If you’re sick of correcting people about magazines and clips, then the KelTec PR57 is the gun for you. It lacks a removable magazine and can be loaded using two 10-round stripper clips for an impressive 21-round capacity.
The internal magazine keeps the 5.7x28mm ammo in the grip. Now, enough about the clip, let’s talk about the rest of this remarkable weapon.
Grendel P10 Heritage
KelTec founder, George Kellgren, had previously founded another firearms company called Grendel, and its first pistol was the P10 pistol in .380 ACP.
That gun had a polymer frame and was loaded via a top-loading stripper clip. This new PR57 clearly has that heritage built into it.
Rotary Barrel
Unlike most modern pistols, the PR57 lacks a tilting barrel that unlocks as the gun cycles. Instead, This barrel rotates as the slide reciprocates.
This design uses two guide rods to direct the slide’s travel. It keeps the slide compact and makes the whole gun very slim.
PR57 is the lightest 5.7×28 pistol
KelTec claims this gun is 40% lighter than the next lightest pistol chambered for 5.7x28mm. It weighs just 13.86oz and is a mere .937 inches wide. It feels remarkably slim.
However, because the ammunition is significantly longer than 9x19mm ammo, the grip is deeper and still fills my hand comfortably. The feel of the grip is unique, and KelTec’s proprietary GatorGrip texturing ensures it shoots well.
Fun Facts
The PR57 comes with two stripper clips that hold 10 rounds each. The clip aligns with notches in the slide and then you plunge the ammo into the grip. It was cold at the range, but even with gloves on I got the hang of it in no time.
You can then add one more round, or load the whole thing like loading an AR-15 magazine by pressing ammo in from the top.
It is optics-ready. You change the polymer plate at the back of the slide and add a red dot.
Take down is simple: Push the trigger forward and remove the slide to the front. Re-assemble by pushing the slide back to the locked open position. It reminds me of my classic Winchester .22 rifles.
‘PR’ stands for Pistol Rotating (Barrel); 57 for the 5.7×28 ammo it shoots.
It has a double-action, long trigger pull with every shot, though it is quite smooth.
KelTec’s PR57 is made in Wyoming, USA, and will ship in the first quarter of 2025. MSRP is $399.
UPDATE: The pistol includes two 10 -round stripper clips, but they’re not ideal for carrying extra ammo in your pocket because the rounds fall out of line easily. I expect someone will design a 3D-printed carryable clip. Also, the pistol is unloaded by cycling the action repeatedly or removing the slide and popping each round out like a normal magazine. Since the slide is so easy to remove and replace, this isn’t a bad idea.
KelTec PR57 Specs
- Caliber 5.7 x 28 mm
- Weight Unloaded 13.86 oz, 393 g
- Magazine Capacity 20+1
- Overall Length 7.16 in, 182 mm
- Barrel Length 4.64 in, 118 mm
- Width (widest point) .937 in, 23.8 mm
- Height 4.95 in, 125.5 mm
- Twist 1:7 in, 1:177 mm
- Trigger Pull 4.5 lbs, 20 N
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Levi is an avid hunter, and an increasingly avid shooter. He strives to make delicious and simple recipes from the game he kills. He makes a living as a professional photographer and writer. Check out his work and he’d love to connect on Instagram: @outdoorslevi
But a lot of the larger manufacturers are going with “make a lot off a lot”. Kel-tec seems to keep the more modest income people in mind. https://westcostsecurity.com/ With an MSRP of $399 you will probably see them on the street at $350 or so.
How is the PR-57 for accuracy? My Keltek P17 and my Keltek PMR .22 Mag are much more accurate than I was expecting.
after testing one to be sure I don’t get another Grendel. I’ll buy one of these.ill also put a dot on it.
Finally, a good pistol not over $500! I get bored with all the $1000+ guns. I know, there are two ways to make money (very basic!) — make a lot and just a little off each, of make a few and make a lot off each. Most of the smaller gun makers have to follow the “make a lot off a few”, can’t be helped. But a lot of the larger manufacturers are going with “make a lot off a lot”. Kel-tec seems to keep the more modest income people in mind. With an MSRP of $399 you will probably see them on the street at $350 or so. Most quality handguns in any caliber are over $500. Only a few 5.7×28 are — Tisas and one Ruger (at Bud’s Gun Shop on-line). I don’t count the single shot survival type guns. Kel-Tec does have their SUB2000 carbine in 5.7 under $500, and now this handgun.
Shades of the C96 Broom Handle! How many Stripper Clips come in the box with the PR57? Wonder how much extra Stripper Clips would cost, and when would they be available? Note – Idea of carrying extra 3 or 4 Clips would be a plus.
they will sell one to me
maybe more. it draws me with it weirdness and I must try it. somebody please make affordable 5.7 for range use
Talk about a cop-out to the anti gunners. This is it.I literally would not take this gun if you GAVE it to me. Total B/S, and cowing tothe socialists Stupid!
I wouldn’t buy it for the same reason I never bought the Grendal .380. The only way to empty live ammo without firing it is to cycle the action until its empty.
Ammo can be emptied by cycling, as you say, or you can pop the slide off and discharge like any magazine, one at a time. Taking the slide off is so easy that this is reasonable.
An unvarnished attempt to get an EDC past libtard gungrabber laws. I don’t know if I should boo or applaud.
It’s interesting that Kelgren started both companies, didn’t know that. But when I first saw this I right away thought of the Grendel. I have a Slavakian made Grand Power P40 10mm with a rotating barrel. It has a different recoil feel to it but is not unpleasant, just different. Was the show a little slow this year? This thing is about all anyone is talking about…I was hoping I’d see something from you guys on a “gen 2” Holosun thermal or digital 1x rifle sight. I got the digital one they already make and while you can’t see that far at night, the stuff you can see is pretty good. Lots of fun in my backyard at night on a 9mm AR suppressed.