Kel-Tec PMR-30

[alaskanativeson]

I didn't want to derail el Godfather's Five Seven topic any more than it already was, so I'll start a new thread.

What were/are your expectations of the Kel-Tec PMR-30? For those of you who have held or shot one, what are your impressions?

I'll admit to having quite an interest in the PMR-30. I've owned 3 of the Grendel P30 model pistols, each one I kept getting because I was fulfilling Einstein's definition of crazy: I was doing the same thing and expecting a different outcome. I wanted a reliable pistol I could use as a trail/ranch gun that carried a lot of ammo and could be used on small furry nuisances. Each time I got a handgun that averaged 1 failure for every 4 or 5 shots I'd take. The shots that did go out were as likely to hit what I was aiming at as a politician is to telling the truth; sure, it happens, but usually more by mistake than on purpose. At least I managed to sell each for more than I spent on it. Apparently I'm not the only insane one around.

My interest comes because of my love for the caliber. I have 2 Taurus 941s, an All Weather 77/22 Magnum, a Taurus Model 72 Stainless 22 Magnum, and I'm always on the lookout for an AMT Automag II.

What say ye, gun experts and/or novices?

 

[earthworm]

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1372115&highlight=keltec+PMR30

I started the above thread & others chimed in.

 

[bigfatdave]

I like mine

it works, is quite accurate and only a little ammo picky, less so with the updated barrel, the old design barrel was only tumbling a few specific types of ammo, the new one does it with only 1 or 2 types, as far as I know ... KT has it listed on their website as an update ... I figure that's pretty good for launching a rifle round from a handgun.

availability of the gun still sucks, don't expect to decide to get one today and buy one tomorrow.

loading the magazines for the last 5 rounds or so sucks, I just split a 50x box into two magazines, so with 6 magazines I have 150 rounds loaded up for a range trip. If you want to load 30, have a table or other surface to rest the gun on and follow the manual's instructions carefully.

there have been numerous threads, look for machIVshooter's write up, I htink it was the most extensive

30 BOOMs in a row is attention-getting and a lot of fun

I have shot it back-to-back with the FiVeSeVeN ... I much prefer the pmr30, for recreational shooting and ammo cost ... they both make impressivwe muzzle flashes in the dark (although Tokarev wins in that department)

 

[mongo4567]

I shot one at the range...it was a lot of fun and accurate. The owner said it had been very reliable. The magazine feed lips seem to be a little fragile, but KT will stand behind them.

 

[bigfatdave]

The magazine feed lips seem to be a little fragile, but KT will stand behind them

yeah, I try not to throw them upside-down onto concrete floors

the magazine design was why I bought more mags, plus when the RMR30 comes out I'll have even more magazines for it already

 

[mongo4567]

The magazine issues were cracks that developed along casting lines during regular use. I'm sure that if it keeps being a problem, they will change the design or materials.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I got to handle one a few weeks ago. It felt like a toy. If I had gotten to shoot it, I might have a different opinion, but as it stands I was not impressed. Which is too bad since I had high hopes for it. Still want to shoot one, might change my mind.

 

[Coyote3855]

Mine has been shipped and should be at my FFL by the end of the week. Report to follow.

 

[bigfatdave]

It felt like a toy.

yeah, I had some old guy accuse it of being an airsoft gun
it feels like a toy because Kel Tec designed it to be extremely light weight ... just like almost everything KT makes, the PMR30 is on the bleeding edge of what can be done with the round it was designed to fire, in this case it is light and slim, in addition to being - well - you know, a handgun chambered for .22wmr

 

[7.62 Nato]

I've shot two of them and although they are lighter than I like, they point and shoot very well. I do prefer they little more weight of my P30. The PMR30 sights are highly visible.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Love mine. So does my lady.

The only thing that would make it better would be if WMR was a little less expensive; The PMR costs about the same to fire as 9mm.

As expected from reading KT's releases, mine does not like CCI 40 gr. ammo (HP or FMJ). It feeds and fires reliably, but accuracy sucks to the tune of 5" or 6" groups at 40 feet. Everything else shoots just fine. I really like CCI TNT 30 gr.

I had some extraction issues at first, so I removed the extractor spring and replaced it with one 1.5 coils longer, and sharpened the hook on the extractor. The gun now runs 100%. IMO, the factory extractor profile is too subtle for the very tiny and very rounded rim of WMR ammo. It just didn't always bite.



I would buy another if I found it. Trouble is, they're still coming out with an eyedropper.

I really can't wait for the RMR. It'll be a superb 0-100 yard praire dog gun for firing out of the truck.

 

[guyfromohio]

I have one on "reserve" with my FFL... meaning I'm on the list, but haven't paid for it.

 

[bigfatdave]

The only thing that would make it better would be if WMR was a little less expensive; The PMR costs about the same to fire as 9mm.

I'll agree with that, while pointing out that really good .22wmr ammo costs about the same as cheap crappy 9x19 ammo.

overlap, yes
same price... ...not exactly

 

[jamstutz]

I've had a PMR-30 for about six months now and it is becoming my favorite range gun. It is just simply a joy to shoot, with a better trigger than a $400 gun deserves to have. Combine this with the 30-rd magazine and bright fiber optic sights and you have a handgun that, while probably not the best choice for anything, creates its own niche by simply being the most fun you can have standing up and properly attired.