By J.B. Wood | Contributing Editor
Kel Tec CP33 pistol is a modern design, chambered for the .22-caliber cartridge.
Because one of my principal every-day carry guns was made Kel-Tec, I’m always interested when they come up with something new.
In this case, it’s a neat auto-pistol in .22 Long Rifle, the CP33. That last figure refers to the pistol’s magazine capacity, an impressive 33 rounds.
In appearance, the first thing you notice in that the upper receiver extends well past the grip-frame at the rear. There are several good design reasons for this, some of them mechanical, some ergonomical. I’ll get those further on. Otherwise, the operation of the CP33 will be familiar to anyone who ever used a .22 auto-pistol.
Unlike many other pistols of today, the CP33 is not striker-fired. There is a thermal pivoting hammer, and I think this contributes to the excellent trigger pull. The specs in the manual say it should be 4 pounds, and my gauge says they got it right. There is very little take-up, and a projection on the back of the trigger limits over-travel.
Pistol’s bolt retractor in the out position. It does not move during the firing cycle.
The two opposed safety levers work up for on-safe, down to fire, exposing a red dot. Inside, the safety blocks the sear and disconnects the trigger bar. There is no magazine-disconnect safety. It is assumed that when unloading, you are smart enough to remove a round in the chamber.
The large magazine catch is located at lower rear on the grip-frame, accessible to either hand. It is pushed toward the front to release. There is an open-bolt release, with minimal protrusion. It’s much easier to just retract the bolt slightly and let it go forward.
When the CP33 is fired, the bolt-retractor does not move with the bolt. The bolt locks open after the last shot. As you probably have noted, the non-moving retractor means nothing happening back there it catch on clothing. It’s a neat design, and is part of the reason for the rear over-hang.
The rear fiber optic sight is fully adjustable.
Speaking of which, that also sets the whole thing solidly in the hand. And, the “good hold” is further enhanced by the superbly-shaped grip-frame. In cross-section, it tapers sharply from rear to front. This results in a hold that is comfortable for both large and smaller hands.
Loading those 33-round magazine is not difficult. But you do have to be careful, and avoid “rim-lock”. That’s when the rim of an inserted cartridge happens to get pushed behind the top round. Fortunately, the transparent polymer lets you see, instantly, if have done this.
I’ll admit that loading the 33rd round requires some effort. To make things easier, load only 20 or 25 rounds for the first few shooting times. That new spring will ease up a bit, with some use, without any significant loss of its essential lifting power.
Kel Tec CP33 muzzle is threaded, and comes with a protective cover.
Even serious target-shooters would give a nod of approval to the sights on the CP33. They are square-picture, with fiber-optic inserts. A green dot at the front, and red ones flanking the rear notch. The rear sight is fully screw-adjustable. And, that long top gives a sight-radius of more than 8.5 inches.
For those who like to have all the numbers, here are the rest of them. With an empty magazine, weight is 25.7 ounces. Length is 10.6 inches, height 6 inches, and width 1.7 inches. The barrel, suppressor-ready at the muzzle, is 5.5 inches. And that standard rail on top for you red-dot sight is more than 7 inches long.
Transparent magazine tells at a glance how many rounds remain.
Standard-velocity target loads might not do well in the CP33 it is designed for high-velocity loads. I used CCI MiniMags at the range. Shooting from a casual rest at 15 and 25 yards, it delivered some very nice groups. At the longer distance, they averaged 3 to 4 inches, and closer in, one little 2-inch group.
As expected, no malfunctions. That’s why there’s a much smaller Kel-Tec sitting on my belt as I write this. Design credit for the CP33 goes to Tobias Obermeit. The black pistol has a suggested retail price of $475. In “desert-tan”, it’s $525. Out on the free market, someone will be offering for a little less.
The contact data: Kel-Tec CNC Ind. Inc., P.O. Box 236009, Cocoa, FL 32923. 800-515-9983. www.keltecweapons.com
