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”
look man 22 mag is a very capable round i like the 30 grain v max from cci & hornady shoot them in my rifle they advertise 2200 fps chronod theyre little more than that in a 20 inch barrell now i no there gonna be a little slower in the pmr 30 but its ballistics is comparable to a 9mm pistol so why not carry a ultra light 30 round capacity pistol well im waiting impatiently for mine and kel tec makes the guns when they get a big order then they make them thats why it takes so long
There are dual chambered clips, they are alternating when they feed so that is how they get 30 rounds and you could have one more in the chamber. I like this gun and was going to buy a used one since I’m on a budget but the price on this makes it worth geting for alot more firepower in a small package for a little more mula.
Dear Ernesto – have you been able to find this gun? I have yet to see one for sale.
Buds gun shop auctioned one off a couple weeks ago.
Brought in excess of MSRP.
JD