Kel-Tec is known for it's innovative weapons, especially it's range of ultralight pistols and compact, lightweight, folding carbines such as the SU-16 and Sub-2000. A few years ago I was lucky enough to come across a deal on a Kel-Tec Sub-9 carbine, which is the older, more expensive but somewhat better-made version of the Sub-2000. I'll be posting about my experiences with it here. I also have a Kel-Tec P-32 pistol, which is one of the lightest and most compact pocket pistols you can get, decent for a back-up or in situations when you just can't conceal anything larger.
The new PMR-30 is lightweight as well, only 19oz (loaded) in a full-sized frame. That light weight, along with the light weight and small size of the ammunition, means you can carry a lot of rounds. For some people who are competent with handgun hunting, this pistol could serve as a general purpose bug-out hunting weapon. When it's been around awhile, time will tell if it proves to be reliable and accurate enough for such a task. Meanwhile, Kel-Tec is really pushing this idea of high-capacity, and light weight:
From the Kel-Tec Website:
The PMR-30 is a light weight, full size pistol chambered for the flat-shooting .22Magnum cartridge (.22WMR). The PMR-30 operates on a unique hybrid blowback/locked-breech system. This operation system allows for the use of a wide variety of ammunition as it seamlessly adjusts between locked breach and blowback operation, depending on the pressure of the cartridge. It uses a double stack magazine of a new design that holds 30 rounds and fits completely in the grip of the pistol. The trigger is a crisp single action with an over-travel stop. The manual safety is a thumb activated ambidextrous safety lever (up for SAFE, down for FIRE). The slide locks back after the last shot and a manual slide lock lever is also provided. The light, crisp trigger pull and fiber optic sights make the PMR-30 ideal for target shooting and hunting small game.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Calibers: | .22 Magnum | (.22WMR) |
| Weight unloaded: | 13.6oz. | 186g |
| Loaded Magazine: | 6oz. | 170g |
| Length: | 7.9" | 129mm |
| Height: | 5.8" | 89mm |
| Width: | 1.3" | 19mm |
| Barrel length: | 4.3" | 66mm |
| Sight radius: | 6.9" | 175.26mm |
| Energy (40gr): | 138ft-lbs | 187J |
| Capacity: | 30 rounds | |
| Trigger pull: | 3.5-5 lbs | 23N |
So do I need this pistol or will I actually buy one? I don't know yet, but I'll be keeping an eye on it as becomes available. In the meantime, my Glock 19, at 21oz empty and 30oz loaded, is not excessively heavy either, and though the standard magazines "only" hold 15 rounds, I can always put in a 33-round Glock "happy stick" if I want extra capacity in 9mm. For survival hunting, all around prinking, and accuracy, I'm sure the PMR-30 would clearly be a better choice. But I've owned a lot of rimfire auto-pistols, and I've always experienced more failures with them than with centerfire pistols, so without extensive testing, I wouldn't bet my life on it for defensive purposes. The Glock, however, has gone "bang" every time I pulled the trigger, and I have every reason to believe it will the next time too.
How much do these cost on average?
ReplyDeleteExpected to be about $415 MSRP, which will likely mean about a $300-$350 street price, once they're well in circulation.
ReplyDeleteThat is quite a bit of firepower in a small package. If it functions well, Kel-Tec should do well with it. The earlier Grendel P-30 and AMT Auto Magnnum II autoloaders were probably a little ahead of their time, and some had functioning issues that hurt their sales. With the popularity of the recent FN 5.7, this may change.
ReplyDeleteI like .22 Magnums quite a bit, but in handguns, they are loud. I have a Taurus 941 snubbie that is loud as a .38 Special.
Yes, it's highly appealing for the price if the reliability is there. I hear good and bad about Kel-Tec products, but my Sub-9 and P-32 run flawlessly.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a nice pistol. Myself, I'd like to get a .357 revolver, but I'm in the "keep it simple" crowd. My Heritage .22 revolver is a hoot to shoot, but she loads a might slow...
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the .357 revolver, especially for a bug-out piece - it's a perfect match for my Winchester Trapper in the same caliber. I've sorta permanently loaned the revolver to my girlfriend however, as she feels better with it beside the bed when I'm not around. Guess I need to look for another one.
