Kel Tec RDB --What's up?

[barnbwt]

Did they have to delay the project, or something? I know KT isn't the industry leader at product rollouts (perhaps surpassing only Remington or Desert Tech at this point), but after the inaugural 100 or so guns were released --to incredible rave reviews that continue to this day, I might add-- there's been nothing.

Not a trickle of guns in a torrent of demand like we saw with, well, ALL their previous new offerings, there's been zero new production from what evidence I've been able to find. Did they put the project on a hiatus for redesign or tweaking, or something? Would seem odd since I'd not heard of any significant quibbles other than "don't fill the ejection port with mud before firing" which seems fairly self-evident.

There have even been a few factory-tour articles in the media recently, touting how KT has increased its production capabilities & etc., showing rack upon rack of parts for every model...except the RDB, which was conspicuously absent from the tour (very much like the same omission in the Alabama Remington plant articles regarding the R51 2.0 "due to hit the streets any day now: day 790 and counting)

To KT's credit, they do seem to have bumped production enormously across most of their product line, I think the newish CMR30 being about the only thing still in short supply. I'm worried about the RDB/M43, since they seem by all appearances to be in some sort of holding pattern. What's up?

TCB

 

[Blade First]

They are shipping and selling. Good luck...

 

[barnbwt]

Where, though? For a while, there were ads/listings, there were people bragging about their new rifle, but for the last three months it seems...nothing. Pure radio darkness. Not even discussion on the Kel Tec forums, really.

TCB

 

[wally]

I picked up a 5.56 RDB at today's gun show for $1199+ Tax. I saw 6+ RFBs in .308 all in the $14-1600 range.

I like the size, light weight, and general handling, but of course haven't had a chance to get out and try it yet.

I expect (hope) the downward ejection is more reliable than the "elevator" mechanism in the RFB, mine has been back to Kel-Tec for repair three times, been fine so far since the last trip back, although not a tremendous amount of use.

 

[barnbwt]

Yeah, I've been very, very tempted to pick one up at around 1000$ or so, since the Troubles '16 is bound to start picking up sooner or later as the blatantly obvious becomes, well, more obvious to panic-prone buyers. I've been personally holding out for the 6.5 Grendel version, but the 1:7 5.56 version here actually exists

Very odd for Kel Tec, or frankly anybody, it sure appears the reviews have been consistently excellent, an sustained that way going on a month, now.

TCB

 

[ttarp]

They may be at a slow trickle, but the RDB is out there. The DT-MDR on the other hand...

 

[barnbwt]

The DT-MDR on the other hand...

Or any of the other like six bullpup concept-rifles...

 

[boricua9mm]

I'm just now seeing RFBs showing up at local stores, after fondling the first ones back in 2007.

With that kind of precedent, I think you can expect to be able to walk into a store and buy and RDB sometime in 2024.

 

[wally]

Yeah, I've been very, very tempted to pick one up at around 1000$ or so,

if you can find one for ~$1000 you are shopping GOD!

I think you can expect to be able to walk into a store and buy and RDB sometime in 2024.

I wouldn't bet ther farm on being able to walk into a store and buy any gun in 2014, the way things seem to be headed.

 

[barnbwt]

I'm hearing tales of ~900$ from some stores, that I'll just assume are kicking them out with no markup to spur orders. Even now, about a month into the first real distribution of the rifles (there were like 200 released earlier this year, then a six month gap) they are already cheaper than their direct competition; the Tavor.

Sounds like their recoil, accuracy, weight, and ergonomics are all better, too

TCB

 

[Sun Tzu warrior]

Saw one at a gun show here two Saturdays ago, the asking price was $1000
STW

 

[tulsamal]

I wouldn't bet ther farm on being able to walk into a store and buy any gun in [1975], the way things seem to be headed.

That's what my Dad told me back in 1968.

I wouldn't bet ther farm on being able to walk into a store and buy any gun in [1985], the way things seem to be headed.

That's what gun people and the NRA told me back in 1977-81 when Carter was President. Every issues of the AR was screaming headlines about how we were seconds away from "the end."

