New for 2021: Kel-Tec P50

by
posted on February 21, 2021
Kel-Tec Weapons, Located in Cocoa, Fla., has a new pistol for 2021 that's chambered in 5.7x28 mm, the P50. The light and fast cartridge was previously dominated by Fabrique Nationale with the Five-SeveN pistol and PS90 rifle series, with the 5.7 mm cartridge having been developed by FN itself. The Kel-Tec P50 builds off this niche part of the market with a pistol that is both unusual and interesting. 

At the core of the Kel-Tec P50 is an inverted FN PS90 50-round magazine, from which the P50 earns its name. The magazine is sandwiched between an upper frame containing the barrel and a lower half containing the fire-control group. In order to change the magazine, the upper frame containing the barrel separates from the lower at the rear of the pistol, then hinges upward to allow access to the magazine.

Once a new magazine is inserted, the upper frame is folded back down and locked into place with a spring-loaded latch, which locks the two haves together. The P50 features a single pistol grip at the rear of the lower frame with a thumb-safety lever positioned just in front of the top-frame release. The lower frame is made of polymer while the upper frame is constructed of metal. A charging handle is situated at the rear of the top frame to manipulate the bolt and load a cartridge.

There is a small Picatinny rail segment on the lower frame and a longer segment along the top frame. There are small built-in iron sights that are protected by Picatinny rail. The Kel-Tec P50 weights in at 3.2 lbs. unloaded and has an overall length of 15". It has an overall height of 6.7" and width is 2". The barrel itself is 9.6" and is threaded for 1/2x28" for the mounting of suppressors if desired. The trigger has a pull weight of 5 lbs. The MSRP of the Kel-Tec P50 is $995. For more information on the Kel-Tec P50, visit keltecweapons.com.

Latest

U.S. Arms Co. M4 UTAW angled dynamic right-side view shown with broken blocks ammunition military netting background leupold riflescope attached to top rail
U.S. Arms Co. M4 UTAW angled dynamic right-side view shown with broken blocks ammunition military netting background leupold riflescope attached to top rail

Review: U.S. Arms Co. M4 UTAW

U.S. Arms Co.’s origins can be traced back to 2016 with research-and-development efforts for military contracts, and the company came to market in 2019 with its M-905 Talon muzzle brake as a result.

Colt Partners With Georgia To Promote Responsible Firearms Ownership

Colt's Manufacturing is fully funding Georgia’s “Give It a Shot” program, which offers hands-on firearms training with certified instructors.

Favorite Firearms: A Testament To Service

NRA member Denis Kaup's father's war trophy from 1944 is his most beloved gun. What's yours?

Flat-Out Slick: Hornady’s Drag Variability Reduction Technology

Bullets in flight are subject to nature’s forces. Through the decades, manufacturers have developed bullets to somewhat counteract the effects of wind, gravity and atmospheric drag with a streamlined shape incorporating a boattail and long ogive terminating in a sharp point.

The Armed Citizen® May 12, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Aluminum: More Than Just "Aircraft Grade"

Aluminum has become the second most important metal in gunmaking after steel. An ever-increasing number of firearms, especially handguns and shotguns, utilize aluminum alloys for slides, frames, receivers and the like.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.