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”
I bought my pmr 30 a couple of weeks ago, i cracked one of the mags first day out tapping it like the instructions said (i just shipped it back to them ad they said they would replace). shot 300 rounds through it the first day. I really like the accuracy, the feel in my hand which i had to get use to. But all in all a fine gun and it’s growing on me. I’ve never owned a kel-tec before, and this is a great shooter and will easily work in the hands of my 11 year old. I love the 30 round mags and this is a really fun gun to shoot!
this is gr8 pistol
Purchased the PMR 30 and paid a premium price. The trigger is wonderful. Took some getting use to as I previously carried a smaller concealable gun. Took it to the range and I had to nearly fight my wife for it. She being a very small framed woman was not intimidated by the mild recoil. From 30 meters all rounds were within the a 12 inch plate size target. Cleaning was a breeze. I now have to wait for another to be shipped to the gun dealer if I want my own. I teach home defense and most people are intimidated by the recoil of a larger calibre weapon. I state to my students that you should shoot the largest calibre weapon that you are comfortable shooting. It is better to have a hit with a small calibre than a miss with a larger calibre. This pistol gives you 30 rounds so a magazine change is not going to be an issue in a stressful situation.