Poor Man's MP7: Keltec CMR-30

We make a poor man’s MP7 with a Keltec CMR-30

- Dave Merrill

Even if Heckler & Koch didn’t hate you and think you suck, owning an actual MP7 might prove to be more burdensome than you’d expect. 4.6x30mm ammunition is awfully hard to find on a local gun shop shelf, while it’s slim pickings online as well.

And what about 5.7x28mm? Frankly, one of our kidneys would immediately get nervous at the thought of an MP7 chambered in 5.7x28mm. Oh sure, there are other 5.7 weapons out there to be had — you can get your Stargate on with an FN PS90, travel back in time and try to find a 57 Center AR57 AR-15 upper, or snag a CMMG Banshee, which inexplicably accepts FN Five-seven pistol magazines instead of P90 magazines.

But expensive and relatively rare ammunition is absolutely not what this article is about. This article is about the Poor Man’s MP7. If you’re the type of person who’d think about fashioning a plate carrier from reusable Walmart bags or would consider purchasing Chicom Crye pants, this one is for you.

And in lieu of the elusive 4.6x30mm or 5.7x28mm, we’re rolling with KelTec and .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (.22WMR, also known as .22 Magnum or .22 Mag). While prices jump considerably from its .22LR baby brother, the magnum variety offers a substantial increase in range along with a reason an able variety of loadings. You won’t find us advocating any sort of rimfire for defensive use, but that didn’t stop the folks at Hornady, Speer, and the like from producing loads that expand in gelatin even when fired from handguns.

Aside from joining the military and passing Special Forces selection in a variety of nations, the closest most will ever come to a real MP7 is a high-quality airsoft replica. Or follow along, and you can make this bad boy yourself.