KelTec’s at it again, folks—cooking up firearms that make you go, “Huh, that’s… different.” Enter the PR57 pistol, unveiled at SHOT Show 2025 like a sci-fi prop with a Florida accent. Chambered in the zippy 5.7x28mm, this semi-auto blends retro weirdness with modern swagger. Picture a rotary barrel, stripper clips instead of mags, and a weight so light it might float away if you sneeze. Is this the future of concealed carry or a gun that’s just here to mess with us? Let’s dive in!
Design: Back to the Future, Baby
First off, the PR57 says “no thanks” to detachable magazines. Instead, you get a fixed 20-round internal mag loaded with stripper clips—two 10-rounders included, for a total of 20 plus one in the chamber. It’s like your granddad’s M1 Garand had a fling with a space pistol. Testers at the range fumbled at first, then shrugged, “Eh, it’s kinda fun,” like learning to ride a unicycle. No mags? You can load rounds one by one, but that’s like eating cereal with a fork—doable, just weird.
Why this madness? Slimness and sass. Ditching the mag well makes the PR57 a svelte 0.937 inches wide and a featherweight 13.86 ounces unloaded—40% lighter than the FN Five-seveN, which is basically a boat anchor by comparison. The rotary barrel, with its fancy muzzle lugs, keeps it short (7.16 inches) and snappy (4.64-inch barrel). At 4.95 inches tall, it’s Glock 19-sized but with twice the ammo and half the attitude. Minimalism FTW—unless you drop a clip in the dirt, then it’s just you vs. Murphy’s Law.
5.7mm: The Spicy Little Bullet That Could
The PR57 rocks 5.7x28mm because, apparently, 9mm is too mainstream for KelTec’s vibe. This round’s fast, flat, and recoils like a polite cough—perfect for popping off 20+1 shots without dislocating your shoulder. It’s got a rep for punching through armor (military loads, not your Walmart box), but civilian stuff still zaps bad guys without turning your drywall into Swiss cheese. Range testers giggled at how easy follow-ups were, thanks to that rotary barrel taming the flip like a cowboy wrangling a calf.
Downside? Your wallet will cry. 5.7mm costs double what 9mm does—like buying artisanal coffee instead of gas station sludge. Availability’s better since NATO gave it a thumbs-up in 2021, but it’s not exactly piling up at Cabela’s. If you’re rich or just love flexing obscure calibers, this is your jam.
Shooting It: Lighter Than Your Ex’s Apology
The PR57’s 13.86 ounces (19 loaded) feels like carrying a bag of chips, not a gun. The slim grip, with grenade-style texturing, fits like a glove—unless you’ve got paws like The Rock, then it’s more like a mitten. The double-action-only trigger’s a 4.5-pound pull—long enough to recite a haiku, but crisp enough to not hate it. No safety, just a slide stop, because KelTec trusts you not to ND into your foot. There’s a rail for a light, because even hipsters need to see in the dark.
Firing it? Smooth as a conman’s pickup line. Recoil’s a joke, and the rotary barrel keeps it flatter than Kansas. Field-stripping’s where it shines: push the trigger forward, slide pops off like a Lego brick—no tools, no swearing. Reassemble it drunk if you want; it’s that easy. One tester hit a jam—blamed the ammo, not the gun—and KelTec fixed it faster than you can say “warranty.”
Who’s This Weirdo For?
KelTec calls it an “everyman’s carry pistol,” which is code for “people who don’t mind looking quirky at the range.” It’s for newbies, EDC nerds, or anyone who wants 20+1 rounds without a reload. Perfect for apartment life or scaring off raccoons. In mag-ban states, the fixed setup might dodge the law—10-round version’s coming for you, Connecticut. Not for cops or speed-shooters; unloading means cycling the slide like a cardio workout. At $399, it’s a steal compared to the Five-seveN’s “I’m a fancy boy” $1,000+ tag.
KelTec’s Oddball Legacy
KelTec loves a good curveball—P11, PMR-30, now this. The PR57’s stripper clips echo the Grendel P10, a .380 flop from the ’80s. Today’s 5.7mm hype might give it legs. Unloading’s a chore, but that’s the tax for being this light and weird.
Game-Changer or Goofball?
Revolution or gimmick? If you dig lightweight, high-capacity, and low recoil, the PR57’s a riot. At $399, it’s a bargain—if you can afford the ammo. Clips might make you the range’s odd duck, but who cares? It’s KelTec being KelTec.
Wrap-Up
The PR57’s a blast—pun intended. Shipping Q1 2025, it’s here to spice up EDC with a wink and a grin. Holster staple or gun safe gremlin? We’ll see, but it’s got our eye.
