Kel-Tec at Shot Show 2022: P15 Subcompact 9mm Pistol

AmmoLand ^ | January 24, 2022 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

Kel-Tec P15 (aluminum frame) in Authors hand at SHOT Show 2022.

U.S.A. –-(AmmoLand.com)-– At SHOT Show I spoke with Kel-Tec engineer Ryan Williams. One of the primary interests was getting a first look at the new Kel-Tec P15 subcompact 9mm pistol. It is said to be an updated version of the P11, which pioneered sub-compact polymer 9mm pistols. The P11 held ten rounds in the magazine, as I recall. I had a P11 for a while, not long after they first came out. For whatever reason, I sold it. A light pistol has more recoil impulse. I opt to carry a bigger pistol most of the time. The new P15 weighs in at 14 ounces in the polymer frame version. An aluminum frame version will be available for more money. The P15 has a 4-inch barrel, better than many sub-compacts. The Kel-Tec P15 has a suggested retail price of $425. The pistol pictured is an aluminum frame model, with a suggested retail price of $725. Both are expected to be available in 2022.

The P15 is almost the same size as the extremely popular P17, which has become the most popular .22 LR pistol in the Kel-Tec line. The P17 .22 has a 3.93-inch barrel and a 16 shot magazine.

Things that stand out with the P15 are a small size, 6.6 inches long, comparable to a Walther PP, the lightweight, the trigger, the grip safety, and the sights/optic.

Much of pistol shooting is subjective. People find a platform they like, one that fits them well, that points well for them. I found the P15, with the included extended 15 round magazine, to fit

[marktwain]

The P15 is about the size of a Walther PP. It holds 15 rounds of 9mm, and only weighs 14 ounces, unloaded.

The P15 is expected to be available in 2022.

The Kel-Tec production lines are running all out, and are starting to meet demand for some products.

[bk1000]

THAT is a sub compact???

[Migraine]

Thanks for asking. I was thinking exactly the same. Sub compact is like a Beretta Bobcat, I thought.

[COBOL2Java]

Thanks for asking. I was thinking exactly the same. Sub compact is like a Beretta Bobcat, I thought.

Maybe the guy's a midget...

[null and void]

Small hands, smells of cabbage...

[Chode]

Subcompact??? ummm i don’t think that word means what they think it means from that pic...

[Carriage Hill]

Headline reads, “P15 Subcompact 9mm Pistol”.
Sure doesn’t look like one to me.

[V_TWIN]

Maybe their going by weight....14 oz. Polymer....that won’t help with concealment however.

[Manic_Episode]

My P-11 is on my hip as I type. Best $208 I ever spent. Horrible to shoot but perfect for EDC. I have achieved zen with it.

That one looks much larger. I'd like to see a side by side.

[OKSooner]

A 9mm at 14 ounces?

Not for me. You guys go ahead though...

[Man from Oz]

Their pistols are notorious for jamming issues. Not knocking them as I keep a Sub2000 (9mm) stashed in my pickup door pocket.

MFO

[marktwain]

Photos can be deceptive, without a measuring scale.

The P15 is 6.6 inches long. (only .875 inches wide!)

A compact Glock 19 is 7.3 inches long.

A subcompact Glock 26 is 6.4 inches long.

A full sized Glock 17 is 8.03 inches long

This site makes a pretty good case for differentiating.

[marktwain]

Sub compact is like a Beretta Bobcat, I thought.

Many would call the Bobcat a microcompact pistol. It is tiny.

Certainly, it is below "compact" size.

[Hazwaste]

I owned a P11 for a number of years in the early 2000s. It was my first CCW. Found it to be worth the money I paid for it (around $250 new). Did the fluff & buff in hopes of resolving feed problems, which helped a bit, but keeping my wrist rigid helped more. Trigger slap was pretty bad. Ended up selling it about 5 years ago and moving to an S&W M&P, which has been great. I can’t imagine paying >$700 for a KelTec pistol, unless they’ve made huge improvements to their products since then.

[marktwain]

Their pistols are notorious for jamming issues. Not knocking them as I keep a Sub2000 (9mm) stashed in my pickup door pocket.

Kel-Tec has its fans and detractors.

It appears they had quality control issues up to a few years ago. There seems to have been a significant improvement in the last few years.

Many fans reported great results; others reported issues.

My best example of change is the P17 .22, a very popular pistol. They cannot keep them on store shelves. They go for twice suggested retail.

Preproduction models had real issues. Kel-Tec worked those out, delaying roll-out of production by several months.

I read glowing reviews of production models. The production model pistols simply do not have the problems the pre-production pistols did.

[FLT-bird]

I had a Keltec P11. I dubbed it the Jam-O-Matic because of its constant stovepiping. I was told I was “limpwristing” it and that was the problem. I got rid of it and own about 70 handguns now. Oddly my wrists got massively stronger as soon as I shot any other handgun.

Keltec is cheap plastic junk.

[moovova]

My KelTec P3-AT (380). Compact? Subcompact? I don't know. I call it my mosquito gun or, better yet, my "get off me" gun. You're right...horrible to shoot. The pinky finger extender plus a VERY stiff wrist helps. And cheap - less than $200.

[Myrddin]

I have a couple Keltec products. The sub2000 9mm and 22mag pistol. Decent. Keltec acquired some of the Magnum Research products including the semi-auto .17M2 and .22 rifles. My wife had the 17M2. It had been discontinued. Keltec converted it to the .22LR model with a replacement barrel and bolt. They covered shipping both ways. Way above average customer service.

[telescope115]

The barrel does seem a little long.

[Yardstick]

Looks like their take on the LCP concept.