Price check on pre-owned P-11

[SOCO]

OK, so it's been a LONG time since I've been to the KT Range, but I know it's a great source of Kel Tec info! I still have my P-32 (with belt clip) and I love it! Now I'm hoping to add a P-11 to the collection.

I found a P-11 for sale and the guy is asking $250. It has one magazine and no other accessories - it's "black on black." The serial number is 40XXX, so I'm pretty sure it's several years old. (Any idea how old?) Based on the photos he sent, it looks to be in fair shape. I'm going to go take a look at it in person and check out its fit/finish.

My questions:

1. Any guess to when this thing was produced? I called KT and they said they need the entire serial number to give me an age, but that they'd switched to an alpha-numeric serial at least 7 years ago.

2. How is the trigger on those older model P-11s? Really heavy? Can I fix that with some spring replacements?

3. Do you think $250 is a fair price? I emailed him and asked if he would take $200. They sell NIB locally for around $300ish - give or take.

4. What specific areas should I check on the frame/slide for wear and tear?

Thanks!

-SOCO
(Edited to add my fourth question

[marvinvwinkle]

I just paid $280 for mine and it was NIB. I'm not sure about the serial # and how old it is, but I think it might be priced a little to high. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[curtp11]

SOCO,

I am by no means an authority on P-11's. That being said, I would say check the frame rails and slide rails for excessive/uneven wear marks, cracks, burring, things like this in general. Does it have a metal or polymer recoil spring guide. Recoil spring wear. My daughter bought a used P-11. she just recently changed out her recoil springs. the old ones were at least a 1/4-1/2 inch different. Shorter. Otherwise, it functioned fine, should run better now. If you can, get some Snap-Caps, check functioning, and the trigger pull, A-Zoom are great for this. This operation will also allow to see if the mag Slide locks after the last round. Mags are easily replaced and you can never have too many of them either. Check the frame for cracks, uneven wear patterns, how the mags locks up when inserted. I realize many parts are owner replaced/repaired, one of the things I like about Kel-Tec's. I am a P-11 owner too BTW. Bought NIB, but still. Check the bore/barrel wear/condition. Look in the slide where it wears during cycling. Side/verticle play in slide/frame fit. I see you are somewhat familar with semi auto pistols. You have a fair idea of what and how things should be. Ask the owner questions like how much was it fired? More often carried and not shot? This is by no means all that could be checked, but I hope it gives you an idea of what/where and how to give it a looking over. All in all, not a bad price, considering what I have seen in shops/Guns America/Gun Broker and some of the prices that are being asked. Good Luck and BTW, IMO, the P-11 is still WAY ahead of many others that are out there and cost more but just can't be relied on sometimes. As for myself, I intend to buy more P-11's in the future, I like them!!!!

[frankmako]

as for the price. i would check around for any use sales to get a feel. also i would check for the price of a new one. then you can make your up your mind about if it a good price.

[pocketgun]

OK, so it's been a LONG time since I've been to the KT Range, but I know it's a great source of Kel Tec info! I still have my P-32 (with belt clip) and I love it! Now I'm hoping to add a P-11 to the collection.

Welcome back! Your registration date was the third day of existence for The Range!

1. Any guess to when this thing was produced? I called KT and they said they need the entire serial number to give me an age, but that they'd switched to an alpha-numeric serial at least 7 years ago.

Not sure, but I would bet pre-2000. Do you know if it has the double spring extractor or the newer single spring extractor? The single spring has a round hole to accommodate the wider spring.

2. How is the trigger on those older model P-11s? Really heavy? Can I fix that with some spring replacements?

Original hammer springs were 10.0 lbs, but were switched to the current 8.5 lb setup starting at serial number 25000. (Serials with letters came even later, for those wondering).

3. Do you think $250 is a fair price? I emailed him and asked if he would take $200. They sell NIB locally for around $300ish - give or take.

I think $250 is high. $200 is OK, but I see NIB P-11s at gunshows for less than $250. I personally wouldn't buy it unless you can't do better than $300 for NIB. If so, $200 is a fair offer.

4. What specific areas should I check on the frame/slide for wear and tear?

I don't think you need to worry about anything specific in terms of wear. The recoil springs will likely need replaced (as curtp11 mentioned). If you can live without it, a trip to Cocoa, FL would probably do wonders for it - they will probably fix it all up for you.

[SOCO]

I was researching Kel-Tecs around the time a few guys from that "other" Kel Tec forum had gotten fed up with some issues over there and created their own. I'm mostly a lurker and usually don't respond to posts, only asking questions when I've exhausted all other research methods.

Do you guys have a prize for the oldest active member with the least amount of posts? That HAS to be me! Ha ha!

