Kel Tec SU 16 good or plastic junk?

[1lostinspace]

I have a friend that is interested in a semi in .223, I recommended a Saiga due to his budget, another friend told him "get a Kel tec they are as good as any AR"
When he told me that I thought I would start this thread to get some feed back.

I owned a Kel tec and here is what happen.

1. Broken fire pin.
2. Replaced extractor due to FTE
3. Bolt shot out the back of the rifle breaking it in half
4. After sending to kel tec FTE
5. After sending to Kel tec FTE
6. After sending to Kel tec returned for full return

Built my AR and have never had a problem.
Bought a Saiga to plink with never had a problem.

Does this sound right or do I just have bad luck?

[Fobjoe]

My kel tec had a few FTEs when I first got it. Those were worked out after 200 rounds. Even so, comparing it to an AR...I dunno...I've never seen a kel tec that shoots 2-3 MOA. At the price for one new, I recommend the Saiga. Even though the trigger isn't great, it's still better than the kel tec trigger in my opinion with similar, if not better, accuracy. I plan to get one in .223 and 7.62x39 before word gets out and the price skyrockets.

[Patriot]

I would go with the Saiga hands down unless I needed a really compactable, really light 223.

The Saiga is much cheaper and IMO more solid and reliable.

[1lostinspace]

My kel tec had a few FTEs when I first got it. Those were worked out after 200 rounds. Even so, comparing it to an AR...I dunno...I've never seen a kel tec that shoots 2-3 MOA. At the price for one new, I recommend the Saiga. Even though the trigger isn't great, it's still better than the kel tec trigger in my opinion with similar, if not better, accuracy. I plan to get one in .223 and 7.62x39 before word gets out and the price skyrockets.

I know I got my kel for $650 I know I got ripped off but my Saiga was $279

and as far as the AR's accuracy

here is a pic of 5 shots at 200 yards using my reloads shooting under an inch!

[UncleJohnny]

I shoot my buddies kel tec sub sometimes. No comparison to his sabre def AR or any AR for that matter. He's had no issues so far but a couple ftf. His ruger mini in .223 shoots way better than the keltec sub, or course. BTW, the keltec is a bigger version of that henry take-down survival rifle ar7? Hiking gun? The only kel tec I'll buy if available to CA is the bullpup .308 RFB

[USN CHIEF]

Tell your buddy to not waste his money on a Kel Tec and instead save up a lil more and then get the AR...

[11Z50]

The Kel-tec SU-16B is not a bad little gun, provided you realize it is not designed to be a battle rifle. It is not in the same class as the AR-15 series or the AK. As a lightweight carbine, suitable for recreational shooting, and in a pinch self-defense, it will work.

Mine shoots well, but doesn't do well with Wolf ammo. Of course, some AR's don't like Wolf either. I agree that a OLL build usually is of higher quality, but then again, it costs a lot more to build one up, and there is still the no PG/MMG issue if you want to use your full-caps.

[Hispeed1]

Tell your buddy to not waste his money on a Kel Tec and instead save up a lil more and then get the AR...

+1 for that.

[UncleJohnny]

The Kel-tec SU-16B is not a bad little gun, provided you realize it is not designed to be a battle rifle. It is not in the same class as the AR-15 series or the AK. As a lightweight carbine, suitable for recreational shooting, and in a pinch self-defense, it will work.

Mine shoots well, but doesn't do well with Wolf ammo. Of course, some AR's don't like Wolf either. I agree that a OLL build usually is of higher quality, but then again, it costs a lot more to build one up, and there is still the no PG/MMG issue if you want to use your full-caps.

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I agree with it not being in the same classes as a battle rifle, and it being a good plinker.BTW, Ive seen pictures of some kind of Mexican Armed Forces with a couple of kel tecs in a photo somewhere on here. My OLL AR flattop build is right around $675 including an extra stag oll,(1) 10rnder,a2 buttstock and still need the mmg,bb,optics,ammo+ more mags(yes im getting both mmg and bb, dont laugh).

[Iknownot]

I've noticed the general trend around these parts are both anti SU and anti Mini-14 for that matter, and pro-AR or AK.

I don't find it surprising considering everyone's favorite topics around here, but keep in mind that it's going to affect the responses you get.

The SU is a nice, light, easy to use, fun plinking rifle. It is accurate enough if you are just looking for a rifle to take out to the range to plink with at metal targets or even paper at 100 yards or so. If you are expecting some hyper accurate bench rest rifle, you need to look elsewhere.

People have had bad experiences with KelTec quality control on the SU. I think the rifle has had some teething pains and I don't think K-T has been careful enough with their quality control, choosing instead to replace parts under warranty for those people who have gotten bum rifles.

I personally wouldn't choose that method of running things if it was my company because it generates bad word of mouth, but that's what they seem to do.

Still, if you happen to get a bad rifle, most problems are simple fixes, such as replacing the extractor claw (although K-T has upgraded this part on the new rifles to one that works better).

There have been issues with loose piston rods which can crack the back of the receiver. Obviously, all this is repaired under warranty. It's not fun if you have to deal with it, but you are not left out in the cold by K-T. They will take care of you.

I think also, people have problems running cheap wolf type steel ammo in the SU and end up blaming the rifle for the fte's the ammo causes. K-T recommends only brass cased ammo for the SU. If you plan on running cheap ammo only, I would not recommend getting an SU.

Anyway, all these problems should be weighed against the fact that K-T gives you a lifetime warranty on the rifle and they have very good customer service.

All I can say, is if you get an SU that works, and plenty of people have them, it'll go bang every time you pull the trigger, and it is quite a fun, little rifle to shoot. Also, at the used prices that you can find the SU at, especially in the for sale forum of this board, I don't really see how you can go wrong, even if you don't end up liking the rifle in the end.

The SU isn't an AR, but at it's price point and considering how it is built, I don't think it is supposed to be.

[Fobjoe]

My kel tec shoots wolf fine (not lacquered). There is one annoying thing: when I bought my kel tec it was before I learned about the OLL. I paid $550 for it which I thought was an "okay" deal at the time. Then I picked up my AR for $500 a little over a month ago...IF you buy a kel tec, NEVER buy one new.

[ldivinag]

i bought my SU-16 3 months before the OLL craze hit.

i have yet to shoot it.

[dixieD]

I have a SU16ca. Mine is a good rifle. As long as I feed it brass cased surplus or American Eagle or other similar product it goes bang everytime, and is accurate.

I've since bought an M1A and a CMP Garand. If I knew about either of these or really thought about them before the Keltec I would not have the Keltec.

The Garand comes out of the safe 6 times out of ten, the M1A 3 times out of ten and Keltec 1 out of ten.

[Sumo99]

I have the CA model with a red dot scope. It outshoots my buddies mini 14 but is less accurate than my SKS or Scout Squad. Past 250 yards, shooting at steel plates, it can hold it's own against my buddies M1A Socom. I have about 300 rounds thru it and never had any reliability issues.

I bought it more for the novelty of it than anything else. I used to take it camping since it fits in my backpack when folded and weighs almost nothing.

I've also heard that if the K-T is chambered in 5.56 vs. .223, there are less FTF's, but don't know how true that is.

[caldude]

I have a friend who's had no problems with his SU-16CA, where I've had a problem almost every time out. Right now it's back at Kel-Tec getting fixed (hopefully). If you want a battle rifle - get an AR, if you want a plinker, get a Saiga.