KelTec does weird stuff; I like weird stuff, and one of their weirder features they’ve recently dived into is clip-loading handguns. Yes, clip, not magazine. The gun features a fixed, internal magazine, and the user loads this magazine via clips. KelTec released the PR-57 and the PR-3AT both as clip-loading handguns.
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That’s not the first time a company owned by George Kellgren made a clip-loaded handgun. One of his early designs, the Grendel P10, used 5.56 stripper clips to load .380 rounds into the gun. They revisited and refined the idea, using proprietary clips with the PR-57 and PR-3AT. With that said, what’s the point of a clip-loading handgun?
Like most, I assumed it was just a KelTec oddity. They tend to do that. However, after a little time with both I’ve learned a thing or two and wanted to discuss why one might find the design nice. First, the downside.
The Downside To a Clip Loaded Handgun
Slow reloads, that’s the obvious one. Shoving clips through the top of the gun is never going to be as fast as just putting a magazine in the bottom of the gun and going.
With that said, if you’re carrying the gun for self-defense, are you going to carry a spare magazine anyway? If you are, this gun is certainly not for you. However, it’s tough to get a lot of folks to carry a gun, much less a reload. If you aren’t going to carry a reload, this isn’t a major concern.
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If something in the magazine breaks, like the follower or spring, or the internal magazine malfunctions for some reason, fixing it becomes more complicated. In every other gun, you just swap the magazines and call it a day.
With that said, KelTec did make it easy to remove the spring and follower of both their clip-loaded handguns so they can be replaced. Just not quickly. You need a punch and a hammer to make it happen.
Additionally, unloading these guns is a bit of a hassle. You either have to rack the rounds out one by one, or remove the slide and empty them. I imagine that when they called a cold line at the range, this would be a real hassle.
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With the downsides in mind, what are the advantages, or at least the purpose of clip loaded handguns?
Saving Size
By far, the biggest benefit is size savings. The PR-57 uses the long boi 5.7x28mm cartridge. Most handguns feel like 2x4s when chambering this round. Removing the magazine shaves some width and makes the PR-57 feel a good bit more comfortable in the hand.
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With the PR-3AT you can make a pocket pistol that holds 14 rounds, smaller than the S&W Bodyguard 2.0. The PR-3AT with 14 rounds is shorter than the S&W BG 2.0 with twelve rounds. The PR-3AT ten-round version is even smaller and more convenient.
The internal magazine design makes everything more efficient. Size decreases while capacity increases. That’s a rare feat.
Weight Reduction
You’re shaving off a little weight by simply building the magazine into the gun. The PR-3AT is lighter than both the S&W BG 2.0 and the LCP MAX. At 9.66 ounces, it’s basically the same weight as the single-stack Ruger LCP.
The PR-57 is about 40% lighter than most other 5.7 pistols. It’s worth noting that the barrel is a bit shorter than most other 5.7 pistols, which will contribute to the gun’s lighter weight.
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Nearly Print Free Reloads
I’m really stretching the benefits of the clip loaded handgun here. I doubt anyone who is carrying one of these will carry a reload in the first place. However, if you choose, the clips are quite small and light. They are easy to carry and won’t print like a standard spare magazine.
Now we just need one of the holster companies to produce a Kydex-style belt holder to hold a few spare clips, and we’d be good to go.
Still Worth It?
Are clip loaded handguns still worth it? That’s up for you to decide. As a recent convert to the deep concealment pocket pistol, I see more value in the PR-3AT than the PR-57, but that’s just me. It has some advantages, but certainly some notable downsides. Either way, I appreciate anyone taking a little risk to make a new gun.
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