Thoughts on su16?

[tanglebones]

Was looking at the Kel Tecs and am really intrigued by the fact that they are so freaking light. Anyone here have some experiences with it?

 

[crowell33]

Was looking at the Kel Tecs and am really intrigued by the fact that they are so freaking light. Anyone here have some experiences with it?

I don't have first hand experience, but a friend of mine has one and he raves about it.

 

[JOBU]

Neat folding option. Reliable. Sweetly priced.

But so are the AK and the Mini and they can both take a hell of a lot more punishment than an Su16.

 

[Hopalong]

I have an SU-22, which uses the same polymer frame as an SU-16. It's light and wonderfully compact, but it's also not very rugged in my opinion; for example, if you try to fold the receiver halves for storage with a magazine in the well, you can easily snap the lower receiver in half along the trigger guard and render the rifle inoperable. I've heard of durability complaints from other SU users (both 16 and 22) as well, but if you use it with these limitations in mind (i.e. treat it gently), they're fabulous lightweight rifles.

 

[Sirex]

I have been looking for a SU-16CA forever now. Frm what I found, great reviews, excellent customer service and warranty. Now, they aren't a tried and tested battle rifle, so keep it in mind. It's a lightweight sport rifle. Good for what it was designed for I hear.

 

[Hopalong]

It's a lightweight sport rifle. Good for what it was designed for I hear.

Then you should be perfectly fine with it. Kel-Tec released a lower receiver option with a pistol grip and a mount for an AR-15 style shoulder stock and since then some people suddenly think it's an AR-15. It's not.

And ditto on the CA model. I've been eyeballing one for a while now, just been unable to justify the cost.

 

[JoeBobOutfitters.com]

I'm a keltec guy for their innovation/price point, but the SU16 just doesn't do it for me I suppose. The Sub2000/Sub2k do it for me, but the SU16 just seems to be borderline too high of price for what it's compared to and how substantial it feels.

I like the PLR16/22's, which are basically the same action with shorter barrels, but of course then you're comparing them to piston driven AR pistols in a sub 500 price point which doesn't have many comp sales.

 

[rob-cubed]

Great little guns--accurate, lightweight and reliable. Get a C or better, it has a heavier barrel and better front sight.

Agreed with everyone that says the folding poly stock is a weak spot, you don't want to fall on it. But it locks up tight and works great if you aren't looking to abuse it. I feel they are a bit overpriced compared to other options in that cost range, but if you are looking for an ultralight handy rifle there really isn't anything else that comes close.

 

[erwos]

I'm a keltec guy for their innovation/price point, but the SU16 just doesn't do it for me I suppose. The Sub2000/Sub2k do it for me, but the SU16 just seems to be borderline too high of price for what it's compared to and how substantial it feels.

I tend to agree with you. The SU-16C is pretty cool in that it folds and it's very light, but I feel as if the Sub-2000 does that better if you can tolerate 9mm. And there's always the slightly more expensive option I'm thinking about below...

I like the PLR16/22's, which are basically the same action with shorter barrels, but of course then you're comparing them to piston driven AR pistols in a sub 500 price point which doesn't have many comp sales.

One of my upcoming projects is a PLR-16 SBR. I'm thinking an FSC556, a railed MI handguard, Troy Micro sights, and the pistol grip kit. Not entirely sure about the stock setup yet; I'm leaning towards an Enidine Shot Stock and an MOE, maybe using an ASAP for a single-point sling (MS2/MS3?).

 

[dj_justice]

I am pretty interested in the SU-16c. What do they usually go for? I am going to try to pick one up at the gun show in Gettysburg with weekend.

 

[Sirex]

I just ordered a SU-16CA off Bud's last week. Should be here soon. I got the CA for the heavier barrel, and it can keep 2 10 round mags in the stock. A fun handy convenince gun, not battle rifle. I'll let you know how I like it when it shows up. Was considering a C but I don't really anticipate have to fire while the stock is folded, and preffered the storage capacity of the CA's stock.

 

[Sirex]

Here are a few reviews I found while researching mine;
http://www.equipped.com/Kel-Tec_SU-16_Review.htm
http://www.thektog.org/forum/showthread.php?t=226543

 

[Slimjim]

Here are a few reviews I found while researching mine;
http://www.equipped.com/Kel-Tec_SU-16_Review.htm
http://www.thektog.org/forum/showthread.php?t=226543

http://www.thektog.org/forum/showthread.php?t=227298&page=1.2666666666667

 

[Jack Gordon]

I don't know much about them, the only experience I have with Kel tec was a plr 16 I had for awhile. It was alright I suppose. Only shot it at 50yds. Sights were terrible on it. Couldn't shoot it halfway accurate unless benching it. I quickly lost the interest in rifle caliber pistols. That has nothing to do with kel tec though. The gun was reliable as long as I was using my hk mags and not pmags, they ALWAYS jammed in the plr.

 

[dr_baer]

I have a SU-16, it's my fold in half, strap to the side of my pack and head across the mountain rifle. It is very light, takes normal 223 mags, and shoots great. For a light weight survival rifle it works great.

 

[dj_justice]

How much do they usually go for?

 

[Shootist]

Took delivery on a Charlie model from 2A Sales & Supplies on Monday.

Paid $600+tax. Dunno if that was a good price, but they're a little hard to find and I was willing to pay.

It is very light for what it is, but it's nose heavy which makes it feel heavier when held. I blame the "heavy" barrel. (KT called it heavy, but looks medium to me. They probably meant relatively heavy compared to the Bravo model.) I'm thinking a hefty recoil pad will balance out the weight and give me a little more LOP. The short LOP is hard on the wrist. I know I sound like a wuss talking about a 5lb rifle being too heavy or hurting my wrists, but it's the truth.

It uses a lot of plastic (Zytel or similar) and the finish quality isn't spectacular, but its plenty solid and I expect at least a decade of use out of it.

Haven't fired it yet. Have to wait until my next trip to Fairfax.

 

[erwos]

Sounds like a decent price. MSRP is $770, usual discount for KTs is 20% or so.

Nothing wrong with the plastic, it's held up pretty good on my Sub-2000.

 

[Shootist]

Sounds like a decent price. MSRP is $770, usual discount for KTs is 20% or so.

Nothing wrong with the plastic, it's held up pretty good on my Sub-2000.

Thanks for the reassurance. That makes me feel even better about my purchase.

Just to clarify, my only gripe about the plastic was the finish. Nothing a little sandpaper won't fix. In fact, I actually like the plastic body since I can spare myself the cost of Duracoat and just spray it with Krylon Fusion. Yeah, I'm ghetto like that.

 

[rob-cubed]

You'll like it, it's a fun gun! Mine has run like a champ and is pretty accurate... the heavier Charlie barrel makes a difference as the A & B models are known to string after a few shots.

I did replace the case-deflecting recip handle with the earlier knob type, it was causing an occasional case to get lodged in the ejection port.

Only bad reviews (vs negative opinion) I've seen is a couple different guys breaking their folding stocks. However Kel-Tec has a very good repair record and will take care of it under warranty.