KelTec Debuts Compact and Affordable 17-Round .22 LR Pistol: Meet the P17

Authors Industry News Max Slowik This Week
KelTec Debuts Compact and Affordable 17-Round .22 LR Pistol: Meet the P17
The P17 is a tiny little thing that holds a whole lot. (Photo: KelTec)

KelTec has released a new compact, lightweight rimfire pistol chambered for .22 Long Rifle at an extremely affordable price point. Called the P17 for its capacity, the little pistol holds an impressive 16+1 rounds with flush-fitting magazines.

Unloaded the P17 weighs less than 13 ounces and measures just over 6.5 inches long with its 3.9-inch barrel. The barrel has recessed 1/2-28 threads for muzzle device accessory adapters.

KelTec has set the MSRP for the P17 right at $199, which is even more impressive when the company says that includes not one but two extra magazines for a total of three. That buys a lot of kit gun.

Like most of KelTec’s products the P17 uses a clamshell design and more than a few screws. That’s true even for the sights, which may indicate future mini red dot sight potential as far as mounts go. It also has a railed frame for other accessories like lights and laser sights.

KelTec Debuts Compact and Affordable 17-Round .22 LR Pistol: Meet the P17
The pistol has a lot of accessory potential. (Photo: KelTec)

The standard sights are placed far apart for a long sight radius which always helps, especially with smaller pistols. The P17 ships with a black rear sight and a fiber-optic front sight for fast target acquisition.

“Don’t let the small size fool you. This little pistol is a tack driver. The excellent trigger, fiber-optic front sight and adjustable rear sight help you extend the P17’s range. It’s a handy little .22LR that builds confidence and burns bull’s eyes,” says KelTec.

Additionally, the P17 features fully ambidextrous controls including paddle magazine release levers and manual thumb safeties.

KelTec hasn’t released all of the details so far. While the biggest feature is its low price, things like whether or not the pistol has a last round bolt-hold-open are still up in the air.

And while it’s obviously a polymer-framed handgun, we don’t know if it’s striker-fired or hammer-fired, whether or not it can be de-cocked, or how it takes down.

See Also: KelTec Testing Waters on .45 ACP, 10mm Sub2000

KelTec Debuts Compact and Affordable 17-Round .22 LR Pistol: Meet the P17

Still, for less than $200, those little details aren’t terribly important. Unless the P17 has some hidden surprises, based on what people do know, this will already be a hard buy or hard pass for anyone interested in an automatic rimfire pistol.

The P17 has the potential to be a real crowd-pleaser, though, and KelTec will be sure to sell them in numbers. And while it’s possible that they will list for less than their $199 sticker price, historically KelTec’s popular rimfires list — and sell — at points all over the map, even above suggested pricing.

KelTec has been working hard to produce guns that put smiles on everyone’s faces. Recently they’ve been polling customers to gauge interest in a .45 ACP or 10mm pistol-caliber carbine. Their 9mm Luger and .40 S&W carbines are already hugely popular.

What do you think of the P17? Will you be putting it on your buy list?

***Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica! All Local Sales are FREE!***

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Mark vannorman November 30, 2022, 2:39 pm

    Yes I’m in ,p17 ,in22mag.

  • Thomas G Spearman September 15, 2019, 2:19 am

    What’s in Utah? Curious . . .

  • Doug Greer September 14, 2019, 12:50 am

    Very interesting! Really like my PF-9 – but it is a little heavy. This P17 looks like it might be a real winner but I can see the gun dealers jacking up the price to $350. but yes very interested!

    • Floyd September 24, 2019, 12:08 am

      I got so sick looking for the sub 2000 bought a Hi Point love it. Paid way too much for PMR 30. Love it won’t happen with this one.

    • walter March 28, 2020, 8:32 pm

      already seen at the shows less than 200.

  • Scotty Gunn September 13, 2019, 7:45 pm

    Cute, but it’s still a K-Tel.

    • Doug September 15, 2019, 1:36 pm

      I know KelTec, a great American company that employs Americans and produces a whole lot of innovative American made firearms that actually work.. Do you own any Scott? I do and I say this from a standpoint of experience with my own two hands on their firearms.

  • Mike Wilding September 13, 2019, 4:58 pm

    When will the KelTec P17 be available??

    • Isi Schomaker September 18, 2019, 12:42 pm

      When can i buy one soon i hope

  • Steve September 13, 2019, 3:38 pm

    I’m a dealer and this will be a hot little seller. 17 rounds of Stingers in this pistol and you actually have a decent little self defense tool. Looking forward to ordering some. The KelTecs I’ve sold have all been good firearms and the price point is perfect. Keep em coming KelTec!

  • Jesse Boyd September 13, 2019, 1:03 pm

    I will be looking hard at this one! Would strongly recommend the hold open on last shot. So many of us expecting our semi auto pistols to have this. Awesome price point, can’t wait to hold one – would probably buy on the spot!

  • Kent September 13, 2019, 12:52 pm

    I used to love Kel-Tec. I have a P-32, P-380, 3 PF9s, and a sub2000. They used to be great about their warranties, not even charging shipping for small parts replacement, even when it was my fault for losing them. Now they give you crap about whether or not you registered it with them when you purchased it, whether you are the original owner or not, blah, blah, blah. Oh, they’ll fix it. It will cost you though. Obviously, their success has outgrown their warranty dept. Too bad. The rest of the industry still wants you to be a satisfied customer of their products, and go to great lengths to make you so.

