Kel-Tec PMR-30 in .22 Magnum

Kel-Tec had the new PMR-30 on display at the 2010 SHOT Show. The PMR-30 is a pistol designed around the .22 WMR (aka .22 Magnum) cartridge. The double stack magazine holds 30 rounds of the mighty rimfire, hence the “-30” designator in the name.

Kel-Tec was not at the range for Media Day, so we did not have a chance to shoot this new pistol. However, I did get a chance to play with it at the Show. There were things I liked, and disliked, about the gun.

The Kel-Tec PMR-30 was lightweight (only 13.6 ounces) and had many of the features shooters tend to prefer such as an accessory rail and a frame mounted safety (sweep down to fire.) I liked the fiber optic sights, which had a green front and red rear. The sights were easy to see, and the contrasting colors made for a nice sight picture.

The gun is relatively flat, which would make for easier concealing if the .22 WMR was your choice for self defense. Kel-Tec states the 4.3″ barrel will yield 1230 fps with a 40 grain bullet. Not ideal in my estimation, but 30 rounds of WMR is much better than a sharp, pointy stick.

What I did not like about the PMR-30 was how it felt in my hand. As I stated, it is fairly flat, but it is also abnormally long in the grip. Different people will perceive the grip in different ways, but it was not comfortable to me.

MSRP is $415 and Kel-Tec states they expect to start shipping in the second quarter of 2010. At a street price of just under $400, I imagine Kel-Tec will sell a boatload of these little pistols. Though I don’t like the way it feels in my hand, I can’t deny that Kel-Tec makes a good gun for a great price. The PMR-30 may start a run on .22 WMR much like the LCP caused a run on .380 ACP. I just wonder if any of the “big boys” will have a full-sized .22 WMR pistol at the 2011 SHOT Show.