Kel-Tec PMR30 Handgun Review: Why to Buy & Things to Consider

Let’s talk about the gun itself before we get into the business side of this firearm review. Why did Kel-Tec make this gun? Kel-Tec is a firearms manufacturer that is known for being on the cutting edge of creation—from foldable rifles that take handgun ammo, to the PMR30, Kel-Tec makes firearms that may be considered, “Out there,” in traditional firearms circles.

So why did Kel-Tec produce a .22 WMR handgun with a factory magazine capacity of 30 rounds? To answer that we need to look at one of the most well-known and expensive handguns on the market.

“Developed by FN back in 1989, the 5.7x28mm cartridge was envisioned as a replacement option for 9mm submachine gun use. The idea was that a smaller cartridge that was lighter in weight and capable of [high velocity] would be a compelling option for NATO, Law Enforcement, and protection detail use.” –Range365.com

So, why would Kel-Tec want to reproduce a handgun that’s already ahead of the curve and widely adopted as a self-defense weapon in law enforcement and the military? Because the price tag on that handgun is around $1,349 MSRP.

Kel-Tec wanted to provide a high-capacity handgun that fired a fast, light bullet capable of high velocity… at a price point that would make the gun affordable to a wider range of shooters.

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The Kel-Tec PMR30 has all the hallmarks that made the FN 57 such a hit—high capacity factory mags, high velocity and a design built to withstand abuse—there’s not much metal in the gun, which means less chance for rust, plus normal wear-and-tear scratches won’t impact its functionality.

So, who’s the PMR30 for? Well, let’s look at our customers who own the handgun here in the Northwest to get a better grip on that question.

Who Should buy the PMR30 Handgun?

The positives of this weapon and .22 WMR are numerous. First, the fiber optics sights are well made and enhance shooting the gun and its accuracy.

Next, the .22 WMR round has so little recoil that you can retain or regain your sight picture with no effort.  That means you can lay rounds on a target much faster, and in a much tighter area than you could with a bigger caliber—say the .45 ACP or .40 S&W where muzzle rise becomes a real factor in accuracy.

As we said above, the PMR30 has a factory capacity of 30 rounds, with one in the chamber, and comes with an extra magazine. It’s one of the lightest handguns at that capacity, and comes with potentially 61 rounds of ready-to-fire ammunition. Another benefit of the gun? The PMR30 has an ambidextrous design, which means you can shoot the gun from either hand.

Those factors mean this is a great gun for the Northwest.

Bowhunters use the PMR30

Bowhunters buy the PMR30 for the same reasons that make the gun so well known in the handgun world. It’s light, so they can pack it in addition to their hunting gear without having to worry about “extra weight.” And when every ounce counts, that light weight matters.

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While not a traditional “bear cartridge” the PMR30 can deliver enough shots down range (highly accurately and in .22 mag ammo) to offer adequate protection against predatory animals. Plus, with a 30-round factory capacity, you have enough rounds to stop most black bears or other predatory, dangerous game you may face in the Northwest.

So, if you’re a bowhunter calling in the game, and you call in wolves or bobcats instead, having the PMR30 at your side can give you peace of mind. Talking with our hunting managers, they say we’ve sold many PMR30’s to bowhunters specifically for this reason.

Hound Hunters opt for the PMR30

Another persona who comes in and buys this gun? Hound hunters. If you aren’t from around here, hound hunters go out with dogs to hunt black bear, bobcats, mountain lions and other predatory animals. Idaho Fish and Game restricts use of rimfire cartridges, the ammunition used in the PMR30, except for mountain lion and trapped gray wolf.

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“In any hunt, including any-weapon seasons, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals with any rimfire rifle, rimfire handgun, or muzzle-loading handgun, except for mountain lions or legally-trapped gray wolves.”

Like bowhunters, weight to hound hunters comes down to the ounces—imagine Sandpoint, Idaho in late winter—five feet of snow, wool, winter gear, GPS, dog remotes, dogs, leashes, packed gear… you see where I am going with this: weight matters, and with the PMR30, you’ve got the lightest, highest capacity option.

Do you reload? We've got extensive reloading products available and in stock.

Speaking with customers in our stores, the accuracy and high capacity of the PMR30 is always a selling point, but another factor that comes into play for the hound hunter is the capability of the PMR30 for maintaining accuracy during your shots. The low recoil and almost nonexistent muzzle rise allows the hound hunter to maintain sights on the game, and when that quarry could possibly be fighting with your hound dogs—that steadiness matters.

