NRA Gun of the Week: Kel-Tec P50

American Rifleman Staff

posted on October 1, 2021

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Announced in early 2021, Kel-Tec unveiled a large-format pistol chambered for the .22-cal. cartridge made famous by FN’s P90. The radical new P50 comes between the hands as a semi-automatic, blowback-operated pistol that is built around FN’s select-fire carbine magazine.

right side kel-tec semi-automatic black pistol text on image noting "Kel-Tec P50"

The Kel-Tec P50 is a fairly simple gun. The gun’s receiver and grip frame unhinge by depressing a rear-mounted lever, exposing an inverted P90-type magazine that feeds upward and into the action. A T-shaped charging handle is used to ready the gun, in addition to a lever-style safety switch that is bilateral to accommodate strong- and weak-side use.

gun in hands disassemble pistol black plastic metal

The top of the receiver features an extended length of Picatinny rail perfect for a red-dot optic, and the forward portion of the grip frame features a short length of accessory rail that’s perfectly sized for lights, lasers or bipods. Kel-Tec supplies its P50 with a 9.60” barrel that includes a threaded muzzle and protector.

gun parts pistol barrel metal aluminum black steel kel-tec p50

Another interesting application of factory sights is included with the P50—the gun’s “irons” are housed within the aluminum top rail—by way of an elevation-adjustable post front and windage-adjustable rear making for a sight radius of 13”. Quick-detach sling-mounting points on the bottom of the pistol grip and at the rear of the receiver are also included.

man holding gun earmuffs pistol black metal shooting range white walls text on image noting "remote camera nra gun of the week"

On the range, our testers found the P50 to be pleasing to shoot, many thanks due to the gun’s 50-round magazine. One point to note is that the bolt will not lock open on an empty magazine, and the hammer must be cocked to open the action. The Kel-Tec P50 might be the company’s most radical, innovative design yet, and it’s all about the fast, flat-shooting FN 5.7 cartridge.

Watch our NRA Gun of the Week video above to see the Kel-Tec P50 on the range.

Kel-Tec P50 Specifications
Manufacturer: Kel-Tec CNC Industries
Action Type: blowback-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol
Receiver: aluminum
Frame: glass-filled nylon
Barrel: 9.6" steel; 1/2x28 TPI muzzle
Magazine: 50-round detachable box
Sights: elevation-adjustable post front, windage-adjustable blade rear
Trigger: single-action 3-lb., 8-oz. pull
Height: 6.80"
Length: 15.10"
Width: 2.20"
Weight: 3 lbs., 8 ozs.
MSRP: $995