Kel-Tec PMR-30... Range Report
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Carl N. Brown
Member
If the Internet was around in 1836 we could find postings by folks who bought Colt Paterson revolvers with high expectations, but after bad experiences with that folding trigger, went back to their single shot muzzleloader. typical of all new fangled contraptions.
FWIW the http://www.northwestfirearms.com/forum/handgun-discussion/37407-kel-tec-pmr-30-range-report.html thread has been updated...
But to address each of the points mentioned above:
1. & 2. Took only what I had on hand, and at the time I received my PMR-30 there were NO remommended (pro or con) ammo types.
3. Reasons for the range limitations were clear. It was unexpected and I wanted to at least put a few rounds thru it with the facilities available it the time.
4. Not a question of willingness to "take a peek" inside... it had more to do with insuring that Kel-Tec received the malfunctioning weapon in the condition it was at the point of failure.
And I agree completely with you that my "report" was not an expert review, it was merely the impressions of a customer lucky enough to have scored an early PMR-30. It was also not meant as a blanket statement about the design. As I mentioned, I LIKE and ENJOYED the PMR-30 and have every reason to expect my next trip to the range (with my now repaired PMR-30) to be flawless.
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mesinge2
Member
ZeroRing, Thanks for reporting back here. I look foward to your next report on the second range trip. Welcome to THR.
JoeLansing
Member
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- Nov 21, 2005
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- 5
Yeah, the thread has been updated. http://www.northwestfirearms.com/forum/handgun-discussion/37407-kel-tec-pmr-30-range-report.html I think he'll end up being happy with his weapon. The factory really does fix you up fast and he will still end up with a nice functioning low serial number weapon. Hi-Point is funny about their repairs. They tend to toss in free mags with most repairs, and will just give you a reserialized new weapon in many cases. Even if it's a rusty bent barrel thing you got at a pawn shop for $50 Shopping for "old-junk" Hi-Points is a new sport because they turn into new weapons.. I'm getting a PMR-30 for sure, as soon as I can find one. Already stocking up on the ammo. I sent Kel-Tec an email back in June? begging them not to release it as a jam-O-matic using CCI ammo because that's what many/most would shoot. They replied that they were doing their homework on it. Turns out they needed to go to summer school.
- Joe
I'm getting a PMR-30 for sure, as soon as I can find one. Already stocking up on the ammo. I sent Kel-Tec an email back in June? begging them not to release it as a jam-O-matic using CCI ammo because that's what many/most would shoot. They replied that they were doing their homework on it. Turns out they needed to go to summer school.- Joe
Jed Carter
Member
"Completely non functional" does not sound like a teething problem to me. More like another manufacturer not doing proper quality control, or using the public as a Beta tester. Shame on Kel-tec, I am sure they will correct the problems. The gun industry's answer to a 7 day waiting period, sell a non functional firearm. Buy it today , get it today, shoot it in 12 weeks.
Second outing was MUCH better than the first! Pistol shoots beautifully... especially with the correct ammo.
The Fiocchi I used initially is noticably weaker than the CCI and Federal I used on the first outing with my now repaired PMR-30.
Definitely a FUN little pistol to shoot!!
BTW... Kel-Tec tossed in a free mag with the repairs.
The Fiocchi I used initially is noticably weaker than the CCI and Federal I used on the first outing with my now repaired PMR-30.
Definitely a FUN little pistol to shoot!!
BTW... Kel-Tec tossed in a free mag with the repairs.
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mesinge2
Member
Glad to hear that Kel-tec stood by their product. I might be getting one of these after all.
outerlimit
Member
Well that's just an excuse IMO, they should damn well know better by now. Hopefully this will turn out to be a good gun, it does look like fun.
Here another more recent review: http://www.gunblast.com/KelTec-PMR30-2.htm
Here's an interesting video "90 rounds in 25 seconds" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2KZMI-qNvY
Here's an interesting video "90 rounds in 25 seconds" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2KZMI-qNvY
CaliCoastie
Member
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- Jun 24, 2010
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- 497
just got a pmr 30 last firday. had a chance to get to the range yesterday and other than me not loading my first mag right i didnt have any problems. about 200rnds down range, on the ammo that kel tec does not recommend the first mag i loaded i had 2 ftf and one fte. i unloaded the mag are reloaded it, then no problems.
Also its a blast to shoot.
Also its a blast to shoot.
Caliper_Mi
Member
This pistol looks like a really fun range toy / varmit exterminator. I think I'm still in the "ammo costs too much" camp for .22 WMR...
Would LOVE this pistol in .22LR though! I have always wondered why 99% of .22LR pistols have a 10 round mag when centerfire pistols are nearly doubling that.
Would LOVE this pistol in .22LR though! I have always wondered why 99% of .22LR pistols have a 10 round mag when centerfire pistols are nearly doubling that.
