Kel Tec PMR 30

[Good Ol' Boy]

I am thinking of getting this after I get my next purchase. I am considering it for plinking mainly, possibly occasionally carrying in cold months and just to say that I have a semi that holds 30rds that doesn't look like some weird 30rd glock mag that hangs a foot below the trigger.

Seriously though, I know only what I've read so would be interested to see if anyone has any experience with this firearm. Main things are the norm, malfunctions, reliability, accuracy and how do they fit 30 rounds in there.


Any info is appreciated...

 

[ttarp]

how do they fit 30 rounds in there.

Very tightly.

I only have a couple hundred at most through mine, so its still relatively new, but I haven't had any malfunctions of any sort to complain about.

Accuracy is pretty good, the trigger is quite nice, and I like the fiber optic sights a lot as well.

Loading the mags takes some patience, but its not overly difficult to do. Everything on the pistol operates quite smoothly, mag release, safety, slide racks easily, the PMR30 may look like a Nerf gun, but its a darned good one.

Worth noting, the grip is actually fairly slim, but because its rather long front to back it takes a little getting used to.

 

[Dan-O]

If you can find one at a decent price, I say go for it.

 

[Panzerschwein]

With Hornady Critical Defense loads and a 30 shot magazine, you would have an effective close range defensive sidearm.

 

[kozak6]

Can you find .22 mag ammo?

 

[kokapelli]

Yes there is 22WMR ammo out there you just have to look around a little for it.
I also was looking at the PMR30, but then decided I wanted to get as much performance as I could the round so was thinking about the CMR30 carbine from KelTec until I saw the EAA Appeal BullPup! I got one last week and also got 500 rounds of 22WMR from Ventura. Shot 100 rounds Thursday and immediately ordered another 500 rounds from Cheaper Than Dirt, so yes the ammo is available but you need to look around for it.

 

[Coyote3855]

I've had a PMR 30 for several years. It's my favorite carry gun for working around my property. Very effective on feral cats and ground squirrels but I don't shoot it without hearing protection, which I'm usually wearing anyway running the tractor or mower. I've had no malfunctions at all. Follow the instruction for loading the magazines and use only the ammunition recommended in the owner's manual. I like the light weight and 30 rounds on board. I carry in a yaqui slide and have broken the front fiber optic a couple of times. Easy to replace because I keep some extra on hand. I occasionally carry in a full flap holster that provides more protection but it's bulky. I also take the pistol along fly fishing and feel very comfortable and well armed in camp or overnight in a cheap motel.

 

[usp9]

One of the most fun guns I've owned. I had a couple malfunctions on the first mag, perhaps in the first 10 rounds or so. None since then. I've put many ammo brands through it, including some of the non-recommended brands. Read the manual first and the gun works well for you. If you get one, buy extra buffers. They are cheap.

I found one at a local gun show for a decent price, under $400, and with a Davidson guarantee. Ammo was available too. Bought a case to save a little more per box. Little recoil but loud. I like it so much I'm on the hunt for a CMR-30.

 

[kokapelli]

One of the most fun guns I've owned. I had a couple malfunctions on the first mag, perhaps in the first 10 rounds or so. None since then. I've put many ammo brands through it, including some of the non-recommended brands. Read the manual first and the gun works well for you. If you get one, buy extra buffers. They are cheap.

I found one at a local gun show for a decent price, under $400, and with a Davidson guarantee. Ammo was available too. Bought a case to save a little more per box. Little recoil but loud. I like it so much I'm on the hunt for a CMR-30.

Check out the EAA Appeal before you get a CMR30. Less mag capacity (10+1) but a well made and thought out gun in a very compact package.

 

[MachIVshooter]

PMRs are awesome. One of the most fun guns I own, was well worth the $350 I paid. Only problem with them is the rate at which one burns through expensive .22 mag ammo.....

Check out the EAA Appeal before you get a CMR30. Less mag capacity (10+1) but a well made and thought out gun in a very compact package.

The two barely even compare.

Doesn't mean the Appeal isn't a great little rifle, just that they're not even in the same category aside from chambering. The CMR is a full pound lighter, 7 inches shorter, has 3 times the capacity, and doesn't try to imitate the form of the (hideous) FAMAS.

 

[kokapelli]

PMRs are awesome. One of the most fun guns I own, was well worth the $350 I paid. Only problem with them is the rate at which one burns through expensive .22 mag ammo.....



The two barely even compare.

Doesn't mean the Appeal isn't a great little rifle, just that they're not even in the same category aside from chambering. The CMR is a full pound lighter, 7 inches shorter, has 3 times the capacity, and doesn't try to imitate the form of the (hideous) FAMAS.

Your right about capacity and weight, but not size. I removed the compensator from my Appeal because it really is not needed in this caliber and with it off the Appeal is 26-1/3" long and that is of course with the stock not collapsed.

some of the reports I have read the CMR has problems with reliability from gunk jamming it up when a lot of rounds are fired. Here is an example of a CMR after a lot rounds fired.

I fired 100 rounds through mine with not one failure and no gunk.




By the way if you find a CMR30 it's going to cost almost twice the price of the Appeal.

