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I am considering picking up a Kel-Tec PF-9 as a secondary carry / BUG. The slide is available blued, parkerized, and hard chrome. If I get one, which option should I get? What are the advantages of each?

Mine is parkerized, I'd have gotten hard chrome if they had had one in stock.
durability/rust resistance
I like the looks of hard chrome slides better too.

That said, I never carry it, but carry my Stainless PT-709, which I got at the same time, as a BUG instead.
Nothing "wrong" with it, I just really like the Taurus' double strike capability .... just in case. Plus, I like the Taurus trigger feel better. Almost got a PPS, but didn't at the last minute after reading about "slide lock" issues, which probably are rare and possibly all resolved now.

RPB wrote:Mine is parkerized, I'd have gotten hard chrome if they had had one in stock.
durability/rust resistance
I like the looks of hard chrome slides better too.

That said, I never carry it, but carry my Stainless PT-709, which I got at the same time, as a BUG instead.
Nothing "wrong" with it, I just really like the Taurus' double strike capability .... just in case. Plus, I like the Taurus trigger feel better. Almost got a PPS, but didn't at the last minute after reading about "slide lock" issues, which probably are rare and possibly all resolved now.

Yeah, I really like the 709 as well. It feels pretty good in the hands. Although I have not fired either. But its not quite as small or light as the Kel-Tec, right?

True, it weighs a little more, but I like the Stainless Steel and thumb safety on a pocket carried gun (and when fishing, you can't beat Stainless). (Mainly, when I'm wearing big pockets, fishing ion cargo shorts/pants etc)

Normally, my Glock 26 is primary in a Rob Durham comfortcarry (with Comp-Tac clips) at around 3:00, and the PT709 BUG is in an all kydex single clip Comp-Tac clip holster SOB, but sometimes it's pocketed.

I bought the parkerized one with the black lower, simply because that is what was available at the time. I bought it for a pocket gun for when I did not feel comfortable carrying my XD in the Supertuck. I picked up a Desantis Nemisis for it (it is the model designed for the P11, but it fits like a glove). I dont particularly care about the finish on it one way or another. It serves no purpose but a back up gun, and appearance is not important to me. What is important is function. So far, about 200 rounds through it without a hiccup one. For under $300, I'm happy with it.

I recommend not buying it. The tang tears up your thumb knuckle and leaves it torn and bloody after a few rounds. When I take mine to the range, I have to put on a couple of bandaids first. Also, there is an exposed part in the butt of the pistol which rusts on exposure to body moisture, as does the mag release. The Taurus is by far the better buy.

I didnt have any problems with my thumb after approximately 200 rounds in one session. I cant speak to the rust issues, as I've only had mine for a couple of weeks and have only carried it a few times.

I bought a very early P32 and an early P-3AT, both in blued.

Neither has ever shown any tendency to rust.

I would base my decision on aesthetics.

I'm leaning more toward the light finishes - stainless and HC - for anumber of reasons.
Aesthetics, rust prevention...but the main thing I like is that you can see dirt and debris much better.
I find my bright-finished guns much easier to clean.

In answer to your original question, I'd have to go with blued and a black grip.

But I do have to say that you need to actually give the trigger a few pulls and decide if you can put up with it or not. Its just like shooting a revolver, you are pulling the hammer back each time. I bought one and then bought a Kahr a week later because I couldn't stand how much force I had to put into pulling the trigger. With such a little gun, it was hard to be accurate with it. But the same goes for trying to shoot a little Scandium framed S&W in 357...kicks like a mule and really makes it hard to get that second shot fast and accurate, especially when you have over 1" of trigger pull.

A Kahr PM9 is pretty equivalent but far better, but twice as expensive. But get ahold of a Kahr CW9/40/45 before you buy and just give it a test first, its pretty close to the same price but a little larger.

i would go with either parkerized or hard chrome. keltecs bluing is not the best quality.

phrogg wrote:But I do have to say that you need to actually give the trigger a few pulls and decide if you can put up with it or not.

Oh yeah. I intend to fire one before I purchase. I have tried the trigger (dry) and didn't find it all too troubling - as good as most DAO triggers that I have tried - and perhaps smoother than many. I have tried the Kahr trigger as well and I don't remember anything remarkable about it - either good or bad. I remember not like the slide action of the Kahr - it seemed stiff and gritty. But I don't remember the trigger. I will try it again and compare them.

On that note, I did try the trigger on the Taurus 709 again yesterday and can say that I didn't like it very much. Although I like the SA/DA concept and the double strike, I didn't like how much play there was in the trigger. Granted a DAO trigger also has a very long pull - it feels like it should. Two-thirds of the 709 trigger in SA mode is just taking up the slack. It didn't feel natural - if that makes sense.

But no matter, I really want to fire the PF9 before purchasing. I know it will be quite a kick - it would have to be. But I have read reports varying from 'horrible that tears you hand up' to 'not so bad'. So it must really vary from person to person.

Thank you to all for your replies.

Blue & black grip. Coat with johnson tree wax and you are good to go. Also, the recoil isn't as bad as some would leave you to believe. 100 rounds per range trip is nothing.

Watching videos on youtube of people shooting the PF9 at the range, I thought it was going to be really snappy. I was actually surprised the first time I shot it, because it was really not bad at all. Perhaps those people just have weak wrists, not sure, but I didnt find it particularly bad. It also didnt bite my hand like some people report. It was very much problem free. For the price, you cant beat it.

glock17 wrote:i would go with either parkerized or hard chrome. keltecs bluing is not the best quality.

That has not been my experience. I've owned a blued P32 and P3AT since they were introduced.

Neither has shown any tendency to rust.

It may not be purdy but it is functional.