So I've wanted a Kel Tec PMR 30 since they came out a decade ago. I always thought they were cool. But CA's magazine restrictions and handgun roster kept me from getting one.

Freedom Week changed half that equation and after months of trying, I finally got one.

During those months of waiting, I also purchased a CMR 30. It is CA legal, except that with the stock retracted, it's a few inches too short. I fixed that with judicial use of zip ties, so the stock only retracts so far.

I've had two range trips with each gun and here's my report.

Both guns LOVE CCI Maxi Mags. They are very accurate and always cycle and fire. Except the two of about 600 rounds that have failed to feed and then bent as to make unusable. This happened once in the rifle and once in the pistol. I have an aftermarket feed ramp for the PMR that should solve this problem.

The CMR will eat everything, but with some caveats. Armscor will fling burning powder on your shooting hand/arm. Aguila has had some light strikes.

The PMR only really likes the CCI 40 grain stuff...anything else is hit or miss.

According to the interwebs, neither gun likes to run dry, so I've coated the slide in some wonderful synthetic grease that doesn't turn gummy. I've used the same stuff on the mag internals.

The CMR is my favorite rifle to date. It is a blast to shoot, especially with freedom 30-rounders. Very accurate with the iron sights. And according to BBTI, a 22mag from a 16" barrel is as good as a .380 from a 3" barrel. Except I have 30 rounds of 22 mag to James Bond's 7 rounds of .380.

I'm still deciding on the PMR 30. I can't shoot it as well as my revolvers and I'm shooting low at 15 yards. I gotta remember how to grip a pistol again before I can squeeze much accuracy from this little pistol.

Both weapons are much easier to find ammunition for than say 9mm or 5.56.

I have about 500 rounds through the rifle and 300 through the pistol. Most of that is CCI.

I had to cut-short my range trip last week because I was shooting the PMR 30 and the damn thing shot a piece of hot brass off a range sign and it bounced into my shoe and got stuck there. Burned the hell out of me before I got my shoe off. Now I have a 22magnum shell-shaped burn there. Probably the revolver gods were displeased with me returning to bottom feeders.

Oh, both weapons fling brass very far...about four lanes in the rifle's case.

disbelieve. pics.

i can snap pics after cleaning....maybe tonight? if

lurker wrote: Sun Aug 30, 2020 6:27 pm disbelieve. pics.

>roaring laughter<

Good report, senorgrand. You are so tall I am surprised you can fit either of those to you. Pistol is best. You're right about the 40 grainers being totally available where fine ammo is sold.

The CMR is my favorite rifle to date. It is a blast to shoot, especially with freedom 30-rounders. Very accurate with the iron sights. And according to BBTI, a 22mag from a 16" barrel is as good as a .380 from a 3" barrel. Except I have 30 rounds of 22 mag to James Bond's 7 rounds of .380.

Sweet.

CDFingers

Nice!

Glancing at BBTI, I think you've sold .22 WMR short. Those Maxi-Mags should be hitting 350 ft/lbs in a 16" barrel, well above a 3" .380. Of course, I remember Bond shooting a PPK in 7.65mm/.32, but you're not too far shy of .327 Magnum in a snubbie.

Lucky Gunner got 16" penetration out of the Maxi-Mags in a PMR-30, which is more than adequate for FBI purposes. No expansion in gel, though. Everything beat 12" on average, but Speer and Hornady got good expansion as well. Some .380 and .32ACP got better penetration, a lot got worse. It looks pretty competitive for defensive purposes, especially with 30 shots.

good to know!

When I bought a PMR, there weren't that many holsters available for it. It looks like there are more now, but I bought mine at Forged Tec, https://www.forgedtecholsters.com/store ... lster.html#/

I think it's still the least expensive for a good single layer OWB kydex holster at $34

thanks spara!

oh, and the speedloader I bought is a dream to use

https://americanspeedloaders.com/product/pmr-30-cmr-30/

18 hours and still disbelieving.

Ya know, I gotta life outside of here.

senorgrand wrote: Mon Aug 31, 2020 1:20 pm Ya know, I gotta life outside of here.

that's allowed?

no...shhhhh....