Keltec RFB - Need Help!

[Vulgotha]

Gentlemen, I come to now with a request for aid. I have long lurked on THR and have made a few posts here and there.. And I have come out of lurking to make this thread!

I have purchased an M&P15 and have modified it with the usual suspects- Eotech, Magpul, and the like. A wonderful little rifle and a joy to shoot.

However, as I'm sure some of you feel as I do, 5.56 can leave a bit to be desired if one wishes to go hunting or pack a bunch at extended range.. Basically to have a more.. Utilitarian round in general.

A good buddy of mine (LEO in NC) and myself have both been searching around and tossing about ideas. Ranging from the CETME, FAL to M1A. Yet I remembered from awhile back that cool little bullpup that Keltec (of all people) made, and so I dug up some information and reviews on it.

Needless to say, I was more than a little bit impressed with the weapon after doing some indepth research. It seems to be everything I'm looking for in a .308 system (I know some of you, like my buddy, are grimacing at the idea of a bullpup. Let alone in .308, I respect that I just happen to enjoy them).

My problem? They're scarce. I cannot seem to find one anywhere. The demand for these babies is through the roof. A few can be had on various gun selling sites (Gunbroker) but for upwards of 2,000 USD.

Any of you chaps know of a place where I can acquire one? Are any of you selling one right now?

Also any feedback or personal experience on the RFB is more than welcome. Thank you for your time and consideration.

 

[Tipro]

Well this gun's MSRP is $1880, and considering its scarcity, 2k isn't a bad price if you really want it. But thats the catch - you gotta really want it. I know that Shooters Express in Belmont, NC (15 miles west of Charlotte) gets Kel Tec weapons in - as of a week ago they had a sub 2k, plr-16, ksg, p11, and pf9, maybe more? They might could get you an rfb

 

[DanGuy48]

Yep

They're not just scarce, it seems to be more a case of dumb luck finding one. I liked a lot of things about it but gave up and bought a FN SCAR 17. It's nice!

 

[JustinJ]

I know this doesn't answer your question but it's a new design from a company with a reputation for putting out guns with issues and poor QC. I'd go with the FAL, AR in 308 or FAL. I like bullpups but they require more execution than standard firearms.

 

[briansmithwins]

A buddy of mine had one, ran ~500 rounds thru it and it went for 2 or 3 trips back to K-T.

After he sold it the gas block broke apart before the new owner got 200 more rounds on it.

The RFB just hasn't been ready for prime time. I'd avoid it until it's proven reliable.

BSW

 

[marktx]

I really wanted one when they were first announced but there are just too many problems for me to consider one. When there are reports of various major components failing early and often it's hard to justify paying a premium. I have had a chance to buy one for $1500 early when they came out and another more recently for $1400 and have passed on both based on all the negative reports. Until there are lots of people raving about how much KT has improved the quality I just cant see buying one.

 

[browningguy]

I have several KT guns, P32, Sub200 and multiple SU16's, so it seems I like them. But there is NO KT firearm that I would spend that kind of money on, the build quality just isn't there. For that price you can get the SCAR, many versions of the AR10, a couple of PTR's etc.

 

[aubie515]

I had one...I thought that the RFB was my "one rifle" option...it's a neat rifle, but honestly it's not a good rifle if you ever shoot prone.

I like that it's a true ambi rifle. I like that you don't get hot brass ejecting near your face if you shoot LH or RH.

I ended up selling mine do to the fact that it was heavy.

I liked having more power than 223, but in the end, I went back to the AR15 platform.

No KT is worth MSRP and if you are paying more than MSRP you have more money that sense.

 

[Giterboosted]

There's actually one rite down the road from me if it hasn't sold yet, I'll look into it if you'd like

 

[BamAlmighty]

I have seen quite a few of them around, usually selling for $1400.

Aside from the KSG, not many people are willing to this much on a Keltec.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

Not getting into the discussion of "is it worth the $$$". If you want it, you want it.

That being said, They are often on gunbroker, but expect to pay through the nose. Otherwise, go around to your local gunstores and see if anyone will order one for you. Unless they are crooks, the price should be more in line with MSRP, just be prepared to wait....and wait...and wait. The middle road is to look at online dealers like Buds Gun Shop, but you will have to do a lot of searching to find one in stock. You will probably pay less than Gunbroker, but might pay more than a LGS.

Good luck in the search.

 

[armysniper]

Like a previous poster stated, Kel Tec's are not worth the over inflated prices they are asking right now.

It simply comes down to quality of materials that the firearms are made of. Which is why under normal economic conditions they were value budget priced rifles.

Sure they are light handy rifles, but if Kel Tec used metal alloys on the rifle in areas that are prone to failure because plastic is not cutting it, then it would be worth the high prices.

Kel Tec has it almost right with their new rifles and shotgun. But I think they really need to redesign it and put metal where it belongs and then they would have the holy grail of firearms, reliable fire power combined with reduction in weight.

 

[Girodin]

Let me preface my comments by saying that A) I really like bullpups and have owned more than one. B) I have owned a number of kel tecs and still own some.


Why anyone would spend $2k on a kel tec is beyond me. Why anyone would choose for any serious task a design that is totally unproven and has been plagued with some significant issues and in startling quantities given how few guns they've made confounds me further.

If one has $2k and wants a serious 308 get a SCAR 17

I have seen quite a few of them around, usually selling for $1400.

At what store?

After he sold it the gas block broke apart

I mentioned this issue on another thread and some rabid fan boy accused me of making it up. A quick google search turned up a number of pictures from separate instances of this happening.

Kel tec has a track record of slowly updating their designs to fix design flaws. I would not be interested in buying an RFB until they have made many many many more than they have. Like many kel tecs it is cool on paper but the execution has been lacking. I can live with that when it is a $250 pistol or a $275 sub 2000. For $2K is expect much more than what I have seen from the RFB.

 

[wally]

I'd love mine if it worked. Maximum rounds without a failure 196.

Its been back to Kel-Tec three times (at least they paid shipping), I sent the bolt in for extractor/elevator rebuild between return trips two and three. And now I need to send the bolt and carrier back to them (they didn't offer to pay shipping) as one of the welds that holds the recoil spring end in a fixed position broke.

Its a rather large and oddly shaped part, having a bit of trouble finding a suitable box to pack it in for shipping on Monday

 

[C'Thulhu]

Good luck, I waited 2 years for mine, but I feel it was worth it AND the price I paid. Apparently mine has been a bit more kind to me than other posters here, but the RFB actually sold me on Kel Tecs. Still need to do formal accuracy testing, but reliability wise it's been everything I'd want out of a $1500 rifle.