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.
31 replies on “Kel-Tec PMR-30 in .22 Magnum”
Kel-Tec disappointed me with the cheap barrel and feel of their first run of the SU16, but after shooting the ever-loving shit out of it I was hooked. And now…30 rounds of higher powered plinking(compared to your average 22lr). I can’t wait to get one and head out to the range.
I think the gun is neat. Could you send me some more info on the gun,especialy the height.I am curious how you get 30 rounds in it
The last I’ve heard, I won’t see my PMR-30 until sometime in July and I’m getting anxious.
Has anyone run across a holster source for this pistol yet?
Check out gunblast’s pmr-30 vids on youtube. Optics and accesory compatible from the looks of it too
Some years back I owned a Grendel P 30 made by Grendel Arms (30 rounds of 22mag) Grendel was bought out by Kel-Tec . this gun is a rework of grendels original design,with some updating and a few notable improvements, 1. better sights 2. the grendel had feeding problems with anything but winchester ball powder ammo. they claim that this gun will seamlessly fire any 22mag ammo,That’s great news if true……….