KelTec P15 Polymer P15BLK 9mm Luger

The newest and quite popular trend in concealed-carry handguns is to stuff as many 9mm Luger cartridges as possible into as slim a profile as possible. Four guns that incorporate these criteria are the Israeli Weapon Industries (IWI) Masada Slim, the KelTec P15 in both polymer and metal frames, and Smith & Wesson’s new Equalizer.

The Israeli Weapon Industries Masada Slim M9SLIM13, $415, is a subcompact version of the full-size striker-fired polymer Masada. The Slim measures only 1.1 inches in width and weighs only a skosh above 25 ounces loaded. It’s a smaller version of the full-size Masada introduced a few years ago.

KelTec boldly proclaims the new P15 pistol is the slimmest high-capacity handgun out there, and we are hard-pressed to find many that are skinnier. The KelTec P15 Metal P15MBLK, $634, and KelTec P15 Polymer P15BLK, $445, are fresh designs owing nothing to any previous KelTec pistol. We thought availability of the metal-frame P15 would be months behind the polymer P15, but we were able to find an example virtually as soon as the polymer-frame P15 was available. For $189 more on the Metal P15, you get an aluminum frame, an ounce and a half more weight, and lose the ability to mount a combat light.

The Smith & Wesson Equalizer TS 13591, $476, is a high-capacity version of the S&W EZ Rack pistol and the manual-safety version, which we prefer. This is an internal-hammer single-action pistol, and we don’t feel comfortable relying only upon a grip safety. Smith & Wesson entered this potentially lucrative market by upping the capacity of a proven handgun, the Military & Police Shield EZ Rack. We have tested several EZ variations in 380 ACP, 30 Super Carry, and 9mm Luger and have had good results. We were eager to see how the Equalizer would do.

We tested these pistols for combat ability, accuracy, and reliability. There is a balance between affordability and performance, but reliability can never be compromised. In the end, this was a close race. We really liked all four pistols tested, but none had everything we wanted.

KelTec P15 Polymer P15BLK 9mm Luger

$445

GUN TESTS GRADE: A-

The P15 is slim, trim, and compact. We are unaware of a similar pistol that is any smaller or thinner. The KelTec is reliable. The front strap doesn’t feel rough until you fire the pistol extensively, but then some raters did not agree at all, and felt that the pistol offered good purchase.

KelTec is known for its originality and great function of its handguns. Even so, this is KelTec’s first striker-fired handgun. The other types have been hammer-fired pistols. This pistol is the freshest design of the bunch and is not based on any other handgun. The P15 is a double-action-only striker-fired polymer-frame handgun. The double-action trigger is long and smooth, breaking at a surprising 5 pounds. The slide is relatively long atop a 4-inch barrel. The pistol feels thin. KelTec claims the P15 is the slimmest high-capacity subcompact. The slide is 0.9 inch wide, while the KelTec P15 Polymer’s frame is 1-inch thick at its widest point.

A polymer enclosure covers the striker mechanism. It isn’t recommended to take this cover off as there are small springs and a tiny extractor that may fall out. The pistol features forward and rear cocking serrations. The serrations, interestingly, are different front and rear. This is rakish, style wise, and works well. The sights are three-dot fiber optics and are arguably the best of the test. These are excellent personal-defense sights. The rear sight is adjustable.

This P15 pistol features a light rail. Optics may be mounted directly to the striker cover. A small tab on the slide acts as a loaded-chamber indicator. 

Two magazines are supplied. A 12-round flush-fit magazine is best for pocket carry or deep carry, while a 15-round magazine is slightly longer. The magazines are not difficult to load. Because this pistol is not a scaled-down service gun, the magazine latch is a purpose-designed latch for a small handgun. You have to hit the right angle to release the magazine. This is perhaps the least likely of any handgun we have tested to lose its magazine due to inadvertently pressing the magazine. Yet once you learn the proper angle — the thumb goes a little forward and presses dead inward — the magazine release works quickly, allowing rapid reloads. Just because a feature is different than most others, we don’t rate it as difficult, and this magazine catch is an advantageous design for a concealed-carry handgun.

The pistol features a grip safety similar to the Smith & Wesson Equalizer’s. This safety is a good feature. It requires no effort at all to press the grip safety as a proper firing grip is assumed. If the grip is relaxed or the P15 dropped, the safety will prevent the pistol from firing. A magazine safety preventing the pistol from firing if the magazine is removed is less welcome. Some don’t care for the magazine safety; others don’t have an opinion. We feel the grip safety is a good idea, while the magazine safety not so much.

KelTec has given shooters a choice with a true innovation. A dial set into the upper rear receiver is accessed when the pistol is field stripped. The dial has three settings marked 1, 2, and 3. The magazine and grip safety may be deactivated — in the final setting, both are turned off. We feel that personal choice would dictate the user’s decision on the magazine safety, but we would not deactivate the grip safety. There is no point because it doesn’t slow the firing grip down. We tried with raters with different hand sizes and shooting styles. We used the thumbs-forward grip that sometimes raises the palm from the grip. The grip safety was depressed, and the pistol fired properly in all cases. The grips are similar to other KelTec handguns, with the trademark gator-texture grip. The grip is good, in fact very good, but we were given pause by the open slots in the front strap. The frontstrap treatment was actually uncomfortable at times.

The P15 features a smooth rolling trigger that provides good control. Fired offhand in combat drills, the pistol is controllable and exhibited good combat performance. Recoil was the greatest of the four 9mm handguns. We don’t consider the 9mm Luger cartridge to be a hard kicker, but a combination of light weight and aggressive frontstrap treatment gave us a jolt. This is a trade-off. For most shooters, a 50-round limit in practice would be reasonable. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! That said, there were no failures to feed, chamber, fire, or eject. In accuracy testing, most groups were under 2.0 inches.

To disassemble the P15, first clear the magazine and chamber. A small tool is used to bump out the slide lock. Remove the slide, pluck out the recoil spring and guide, and then remove the barrel. 

Our Team Said: The pistol is incrementally easier to conceal than the other handguns due to the ultra-slim profile and thin grip. It shoots well and is reliable. We could not find a demerit save for the extra jolt in firing.

Written and photographed by Gun Tests Staff, using evaluations from Gun Tests Team members. GT