Kel-Tec P17 .22 LR
Model: P17BLK
Kel-Tec P17 .22 LR
Model: P17BLK
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Kel-Tec P17 is the lightest 16+1 capacity .22 LR pistol on the market at 11.2 oz. The weight is not a rounding quirk — it is 6 oz lighter than the Ruger SR22 and more than 4 oz lighter than the Walther P22Q. That makes it the clearest choice in this class if low weight is the priority, whether for all-day carry as a plinker, pack gun, or trail pistol. The 3.8" barrel is threaded at 1/2x28 from the factory, the 3.0 lb single-action trigger is among the lightest in the .22 LR compact category, and three magazines come in the box. Florida-made by Kel-Tec, the P17 delivers a lot of hardware at its price.
The trade-off for the low weight is a wider 1.2" frame compared to the 0.97" SR22 and 1.1" P22Q, and new P17s are known for a magazine spring that needs breaking in. Owners consistently report that the last one or two rounds in a fresh magazine may not seat reliably for the first 50 or so load-and-unload cycles until the spring softens. Running the magazines through regular loading practice before a range session eliminates the issue. If you want a .22 LR that runs bulk ammo without fuss, cycles fast, and comes ready to thread a suppressor, the P17 earns its place. If capacity and weight are less important and you want a DA/SA trainer for a specific centerfire, look at the SR22 or P22Q instead.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- 11.2 oz is the lightest way to carry 16+1 rounds of .22 LR — nothing else in this class comes close on that combination
- Threaded 1/2x28 barrel from the factory; the Walther P22Q and standard Ruger SR22 both require a separate barrel purchase for suppressor use
- Magazine spring break-in period — owners consistently report the last 1-2 rounds of a fresh magazine may not feed reliably until the spring is cycled through 50 or more load/unload reps
- Single-action only with a manual thumb safety; no DA/SA option means it does not train the manual of arms of traditional carry guns like the SR22 or P22Q do
- The wider polymer frame fills the hand differently than the slimmer SR22 — shooters with smaller hands may find the grip less natural for extended sessions
Category Rankings
How the Kel-Tec P17 .22 LR ranks among compact .22 LR handguns.
Where to Buy
No prices available at this time.
Alternatives to Consider
Similar compact .22 LR handguns ranked by similarity.
| NAME | BEST PRICE |
|---|---|
|
Walther P22Q .22 LR
Walther
|
— |
|
Ruger SR22 .22 LR
Ruger
|
— |
|
Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite .22 LR
Ruger
|
— |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my new Kel-Tec P17 have feeding issues on the last round or two?
This is a known break-in characteristic, not a defect. The magazine spring on new P17s is stiff enough that the last one or two rounds in a fully loaded magazine may not seat reliably against the feed lips. Owners report the issue resolves after approximately 50 load-and-unload cycles as the spring breaks in. Load and unload the magazines regularly without shooting to speed up the process — do not just leave them loaded.
Does the Kel-Tec P17's threaded barrel work with standard .22 suppressors?
Yes. The P17's barrel is threaded 1/2x28, which is the industry-standard thread pattern for most .22 LR suppressors on the market. No adapter is needed for cans like the Rugged Octet, SilencerCo Sparrow, or Dead Air Mask. The P17 is also subsonic-friendly since .22 LR bulk ammo already runs below 1,100 fps from a 3.8" barrel with most loads.
How does the Kel-Tec P17 compare to the Taurus TX22?
Both are 16+1 compact .22 LR pistols, but the P17 is 7.8 oz lighter than the TX22 and comes with a threaded barrel as standard equipment. The TX22 has a longer track record, a more developed aftermarket, and wider ammo compatibility reported by owners. The P17 wins on weight and out-of-the-box hardware; the TX22 wins on maturity and ammo tolerance.
