Keltec SU-16A

[Esquire]

Riflegear has Keltec SU-16A for $549. I'm thinking about getting one.
Yay or Nay? I welcome feedback from current and previous owners. I already own an AR (M&P Sport) and a .223 bolt-gun (Savage) and looking to add one more to the 223 repertoire. Considered Mini-14, but its price point is a deal-breaker. SU-16A has features attractive to me - 18.5" barrel, very light and compact, reciprocating bolt handle, and takes AR mags. Is $549 a decent price for the "A" model? Does it eat steel-cased ammo OK? Will the polymer receiver last?

[DasBoost]

Personally, I'd sit on the money a bit longer and look into another AR build. I looked at one probably about 5 years or so ago and the stock was flimsy unless it had the spare mags in the stock and even then it flexed a bit. I was advised they didn't do well with steel-cased. Mini-14 prices these days are encroaching on entry-level AR territory and mag prices are around ~$35 apiece. I was lucky and got my 581 for $699 IIRC and it's nice to not have to deal with a bullet button, but I'd probably go for a featureless AR with all of the new compliance parts that are available now. Just my two cents comparing what I saw when I was buying and how things are now.

[C.G.]

It is a good trunk or backpacking rifle, but I would get the CA model with the 16" barrel, if I were you. I used to have the B model, the sights sucked on that one, but the rifle was OK. I don't think it will last anywhere as long as your AR but it is light weight and way more accurate than a Mini 14.

[imarangemaster]

I REALLY like the Kel-Tech SU-16. They are great little light weight, FEATURELESS PDWs. +1 on the 16" CA model with the better sights. I also had a B model but hated the sights and sold it to get the CA. I had one and regret selling it. It shot under 1.5" at 100 yards with Lake City M193. I let a friend talk me out of it, and regret it. I already have two ARs, and AK and USGI M1 Carbine, and still wish I had it.

[Oceanbob]

It is a good trunk or backpacking rifle, but I would get the CA model with the 16" barrel, if I were you. I used to have the B model, the sights sucked on that one, but the rifle was OK. I don't think it will last anywhere as long as your AR but it is light weight and way more accurate than a Mini 14.

This^^^^^^

The CA model has the 16 inch barrel and sights are mounted on the top of the stock, not at the end of the barrel. The CA model is $50 more at $599.

You mention the Mini 14 which of course is a more expensive, higher quality, heavier, but runs steel case all day, featureless with expensive magazines. Everything is a trade off. I wouldn't want to 'back pack' a Mini 14.

At say around $650 and the fact that AR parts, including lowers are coming down in price, one could build a neat little featureless AR in that budget.

But....but...if you want something light weight, that folds in half, fits into a SHTF backpack, the Kel Tec rifle will do the job...

It's only money......

[joefrank64k]

As others have written, I'd pass on the "A" and get the SU-16CA. I have one and it's one of my favorite rifles. Lightweight, reliable, no BB so you can run your standard cap AR mags, sights are in the right place.

I found mine here on CG for ~$400, lightly used.

[TMB 1]

I have the Su-16a and I really like it. The sights aren't the greatest but work fine for back up. I put a 2-7 Leupold Rifleman on it.

[frt96]

I have the SU-16CA that I bought before the whole Bullet button AR thing got popular. It has a little Nikon fixed 3X P-223 scope It is small enough that you don't have to take it off for a full gun cleaning.
I still have the Peep sight on there incase the scope becomes inop.

I have fired thousands of rounds through it (I shoot every Thursday rain or shine). The first 500 or so there were a lot of jams feed failures ect. I threw the stock magazines in the trash and use Magpul and usgi. It is as reliable as any of the AR's I own now.

It is not anywhere near as accurate as my RRA 20" varmit AR, but it does better than any stock Mini 14 I've shot. With AE black box or PMC it will shoot 1.5"- 2" on the 50 yard line, But it really shines with the 50 grain VMAX Hand loads. It shoots 1.5"-2" on the 100yd line with those.

I look at it as a camping/truck gun. I have a hitch pin in mine so it folds down without any tools. I like that it will hold a loaded thirty rounder in the stock.
Fun gun.

[dls]

The CA is the one to get. I had one, it was a cool light and reliable little rifle. I had an EoTech on it and used my 25+year old GI AR mags.
I kinda miss it.

[jmf_tracy]

Nay.
i had a SU-16 CA and sold it many years ago.
it is a flimsy disposable bic lighter type rifle.
you would be better served with a more robust platform.
AK-74 is where it is at, IMO.

[imarangemaster]

Hmmmm. "Bic lighter type rifle?" Haha, I think not. While it is not a "Battle Rifle" it will certainly kill Zombies and assorted malefactors as dead as any AR, AK, or Mini. As I said before, I HAVE 2 ARs, and AK, a PTR91 (HK91 clone) and USGI M1 Carbine, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ANOTHER KEL-TEC SU-16!

I am not an AK or AR snob. The Kel-Tec SU-16CA is a handy, little, FEATURELESS 5.56 spitter. and a hell of a lot better than a "Tacticool" neutered AR or AK with a bullet button and 10 rounders. In fact, it is handier than either an AK or AR with a Kydex paddle and 30 rounders. Mine had a Tasco Accu-dot 25mm shotgun red dot on it and was dead nuts on VERY QUICKLY at 100 yards or more..

[GW]

I had one of the CA models
It was a fun gun to shoot but it hated the steel cased ammo
. It would jam up after about 20 rounds of Wolf and then I would need a rod and hammer to clear it.
Sold it to a pal who never shoots it.

[supermario]

I have the A model, i called up keltec and they sent me B model sights for free. So that problem was solved.

The SU is very reliable. Its a gas piston rifle and super light. I have ARs and AKs but i would use my SU as a home defense rifle over any maglocked rifle. At $550 its alot of gun and its fun because its soo light and handy.

[DannyInSoCal]

Had one - Sold it.

You can always buy these - Get yourself the Extar pistol instead....

[tmh1]

Hmmmm. ...The Kel-Tec SU-16CA is a handy, little, FEATURELESS 5.56 spitter. and a hell of a lot better than a "Tacticool" neutered AR or AK with a bullet button and 10 rounders...

Agreed. Plus they just love to hide in plain sight, like in a ukelele case.

Now you see it:


And now you don't:


The fact is that I liked my CA model so much that I recently grabbed an A model when they came into stock at my favorite FFL. Folks seem to like to bad mouth Kel-Tec almost like it is some kind of a sport. I have Sub 2k's and an SU-16CA and they all run very well. And yes, I have a gamut of AR's, ranging from an M&P15 Sport all the way to LWRCI, DD and Tavor, so I have a good basis of comparison for the Kel-Tec's. Oh, and I had an AK as well, and I hope the new owner is enjoying it.