Back to the KTAH (Kel Tec at hand) ... everyone has great advice (as usual) and the recoil spring is a definite thing to replace when/if I get it. I've emailed the guy my number, so I'm waiting on a call back. A pre-2000 model is fine, so long as it's not worn out. It does look new in the photos, but pictures can always be deceiving. The 8.5 lb trigger will take some adjustment for me (I'm a DA/SA guy, myself) but for a summer carry pistol it should fit the bill nicely after it's all dialed in and range tested.

Pocketgun is right on the money, so to speak, about $250 not being a great price. I'm thinking $200 is probably a fair market value for both seller and buyer, and I haven't seen any in the local gun shops. I suppose it all comes down to whether or not he's a motivated seller. For me, I've never sold a gun. If it's one I don't particularly like, I tend to hang on to it anyways.

I'll keep you posted if I do pick up this P-11. And if so, I'm sure I'll dig into the KT Range again for some great advice on tuning my little gem.

Thanks again! It's good to be back!

- SOCO

[pocketgun]

Do you guys have a prize for the oldest active member with the least amount of posts? That HAS to be me! Ha ha!

"tatters" has you by two days and twelve less posts!

I'll keep you posted if I do pick up this P-11. And if so, I'm sure I'll dig into the KT Range again for some great advice on tuning my little gem.

Thanks again! It's good to be back!

- SOCO

Yeah, let us know if you get it, and don't be a stranger.

[curtp11]

I was just looking at Guns America, price checking and whatnot, saw some reasonable prices and some that I just thought these people should be wearing a mask to be asking what they were asking. Just FYI, look up www.cdnnsports.com I have bought MKII 22/45 Ruger mags from them, nicely priced and good service. Anyway, just got their new catalog, on page 14, P-11's Blue or Hard Chrome over black frame $229 NIB. Ok, now you have shipping and transfer fees, but it is a new gun. I have a Blue over Black, I like the looks of Park'ed over Green and think it will be my next P-11. Also like Blue over Gray. Guns America has a Hard Chrome over Navy, never been a fan of nickel/shiny guns unless stainless, just me, YMMV, but I like the looks of that one too. $279 + $15 shipping and then transfer fee. So then we are looking at over $300 dollars, but it is available, in TN. Shopping around does pay off in the end. Me, personally, I like to be the original owner. I have bought used, I know what to look for with firearms in terms of what/where to look for signs of excessive wear/abuse. I also like to go home with my purchase that day too. Never been too patient at times.........lol However, if I really wanted this HC/Navy and could see it fitting the budget, YES, I would do it. If I just want another Blue/Black, I'd go with cdnn. I will do it in the near future too. I like them too, just want other colors too. Also like to tinker and want to learn P-11's inside and out. Right now with just one, I can't see taking it apart and not being able to reassemble ASAP. For that I would consider a used one. Just me though. On GA I also saw the Park'ed over green, NIB, and I really like the looks of them, but for $377 + $25 shipping and then transfer fee, no way. There is also a Blue over Gray for $300 + $25 S/H and again the transfer fee. FWIW, I'll go B/B at cdnn and be happy. Now, this is where I might get flamed, but IMO, $400 for a P-11 is not right. The P-11 is a GREAT Gun, just don't try to rob me/others for it. I realize some places can get away with these prices. i can go to my LGS and get one, maybe not the color scheme I want, but I will go home with it that day.

OK, enough blathering. Haggle on the price. Look around too. You are the one who will end up buying/not buying. I just hope my rambling has helped you out in your decisionmaking in some little way. Good Luck and IMO, you can't go wrong with a P-11, unless someone has beat the Hell out of it. Then that person should wear a suit of Tar and Feathers IMO, and never own anymore firearms.

[SOCO]

Well, I emailed him an offer of $200 and he came back with $225. I checked locally and one shop has NIB P-11s for $259 ... which means $225 isn't really a great deal. I told him I would pass, but if he thought it over and felt my offer was fair to give me a call. No harm/no foul I guess.

But curtp11 - your post was very helpful because you talk about all of the different color options. It would make perfect sense for me to get a P-11 in hard chrome over gray grips because it would match my P-32! If I can find one of those (or have that local shop order it for me) I'd have a matching set of Kel-Tecs!

Thanks again guys! Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays/Happy New Year!

- SOCO (who apparently doesn't hold the record for oldest member with fewest posts

[pocketgun]

I think that $259 NIB price is a good one - about what I would expect at the best table at the gunshow. KT extends its lifetime warranty to the original owner, and while I have never heard of them charging non-original owners for warranty work, it is nice to have that in your pocket when possible. It just isn't worth it for $34, especially when you consider a NIB comes with all the latest parts, a manual, and a plastic hard case.

I have a Stainless Steel w/Gray grips - it looks pretty sweet IMO. It came with a black grip but I swapped it out.

SOCO, their are lots of members with slightly more seniority and with fewer posts, but tatters is the only one I could find that is still active - he posted here in October.