It would appear that the board has come around to the reality that in short barrel (2") revolvers there is no true advantage to the .22 WRM over the .22 LR. While some of the Magnum ammunition will deliver a little additional velocity over the same weight bullets from a .22 LR, one must admit that a 40 bullet at an extra 100 fps is no real big improvement. It is also clear that from 2" barrel autoloaders the .22 LR will often beat the Magnum from a 2" revolver. As barrels get longer the Magnum starts to work and once it gets into a rifle it is such a excellent performer that is is often the caliber of choice for shooting deer under some circumstances (if you know what I mean).

So then, if one is tasked with choosing a handgun to fill that need for a general purpose sidearm for "field" use, would one choose a PMR30 or a G17?

While the KelTec is light as a feather it is about the same size as the Glock and while the G17 is heavier it is still a lightweight pistol. Both are corrosion resistant as they could possible be and still be make out of steel. They are priced about the same. I think a non-issue.

The PMR holds 28-30 rounds vs the G17s 18 rounds which should be plenty and extended mags are readily available if thats not enough. Another non-issue.

Accuracy is probably equal between pistols and both are fitted with good sights and are both easy to shoot well. A good pistol shot should be able to hit targets equally well. Non-issue.

This then comes down to the round: 9mm vs .22 WRM. The 9mm is readily available in a much broader spectrum of ammo than the .22 ranging from generic ball priced less than the .22 WRM all the way up to near three five seven power. There is no comparison between the two in versatility. The Magnum is very loud from a pistol and while I have no actual data it seems to me to be more harsh to shoot than the 9mm. While the 9mm does have more recoil than the .22 it is still insignificant and no one who has shot a G17 thinks it has much recoil. For those who desire the 9mm can of course be reloaded. While the artificial but dramatic shortage of rimfire ammo has the shelves at the local Cabelas empty of the WRM there is all the 9mm that one could want.

I think the PMR is a cool little pistol and would like to have one if it was priced right but personally would prefer it in .22 LR instead to the WRM.

I see no situation where the WRM would have any advantage over the 9mm in a pistol (actually even in a carbine as well).

Given the choice between the two I'd pick the Glock in 9mm and never look back.

Byron

...and the Glock 17 is among my least favorite of what they offer, the Glock doesn't feel like it might break at any second if I do something stressful to it, like pull the trigger. That's pretty much been the impression every KelTec I've ever handled, shot or owned has given me, long gun or short.

So I submit that you're comparing apples to Christmas ornaments. Yeah, they're both round, red and about the same size, but beyond that...

If I wanted a 9mm Glock I'd grab a G19 and dehorn it.

http://www.thesixgunjournal.net/glock-30-grip-modifications/

I put off doing this for a long time, but it makes them IWB carry much better and attaining a firing grip becomes effortless.

http://www.thesixgunjournal.net/a-brief-exercise-with-the-mossad-draw/

While the G-17 is far from my favorite platform (although I do own two of the critters), I'd take 17 9mm+p's over 30 22 mag rounds any day of the week, unless I'm shooting jackrabbits or turtles. To me that line is drawn somewhere just below small poodles.

Once again, given the choice between plastic .22 WRM an plastic 9mm the Glock gets the nod.

Still, IMO neither is "optimum".

I would consider a 4 5/8" SS Super Blackhawk by Clements to be "optimum" for an outdoorsman.

With suitable ammunition the only thing that it would come up short on would be in a running gun battle with multiple shooters or prairie dogs at 100 yards. But then again it would not be bad a blowing the first couple of them out of their shoes and I have hit a few clay pigeons down on the end of the range if I have not had too much coffee to drink.

Byron

In a scenario where weight and space were issues, I could see someone making an argument for how many more rounds of .22 Mag could be carried versus 9mm (or just about any other cartridge) for weight and space. You can carry a couple hundred rounds of .22 Mag in a couple vest pockets and not even notice it. I can imagine a few scenarios where it might be advantageous, but neither the Glock 17 nor the PMR 30 would be on my list of go-to handguns for such scenarios.

Right now you can roll your own 9mm cheaper than you can buy any rimfire - when you can find it for sale.

For what it is worth Winchester 40 grain JHP 22 WMRF does about 1500 fps in my pre-warning Single Six and very accurate. I was really surprised as most I've read said that the 22 mag usually only does about 1200 in long barrel revolver.

It is neat to be able to carry a box of 50 rounds in the woods with this much power. If I were a practical person I would think that east of the Mississippi this combination would be all that is needed for roaming the woods shooting whatever deserves to be shot (minus bad guys of course)

Bob.

Byron, I would agree for hunting and northern uses. I wear a pistol almost all the time when on the Rocking D. If I'm on a hog suppression mission, or in particularly froggy mood, I carry either my 8 3/8 629 or the 4 inch. For just general goofing around, fence repair, cow feeding etc; they get real heavy after a while (funny I don't remember them being that heavy 30 years ago). My go to is my stainless lightweight XSE Commander in a Rugged Rob Cattleman holster.

If someone is heading your way with a black hood and a knife and you have a 9mm Glock and a P30 in your waistband, I bet a dollar to a donut you grab the 9mm first! I would prefer to walk around everywhere I go with a 16" 92 Carbine in .44 magnum if I had my preference.

remove the finger grooves that is. That helped a lot but the biggest problem I had was slide bite where the left slide rail after about 40 rounds rubs a nice bloody racing stripe across the web of my hand. I now have a Gen4 and was hoping with the backstrap profile being a little bit shorter/closer to the trigger and a little more under the tail of the frame that would stop. When I bought it, I was pleasantly surprised it came with beavertail adapted backstraps. I put the thinner of the two on it and the jury is still out. It stops the slide bite cold but I really prefer the feel of the grip without the adapters and I'm not fond of the added pokiness of the beavertail. I haven't shot it without the beavertail backstrap yet. I do know it looks like it will still hit the web of my hand but only shooting it that way will tell. I'm hoping it works ok without it (the less doohickeys a gun has added the happier I am) but if not I can live with it....tha beavertail backstrap that is. On another note, I am EXTREMELY happy with those Ameriglo night sights! It's like having a big neon orange Big Dot sight from XS that jumps out at you instantly combined with the traditional target sight profile and the single front/rear dots like Heinie Straight Eights. I've never cared for three dot sights of any variety or flavor. I imagine I'll be trying to wear this G19 out for the rest of my life. It doesn't fit the hand like a Browning High Power (to say the least!) but it's functional and does more of what I want in a fighting gun than most others I've tried.