Kel-Tec Rifles?

S

Sundsvall

Joined
Jun 25, 2002
Messages
1,559
I have been reading quite a bit about Kel-tec rifles.

Most of the negative reviews are before 2008. Since then, it seems that their products have a pretty good reputation.

I was looking at he RFB, Sub2000 and the SU16 rifles.

Their price point (except for the RFB) and portablity make them very attractive.

Anybody have any experience with these?
 
I don't have direct experience with the rifles, but certainly have followed them. I also have a KT P3AT pistol and think it's a fine design for what it is -- an inexpensive carry gun.

The long and short of it is the Kel-Tec doesn't get much respect among gun "purists" because they are not "battle tested". Since combat is not likely to break out at the range, I don't put much stock in that criticism.

As for the RFB, that's in a class of its own. From what I've heard, while it's had some teething issues in the early run, it's one helk of a rifle. As a southpaw, I am very excited about the forward eject as it gives me a viable bullpup option. Of all the rifles they make, this one has the most engineering, material and probably long term reliability of all their rifles. One of these days, an RFB will make it into my collection.
 
Wow, I guess Kel-tecs are either unknown or unloved in BF.

Anyone have a Sub2000 in 9mm or .40 S&W?
 
I have a Sub2k. It's ok as a plinker. Do you want one...or do you need one for some specific ninja mission?
 
I just started checking them out. I think the folding aspect makes them unique.

I like the RFB alot but finding one that doesn't have a $500 markup is damn near impossible.

Which Sub2000 do you have?
 
KT sucks.. seriously. their products are hit or miss in quality. atleast half of what you get needs to be tinkered with (filing here, there) whatever... i have owned a few KT's and I willl never waste my money on a nother.
 
raindog101 said:
Just picked up an SU-16CA a few weeks ago. Quality seems good. Not quite an AR, but it has it's advantages (cheap, lightweight). Check this site out:
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?board=105
These guys have some pretty tricked-out SU's...
Click to expand...

:rolleyes: its your money.. you basically have to survive off of that site when you own a KT and thats bad.. if you need that much help over a cheap plastic gun that should be warning in itself. i will give them credit for pretty good customer service but if i pay that much for a gun i want it done right the first time, not the second, or the third.
 
Sundsvall said:
...Which Sub2000 do you have?
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I have a 9mm. I pull the trigger...it goes bang. However, It's not the weapon I'd choose to go into battle with. I bought it when I was having my "gotta walk 250 miles when tHe eNd tImEs come" fantasy...and I figured that a 4 pound rifle and 9mm ammo would be very easy to carry. Plus it looked reasonably cool...but that was a ninja fantasy and I really have no use for my KelTec Sub2000 other then to plink with it from time to time.
 
CitizenQ said:
I have a 9mm. I pull the trigger...it goes bang. However, It's not the weapon I'd choose to go into battle with. I bought it when I was having my "gotta walk 250 miles when tHe eNd tImEs come" fantasy...and I figured that a 4 pound rifle and 9mm ammo would be very easy to carry. Plus it looked reasonably cool...but that was a ninja fantasy and I really have no use for my KelTec Sub2000 other then to plink with it from time to time.
Click to expand...

that 9 sub crossed my mind a few years ago.. great idea, bad execution. it is deff not a survival gun. the way it breaks open would gather so much dust and dirt.. everything about it tells me to stay away
 
I'm new to knives but I'm deep into firearms and I would not recommend a Kel-tec to anyone.

For the same money as a SU-16 you could pick up a lightly used AR-15 that is mil-spec, battle proven, easy to repair, easy to modify, and easy to work on.

I've heard great things about Kel-tec's customer service but I've never had to ever call CS about ANY of my AR-15s.
 
CitizenQ said:
I have a 9mm. I pull the trigger...it goes bang. However, It's not the weapon I'd choose to go into battle with. I bought it when I was having my "gotta walk 250 miles when tHe eNd tImEs come" fantasy...and I figured that a 4 pound rifle and 9mm ammo would be very easy to carry. Plus it looked reasonably cool...but that was a ninja fantasy and I really have no use for my KelTec Sub2000 other then to plink with it from time to time.
Click to expand...

Hey nothing wrong with just plinking with that. The last I heard, its a rare cop that fire a single shot during their 20 year career.

I don't think there are many fully armed gun battles to participate in here in the States. Now Afghanistan, Iraq and a bunch of african nations would be where the gun fighting would be.
 
hung-solo said:
KT sucks.. seriously. their products are hit or miss in quality. atleast half of what you get needs to be tinkered with (filing here, there) whatever... i have owned a few KT's and I willl never waste my money on a nother.
Click to expand...

