Kel Tec SU16 CA VS. AR Parts

[17+1]

I was told Kel Tec SU16 is pretty much a low low end AR not a great shooter.

This.

Kel Tec makes some really neat guns that make you look twice, but the SU is not really comparable to an AR.

[voiceofreason]

Spend the money on the AR parts.

Part of maturity is patience and knowing that you're saving/working/waiting for something better to come.

The purchase of a the SU will set you that much farther back on your AR.

$300 is nothing in the long run. What is that to you? A month? 2 months?

I'd rather wait a month or 2 longer for the gun that's customized with the parts I want than an admittedly "lesser" gun with crap sights that will set me back $600 on my AR build.

Consider the opportunity cost of getting the SU. NOT getting it gets you to within $300 of a functional AR.

Once your AR is built, why would you even bother with the SU?

Once you have your AR, get a good sling, training, and ammo.

PERSONALLY, I'd recommend getting some plates & a plate carrier after participating in a good training course.

I firmly believe in wearing soft armor whenever you're shooting pistols & shotguns. If you're shooting with other carbines, then plates over soft armor.

[mif_slim]

Now we're talking about bullet proof vests??

[stix213]

Do you not have any rifle to go shoot now or something?

I'd put your money into whatever you think you'll get more use and enjoyment out of. I have 2 AR's right now, but I've been thinking about an SU16CA for a long time. Specifically cause of its easy storage, transport (from folding easily), and its light weight. I was thinking I could backpack with it sometimes on short trips. If you're not interested in those cool features about the rifle, you may want to just wait so you can build the AR you really want.

[cdtx2001]

I had a SU-16 and traded it away for a 3 screw Ruger Blackhawk 44mag. Glad I did too.

I've got several ARs and all of them are way more reliable and accurate than I ever could get out of that SU. Even the cheapest AR is better than the most expensive SU.

Buy an AR!

[Nathan Krynn]

Getting an AR is no question. Its being built as we speak.

But since the quality of your SU was so horrible, is there a gun that you can recommend to me that is NOT an AR, is around the same price as the SU, higher quality than the SU, and around the same weight and portability as the SU?

I guess there is also an underlying question to my thread. Can anyone recommend me a semi-auto, low-priced, and portable NON AR rifle?

I dont want to start an AR vs. ALL OTHER GUNS thread...because I really do love ARs and I plan to build a few (many) and buy some complete ones but would I like variety in my gun collection.

Maybe I got a lemon, maybe an early production model I don't know. All I know is I bought it for exactly what most did a cheap rifle that folds up somewhat portable for hiking. Well it is so unreliable that I won't even touch it.

In that price range I'd rather have a mini-14, lever gun, even an AK (yes I shoot them too). As for portability look into a break down lever gun.

The idea is cool but it just doesn't work, at least for me.

Shopping in price like you are asking me is not all ways the best option. I had a customer say "what is a good .45 acp for $150 like my high power as my high power sucks" I advised spending more for a decent gun.

This is like that as you want an AR so I would advise saving up for the gun you really want and will use as I bet like others have said once you get your AR you won't touch the SU. Also getting the SU delays the AR.

As for after market parts I haven't look in a few years but last I looked I only saw the original rear sights and ones for the AR will not work with the front sight, at least not that model.

For cleaning an Ar in 15 min, that is easy as I have been using these since I was 18 and I build them for a living in my thirties. But your right I don't need to have an inspection as a civilian, however my wife is still in the Army and spends a heck of a lot longer and doesn't do nearly as good as a job. Lets be real all you need to do is clean the BCG and barrel and wipe out the upper, lower, and charging handle, oil and reassemble. That doesn't take more then 15 min unless I am watching TV while doing it.

[Scout2Diesel]

.... I had a customer say "what is a good .45 acp for $150 like my high power as my high power sucks" I advised spending more for a decent gun.

^ ? High Powers are great pistols and not cheap by any means. Did you mean High Points?

I think the SU 16 needs a good break in and IIRC some good AR15 parts to run 100%.

[dixieD]

Why not be happy with an operational ar now and upgrade the parts you want to as the money rolls in. Sell the slightly used parts.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I have both a SU16 and a couple of AR's and can honestly say that there's no comparison between the two. The SU is a rifle you'd carry a lot (stowed in your vehicle, for example, which is its advantage) and shoot little. The AR is designed for combat use and is unquestionably more rugged.

It all depends on what you intend your rifle to do. If I were stuck with using the SU to defend my life, I'd use it and feel confident that it would work (I've had absolutely no problems with mine) but if I had the option, I'd turn to the AR first.