KelTec PR57 Handgun Impresses at SHOT Show 2025

We got our hands on one of the most innovative handguns of Shot Show 2025 - the groundbreaking KelTec PR57. During our exclusive time with KelTec's team at their booth, we had the opportunity to examine, handle, and test this unique 5.7×28mm pistol that's generating significant buzz in the firearms community. Check out our video preview below for our complete hands-on experience of this revolutionary design.

The PR57 represents a bold departure from conventional pistol design, featuring an integral top-loading magazine system that immediately catches the eye. This design choice harkens back to historical firearms like the Steyr 1912 and C96 Mauser, but KelTec has reimagined this concept for modern applications. The result is a remarkably thin and lightweight pistol that maintains impressive firepower with its 20+1 round capacity.

During our range time with the PR57, we found its shooting characteristics quite interesting. The 5.7×28mm cartridge produces notable muzzle flash and blast, as expected from this high-velocity round, but the recoil falls pleasantly between a .22 rimfire and a 9mm. The pistol's innovative design allows for a particularly slim grip profile, measuring less than an inch in width - a feat made possible by eliminating the need for a removable magazine well.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the PR57 is its unique loading system. The integral magazine actually holds 21 rounds, though it's marketed as 20+1. To achieve full capacity, simply push the 21st round into the magazine, and upon releasing the slide, it chambers that round while leaving 20 in reserve. This clever design detail showcases KelTec's attention to maximizing ammunition capacity without compromising the pistol's compact dimensions.

The fixed magazine design offers several practical advantages. The integral feed lips are more durable than those found on detachable magazines, and the elimination of magazine tolerances enhances feeding reliability - particularly important for the bottleneck 5.7×28mm cartridge. While reloading with stripper clips may not be as quick as swapping magazines, the 21-round capacity provides ample firepower for most situations. For perspective, this represents the equivalent of three full reloads in a six-shot revolver.

Weight-conscious carriers will appreciate that the fully loaded PR57 tips the scales at just 19 ounces - four ounces lighter than an empty Glock 19. Despite its slim profile, the pistol maintains similar height dimensions to the Glock 19 while featuring a slightly shorter overall length.

Maintenance is straightforward with a simple field stripping process. The trigger-forward disassembly method allows quick access to the internals: push the trigger forward, slide the upper assembly off the front of the frame, and you're done. The barrel and slide remain as one unit, making cleaning and maintenance remarkably simple. An additional benefit of the design is the ability to clear the magazine by simply pushing rounds forward past the feed lips if necessary.

Based on our time with the PR57 at Shot Show 2025, KelTec has created something truly unique in the modern handgun market. While the stripper clip reloading system may not appeal to everyone, the innovative design offers compelling advantages in size, weight, and reliability that many shooters will find intriguing.