pistol, or just want more rounds per mag at the range. Great gun - very reliable - 9mm is cheap to shoot - the "jack of all trades" among glocks. Post a comment
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