Personal Defense for Women

Two things make the PMR30 relevant as a personal defense for women or someone looking for a lighter slide rail weight. The first: cocking the PMR30 is easier than pulling the slide back on most 9MM handguns, so this is a selling point for someone looking for a lighter slide weight.

The second? The trigger on the PMR30, as described to us by our team and multiple instore user reviews, is “better than 90 percent” of other triggers because it is reliable and allows for the shooter to shoot as fast and as accurately as possible. The lighter caliber of the .22 WMR ammunition also limits the felt recoil in the hand—that means, unlike a 9mm or other larger caliber handguns, the PMR30 allows a lighter shooter to stay on target and deliver accurate shots without having to compete with muzzle rise.

And, with 30 rounds in the magazine and another 30 rounds in your spare magazine, your finger will get tired before you run into any problems.

Things to Consider before Buying the PMR30 Handgun

The PMR30 is built almost exclusively of polymer, which means there is less potential for the gun to rust and you can get extensive use out of the weapon with little worry.

However, relating his experience as an owner of this gun since 2012 and having worked with many people at the gun counter who own this gun, Tanner VanPelt, at North 40 in Omak, has this to say:

“The .22 Mag ammo is meant for a rifle with a longer barrel. That means when you fire the .22 Mag ammo out of the shorter handgun barrel, there is a lot of residual carbon that burns off when you shoot. That means if you shoot this gun towards the evening hours, or in low-light situations, you’ll see a big muzzle flash of burning carbon. That ALSO means, you need to maintain the cleanliness of your PMR30 because of the potential for carbon residue to build up and impact performance during the lifetime of the gun.”

So, functionality-wise, the gun works well, but because it shoots a rifle cartridge the potential for misfiring is there if you don’t keep the gun clean. VanPelt recommends shooting “higher quality,” more expensive ammunition.

Another thing to consider? Kel-Tec recommends “heavier for caliber ammo” to ensure correct and reliable timing when firing the handgun.

Ammo is Expensive & This is Not a Griz Gun

With the .22 WMR ammo becoming more readily available, ammo limitation is no longer the “big deal” that it was last year, but the cost of .22 Mag ammo still needs to be considered in your purchasing decision. At around $13 a box currently, the cost of this ammo does not make it a viable option as a training weapon, or for your only “plinking” handgun.

Further, if ammo cost is consideration, why would someone buy a .22 WMR handgun and not a 9mm? 9mm ammo is cheaper and the handgun itself is almost as light and cheap as the PMR30.

Well, again, the PMR30 comes from the factory with 30 round capacity, and it is lighter than most 9mm handguns on the market. You are also firing a bullet, much like the FN 57, that is capable of extremely high velocity. If you don’t care about magazine capacity or the ability to achieve higher velocity, and ammunition cost DOES matter, then opt for the 9 MM or another, more traditional handgun.

These are some different options if you are looking for back country protection. 

Something else to note when considering the PMR30? The backcountry—and we mean, THE back country. Think the Rocky Mountain Front and Bob Marshall Wilderness. In these areas, grizzly bear encounters are not isolated, and being prepared is a real issue.

If you are purchasing a firearm as to ensure your personal safety in griz country—the PMR30 is NOT the handgun you want to have on your person. If you’re looking for a handgun to be used exclusively as protection against grizzlies, the .22 WMR caliber is going to be too light and the terminal ballistics insufficient to deliver the stopping power you need when facing a grizzly bear. If you are looking for a handgun with a significant amount of terminal ballistics—energy transfer and deep penetration—you’ll want to go with the .44 mag.

Choosing a handgun as your protection against bears is always a personal choice, and whether you opt for bear spray or a handgun to ensure your personal safety against the large, predatory animals you often encounter in wild areas, being prepared IN SOME FORM is an absolute must.

So, is the Kel-Tec PMR30 Handgun for you?

The answer, like almost all genuine answers, is: It depends. If you’re looking for a high capacity, reliable and accurate handgun capable of very high velocity while maintaining accuracy on target, then the PMR30 might be right for you.

As a personal defense weapon, this gun checks the right boxes, especially if you are looking for a lightweight option for hound hunting or as an added safety measure while bowhunting.

Still have questions? Use the form below and we’ll work to get back to within 24-hours.