~Boomslang~
Member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2010
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- 69
This is the first I've seen of these pistols not functioning properly. I cant beleive after reading one bad review, people are already saying that they would never buy one! There is even a fully automatic version of this weapon that feeds spot on. Again don't get carried away with one bad report. There is even a poster below the range report that states "This was NOT my experience with the pistol" Lets see if this becomes a trend, then there may be some weight to it.
bigfatdave
Member
GunTech, how about getting more PMR30s into the wild first, KT is working hard to get a .22LR conversion out after they get the PMR30 up to full production, I wouldn't be surprised to see .17HM2 or HMR next.
I'm still looking forward to buying one, but the only dealer in my area that stocks KelTec keeps trying to sell me a PLR22 or PLR16 when I ask about the PMR30. Then he points at a RFB and smiles ... I think he knows I'll bite on that one eventually.
I'm still looking forward to buying one, but the only dealer in my area that stocks KelTec keeps trying to sell me a PLR22 or PLR16 when I ask about the PMR30. Then he points at a RFB and smiles ... I think he knows I'll bite on that one eventually.
Agreed. I've been waiting for Keltec to work the bugs out of the PMR-30 prior to buying one. I had a Grendel and liked the concept.
I have to say that my own experience with Keltec has been stellar. While I had a couple of problems with my very early SU-16, they were very quick to sort things out and fix my problem. They even offered some help with my very unsanctioned 6.8SPC conversion of the SU-16.
I have to say that my own experience with Keltec has been stellar. While I had a couple of problems with my very early SU-16, they were very quick to sort things out and fix my problem. They even offered some help with my very unsanctioned 6.8SPC conversion of the SU-16.
wyocarp
Member
I've been shooting the heck out of mine.
The magazines get progressively harder to load after about 20 rounds. 20 rounds load fairly easily. Also, don't play with the magazines after they are loaded. Leave them loaded. The cases become indented from pushing against them to load the next round and too much of this might affect how they work.
I was disappointed when I first got the gun out of the box, but it is really growing on me. 31 rounds. Let me repeat that, 31 rounds in the gun is something that has to be tried to know how much fun we are missing with other handguns.
It has been reliable except that the magazine has to be loaded with care otherwise the front of the bullet will be too low in the magazine and the round will not load. I have found that the perfect remedy for this is to use the polymer tipped bullets from Hornady or Remington. Remington has a larger bullet weight and the Hornady is faster.
It is light. Very light. It feels lighter than a loaded LCP.
Did I mention that this is a fun handgun.
I can hardly wait to be able to buy more magazines and I was thinking tonight as I shot a rabbit with it that I need to mount a small laser on the rail.
People keep talking about wishing it was in 22LR. I doubt that will be possible.
There is also a lot of talk of concealing this handgun. It's going to be more of a challange, but I suppose it could be done. It is fairly flat and weighs nothing. Mine has been utterly reliable and I'm currently at about 1000 rounds.
As for the magazine release being on the bottom of the grip, I didn't like it at first but it is easy to get used to and is fast. The only problem I see with it is that if used as a carry gun as some have suggested, it is very easy for someone else to disengage the magazine.
There has been some mention that this is a poor man's FN 5.7. I'm not all that excited about the FN. I've shot them and just ho-hum. The three things that make the PMR more fun than the 5.7 is; 10 more rounds in the grip, a third of the cost, and it is so very very light.
The magazines get progressively harder to load after about 20 rounds. 20 rounds load fairly easily. Also, don't play with the magazines after they are loaded. Leave them loaded. The cases become indented from pushing against them to load the next round and too much of this might affect how they work.
I was disappointed when I first got the gun out of the box, but it is really growing on me. 31 rounds. Let me repeat that, 31 rounds in the gun is something that has to be tried to know how much fun we are missing with other handguns.
It has been reliable except that the magazine has to be loaded with care otherwise the front of the bullet will be too low in the magazine and the round will not load. I have found that the perfect remedy for this is to use the polymer tipped bullets from Hornady or Remington. Remington has a larger bullet weight and the Hornady is faster.
It is light. Very light. It feels lighter than a loaded LCP.
Did I mention that this is a fun handgun.
I can hardly wait to be able to buy more magazines and I was thinking tonight as I shot a rabbit with it that I need to mount a small laser on the rail.
People keep talking about wishing it was in 22LR. I doubt that will be possible.
There is also a lot of talk of concealing this handgun. It's going to be more of a challange, but I suppose it could be done. It is fairly flat and weighs nothing. Mine has been utterly reliable and I'm currently at about 1000 rounds.
As for the magazine release being on the bottom of the grip, I didn't like it at first but it is easy to get used to and is fast. The only problem I see with it is that if used as a carry gun as some have suggested, it is very easy for someone else to disengage the magazine.
There has been some mention that this is a poor man's FN 5.7. I'm not all that excited about the FN. I've shot them and just ho-hum. The three things that make the PMR more fun than the 5.7 is; 10 more rounds in the grip, a third of the cost, and it is so very very light.
Dang, dude...you going to copy and paste your reply in every PMR thread?
bigfatdave
Member
wyocarp ... could we get some pictures with the PMR30 compared to other common firearms? Both side views and rear would be especially appreciated.
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