Kel Tec SU16 rifles in 2019

[TTv2]

I've had an off/on interest in the SU16 rifles Kel Tec makes for years now. Price wise they're not too bad at around $450 new for the non C model, they're lighter than a typical AR, use AR mags, easy to carry given they can fold, and are piston driven.

The triggers are probably typical Kel Tec long and heavy and I doubt the accuracy is on par with an AR, but I figure for a close range rifle and say a 250 yard max range, the SU16 could be a budget sleeper.

But when AR's can be got for $300 today, do the SU16's have any merits that make them worth considering?

 

[Varminterror]

But when AR's can be got for $300 today, do the SU16's have any merits that make them worth considering?

Nope.

 

[greyling22]

Agreed: nope. They, like all keltecs, just feel SO cheap. I actually really like the C design, but every time I pick one up I think this feel like a $170 gun, which is probably still 2x what it costs to make one. If they could make the c more rigid, especially the forend, clean up the mold lines, give it a good trigger, keep it the same ~$450 it might make a nice sbr.

Also, on the other end of the spectrum build quality wise, I cannot make a case for the Ruger mini14 either. It just costs too much.

 

[TTv2]

The stock on the C model looks too flimsy to me and collapsible stocks are seldom any good unless they're the Magpul Zhukov's for AK's. The non C models look more rigid, plus they're cheaper and can hold two 20 rd mags in the stock. To me those features are more useful.

Agree on the Mini 14. I use to like those and they were good low cost options back in the 80s, but the AR displaced it years ago. I would never buy a Mini 14 today for any price.

 

[LoonWulf]

unless you have a legal restriction, or an aversion to the AR, its realy difficult to make a case for any of the other .223/5.56 class rifles.
This coming from a not AR guy.

 

[Varminterror]

unless you have a legal restriction, or an aversion to the AR, its realy difficult to make a case for any of the other .223/5.56 class rifles.
This coming from a not AR guy.

Yup. I don’t particularly like the AR, but I love what I can do with them, especially for the money. So I have a bunch of them.

 

[TTv2]

unless you have a legal restriction, or an aversion to the AR, its realy difficult to make a case for any of the other .223/5.56 class rifles.
This coming from a not AR guy.

No aversion, have two AR's and a spare lower, just looking at something different that's not a lot of money.

 

[Varminterror]

No aversion, have two AR's and a spare lower, just looking at something different that's not a lot of money.

Buy a good cheeseburger. It’ll be different, not a lot of money, and more sensible than buying an SU-16 over another AR.

 

[LoonWulf]

Buy a good cheeseburger.

always the correct answer!

 

[Cornhusker77]

I've got a few ARs and one SU16-A
I dunno what it is, but I like that Kel=Tec.
I just like the look and the feel, I like the weird bipod and the way you can stuff mags in the stock.
If nothing else, it's a great conversation piece.
People say "That's cool, what is it?"

 

[denton]

The SU16 has its advantages. It has a little drop at the heel so you don't have to mount your optics so high above the bore for a comfortable cheek weld. It weighs less than a comparable AR15. It folds. And the charging handle is on the side vs. the handle for the AR, which is equally awkward for lefties and righties.

 

[ewlyon]

I have an SU-16C that I love even compared to my ARs. The SU-16 is very light (even with a Red Lion handguard), extremely compact, reliable, and plenty accurate. The one time i shot it for groups at 100yds I got a group about 2-2.5in IIRC. Not what I can get out of my main AR, but the Kel Tec is probably half the weight and significantly more compact.