Keltek P17 accuracy?

Algunner · April 23, 2025, 04:42 PM

So reading old posts people say the accuracy is good to very good. I have above 400 rounds though mine and it gets about 8” groups at 26 yards and almost 3” at 7 yards. I consider this very bad not very good. Any remedies?

BTW my Charter Arms Pathfinder 22 revolver shoots sub 2” groups at 25 yards. Not target class but good.

PSP · April 24, 2025, 01:50 AM

It's accuracy is good for what the gun is made for, which is fun, cheap plinking. Similar to the Bersa T22, Taurus TX22 or Ruger SR22. If one wants better accuracy then one needs a bigger, better pistol, a Buckmark or similar.

My P17 has at least been quite reliable. My only real critique is that you need a tool to remove the slide for cleaning.

Algunner · April 24, 2025, 02:21 AM

To be a good pinker you need to hit a soda can at about 10 yards on almost all rounds. You can’t do that with a gun with 3 1/2” group. I didn’t mention that this was using a clamped rest. So hand held you can add another 1/2” if you are very steady. Me? I get over 4” groups at ten yards handheld with this gun. I would be missing that can almost half the time! At 25 yards I would have a hard time hitting a bowling ball (about 8”).

BTW if you need a tool to remove the slide then you need to swap out the screw mount adapter with the thread protector.

sigarms228 · April 24, 2025, 02:31 PM

FWIW here are reviews from Guns and Ammo and American Rifleman where the accuracy was much better than you are experiencing. If you haven't done so yet make sure front and rear sights are tight/don't move. Might be worth giving bore a good cleaning and trying with more brands of ammo and if problem still persists maybe you should try contacting Keltec??

https://www.gunsandammo.com/editoria...-review/383484

https://www.americanrifleman.org/con...w-kel-tec-p17/

"Accuracy was consistent as well, with average group sizes of roughly 2.25" at 15 yds."

I tried at Taurus TX22 at a local gun store factory shoot and found accuracy not inspiring even at 5 yards. I ended up buying a Buckmark Hunter for a great price last November and it is stunningly accurate.

bac1023 · April 24, 2025, 05:45 PM

You don’t buy a KelTec for accuracy

Nathan · April 24, 2025, 06:22 PM

Dang! Yea, my Taurus TX22 beats that!

totaldla · April 24, 2025, 06:52 PM

22lr accuracy is heavily dependent on the ammo.
You have to play around with different ammo.

Algunner · April 25, 2025, 12:13 PM

I have tried various ammo and all about the same. However just yesterday it was shooting better after cleaning. Didn’t measure but estimate a little under 3” at 15 yards. So needs a long breakin? Wasn’t saying they are all bad just this one example. Good point Sigarms. The slide(bolt?) could be tighter but I see no way to improve that. I’ll check the tightness of all of those Allen screws.

BTW been looking at Buckmarks myself. But which one?

totaldla · April 25, 2025, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Algunner

I have tried various ammo and all about the same. However just yesterday it was shooting better after cleaning. Didn’t measure but estimate a little under 3” at 15 yards. So needs a long breakin? Wasn’t saying they are all bad just this one example. Good point Sigarms. The slide(bolt?) could be tighter but I see no way to improve that. I’ll check the tightness of all of those Allen screws.

BTW been looking at Buckmarks myself. But which one?

Which ammo? When? Did you measure?

The P17 is a plinker and I'm quite happy with the accuracy. Maybe after you shoot it more you'll have a better picture of its capability.

If you don't like the accuracy of a $179 plinker, go spend 3x that for something else.

sigarms228 · April 25, 2025, 10:50 PM

Glad to read your P17 is shooting significantly more accurate. it's probably not the sights though check the screws to make sure they are snug but no need to over tighten. I bought a CZ Shadow about ten years ago and it was not shooting consistently accurately and one day I found I was able to move the rear sight with finger pressure. Once I got that locked down it shoots great. Too bad I wasted a lot of ammo figuring that out though.

All Browning Buckmark models are highly accurate and have excellent triggers, so best to choose a model that has the features, fit, and price you like. The Buckmark comes in three frame sizes, UFX/URX/UDX, so you may find some models that fit you better than others. I have larger hands and the Buckmark Camper and Hunter fit me very well with the UFX size frame. The Ruger Mark series are excellent too but I just like the way the Buckmark fits my hands/fingers. I wouldn't be afraid to buy a nice used Backmark or Ruger Mark series either. LGS usually has some at decent prices though the versions of the Rugers before the MK4 are much more difficult to break down for deep clean.

