While the airsoft community is looking at the airsoft version of the Kel-Tec RDB from Ares Airsoft, I was more interested in the latest reveal of Kel-Tec, Kel-Tec P50, a semi-automatic pistol that fires the FN 5.7x28mm round. That round is fired by at least two weapons that airsoft players are very much familiar with, the FN Five-Seven, the P90 PDW. In this case the P50 also utilizes the P90 magazine that has a maximum capacity of 50 rounds.

Kel-Tec claims the P50 to be a futuristic weapon with a retro design, perhaps that it looks more fitting to be a gun prop for a sci-fi movie than being a real weapon at all though the P90 itself is used in sci-fi films and TV series. Furthermore, it describes the weapon  "sport-utility pistol” as well a weapon designed for home protection. With the 5.7 round being a popular round for sports shooters and hunters for its accuracy and range, it is also use for security use especially with the P90 PDW and with the SS190 aluminum core armor-piercing duty ammunition it can penetrate body armor as compared to other pistol rounds though it is restricted for civilian use. What future owners of the P50 get is a lot of firepower in one neat and small package.

The thing that makes it easily recognizable as a Kel-tec weapon design is the checkered grip but you may wonder how one can load the P90 magazine (it will come with two magazines included). The upper receiver and barrel assembly is lifted forward with a forward hinge allowing the magazine to snap out and one can load a fresh magazine in. Not as fast as loading it on P90, but it does the job.

It does not come with iron sights but it has MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny top rail for mounting optics and in order to maintain its classification as a pistol in the USA, it does not come with a folding stock though it can become a more stable shooting platform if it comes with one.

According to the company, it will be shipping in the first quarter of this year with an MSRP of US$995.00. As for a licensed airsoft version, there is no news yet.