And yet... in many ways post '81 has been the most successful time of all for gun owners. Widespread concealed carry. You youngsters take it for granted... it was virtually unknown in the 60's and 70's.

I don't like either of the main choices either but I think it is counter-productive to start with the Chicken Little stuff.

#feelthejohnson

Gregg

 

[GBExpat]

... #feelthejohnson ...

Hmmm, I'll pass.

 

[barnbwt]

#feeltherdb

 

[wally]

And yet... in many ways post '81 has been the most successful time of all for gun owners.

Maybe, as long as you don't live in California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut or New Jersey.

Widespread concealed carry. You youngsters take it for granted... it was virtually unknown in the 60's and 70's

Things started going downhill in the 60's with the Kennedy assassination, before then you could buy "military weapons" & handguns by mail order (except NYC). Crime was so low nobody locked their doors or cars, keys were usually left in the car, neighbors would move it and put it back if necessary to make room for a delivery truck or snow plow. The concept of needing to carry a gun was laughable.

I don't under see much positive from '81 until about 2004 when the AWB expired and the "shall issue" permit movement really picked up steam.

 

[Jaymo]

I'm also going to have to pass on Johnson.
Fiscally conservative and pro-gun is good.
However, the whole "socially liberal" is why I don't vote libertarian.
Socially liberal is just as bad as full-on left wing nutcase.

Come to think of it, I'll pass on all three candidates.

Now, the RDB? I like it. A bullpup with ejection that is compatible with southpaws.

 

[GBExpat]

I'm also going to have to pass on Johnson.
Fiscally conservative and pro-gun is good.
However, the whole "socially liberal" is why I don't vote libertarian.
Socially liberal is just as bad as full-on left wing nutcase....

OH! "Johnson" refers to a person.

I thought tulsamal was just showing his, um, weird side.

 

[jhb]

The pmr is still impossible to find in any gun stores. Can find plenty on gun or as i call it hose broker. Same gun stores with no inventory selling them for top dollar online. Course doesnt matter since .22mag ammo is impossible to find locally as well. This bullpup is likely to follow the path of the pmr or sub 2000. Hosebroker at top dollar no store unless at same top dollar.

 

[barnbwt]

Libertarians aren't weird? Guess you never saw the convention 'performance' this year

What is most promising about the RDB is it appears Kel Tec has significantly upped their game while not jumping into the rarified 1500-2000$ 5.56 semiauto market.

TCB

 

[Sun Tzu warrior]

"The pmr is still impossible to find in any gun stores."
Birmingham pistol has plenty of them, and a friend bought one last week for $50 below MSRP. They also have plenty of CMR's, SU 2000's, and KSG's
Also I can find plenty of .22 WMR ammo, recently bought 2 bricks @ $129 per brick
STW

 

[jhb]

^here where i am within 100 miles in any direction, impossible for all. Consider yourselves lucky up there

 

[MechAg94]

I don't see PMR30's in stores much, but I do see them regularly in gun shows. The markup is not as bad as a few years ago. I even bought a CMR-30 carbine at a gun show earlier this year. If the price of the RDB is actually that low, I will look at it a lot more closely.

22 WMR is occasionally available in stores around here. People still buy it when they see it. 22 LR is available most places so maybe production will swing back to 22 WMR.

 

[barnbwt]

You know, you're right; the markup is at most like 30% on these things, which as we all know is rather low for new Kel Tec product (even the initial 1:9 rifling run was about the same~1100-1400$ range). That, combined with the overall lack of price hikes in advance of an obvious panic cycle in four months is very curious indeed. Perhaps the market really is priced out for the time being, with too many buyers wary of getting bit by scalpers to prop up their industry very well?

TCB

 

[judgedelta]

What about the trigger on the RDB? Read a nice write-up on the bullpup, but no mention about the trigger pull. I know it has been an issue on some of the previous BP's.

 

[barnbwt]

Every last review I've read/seen has exclaimed that the trigger is remarkably good --for any auto-loading rifle

TCB