Kel-Tec PMR 30 Reviews

Leave it to Kel-Tec to come up with this awesome 30-round .22 magnum semi-auto pistol. Reviews have been favorable, resulting in a very hard-to find item. A search on Gunbroker brings up only a few, all of them bid up past the $450.00 mark.

$415.00

The PMR-30 is a light weight, full size pistol chambered for the flat-shooting .22Magnum cartridge (.22WMR). The PMR-30 operates on a unique hybrid blowback/locked-breech system. This operation system allows for the use of a wide variety of ammunition as it seamlessly adjusts between locked breach and blowback operation, depending on the pressure of the cartridge. It uses a double stack magazine of a new design that holds 30 rounds and fits completely in the grip of the pistol. The trigger is a crisp single action with an over-travel stop. The manual safety is a thumb activated ambidextrous safety lever (up for SAFE, down for FIRE). The slide locks back after the last shot and a manual slide lock lever is also provided. The light, crisp trigger pull and fiber optic sights make the PMR-30 ideal for target shooting and hunting small game. - Kel-Tec

Review Highlights:

• Hard-hitting .22 magnum ammo is relatively cheap and easy to find in a variety of offerings.
• 25 to 35% drop in bullet velocity compared to rifle velocities. (example: pistol-1,160 fps/rifle-1,550 fps)
• Best ammo tested for self-defense was Remington .22 Magnum PSP.
• Reliable w/a variety of ammunition as it adjusts to cartridge power.
• Heel-grip magazine release 
• Highly visible fiber-optic sights
• "Ingeniously designed", tapered, double-column magazine.

Tech-Specs:

• Caliber: .22 magnum (WMR)
• Weight Unloaded: 13.6 oz.
• Loaded Magazine: 6 oz.
• Length: 7.9"
• Height: 5.8"
• Width: 1.3"
• Barrel Length: 4.3"
• Sight Radius: 6.9"
• Muzzle Energy (.22 WMR) 138 ft-lbs.
• Capacity: 30 rounds
• Trigger pull: 4-6 lbs.

Slide and barrel are 4140 steel, frame is 7075 aluminum. Grip, slide cover, trigger, mag release, and safety levers are glass reinforced Nylon (Zytel), much like other Kel-Tec Pistols. Magazine is Also Zytel and holds 30 rounds, with round count ports. Other features include: dual opposing extractors for reliability, heel magazine release to aid in magazine retention, dovetailed aluminum front sight, Picatinny accessory rail under the barrel, Urethane recoil buffer, captive coaxial recoil springs. PMR30 disassembles for cleaning by removal of a single pin.-Kel-Tec

Gun News Links:
Navy Rail Gun Fires 1,000th Bullet
Right to Carry Reciprocity!

PF-9 vs. LC9 Pocket Pistols

Pocket 9mm Comparison:

                         Kel-Tec PF-9

                                                                               Ruger LC9




                                 Specs:

              PF-9                                                   LC9

• Length: 5.8"                                             6.0"
• Height: 4.4"                                             4.5"
• Barrel: 3.1"                                              3.1"
• Sight Radius: 4.7"                                     4.6"
• Front Strap Height: 1.7"                            2.3"
• Back Strap Height: 2.6"                            2.7"
• Weight Empty: 14.6 oz.                            17.1 oz.
• Weight Loaded (147 gr): 18.5 oz.             21 oz.
• Capacity: 7+1                                           7+1
• Max. Width: 0.98"                                     1.05"
• Max. Grip Thickness: 0.89"                          .97"
• Frame: Matte Black Polymer                      Matte Black Polymer
• Barrel and Slide: Alloy Steel                       Alloy Steel
• Trigger Pull: 5 lbs                                        7.4 lbs
• Trigger Travel: 3.3"                                     3.3"
• Warranty: Lifetime                                      None Written

Summary: Kel-Tec PF-9 $333.00
Slim and easily concealable. Available in blued, parkerizing or hard chrome. +P rated. 1 magazine and 2 floor plates, one flat and one with a finger ledge. Fixed sights with an excellent sight picture; rear sight adjustable for windage. Checkerboard grips provide excellent traction. Magazine release not easily accidentally hit. No data on whether this is a drop-free magazine. Gun fires without magazine in place. Snag-free out of the pocket. No mechanical safety; internal hammer-block. Good serrations in rear of slide. Light rail groove that did easily snag on clothing. Simple takedown procedure. Reassembly slightly more difficult. Long trigger reset required. Easily rapid-fired. Tendency toward trigger-pinch noted. Heavy recoil with most defense loads.

Summary: Ruger LC9 $443.00
2.5 oz. heavier than the Kel-Tec (17% heavier), steel sights and trigger-plastic on the Kel-Tec, thicker and longer slide, right-handed thumb safety, loaded chamber indicator, includes 1 magazine and 2 floor plates, includes polymer carry-box and pouch, nice matte-blued finish, slide and barrel-alloy steel, polymer frame, Italian-made magazine-like the Kel-Tec, swelled grip, frame cutout tended to cause thumb interference with trigger operation, identical trigger pull length (double action only), more room in the trigger guard, stiffer trigger pull (4 lbs+), "way worse trigger than the Kel-Tec with noticeable stacking at the end", highly visible white-dot steel sights-drift adjustable, front sight tended to snag on clothing, trigger return-reset shorter by 1/8", magazine disconnect means gun is useless without the magazine. Easy takedown and reassembly, beveled magazine opening for easier insertion, slower in rapid-fire, less felt recoil than the Kel-Tec.

Synopsis:
The Ruger is "Heavier, thicker and harder to shoot well"

"An imitation Kel-Tec by Ruger doesn't quite measure up to the original."

                                                                                                   

Kel-Tec PMR-30