 

[il.bill]

Where do you guys find a Kel-Tec PMR30 available for sale at less than $450?

 

[nmlongbow]

Agree that the Appeal doesn't compare to the CMR. Everything will load up with gunk if you don't take care of it. A PMR and CMR together would make a nice combo. But as usual, these keltec guns are in short supply or over msrp.

 

[kokapelli]

Agree that the Appeal doesn't compare to the CMR. Everything will load up with gunk if you don't take care of it. A PMR and CMR together would make a nice combo. But as usual, these keltec guns are in short supply or over msrp.

Those that think the Appeal doesn't compare to the CMR, have you even seen one let alone shot one?

 

[ttarp]

I think the main point is the CMR and more importantly for the op, the PMR hold 30 rounds.

Occasionally buds gun shop will get them in for +-$500, which is way better than some of the pawn shop prices I've seen. The jokers sold a used PMR with only one mag and no box for $900, then the next week sold another for $800.

 

[kokapelli]

I think the main point is the CMR and more importantly for the op, the PMR hold 30 rounds.

Occasionally buds gun shop will get them in for +-$500, which is way better than some of the pawn shop prices I've seen. The jokers sold a used PMR with only one mag and no box for $900, then the next week sold another for $800.

I guess so if mag capacity is the main criteria.

I haven't read anything bad about the PMR, but not so for the CMR.

I have seen multiple reports of the CMR jamming with gunk.

 

[FREERANGETIME!]

PMR30 feedback

Contrary to whats printed on the little card that comes with the gun , it will shoot 30 grain ammo just fine, I got my best groups with Remington 40 grn jhp, biggest fireballs were from Critical Defense. I absolutely hated the grip, so much so that it was the motivating factor for my decision to sell the gun, the grip is triangular, same profile as the mag, it just didnt feel right in my hand, I wish they would have made the grip the same diameter all the way around, I tried various slip on grips, none of them made enough of a difference to make me want to keep the gun.
I am a self professed Kel-Tec fanboy and KTOG member, I have owned many over the years, carry a P3AT daily and keep a PLR16 as my trunk gun, so it takes a lot for me to say I disliked one of their products so much that I got rid of it, that being said, if they make a PMR in .22lr, I would buy one, hell, I would buy a pair of them, they should be able to reduce the scale of it enough to make it with a normal grip instead of the triangular style on the PMR30.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Thanks for all of the info fella's.


You guys that are claiming to get these for under $400 I'm assuming they're used? The only problem so far with this pistol for me is the price new. ~$600 I am mot gonna pay for this thing. Finding ammo isn't an issue but I'd like to find a deal on the gun.

 

[FREERANGETIME!]

Cats out of the bag now

I should get a commission from Kel-Tec for how many guns I am about to help them sell, Academy Outdoor Sports and L&M Supply both have PMR30 in stock for $399 which is a fair and realistic retail price, so even with shipping costs and FFL transfer fees for out of state buyers, a person can still get one for under $500, I paid $500 for the one I bought unfired from a private party that probably originally bought it for $399, you should be able to easily find spare mags for around $25, now let the buying frenzy begin!

 

[Dan-O]

How about some links there Freerangetime?

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I was on several waiting lists for a long time (over a year!) and finally got one within an hour or two of home (drive time) for $450. Great gun. Be patient and you'll find one. Do the same with ammo. Hornady seems the best, as they make stuff designed for shorter barrels; the .22 WMR designed for rifles (longer barrels) works, but isn't quite as effective.

Kel-Tec recommends several brands, and says avoid Armscor and Fiocchi 40 gr -- and any non-US made ammo. I bought some Fiocchi when I bought my PMR-30, before reading their suggestions, and it worked fine. I use CCI Maxi-Mag and Hornady Critical Defense, now.

These guns, with a good self-defense ammo seem to perform about as well as most .380s, and you have a LOT more rounds.

No recoil, lots of noise, and an amazing fireball -- the only gun my wife shoots well (and the reason I bought it!) Mine has been very reliable, thus far -- but still in the hundreds not thousands of rounds shot...

The new CMR-30 (carbine version) seems to be gaining fans, too.

 

[usp9]

Thanks for all of the info fella's.


You guys that are claiming to get these for under $400 I'm assuming they're used? The only problem so far with this pistol for me is the price new. ~$600 I am mot gonna pay for this thing. Finding ammo isn't an issue but I'd like to find a deal on the gun.

Good Ol' Boy,
I bought mine new for under $400 at the Fredericksburg gun show at the Expo Center. There happens to be a show there this weekend. That's a fair drive from Mechanicsville, but it may be worth your while.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Good Ol' Boy,
I bought mine new for under $400 at the Fredericksburg gun show at the Expo Center. There happens to be a show there this weekend. That's a fair drive from Mechanicsville, but it may be worth your while.

Thanks for the info neighbor.

How do you like yours? Any complaints?

 

[.338-06]

At my LGS $400, but there's a list.so you have to wait.

 

[kokapelli]

Picked up a new PMR 30 last Thursday and am headed to the range this morning to test it out.

I will only be using Armscor which has been flawless in my Tanfoglio BullPup.