Algunner · April 26, 2025, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totaldla

Which ammo? When? Did you measure?

The P17 is a plinker and I'm quite happy with the accuracy. Maybe after you shoot it more you'll have a better picture of its capability.

If you don't like the accuracy of a $179 plinker, go spend 3x that for something else.

I literally said I estimated not measured. And the ammo was Federal match bulk and Mini Max Varmit. A little better on Mini Max but not much.

Algunner · April 26, 2025, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sigarms228

Glad to read your P17 is shooting significantly more accurate. it's probably not the sights though check the screws to make sure they are snug but no need to over tighten. I bought a CZ Shadow about ten years ago and it was not shooting consistently accurately and one day I found I was able to move the rear sight with finger pressure. Once I got that locked down it shoots great. Too bad I wasted a lot of ammo figuring that out though.

All Browning Buckmark models are highly accurate and have excellent triggers, so best to choose a model that has the features, fit, and price you like. The Buckmark comes in three frame sizes, UFX/URX/UDX, so you may find some models that fit you better than others. I have larger hands and the Buckmark Camper and Hunter fit me very well with the UFX size frame. The Ruger Mark series are excellent too but I just like the way the Buckmark fits my hands/fingers. I wouldn't be afraid to buy a nice used Backmark or Ruger Mark series either. LGS usually has some at decent prices though the versions of the Rugers before the MK4 are much more difficult to break down for deep clean.

Thinking of buying it for a local bowling pin contest. I came in fourth using a CA Pathfinder revolver. Good accuracy measured at 1.37 or so at 15 yards using Mini Max Varmit. Pretty sure the Buckmark would be below 1”.

Shoots Left · April 26, 2025, 03:57 PM

Since you might be looking for another 22 allow me to add one more contestant to consider…the S&W SW22 Victory. Out of the box it rivals the comparable Browning and Ruger for accuracy, IMO. The takedown for cleaning isn’t as nifty as the new Mark IV Rugers (takes an allen wrench) and the trigger isn’t as slick as a Browning’s. Nonethless it’s a solid contender among these three examples.

If mine is the rule and not the exception then it isn’t fussy about ammunition, which is nice, and the Victory gets a lot of aftermarket love like the Ruger and Browning.

Also like sigarms mentioned, pre Mark IV Rugers can be a real challenge to take down and reassemble for cleaning if you’ve not done so before. This is a case where YouTube is definitely your best friend.

Shadow9mm · April 27, 2025, 12:53 AM

If I were looking for an "accurate" gun, kel tek would be far from my first choice. Be careful with cleaning 22s, it can effect accuracy as can switching ammo brands. Most 22s have a wax/lubricant coating on the bullet and sometimes the cases (looking at you SK) that wax/lubricant will build up a coating in the barrel that will effect accuracy. In my limited testing, I found that it took around 20-30rnds after cleaning before enough of the wax/lubricant built up for the groups to settle down. Same when changing brands as their formula was different.

This is part of the reason the myth of cleaning a 22 ruined its accuracy. it stripped the wax/lubrican out of the barrel, so groups generally opened up or got worse right after cleaning. Generally for a 22 I will just run a dry patch down the bore and then clean/lube the rest of the gun. I only use oils/cleaners in the bore if I am going to be storing it for a while. And expect a 20 or so round break in before it starts shooting right again.

DT Guy · April 27, 2025, 08:35 AM

I got a P17 a few months ago as a 'fun gun' and to teach some friends.

Little thing is crazy accurate at the ranges I can still shoot irons well at. For comparison, I've got a Ruger MkIV target with a dot, a Buckmark and a few others. Little thing has no trouble shooting a ragged hole at 30'.

Larry

sigarms228 · April 27, 2025, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Algunner

Thinking of buying it for a local bowling pin contest. I came in fourth using a CA Pathfinder revolver. Good accuracy measured at 1.37 or so at 15 yards using Mini Max Varmit. Pretty sure the Buckmark would be below 1”.

Yeah a Buckmark should do just fine. Just for fun once at the range I did rapid fire shooting with our Buckmark Camper at 75 feet and put the entire magazine of 10 rounds into about a 2.75 inch group using cheap bulk Winchester 333 ammo. Later that year we were at an outdoor range and had no problem hitting a 6 inch steel target over and over again at 40 yards. Never tried and optic on it yet.

