KelTec Engineer Says 3D printing used to Prototype .22 Magnum RMR30 Carbine

Toby Obermeit shows the new RMR30 Carbine at the Shot Show in Las Vegas

Kel-Tec extensively  used 3D printing to prototype the new RMR30 carbine, a .22 Magnum that uses the same magazines as the PMR-30 pistol.    The carbine has a retractable stock, a 16 inch barrel, and uses a straight blowback action, instead of the delayed blowback of the PMR-30 pistol.   The RMR30 required a redesign of almost the entire firearm, even though the magazines are interchangeable.   Here is a view of the RMR30 lower receiver alongside a PMR-30 pistol.

 The changes were prototyped with 3D printing.  As covered last year.  Kel-Tec used 3D printing extensively in the development of the PMR-30 pistol, especially the magazine.

RMR30 upper receiver, bolt, lower receiver

The 16 inch barrel will use the energy available in the .22 magnum cartridge much more efficiently than the PMR-30, with a 40 grain bullet exiting the muzzle at 1950 feet per second, according to Kel-Tec specifications.   The cartridge/carbine package would deliver ballistic performance about the same as that of the FN 5.7 X 28 out of the Five-Seven Pistol.   I asked Toby Obermeit, Lead Design Engineer of Kel-Tec, about the reliability of the ammunition, as rimfire cartridges have a reputation of being less reliable than centerfire.  Most of my experience with rimfire cartridges has been with the .22 Long Rifle.

".22 Magnum is a step above the .22 Long Rifle for reliability." said Obermeit.   Toby also confirmed that the owner of the company, George Kellgren, is a genius. 

The RMR30 Carbine specifications:

Weight Unloaded            3.8 lbs

Weight Loaded (30 rds)  4.2 lbs

Extended Length            29.9"

Collapsed Length           22.5"

Barrel Length               16.1"

It will be a while before the RMR 30 is available on the market.  Obermeit estimated that it might be available in the third quarter of 2014, but he did not give a specific date.   As nearly all manufacturers are producing at full capacity to meet the demand generated by the Obama administration, I would expect less incentive to develop new products.  On the other hand, high sales levels can mean enough profits to fund research and development efforts.

 
©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
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