ReplyDeleteI really like the looks of this pistol. I've had good luck with Kel Tec products and I must say that 30 rounds of .22magnum in a light package is very appealing! The price isn't bad either. I learn something new every day. Didn't know about this weapon. Wish I could find one to rent and shoot it! I also like that fact that it weighs about the same loaded as my empty Glock 19. Even though I absolutely love the Glock 19 (no secret) this pistol is definitely interesting.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to shoot one as well. It's supposed to be available sometime around March, I think, but Kel-Tec is sometimes optimistic about release dates of new products.
ReplyDeleteI have a NAA Black Widow .22lr revolver with a conversion cylinder to .22 mag. Granted it has no where near 30rd cap (5rounds) I like the small size(ultimate concealability). I plan to use it as a backup gun.
ReplyDeleteYeah, several revolvers are available with the interchangeable .22LR and .22Mag cylinders. Very handy.
ReplyDeleteAs Soon as the Aftermarket gets ahold of this bad boy, i can see some 50-60rd magazines.. that would be quite awesome!
ReplyDeleteI can see that happening too.
ReplyDeleteHey Scott,
ReplyDeleteYes I bet she is happy with your .357 I don't blame you at all for looking around for another! After all a new girlfriend is much easier to get than a trusted good .357 is! Smart move on your part!
Steve
I meant a new .357, nevertheless! A girlfriend like I have now would be impossible to replace.
ReplyDeleteThe PMR-30 seems to be a very well built and
ReplyDeletethought out pistol. I got to hold one at a firearms convention in Las Vegas and it was very impressive. I think it would make a great pistol for protection as long as it did'nt have any firing flaws, like jams. It felt great when I held it and has a natural feel and aim. So far this pistol has all the right stuff.
saw this pistol in nra publication and am very interested in seeing it in person. will it fire 22lr or is it strictly 22mag.? would make a nice addition to my personal collection lr or mag.
ReplyDeleteThis one is strictly .22 Magnum. Maybe if it sells well, they will also offer one chambered for .22 LR. I think that would be very popular.
ReplyDeleteI think of the 22 mag as the "survival " round.We can't buy, or carry every gun we want. As the world turns ugly I like the combo of Naa's black widow .22 mag, my Savage 93 .22 mag, my single six in mag, and now I see the keltec as the potential cornerstone of the collection. Ya, we all have lots of weapons we love. As the lovin spoonfull sang "did you ever have to make up your mind ?" I sleep with my Kimber 45 loaded, my mossberg riot shot gun loaded, and my wife. But in that future waist land I see a place for the .22 mag. In a world where brass could replace gold I am adding to my pile of .22 mag.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely like to see this gun in a 22LR. Really cheap to shoot, but I wonder if it would be able to cycle cleanly.
ReplyDeleteI "heard" the 22 magnum is not a clean round to shoot, i.e. requires cleaning often.
I'd love to have one -- I just hope it doesn't jam like my Walther P22...
ReplyDeleteDo you guys think they'll be selling this gun in California?
ReplyDeletefinally got the skinny on when the pmr-30 will hit stores. my ffl said he ordered five and they told him they will definatly fill his order (that means to his door step ), by june 25th.So i should be shooting my pmr-30 the 26th at the latest...
ReplyDelete"Do you guys think they'll be selling this gun in California?"
ReplyDeleteMaybe, but I'm sure it will be with a 10-round magazine capacity.
"finally got the skinny on when the pmr-30 will hit stores. my ffl said he ordered five and they told him they will definatly fill his order (that means to his door step ), by june 25th.So i should be shooting my pmr-30 the 26th at the latest... "
Thanks for the update on the availability.
I live in the Houston TX. area, been looking for the PMR-30 for a while now, I check regularly with sevsral gun stores they don't have a clue when the PMR-30 will hit the retail stores, can someone here give me a realistic date?
