Kel-Tec PR57 Clip Fed Pistol With Internal Box Magazine

Keltech is pretty well known for coming up with some really unique takes on firearm design. The PR57 is basically George Kern's idea of what a personal defense handgun ought to look like in the year 2025.

This compact concealed carry pistol chambered in the 5.7x28 mm FN cartridge and feeds from an internal 20-round box magazine fed by stripper clips.

Maintaining an impressive 20-round capacity, the gun is weighted just under 14 oz with a 4.6-inch barrel. This gun measures about 7 inches long, 5 inches high and less than an inch wide. Two 10-round stripper clips are included with each pistol, and the PR57 is also capable of mounting a red-dot optic.

One of the best features is its rotary barrel system which allows the PR57 to be 40% lighter than the next lightest 5.7 pistol currently on the market.

"The new PR57 is a true everyman’s carry pistol," said Managing Director Derek Kellgren "yet it’s also perfect for first-time male or female concealed carry gun buyers looking for an easy-to-use self-defense pistol." (Source)

Kel-Tec PR57 Specifications

• Caliber: 5.7 X 28mm
• Weight: 13.86 ounces
• Magazine Capacity: 20 rounds
• Overall Length: 7.16 inches
• Barrel Length: 4.64 inches
• Width: .937 inch
• Height: 4.95 inches
• Twist: 1:7-inch
• Trigger Pull: 4 pounds, 8 ounces

Design and Build Quality

Designed by the legendary George Kellgren, the root of this innovation lies in the PR57’s rotary barrel. Its innovative rotary barrel makes it the lightest 5.7 pistol on the market today.

Looks a bit different. It's got a pretty simple cylindrical slide there that can be easily machined out. There is a polymer component at the back of this cylindrical steel slide that incorporates the fixed rear sight as well as the fixed front sight.
It's a rotary locking mechanism on the front of the barrel there. There are three-dot sights, and it is hammer-fired. It's an internal hammer—you can actually see it working through that little slot back there
Combined with its compact size, it should be very easy to carry concealed.

Key Features:

“This pistol features the quickest and easiest fieldstrip on the market,” said Marketing Manager Matt Stanek.”

Magazine-less Design

The gun doesn't use the detachable box magazine. Instead, it features a built- in magazine that holds 20 rounds. You can load it manually inserted one at a time by using two of the provided 10-round stripper clips for a quick speed load.

Lightweight Innovative

Thanks to its innovative rotary barrel design, that makes it about 40% lighter than the next lighter 5.7mm pistol on the market. This feature will make it easy to carry & conceal.

Practical & Simple

The PR57 isn’t just innovative - it's practical & simple. In high stress situations, where motor skills can falter, this pistol's minimalist design reduces the chance of user errors & ensure safe & smooth operations.

Kel-Tec PR57 Pistol: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• You've got 20 rounds on board in this gun. You don't have to worry about magazines dropping, about a box magazine failure. Because it's all just built into the gun.
• With 20 rounds 5.7mm, the design ensures enough capacity to eliminate the need for quick reloads.
• Chambered for the caliber 5.7 x 28 mm that produces very little recoil. It's helpful to shoot for new & experienced shooters.
• The pistol is optics-ready & very easy to disassemble. You just need to push the trigger forward, the slide can be pulled right off.

Cons:

• Loading this PR57 is not a quick process as compared to putting a fresh magazine into the gun.
• Some states have banned any pistol with a fixed magazine capacity of more than 15 rounds. (specifically, Illinois NY or CA)
• These are stripper clips, not enbloc clips. Stripper clips are hard to find.

Price And Value

The PR57, priced at just $399 MSRP.

“At Kel-Tec, we’re dedicated to making innovation accessible and affordable,” said Director of Business Development Parker Rosenberger. “The PR57, priced at just $399 MSRP, embodies our commitment to delivering reliable, easy-to-use firearms that pack serious performance into a lightweight, user-friendly design.”

Finally

The KelTec PR57 is expected to begin shipping in in the first quarter of 2025 with an affordable price of $399. Hopefully, we'll have more on this interesting pistol from SHOT Show.