Here is a range test of a Buckmark done at 25 yards by American Rifleman.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/con...pressor-ready/

Quote:

Remington/Eley’s Match EPS load produced both the smallest individual group and the tightest five-group average, at 0.56" and 0.60", respectively. However, the average for all 15 groups measured only 0.66", which is remarkable accuracy for a production rimfire pistol at this range.

angel71rs · April 30, 2025, 11:37 AM

I just got a P17. 1st range trip, accuracy was noticeably worse compared to my other compact 22, a TX22. I also didn't like how the slick parts of the grip made it hard for me to keep a consistent grip. And the black rear sight was hard for me to see, resulted in vague front sight alignment, made it hard to get it zeroed. I'd say about 2" groups at 7 yds offhand, with Federal Auto Match, Federal 525 Champion HP, Aguila Super Extra, and CCI standard velocity. So it wasn't the ammo. I'd seen complaints of loose screws out of the box, so I had checked all (couple were loose), so it wasn't that either.

I decided to give the rear sight the Glock U notch white paint treatment, added grip tape to front and rear straps, and also to flat portions near safety switches. Gave it a through cleaning, then back to the range this past Friday.

Much better. Again at 7 yds offhand, cut group sizes about in half. 1st ammo up was the Auto Match. I had to adjust the rear sight since it was now grouping slightly right and high. Once adjusted, I went for accuracy and put the 1st 5 rounds in the center 1" dot, got excited and group opened up a bit, but the last 5 shots of the mag all near/in the dot. Shot well with different ammo, is probably now better than my TX22. Painting the rear sight was the biggest difference to me, but the grip tape helped.

It's got a light trigger, but it's kind of vague, hard to judge when the shot is going to let off. Started at just under 3# new, is now just under 2 1/2#. TX22 is about double that, but it's got a distinct point where you can tell it's about to break.

I'm happy with it for what it is, even if it isn't as accurate as my Buckmark or Smith 22A. Very fun shooter.

Bill DeShivs · April 30, 2025, 02:59 PM

Sounds like the gun is accurate, but the shooters aren't.

BourbonCowboy · May 1, 2025, 12:00 AM

When I got mine, I didn't care for the grip. It just wasn't "grippy" - for lack of a better term. Accuracy was OK. I put a Hogue Handall grip sleeve (the one for the Glock G43x) and it felt as comfortable in my hand as my HKs. Then it became very accurate. Maybe it's just a mental/psychological thing, but once the pistol was comfortable in my hand, I shot it better.

Algunner · May 13, 2025, 10:29 AM

Sorry did not get back to this right away. Thought maybe the slide was too loose for the iron sight to be accurate so I tried a laser sight. Bought one with both a red and green laser. Sighted the green laser for 20 yards and the red for 10 yards as that is about the ranges used in the bowling pin challenge tonight. So at ten yards it grouped at an estimated 1/2” and about 1” or less at 20 yards. But after shooting a while the 20 yard group opened up to almost 3”. But went down to a smaller group after cooling off. Thanks to the thin barrel I guess. I tied for second (5 way tie) in the next bowling pin challenge. Fortunately it gets to cool off between rounds. Would have tied for first but one white bowing pin fell into another white pin which knocked over a black pin. There is a one pin penalty for knocking over a black pin. Felt good to come in second tying or beating Ruger IV’s, S&W Victory’s and the like.

April 23, 2025, 04:42 PM	#1
Algunner Member Join Date: October 14, 2024 Posts: 85	Keltek P17 accuracy? So reading old posts people say the accuracy is good to very good. I have above 400 rounds though mine and it gets about 8” groups at 26 yards and almost 3” at 7 yards. I consider this very bad not very good. Any remedies? BTW my Charter Arms Pathfinder 22 revolver shoots sub 2” groups at 25 yards. Not target class but good.

April 24, 2025, 01:50 AM	#2
PSP Senior Member Join Date: June 2, 2006 Location: Bowling Green Virginia Posts: 4,496	It's accuracy is good for what the gun is made for, which is fun, cheap plinking. Similar to the Bersa T22, Taurus TX22 or Ruger SR22. If one wants better accuracy then one needs a bigger, better pistol, a Buckmark or similar. My P17 has at least been quite reliable. My only real critique is that you need a tool to remove the slide for cleaning. Last edited by PSP; April 24, 2025 at 03:32 PM.

