SHOT Show 2022: The Striker-Fired KelTec P15 9mm Pistol

The world of higher capacity micro-compact handguns seems to be growing daily. SIG started it and everyone’s followed in their very big footsteps.

The latest and one of the more unique entrants comes from KelTec. Unique is a word often used to describe KelTec products, and the P15 isn’t any different. The P15 is KelTec’s entry into the micro-compact market and provides a very lightweight, very thin carry option. In fact, the polymer model seems to be the lightest, thinnest micro-compact on the market.

Inside the P15

The P15 weighs a mere 14 ounces unloaded. For comparison, the SIG P365 weighs 17.8 ounces. That same SIG P365 is about an inch thick, and the P15 is only .875 inches wide. KelTec gave the gun a 12-round magazine that fits flush to reduce the overall height. It also ships with a 15-rounder.

In the hand, you feel that thinness, and it might be a turn-off for some. For guys with huge hands like me, the gun doesn’t feel entirely comfortable. I have large paws for hands, but I can get the gun in my hand and hold it well enough.

At the back sits a grip safety, and that’s the only external safety on the P15. Pulling the slide back to the rear is easy, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the grip safety helps with that, similar to the EZ series of pistols from Smith & Wesson.

The magazine release is reversible and is done with a simple Allen key. The sights are adjustable and mix tritium with Hi Viz polymer for an effective day/night sight combination.

What really impressed me was the P15’s trigger. It’s light, sweet, and delivers a very nice experience. Sadly they didn’t have the gun at range day, so all I was able to do was to dry fire it.

Metal or Polymer?

KelTec’s press seems to be revolving around the polymer frame version of the gun, but at SHOT, they had both a polymer frame and a metal frame model. On top of that, the metal frame variant also had an optic-ready option compatible with the Shield RMSc and the Holosun 507K. The metal-framed model also utilizes what appeared to be interchangeable grip panels, and the grips included are a very sweet wood grip.

The polymer frame model comes with a single rail slot for the little accessories. KelTec dropped the rail for the metal model in favor of a smoother appearance.

I’d probably choose the metal P15 because, well, it looks kinda steampunk, and I like metal frame striker-fired guns. Although, I’m not sure when and if the metal model will see the light of day. KelTec doesn’t list a metal P15 model on their website.

Which would you pick? Let us know below.