Keltec Pr57 5 7X28Mm20 Rounds Black
Pros & cons
What works
- Genuinely mild-recoiling, high-velocity 5.7x28mm cartridge
- Short-recoil rotary-barrel action, mechanically distinct from typical blowback 5.7 pistols
- High 20-round single-load capacity without a bulky detachable magazine
- Optics-ready slide for mounting a red dot
Trade-offs
- Top-loading stripper-clip system is unfamiliar and slower than swapping a detachable magazine
- 5.7x28mm ammunition costs more and is less widely available than 9mm
- California treatment of the integral magazine's capacity should be confirmed before ordering
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Kel-Tec PR57 is a 5.7x28mm pistol built around a short-recoil, rotary-barrel action and a distinctive top-loading 20-round magazine system, priced at $399 here. MSRP figures for the PR57 come from manufacturer-adjacent coverage from outlets like NRA's Shooting Illustrated and Concealed Carry Inc rather than a directly confirmed Kel-Tec retail price, so treat this as a close estimate rather than an official published figure.
What does "top-loading" actually mean for how you use this pistol?
Instead of the usual removable box magazine most pistols use, the PR57 loads through the top of the grip using 10-round stripper clips, feeding into an integral 20-round magazine built into the frame itself. That design trades the convenience of swapping a fresh magazine for a genuinely higher single-load capacity and a lower parts count, though it does mean reloading mid-string looks and feels different from a typical detachable-magazine pistol — worth understanding before you buy if you're used to conventional magazine changes.
Why does 5.7x28mm appeal to some shooters over 9mm?
5.7x28mm is a small-diameter, high-velocity cartridge originally developed for personal defense weapons, known for flat trajectories, mild recoil, and high magazine capacity relative to cartridge size. Ammunition costs more per round than 9mm and is less universally stocked, but the tradeoff for many owners is a genuinely different shooting experience — very manageable recoil that makes fast, accurate follow-up shots easier for a wider range of shooters.
What's the size and action like in hand?
At roughly 13.9 ounces empty and 7.2 inches overall, the PR57 is a light pistol for its capacity, with a short-recoil rotary-barrel action that's mechanically different from the simple blowback systems used in most other 5.7x28mm-class pistols. It ships optics-ready, and Kel-Tec builds it with a double-action-only trigger, which gives every shot the same trigger pull rather than a shorter single-action reset after the first round.
What should California buyers know about the 20-round capacity?
Because the PR57's magazine is an integral part of the frame rather than a swappable detachable unit, its California legal treatment differs from a typical detachable-magazine pistol, and Kel-Tec's approach to complying with state capacity laws for this specific design should be confirmed directly with your FFL rather than assumed. This is a case where the unusual loading mechanism makes a generic answer unreliable.
What should I verify before ordering?
Confirm with your FFL whether this exact PR57 configuration is currently approved on California's handgun roster and how the state treats its integral top-loading magazine under the 10-round capacity rule before completing your order.
As a firearm, this pistol cannot ship to a home address. It transfers through your chosen licensed FFL dealer, where you'll complete the required background check and any state waiting period.
How does the PR57 fit into Kel-Tec's broader reputation?
Kel-Tec has built its brand on genuinely unconventional firearm designs that solve mechanical problems differently than mainstream manufacturers, and the PR57's top-loading integral magazine is a clear example of that philosophy applied to the growing 5.7x28mm pistol category. Owners who already appreciate Kel-Tec's other unusual designs tend to find the PR57's reload system a feature worth learning rather than a drawback, since it keeps the grip slimmer than a pistol built around a wide double-stack detachable magazine of the same capacity.
FFL transfer required
This item is a firearm and ships only to a licensed FFL dealer, never to a home address. At checkout, enter your preferred dealer as the shipping address, or leave it blank and we will assign a licensed dealer near you at no extra cost. You complete the background check and paperwork with the dealer when you pick up.
California buyers: handguns must be on the California roster for delivery to a California FFL, a Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) and DROS are handled at the dealer, and the 10-day waiting period applies. Out-of-state buyers receive the firearm through their own local FFL under their state's rules.
Key attributes
| Transfer | Ships to your FFL dealer |
| Caliber | 5.7x28mm |
| Capacity | 20-round integral magazine (stripper-clip loaded) |
| Barrel Length | approx. 4.6 in |
| Action | Short-recoil, rotary barrel, double-action-only |
Frequently asked questions
- How do you reload the PR57?
- It loads through the top of the grip using 10-round stripper clips into an integral 20-round magazine built into the frame, rather than swapping a detachable magazine.
- Why choose 5.7x28mm over 9mm?
- 5.7x28mm offers a flatter trajectory, milder recoil, and higher capacity relative to cartridge size, though ammunition costs more per round and is less widely stocked.
- What action does the PR57 use?
- A short-recoil, rotary-barrel action with a double-action-only trigger — mechanically different from the simple blowback design used in many other 5.7 pistols.
- Is the 20-round capacity legal in California?
- Because the magazine is integral to the frame rather than detachable, its treatment under state capacity law differs from a typical pistol. Confirm directly with your FFL before ordering.
- Does this ship to my home?
- No. As a firearm, it transfers through a licensed FFL dealer with the required background check paperwork.