Why all the Kel-Tec hate?

[AragornElessar86]

I have a KSG on order so I've been keeping up on all the related threads, and most of the threads have quite a few posts to the effect of "it's a Kel-Tec so it'll suck" (paraphrase). I don't really know that much about the company other than that their designs tend to be "unique" and they're notoriously bad at keeping their stuff in stock. I'd like to hear from anyone who can tell me from personal experience why you feel Kel-Tec's stuff can't be trusted. It seems to me that if their stuff was really that finicky/unreliable/whatever that they wouldn't have such a major backlog on so many of their products. Any real-world personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

[GW]

My biggest gripe with Kel-Tec is their hyping interesting new products and then taking forever plus a day to get them to market.
e.g The KSG

[chim-chim7]

The KSG originally had problems with the trigger that was discovered at shot last year. The redesign is what held up manufacturing and caused delays. KSG's have been shipping since November.

When people say " It's a Kel-Tec, it will suck", just shows how little they know. These "hater" types will bash anything other than the firearms they like. Kel-Tec quality has come a long way in recent times. It's hard to predict how well the KSG will hold up under battle conditions, but we will find out soon enough. I am buying one, but only as a fun gun and something to add to the collection. I have no plans of using it for self-defense, but that doesn't mean you can't use it for that. I would put 500 or more rounds through it first to make sure it would be a reliable design.

[ivanimal]

I like my small KT handguns but hated the SU 16 CA it was garbage and I was not feeling good about shooting it.

[Seesm]

I think they are cool cuz thy do things different.. Only love.. from me anyway.

[toby]

No hate here, just an opinion they look and feel cheap.

[MudCamper]

No hate here, just an opinion they look and feel cheap.

That's exactly what I thought the first time I held a Glock back in the 80's. Now everyone makes plastic guns.

Then that's also what I thought when I first held a P3AT. Now all the manufacturers copied Kel-Tec and make tiny plastic 380s.

The plastic looks and feels cheap, until you use it and abuse it, and learn that it's not.

[glocklover]

I think, myself included, that we get tired of seeing new KSG threads pop up every
two days, with members asking the same dumbass questions.

REALLY, all you have to do is scan back a couple of pages to see the last thread started by some jackass asking the same dumbass questions.

What gets me is people asking for opinions on it.

REALLY!!!!! how can 99% percent of us have an opinion on something that isn't out yet.

[SanPedroShooter]

I am on the vere of ordering a PF9, and I think a lot of the threads trashing kel tec come from a few years back, the ones I have seen anyway. It seems like they have made some changes in the last year or two.

I have heard they have good customer service from a few different people.

[stix213]

I am on the vere of ordering a PF9, and I think a lot of the threads trashing kel tec come from a few years back, the ones I have seen anyway. It seems like they have made some changes in the last year or two.

I have heard they have good customer service from a few different people.

I got a PF9 recently, and I really like the gun.

There are some people that are just against anything new. Somehow it threatens them. People said the same crap about how cheap plastic Glocks were just going to break, etc, etc.

[SanPedroShooter]

Interesting. Where did it come from? I have to SSE to get it over the wire. I have been talking to the guys at Table Rock Arms in Medford, OR. I lived there for a few years and have family there. I have been talking to the owner, he seems like a really cool guy. Invited me to go shooting next time I am up there. I am sure a 07FFL has all kinds of cool stuff...

His extra barrel or whatever they use broke (or something, they dont have the parts right now) and he is working on getting it repaired.

[AragornElessar86]

I like my small KT handguns but hated the SU 16 CA it was garbage and I was not feeling good about shooting it.

See, this is the kind of comment I'm talking about. Why was it garbage? Why didn't you feel good about shooting it? Anyone can claim that anything is garbage, I want to know specifics on why people don't like Kel-Tec.

GW, that doesn't mean their guns aren't good. I know that's not what you're saying but I have to wonder if that's one of the big reasons people hate on their stuff, when really their product is good but hard to get.

Maybe it is just a "it's too different than my (insert tried and true favorite here), so it must suck", but there's too many people whose opinions I've learned to respect on Calguns who are negative about them for me to dismiss it that easily just yet.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I have three Kel Tecs, but I also have no problems calling a spade a spade. See my comments in the "Ultimate HD weapon" thread (in the shotgun forum, referring to the KSG) and you'll see what I mean. Read both posts.

[AragornElessar86]

I have three Kel Tecs, but I also have no problems calling a spade a spade. See my comments in the "Ultimate HD weapon" thread (in the shotgun forum, referring to the KSG) and you'll see what I mean. Read both posts.

So you dislike complication in gun design. That still doesn't tell me anything about your experience with Kel-Tec.

[-hanko]

I don't really know that much about the company other than that their designs tend to be "unique" and they're notoriously bad at keeping their stuff in stock.

I'd like to hear from anyone who can tell me from personal experience why you feel Kel-Tec's stuff can't be trusted. It seems to me that if their stuff was really that finicky/unreliable/whatever that they wouldn't have such a major backlog on so many of their products. Any real-world personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

Both pistols needed to be sent back to KT for fixes within the first 6 months. The SU rifle had issues with both feeding and ejection, it also took a return trip to the factory. That's my 'real-world personal experience'.

My comments in one of the many KT shotgun threads simply states I would not use a weapon for home defense that had not been proven reliable in a military and/or law enforcement environment. Obviously, others opinions may vary. If the KT shotgun is going to the military or law enforcement, it would be nice to know; it would also be a major selling point for KT.

Further, and I think more important, I noted it's preferable to get training on home defense before one selected a weapon. It's a little scary to hear about noobs planning on room clearing while they're asking in the same post as to the best weapon.

Your comment as to complication in gun design in Grumpy's post is interesting; personally, I'd prefer simplicity in a gun used for personal protection v. complexity if that's the only criteria...but again my first criteria is along the lines of "what would an experienced expert use?".

Sounds from the tone of your first post that you need more positive reinforcement for your decision to get the KT shotgun...if you're confident in your choice why the need for reinforcement??

hth, and you can pm me offline if you'd like more.

-hanko