Thursday, January 16, 2014

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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1 comment:

  1. All very good tips on manufacturing and prototyping your physical product as like you mention the weapons designing shape by handy craft its handle that not to made by any machine.

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