How the Kel Tec PLR-16 stacks up to the competition
In the past few years, .223 (5.56mm) pistols have really taken off in popularity, largely due to BATFE rules on the use of stabilizing braces and the like. These interesting little range toys, to include KT’s own PLR pistol, are now seen coast to coast. With that in mind, let us see how the Cocoa offering compares to the rest of the field.
5.56 pistols 101
Back in the 1990s about the only offering in this then-unique category was the Olympic Arms OA-93. The 4.46-pound 17-inch long overall AR-platform used a 6.5-inch barrel and took standard NATO mags (not to mention many regular AR internals).
Following the end of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban in 2004 and the days of legal 30-round mags came back (except for states like California and Connecticut), the growth of these pistols began to increase. These included a number of both AR (made by LWRC, SIG, Rock River, POF, Daniel Defense and PWS) as well as AK variants (PAP imports as well as guns from Century and Arsenal).
Today, there are literally hundreds of offerings out there from these and other makers large and small. They make great hunting pistols (especially in the dense woods for feral pigs), compact “trunk guns,” home defense pieces (keep in mind your penetration issues with 5.56mm rounds), and awesome range toys.
Then there is…
The PLR-16, a piston powered AR pistol that weighs just 3.2 pounds and has a street price of about $550.
Read the rest in my column at the KTOG