How Cheap is Too Cheap? Kel-Tec P17 Review

Published on October 23, 2019
Duration: 11:47

The Kel-Tec P17 is a budget-friendly .22LR pistol offering a 16-round capacity and threaded barrel, but suffers from significant reliability issues, particularly light primer strikes and failures to chamber. While cheaper than the Taurus TX22, its performance limitations, especially its strict ammunition requirements, make the TX22 a more practical and reliable choice for most users despite the higher cost.

Quick Summary

The Kel-Tec P17 is a budget .22LR pistol with a 16-round capacity, but suffers from significant reliability issues like light primer strikes and failures to chamber. It requires high-velocity ammo and is less versatile than the Taurus TX22, which is recommended despite being more expensive.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Kel-Tec P17 vs Taurus TX22
  2. 00:17Size and Weight Comparison
  3. 00:50Included Magazines and Accessories
  4. 01:23Sights and Controls Overview
  5. 01:49Mechanics and Aesthetics
  6. 02:30Reliability Issues: Unit 1
  7. 05:33Reliability Issues: Unit 2
  8. 07:06Ammunition Requirements and Versatility
  9. 07:50Shooting Experience and Accuracy
  10. 08:54Takedown and Reassembly Challenges
  11. 09:34Final Verdict: P17 vs TX22

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main reliability issues with the Kel-Tec P17?

The Kel-Tec P17 has demonstrated significant reliability problems, including frequent light primer strikes and failures to chamber rounds. Even a second test unit, while better, still suffered from these issues, requiring specific ammunition types to function.

How does the Kel-Tec P17 compare in size and weight to the Taurus TX22?

The Kel-Tec P17 is notably smaller and lighter than the Taurus TX22. It features a 3.9-inch barrel and weighs 12.8 oz, compared to the TX22's larger dimensions and 17.3 oz weight.

What type of ammunition does the Kel-Tec P17 require?

The Kel-Tec P17's manual specifies that it requires high-velocity, standard-weight ammunition only. It is not designed to reliably function with subsonic or bulk .22LR ammunition.

Is the Kel-Tec P17 recommended over the Taurus TX22?

Based on reliability and ammunition versatility, the Taurus TX22 is considered a superior purchase. While the P17 is cheaper, its performance issues and strict ammo requirements make the TX22 a more practical choice for most users.

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