April 24, 2025, 02:31 PM	#4
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,793	FWIW here are reviews from Guns and Ammo and American Rifleman where the accuracy was much better than you are experiencing. If you haven't done so yet make sure front and rear sights are tight/don't move. Might be worth giving bore a good cleaning and trying with more brands of ammo and if problem still persists maybe you should try contacting Keltec?? https://www.gunsandammo.com/editoria...-review/383484 https://www.americanrifleman.org/con...w-kel-tec-p17/ "Accuracy was consistent as well, with average group sizes of roughly 2.25" at 15 yds." I tried at Taurus TX22 at a local gun store factory shoot and found accuracy not inspiring even at 5 yards. I ended up buying a Buckmark Hunter for a great price last November and it is stunningly accurate. Last edited by sigarms228; April 24, 2025 at 02:45 PM.

April 24, 2025, 06:52 PM	#7
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,499	22lr accuracy is heavily dependent on the ammo. You have to play around with different ammo. __________________ Keltec P15 at 1200 rounds

April 25, 2025, 10:50 PM	#10
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,793	Glad to read your P17 is shooting significantly more accurate. it's probably not the sights though check the screws to make sure they are snug but no need to over tighten. I bought a CZ Shadow about ten years ago and it was not shooting consistently accurately and one day I found I was able to move the rear sight with finger pressure. Once I got that locked down it shoots great. Too bad I wasted a lot of ammo figuring that out though. All Browning Buckmark models are highly accurate and have excellent triggers, so best to choose a model that has the features, fit, and price you like. The Buckmark comes in three frame sizes, UFX/URX/UDX, so you may find some models that fit you better than others. I have larger hands and the Buckmark Camper and Hunter fit me very well with the UFX size frame. The Ruger Mark series are excellent too but I just like the way the Buckmark fits my hands/fingers. I wouldn't be afraid to buy a nice used Backmark or Ruger Mark series either. LGS usually has some at decent prices though the versions of the Rugers before the MK4 are much more difficult to break down for deep clean. Last edited by sigarms228; April 25, 2025 at 10:59 PM.

April 24, 2025, 02:21 AM	#3
Algunner Member Join Date: October 14, 2024 Posts: 85	To be a good pinker you need to hit a soda can at about 10 yards on almost all rounds. You can’t do that with a gun with 3 1/2” group. I didn’t mention that this was using a clamped rest. So hand held you can add another 1/2” if you are very steady. Me? I get over 4” groups at ten yards handheld with this gun. I would be missing that can almost half the time! At 25 yards I would have a hard time hitting a bowling ball (about 8”). BTW if you need a tool to remove the slide then you need to swap out the screw mount adapter with the thread protector.

April 24, 2025, 05:45 PM	#5
bac1023 Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 1,214	You don’t buy a KelTec for accuracy

April 24, 2025, 06:22 PM	#6
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,825	Dang! Yea, my Taurus TX22 beats that!

April 25, 2025, 12:13 PM	#8
Algunner Member Join Date: October 14, 2024 Posts: 85	I have tried various ammo and all about the same. However just yesterday it was shooting better after cleaning. Didn’t measure but estimate a little under 3” at 15 yards. So needs a long breakin? Wasn’t saying they are all bad just this one example. Good point Sigarms. The slide(bolt?) could be tighter but I see no way to improve that. I’ll check the tightness of all of those Allen screws. BTW been looking at Buckmarks myself. But which one?

April 26, 2025, 03:57 PM	#13
Shoots Left Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2024 Location: Southeast Texas Posts: 129	Since you might be looking for another 22 allow me to add one more contestant to consider…the S&W SW22 Victory. Out of the box it rivals the comparable Browning and Ruger for accuracy, IMO. The takedown for cleaning isn’t as nifty as the new Mark IV Rugers (takes an allen wrench) and the trigger isn’t as slick as a Browning’s. Nonethless it’s a solid contender among these three examples. If mine is the rule and not the exception then it isn’t fussy about ammunition, which is nice, and the Victory gets a lot of aftermarket love like the Ruger and Browning. Also like sigarms mentioned, pre Mark IV Rugers can be a real challenge to take down and reassemble for cleaning if you’ve not done so before. This is a case where YouTube is definitely your best friend.