I read quite a few remarks like yours. Which KTs do you (did you) own?

Its interesting to me because, the sub2000s and Su16s are sold out in most places. Kel-tec sells all it makes and rarely do you see one come up for sale, and when they do, they sell quickly.

Could it be that KT's QC got better, or maybe people got better at tinkering with them?
 
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Dirtbiker said:
I'm new to knives but I'm deep into firearms and I would not recommend a Kel-tec to anyone.

For the same money as a SU-16 you could pick up a lightly used AR-15 that is mil-spec, battle proven, easy to repair, easy to modify, and easy to work on.

I've heard great things about Kel-tec's customer service but I've never had to ever call CS about ANY of my AR-15s.
Click to expand...

I like the SU16 because it is lightweight, folds, reasonable durable and accurate.

If I wanted to get a battle rifle, I think I would look at either HKs, S&Ws, Sig556, AR10. You get the point. Its not an either or situation.
 
raindog101 said:
Just picked up an SU-16CA a few weeks ago. Quality seems good. Not quite an AR, but it has it's advantages (cheap, lightweight). Check this site out:
http://www.ktog.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?board=105
These guys have some pretty tricked-out SU's...
Click to expand...

Hows the SU16 so far? I worry about getting one of these because you can't change out the barrel, so when it is shot out, you have to buy a new one.

I have the same concern for the Sub2000.
 
Sundsvall said:
I read quite a few remarks like yours. Which KTs do you (did you) own?

Its interesting to me because, the sub2000s and Su16s are sold out in most places. Kel-tec sells all it makes and rarely do you see one come up for sale, and when they do, they sell quickly.

Could it be that KT's QC got better, or maybe people got better at tinkering with them?
Click to expand...

they sell bc they are cheap. they sell bc they make the smallest 9's and .380's
around (other than ruger's LCP).. they only make enough to barely satisfy the market as well. they will always be on order somewhere. they are purposely not flooding the market.. I have had all of their pistols at one point or another. the only one i really liked was the .32. the rest needed something buffed, cut, adjusted or whatever. to me, you pay a few hundred for a gun you shouldnt have to tinker with it to keep from jamming or what not.. KT's had the market cornered for SMALL hand guns so the demand was great for them, regardless if they were built good or not.. if you want a pocket pistol get the ruger. its made far better than the KT's.. the 9's if you want a small 9 then go with the newest compact 9 from ruger.. i am not trying to sell ruger up but they do make a far better gun than KT ever will.
 
Sundsvall said:
I like the SU16 because it is lightweight, folds, reasonable durable and accurate.

If I wanted to get a battle rifle, I think I would look at either HKs, S&Ws, Sig556, AR10. You get the point. Its not an either or situation.
Click to expand...

I'll give them they are a great rifle to pack because of the light weight and their ability to fold.

I'd personally rather just take the upper off of an AR and pack it. Not because it's a battle rifle but because it's a better/more durable rifle.
 
hung-solo said:
they sell bc they are cheap. they sell bc they make the smallest 9's and .380's
around (other than ruger's LCP).. they only make enough to barely satisfy the market as well. they will always be on order somewhere. they are purposely not flooding the market.. I have had all of their pistols at one point or another. the only one i really liked was the .32. the rest needed something buffed, cut, adjusted or whatever. to me, you pay a few hundred for a gun you shouldnt have to tinker with it to keep from jamming or what not.. KT's had the market cornered for SMALL hand guns so the demand was great for them, regardless if they were built good or not.. if you want a pocket pistol get the ruger. its made far better than the KT's.. the 9's if you want a small 9 then go with the newest compact 9 from ruger.. i am not trying to sell ruger up but they do make a far better gun than KT ever will.
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Actually I was talking about their rifles, but I'll keep what you say in mind with regards to the pocket handguns.
 
I have an SU-16. Got it right after they came out. I've put a couple thousand rounds through it and I haven't had any problems. It simply does not jam and I've tried the cheapest ammo I could get ahold of.

For what it is (cheap, light, foldable), it can't be beat. Mine outshoots stock Mini 14's, but not AR's.
 
hung-solo said:
:rolleyes: its your money.. you basically have to survive off of that site when you own a KT and thats bad.. if you need that much help over a cheap plastic gun that should be warning in itself.
Click to expand...

Well, I'm not trying to get involved in a flame war here, I was merely pointing out a resource to the OP. FWIW, the only accessory I have added to my SU is a flash hider. I never did understand the propensity of some to hang a ton of doodads off their rifle.
 
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