  • Jeffrey Sun September 13, 2019, 12:41 pm

    I hope they are exploring a .22 mag in the same size. If so, you’ll have a buyer.

    • Tom September 13, 2019, 8:12 pm

      I second this comment, .22 mag would be sweet at this price point; would also be more utilitarian. Just my $.02.

  • William September 13, 2019, 12:38 pm

    I am sure will buy one of this because I am looking for small 22 pistol for my self defense. However, if you make a small pistol a 22 magnum caliber surely it is much better for everyone.

  • DB September 13, 2019, 12:18 pm

    Absolutely interested. If they’re looking for feedback, my strong preference is for hammer with decocker. Thanks!

  • JB Polson September 13, 2019, 12:18 pm

    Where can I buy one?

    • Thomas G Spearman September 15, 2019, 2:15 am

      Try the Sportsman’s Guide.

  • Chas Napoli September 13, 2019, 12:14 pm

    P17

    Great piece.
    I’m in New York State and we have a 10 round min law.
    Any possibility for a 10 round mag?

    • walter March 28, 2020, 8:35 pm

      change pollitians

  • maddog September 13, 2019, 11:41 am

    no, it’s not on the ca list. plus it also has a threaded barrel which is against the wishes on the communist regime. they obviously think that everyone has a suppressor in their back pocket that will be quickly attached to the gun. they have no idea of the paperwork and time involved in purchasing one if you could, again illegal in ca.

  • Douglas Riding September 13, 2019, 11:32 am

    Hell NO !

    Wanna taste Freedom ?

    Move to Utah !

  • maddog September 13, 2019, 11:32 am

    and as stated in the article it’s an ‘automatic’

  • Johnnie September 13, 2019, 11:10 am

    Can this be sold in California?

  • Dave September 13, 2019, 11:08 am

    I like this a lot and will buy one as soon as I can.

    But what I would absolutely LOVE is a 22lr version of the P32. Small, thin, reliable, cheap and concealable even with a bathing suit.

  • Raggedy Edge September 13, 2019, 9:23 am

    Finally an American mfg debuts a paddle mag release. Ambi. No accidental mag disengagements. Better grip when using thumb/forefinger pinch. Paddle mag release on PF9 please.

  • david huckabee September 13, 2019, 9:19 am

    yes. needs a threaded barrel & optics options asap. this could be a big deal for a lot of people. maybe?

  • Ricky Price September 13, 2019, 9:14 am

    I’m in. Got there Sub2000 in 9mm. Makes that 9 shoot hard.Made in the USA makes it even better.

  • Michael September 13, 2019, 9:10 am

    I would buy it today as I’m already debating the Taurus TX-22. However, as with all Keltec’s they will be like “Unobtainium” for the next few years.

  • jon dough September 13, 2019, 9:10 am

    Why do you keep enticing ( or “baiting”?) NYS residents with gun that hold more that the “lawful” DICTAT
    of 10 ”boolets” from the CHIEF TYRANT Andrew Cuomo? To make everyone feel bad?
    Or just to bust NY’ers balls? For Shame, for Shame

    Shame, -on New Yorker’s for not rising up and disposing of the dictator YEARS AGO

  • MagnumOpUS September 13, 2019, 8:24 am

    Nice little pocket pistol and at a great price point.

    Well done, Kel-tec.

  • David Weakland September 13, 2019, 8:08 am

    Going to be looking into this one closer. I EDC a P-11, but think this would be an awesome first semi-auto for up and coming enthusiasts.

  • Ej harbet September 13, 2019, 8:07 am

    If it’s accurate and reliable with decent ammo this will be a winner.
    Can host of the year even!

  • King Paris September 13, 2019, 7:53 am

    I own and love the Kel-Tec P-32, so yes, if this new .22 runs as well as the P-32, I’m in!

  • Bill September 13, 2019, 7:46 am

    Threaded barrel option?

    • Michael September 13, 2019, 9:04 am

      It is threaded they are recessed.

  • Blasted Cap September 13, 2019, 7:09 am

    Guess they didn’t learn anything from Walther or H&K trying to sell pistols here with paddle style mag releases.

    • Star Elton September 13, 2019, 8:47 am

      Probably never caught on here because no pistol maker offered paddle style mag releases on a gun that was priced at a more affordable price point and of course perhaps a stigma that it’s a European thing and therefore silly. Once i got used to it, I actually prefer them now. Love my HK P2000 with the LEM trigger.

  • wayne wright September 13, 2019, 6:57 am

    will buy, but please make it in .22 magnum.

    • Stuart September 13, 2019, 10:25 am

      Wayne,
      Keltec has offered the PMR in .22 Mag for years. The PistolMR and CarbineMR make a really cool set for the .22 Mag lover.

  • Jay Bree September 13, 2019, 6:44 am

    I’m in as soon as they are available.

  • gunbob September 13, 2019, 6:28 am

    This new gun looks oddly like my KT PF9.

  • Jeffrey Roswall September 13, 2019, 6:04 am

    I’m interested in the new P-17 for my wife and daughter.
    I’m also interested in the new 10m & 40 Cal, for myself

  • Theodore Kennedy September 12, 2019, 6:49 pm

    This, and a 3oz Aeris suppressor, would make an excellent outdoor adventure combo!

    • John Rogers September 13, 2019, 8:32 am

      I’m with you on this one! I need more details, but I may have found my next purchase.

Send this to a friend