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”
Clint, I’m actually going in the other direction in regards to ammo for my PMR-30 when I finally get it.
The .22WMR was designed as a rifle cartridge. In a pistol this round produces it’s share of flash and much of it’s potential is lost.
I have a stack of various .22wmr I want to try out when I get my pistol. I have the lightweight 30 and 32 grain rounds. I have the mid-range 40 grain rounds. But I’m banking on the banking on the Federal 50 grain round to slow things down a bit and transfer more of that potential energy down range.
I’m hoping at some point some will develop a .22wmr cartridge for a pistol with a faster burning propellant.
I am one of the fortunate few to have been able to purchase this awesome weapon. I have only put a hundred or so rounds thru it but it is a great gun. It’s accurate, fits my hand to a tee and not a single misfire. Can’t wait to try it out hunting.
I picked one up in Tucson at Diamondback.They have had only one other in.I cleaned it up with Aero kroil/ Hoppes 9 half and half. Lightly oiled. The pmr 30 has a nice feel in the hand. It is the lightest gun i have. Shot 15 rnds cci maxi mag. At 30 ft it was very accurate. I will put a green laser on it and have some real fun. Loading the mag was no problem just tapping the back and pushing the round to one side and the other when they get hung up in the middle.
I’ve had one for 2 months. I absolutely love it! The grip is a little large but once you get used to it it’s fine. Kel-Tec is very specific with thier suggested ammo choices, including specifying american made only but I have run EVERY kind of ammo I can get my hands on to try them out and they’ve all worked flawlessly. The non american stuff tends to be dirtier but works fine. Have put around 1600 rounds through it and the only problems have been, the last few rounds are hard to load in the mag and slightly dent the brass on the way in but they still fire and for plinking I just load half a box(25)in each mag, and occasionally the last round of the mag doesn’t feed but if you can’t take a target down with 29 rounds maybe a pistol’s not your best choice for a weapon. I LOVE IT!!!
You try any of that V-max hornady stuff? I’ve heard it can be unreliable but im really hoping not.