April 27, 2025, 12:53 AM	#14
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 4,603	If I were looking for an "accurate" gun, kel tek would be far from my first choice. Be careful with cleaning 22s, it can effect accuracy as can switching ammo brands. Most 22s have a wax/lubricant coating on the bullet and sometimes the cases (looking at you SK) that wax/lubricant will build up a coating in the barrel that will effect accuracy. In my limited testing, I found that it took around 20-30rnds after cleaning before enough of the wax/lubricant built up for the groups to settle down. Same when changing brands as their formula was different. This is part of the reason the myth of cleaning a 22 ruined its accuracy. it stripped the wax/lubrican out of the barrel, so groups generally opened up or got worse right after cleaning. Generally for a 22 I will just run a dry patch down the bore and then clean/lube the rest of the gun. I only use oils/cleaners in the bore if I am going to be storing it for a while. And expect a 20 or so round break in before it starts shooting right again. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

April 27, 2025, 08:35 AM	#15
DT Guy Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Posts: 984	I got a P17 a few months ago as a 'fun gun' and to teach some friends. Little thing is crazy accurate at the ranges I can still shoot irons well at. For comparison, I've got a Ruger MkIV target with a dot, a Buckmark and a few others. Little thing has no trouble shooting a ragged hole at 30'. Larry __________________ He who fights and runs away had better run pretty damn fast. Government, Anarchy and Chaos

April 30, 2025, 11:37 AM	#17
angel71rs Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2009 Location: TX Posts: 143	I just got a P17. 1st range trip, accuracy was noticeably worse compared to my other compact 22, a TX22. I also didn't like how the slick parts of the grip made it hard for me to keep a consistent grip. And the black rear sight was hard for me to see, resulted in vague front sight alignment, made it hard to get it zeroed. I'd say about 2" groups at 7 yds offhand, with Federal Auto Match, Federal 525 Champion HP, Aguila Super Extra, and CCI standard velocity. So it wasn't the ammo. I'd seen complaints of loose screws out of the box, so I had checked all (couple were loose), so it wasn't that either. I decided to give the rear sight the Glock U notch white paint treatment, added grip tape to front and rear straps, and also to flat portions near safety switches. Gave it a through cleaning, then back to the range this past Friday. Much better. Again at 7 yds offhand, cut group sizes about in half. 1st ammo up was the Auto Match. I had to adjust the rear sight since it was now grouping slightly right and high. Once adjusted, I went for accuracy and put the 1st 5 rounds in the center 1" dot, got excited and group opened up a bit, but the last 5 shots of the mag all near/in the dot. Shot well with different ammo, is probably now better than my TX22. Painting the rear sight was the biggest difference to me, but the grip tape helped. It's got a light trigger, but it's kind of vague, hard to judge when the shot is going to let off. Started at just under 3# new, is now just under 2 1/2#. TX22 is about double that, but it's got a distinct point where you can tell it's about to break. I'm happy with it for what it is, even if it isn't as accurate as my Buckmark or Smith 22A. Very fun shooter. Last edited by angel71rs; April 30, 2025 at 11:47 AM.

April 30, 2025, 02:59 PM	#18
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 11,108	Sounds like the gun is accurate, but the shooters aren't. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

May 1, 2025, 12:00 AM	#19
BourbonCowboy Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2019 Posts: 143	When I got mine, I didn't care for the grip. It just wasn't "grippy" - for lack of a better term. Accuracy was OK. I put a Hogue Handall grip sleeve (the one for the Glock G43x) and it felt as comfortable in my hand as my HKs. Then it became very accurate. Maybe it's just a mental/psychological thing, but once the pistol was comfortable in my hand, I shot it better.

May 13, 2025, 10:29 AM	#20
Algunner Member Join Date: October 14, 2024 Posts: 85	Sorry did not get back to this right away. Thought maybe the slide was too loose for the iron sight to be accurate so I tried a laser sight. Bought one with both a red and green laser. Sighted the green laser for 20 yards and the red for 10 yards as that is about the ranges used in the bowling pin challenge tonight. So at ten yards it grouped at an estimated 1/2” and about 1” or less at 20 yards. But after shooting a while the 20 yard group opened up to almost 3”. But went down to a smaller group after cooling off. Thanks to the thin barrel I guess. I tied for second (5 way tie) in the next bowling pin challenge. Fortunately it gets to cool off between rounds. Would have tied for first but one white bowing pin fell into another white pin which knocked over a black pin. There is a one pin penalty for knocking over a black pin. Felt good to come in second tying or beating Ruger IV’s, S&W Victory’s and the like.