Kel-Tec SU-16

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Acheron

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Hi guys, I tried a search but couldn't come up with anything. Anyways I have a couple of questions about Kel-Tec and the SU-16:


1) What's the scoop on Kel-Tec in general? I've heard good things about their pistols but next to nothing about their rifles.

2) How does the SU-16 perform in general (accuracy, reliability, ease of use, etc.)? Anyone have any hands-on experience?

3) Does the SU-16 have a .223 chamber or a 5.56 chamber? Their website says .223 but also gives specs for 5.56.


I'm looking to get one as a cheaper alternative to an AR so please don't tell me to 'just get an AR.' I don't have anything against ARs, I'm just looking to get a reliable .223/5.56 autoloading rifle for as little money as possible.
 
I have owned both a model c and a model ca.. Mine where accurate and reliable. They are chambered in 556.. I also bought an Armalite AR 180b.. which I liked even better.. so I sold the SU16's
 
I'm looking to get one as a cheaper alternative to an AR so please don't tell me to 'just get an AR.' I don't have anything against ARs, I'm just looking to get a reliable .223/5.56 autoloading rifle for as little money as possible.
Click to expand...
Looking quickly at Gunbroker, it seems like the SU-16 goes fro $500-$600. That is awfully close to AR territory.
Buy this http://www.del-ton.com/Rifle_Kit_p/rkt101.htm and a stripped lower for $100 and you've got a decent AR for less than $600.

But if you want a cheap .223, get a Saiga. Stone reliable and well made. Plus, you can de-sporterize it and turn it into a defense rifle if you so choose. I'd get the Saiga over the SU-16.
 
I can help some.

1 - Kel -Tec have an excellent reputation for customer service and for their never ending transferable warranty.

2 - I have only held them and not fired them. Accuracy is said to equal that of a mini 14 or a saiga. Expect 2-3 moa out of box.

3 - They are good for 5.56. The caliber listing on the rifle is 5.56

I like them a lot. I have not purchased one yet. They are very light and I have faith in Kel - Tec's product. That being said.

You Will Save $250 if you buy yourself a Saiga. If it is not EBR enough for you, one can be converted with very little work to a proper AK type firearm for less than the cost of a Kel-Tec. I just bought the Saiga in 7.62 x39.

Perhaps I'm biased:fire::D
 
Evenflow hit the nail on the head.I have owned 2 kel tec pistols and there cs has been great.And the saiga is a great option,buying 1 myself in a couple of months.
 
I've got both AR's and a Keltec Su-16. Bought the Keltec as a backpack rifle. I have the model that folds but maitains its grip, not the one that fold and can't be fired folded. It works just fine but is not near as accurate at 100yds. It accepts all of my AR magazines and shoots 223/5.56. For my money, I truly prefer the AR platform. The accessory list is unending so you can configure it for whatever task you choose. With the Keltec you are pretty much stuck with what you get. I guess it pretty much depends on what you want to use it for and is that all you will ever do with it. The Keltec is a great camp/truck gun because of its size. It has been reliable and is fairly easy to clean. It isn't going to shoot well beyond 100yds but then again neither do most shooters.
 
Greetings, I currently own the Kel-Tec P-32 and love it. It is the one I always have in my pocket and the G-17 is at home. Works great with anything I feed it. I have heard good and bad about Kel-Tec, but mine has been all good. A friend of mine has the SU-16 and loves it. He has owned the Mini-14, Mini-30 and Armalite AR in 223. The one he kept was the SU-16. He loves the weight, handling, price, and says the it will feed and eject everything from Wolfe to Black Hills. He takes the SU-16 folded in a backpack on his 4 wheeler. Great rifle for the money. Not a benchrest rifle, but he loves the SU-16.
 
Thanks for all the quick replies!


I'm looking to get one because of the weight and small size (especially when folded). I would probably use it for plinking at the range and/or as a backpack rifle. I've heard great things about Saigas and I know they are cheaper and reliable as can be (being a Kalashnikov, after all) but they are a little too heavy for what I'm looking for at around 8-9 lbs. Plus .223 Saigas can't use STANAG 4179 AR mags.


But keep it coming...I want to hear as much as I can.
 
I have Tromix converted Saiga with a 16" barrel and a solid folding stock. It is very light weight IMO. I got it from fbmg whose site seems to be down right now (www.fbmginc.com). It was in the $600 range. I have nothing but good things to say about it. It is accurate beyond 100 yards if you can use the sights well enough. With a side mount red dot or scope, it can likely do better. It uses the Bulgarian polymer waffle mags sold by K-var which have been tough and very reliable for me.

Just thought I would throw that out as an alternative.
 
I have a KT SU-16CA. It's a great plinker, though a bit expensive for the role. A Saiga would have saved me a few bucks, but I appreciate the fact that it will use AR mags. Find a used KT.
 
kel tec is a great american company, with a design innovator as good as browning, Mauser, ot Sullivan were. eveything they sell has lifetime wrrnty, and they have good customer service. I have had a P-11, a sub 2000, and currently have a PLR-16. They are all good. i would get a su 16 in c or d models, as the first two are not as good. A D model would be best.
 
I've got a C and an A, both have been very reliable. The C will shoot Black Hills 55gr. SP reloads into about 2" most days, the A is not as accurate overall but it's a barn burner with the 52 gr. Moly coated Black Hills, consistantly 1.5". This is my Ninja version of the C, several of us shot this in a three gun event last month, my team took third out of 22 teams.

su16c-11.jpg
 
I picked up a used SU-16B recently and while I have only fired about 200 rounds through it it has worked fine. Way cheaper than any AR I have looked at around here. Not super accurate, but that is as much me as the gun right now. I got it as a backpack and truck gun and for that it seems pretty nice for that use. Very light and compact.

I paid about $470 plus tax for the rifle and two mags. Around here AR's seem to start at about $750, and with tax that is up over $800, and it would be easy to spend $1000. Maybe the AR's really are twice the gun, but I didn't have twice the money to find out. With luck maybe next year's budget will let me post a comparison between the two:D

I have had no fail-to-feed-or-fire or jamming issues. My only complaint is the price increase in ammo which makes it way more expensive than it would have been last year. I would love to try a C-model, but the KelTec rifles aren't common around here and I haven't seen a C-model in the flesh yet. So far I'm pleased with my purchase.
 
Shop around, got my SU-16C for $480+tax at a local gun show. Takes cheap standard AR mags which is a big plus.

The folding shock is pretty clever and effective and can fold/unfold with a 30-round mag inserted. A cheap red dot with see thru mounts is a nice setup.

The hand guard bipod while clever, is not very practical.

--wally.
 
1 - Kel -Tec have an excellent reputation for customer service and for their never ending transferable warranty.
Click to expand...

I always thought that thier warranty was only valid for the original purchaser. If I buy a used SU-16, what does the warranty cover?
 
As far as i know the warranty is good for the lifetime of the weapon.Both of my p-11's were second hand and kel-tec never gave me a problem.Just to add kel-tec never even asked if when I bought the pistols.
 
Yes they transfer to the new buyer.

I just got some work done on a Glock by the Manufactor, same deal fixed it up new stuff added and sent back to me free of charge.
I didn't even have to prove to Glock I bought the gun...Interesting, they stand by their product.

:)
 
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