ReplyDeletecant find these for sale anywhere
ReplyDeleteCheck Gunbriker.com
ReplyDeleteI just got one, and ran 200rds of 40 and 50gr CCI through it with 100% reliability. It's an awesome pistol, and can be fired without ear protection, although I wouldn't recommend it often. It's definitely not as loud as my Secuirty-Six w/.38SPCL. It's very accurate at 15yds, but the group opens up to about 3" when the barrel gets super-hot. You can expect to pay $650 shipped for one right now, and I thought that it'll go down later, but after my experience with RFB waiting for it to become available I figured I better get it while I could. After 2 years the RFB is still selling for retail-+ ($1800), and it started out w/MSRP at $995. Kel-Tec recently bumped MSRP to $1800 (and therefore dealer price) to bring dealer profits in-line. They were making 100% profit early-on.
Get a PMR-30--you'll be glad you did.
I got one of these 2 weeks ago and at first was a little disapointed with the reliability. Of course I didnt clean it or oil it and I didnt read the manual at first. After reading how to load the mag it went much better with only a few jams. Since I did the fluff and buff on my P3AT it ran so much better I decided to do the same on this gun. I polished the chamber and feed ramp, deburred the slide rails and oiled it real good. No jams for the last 200 rounds. It is reasonably accurate and very fun to shoot. I paid 360 in Central VA for it.
ReplyDeleteI ordered one as soon as I knew about them, I have owned a High Standard double 9 since new (about 30 years) it shoots 9, 22 Lr and has a cylinder for 9, 22 mags. I will not part with this gun (no longer made)and can't wait for my new PMR-30, I thought 9 was good but 30 rounds is even better.
ReplyDeleteBill from PA.
Bought one in a local gun shop. Dealer just put it in the case moments before I walked in. I laid down $380 and was filling out the paperwork when a few mor guys walked in and wanted one. One guy even offered to buy it from me at $425. I said thanks, but no thanks and will be taking it to the range in a few days.
ReplyDeleteSounds goods. Report back after your trip to the range with it if you can.
ReplyDeleteGetting mine Thursday or Friday. Been waiting one year on a list. It came in today.
ReplyDeleteExcellent Gun
ReplyDeleteYou lucky rascal!
ReplyDeletebeen waiting for almost a year also...still no gun
Living in Montana and in a smallish city, bugging out sometimes means taking off to a place where remaining on top of the food chain can pose a real challenge. Grizzly bear and mountain lions don't like getting shot with an over sized pellet gun like a .22 or .22 magnum, especially a griz even with 30 rounds you just might overload its propensity to get at and eat you. Even a .357 can be questionable and that is why I tote a Ruger super blackhawk in 44 magnum and a Remington 870 express with 000 buck and slugs. Small game and plinking aside and getting down to real challenges is and must always be considered when bugging out, with of course consideration of ones surroundings, flora and fawna!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right about the need for something more powerful in Montana. That's why in my book I have a section on recommended equipment for each region and when it comes to firearms, I suggest something capable of stopping big bears if you are planning to bug out into areas they inhabit. I too would suggest a 12-gauge or a big-bore rifle such as the Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 over any handgun, but a .44 Magnum would be the minimum in grizzly country.
ReplyDeleteYour tech specs lists the metric weight for the unloaded pistol as 186g. The correct weight is actually 386g.
ReplyDeleteThe metric weight you have listed for a loaded mag is correct (170g).
I'd buy one only if I could find one to buy..
ReplyDeleteI actually have this as my primary sidearm for myself and my family as well in a shtf scenario and we had to go gypsy.my wife, father, 2 friends and myself all carry larue tactical predatar 556 16" with 10 magazines, plate carriers and interceptor plates, pmr 30 with 5 and of course other survival material goods. Everything is uniform for our group. The only exceptions are my sons primary weapon cause hes smaller. He has a volquartsen with a 22 mag variant so our ammo is also uniform. One other exception is I have an obr 308 winchester 18" for extreme long range shooting. As for this pmr, we put stock and confidence as our main pistol because it's so effective. All that being said I pray that an end of the world scenario never ever happens. I have a family and want them to have long fulfilling lives. Too many preppers I've met somehow want it to happen to play out their survivalist fantasy which I think is sad. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best seems to have forgotten the later.
ReplyDelete