Oh no, it's back. Kel-Tec SU-16 lust.

[TruthTellers]

For the last two years, I've been having an on and off affair with getting a Kel Tec SU-16c or CA model and every time it happens, I think of how cool the gun is, how the stock folds, it takes AR mags, how light the rifles are, how they sell for less than $550, etc.

BUT THEN, I remember it's Kel-Tec.

Now the hormones must be raging, because I don't care if it tests positive for Kel Tec, I WANT IT. Even if it lasts for one range trip of sweet bliss for the trade off of a lifetime of burning pain I can't seem to say no.

Anyone here shot or own a SU-16? What were your experiences, typical Kel Tec or nothing negative?

 

[WestKentucky]

Shot one a bunch...not impressed. It was a good friends and when we had our apartment after college we each made a few bad buys, that was probably the worst. Another friend got a plr16 and it was bad too. Not much fun, not super reliable, not highly accurate...it was light enough that it was easy to bump fire though...not that bump fire is a positive, but we thought it was fun for a mag or ten. With AR being cheaper, I would go AR every time.

 

[alexander45]

I have yet to see one for less than 650 and the only ones I have seen are used and after fondling I can't say o would pay much more than 500 out the door even though I do want one

 

[HammsBeer]

I also was intrigued by the SU16, gas piston and all. After handling one, I wasn't as interested. The folding fore end was a cool feature, but not a great bipod. Sights are not that great but seems to point well. But the all polymer receiver is the main concern, there are plenty of pics of the rear of the receiver broken off where the bolt cycles and bottoms out. If the receivers were made of alloy it would be a much better carbine.

 

[eldon519]

I can't speak to the Kel-tec but I had my own love affair with an under folder AK. It was the coolest gun in the world in my mind. I thought of how useful it would be to just fold it up whenever I wanted or shooting it folded.

Anyway, got one, probably took it to the range three times, sold it. It turned out that not only was the under folder stock uncomfortable, it wasn't that rigid or useful for civilian purposes. For some it has a real purpose, but for my life I'd fallen for a gimmick. Figured that out on the first trip.

Anyway, my recommendation to you is to try to find, handle, or better yet, shoot the rifle you are fawning over. There is a good chance the reality of holding or shooting it will squash the imagined notions of how great it will be and replace them with more real-world assessments.

 

[loose noose]

Well I beg to differ with all those posters with negative reviews. I've had one for a little over a year now. Granted the rear sight leaves a lot to be desired, however, I've placed a 3X9 Sightron scope on it and found it to be extremely accurate, much more so than my M-4 AR-15's at 100 yards and further.

It rides very well on my Can Am, (four wheel drive Quad) and has yet to lose it's zero over some rough terrain. I've taken at least a half dozen coyotes with it, the farthest at a measured 153 yards.

I would say conservatively it has had approximately 1000 rounds through it and it has yet to, failure to feed, failure to fire, or failure to eject. In fact it has yet to taste a factory loaded cartridge, as I'm an avid hand loader.

Incidentally, I wanted the SU-16C, but had to settle for the SU-16A which has a 2" longer barrel. The incorporated bi-pod, I tried a couple of times however noticed it shot considerably higher, than just resting it over sand bags, at the range. I personally don't see any negatives on the Kel Tec SU-16.

 

[carbine85]

My brother had one back when they sold for what they are worth, somewhere around $350.00. At $550 - $650 it's way over priced. We where never impressed by it, sent it back 2x for repairs and it was still a POS.

 

[Fishbed77]

I can't speak to the Kel-tec but I had my own love affair with an under folder AK.

It would be interesting to see a side-by-side size/weight comparison of an underfolder AK versus an SU-16.

 

[ROAshooter]

its interesting that even the pro-kel-tec fans have issues with one thing or another about the product.....and as others have pointed out....there are much much better options...


but....for those who are "cheap" driven...and you know who you are.......make a statement ....and spend the money...

 

[loose noose]

ROA Shooter,I paid right at $325 out the door, and use it primarily on my quad, never had a problem with the "cheap rifle" per se, and further I'm not out that much if I did. I know it's rugged enough to take the beating on my quad and still shoot , very accurately, every time I've needed it. How long it will last I don't have a clue, but meanwhile I'm going to enjoy it. I've never seen one going for much over $400 other than the SU-16C.

 

[mf-dif]

I had an SU16A. My main issue was the quality of the plastics. It's very rough with mold flashing all over the place. A lot of the pieces are clam-shelled together like a kids toy. The magazines are also cheap. One of mine did not work because the lip was molded so poorly that rounds would pop out of the mag if you tapped it. The other was iffy as well, at least 1 FTE every 20-rounds. So you'll need a pmag, but that kinda defeats the purpose since it won't fold with a pmag in the stock. The folding requires removing a pin that is not captive and requires something like a pen or bullet to push out. Easy to lose. You can't do it by hand since it's smooth on both sides...nothing to grip onto. And if you shoot with the mags in the stock they fall out. If you store it folded with loaded mags in the stock they will fall out when you unfold it since the tension in the stock isn't very strong. The bipod is difficult to snap back in. The trigger is plastic but the pull is ok. The gun is also not that accurate for a .223/5.56. Field stripping also not fun.

The metal bits were machined well though. If you want one, I'd go with the C model since the A doesn't hold mags well. You also don't need to deal with a pin to fold it down either. Pick up a PMAG before heading out the store.

 

[TruthTellers]

its interesting that even the pro-kel-tec fans have issues with one thing or another about the product.....and as others have pointed out....there are much much better options...

I'll actually agree with you here. I'm a fan of Kel Tec, mostly for their innovation, but being an owner of a Sub 2k, I will say I think it can be improved. I don't like the trigger, I don't like the stock front sight, and I don't like the way it's field stripped.

 

[TruthTellers]

Well thanks for the input forum people. I think what I will do is pass on purchasing any new and will stick to proven ones that are used.

Anyway, I've just discovered the Troy pump action AR and it looks awesome.

 

[denton]

I have one, and like it a lot.

I put a 1-4x Leupold on it, and it routinely shoots 2 MOA, which is about what my basic AR15 shoots, similarly equipped. I think the newer Nikon 223 scopes are a better choice.

The SU-16 is lighter than the AR. And, of course, it folds so it fits in a snowboard backpack or a tennis racket case.

For a reasonable cost, light, handy carbine I think it is a very good choice. If you're looking for a 500 yard prairie dog outfit, then you'd be happier looking elsewhere.

Mine has had a few hundred rounds through it without any malfunction or failure to feed. Admittedly, I rarely use the factory supplied magazine.