Choices SW M&P 15 Sport or Keltec SU16 CA

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CAgunowner13

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First off I live in California and I am on a budget. I want to buy a .223 and am trying to decide between a SW Sport or a Keltec SU16. The pros the SW is an AR platform and is getting great reviews for as much as I am going to shoot it I don't care about the dust cover or charging handle. I can modifiy it to my hearts delight. The cons I am in California and I am limited to 10 round mags and it the SW has a required bullet button instead of a mag release.

The Keltec is light accepts AR mags and does not have a bullet button, has a threaded barrel in case I move out of CA and need a suppressor. Cons it is mostly polymer, hard to find and may be an issue finding parts.

Any thoughts on which way i should go would be greatly appreciated. I am not willing to spend more than $750-$800. Thanks.
 
Personally, I don't consider the Keltec to even be in the same class as the M&P Sport (or any other AR style rifle). The SU16 was designed as a cheaper alternative to the AR and while it may be a decent rifle for the money, if you can afford the exta for the S&W I would definitely chose that option.
 
What he said!

I am a fan of Kel-Tec if you like to tinker.

But I am a bigger fan of buying almost any AR-15 over the SU-16.

Other then the folding stock that still allows firing with the stock folded, the SU-16 offers no advantages what so ever.
But the CA legal SU16CA doesn't even allow that.

And it offers several disadvantages such as no tinker-toy simple add-on's and mods any AR-15 offers.

rc
 
Go over to Keltech's website and read through their FAQ. Their expected service life of their firearms is a little disappointing.

Between those two, I'll take the Sport. It's a real rifle.
 
Ar180shooter said:
Is the Mini-14 an option? I've shot their newer 581 series and am pleased with the improvements in accuracy.
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What kind of groups are you getting. I've been meaning to get a Mini at some point, but couldn't justify their price increase. I'd like to say its because I just HAVE to own one!
 
My m&p sport is good for sub-moa with federal 69gr match and wolf gold 75gr match ammo and 1 1/4" with cheap ole wally world AR223 52gr fmj ammo. Useing a 2.5-10power scope. Cost when I bought mine around 7 mouths ago was 595 lgs price.
 
S&W Sport, unless you just really want the ease of mag changes. For me it wouldn't compensate for the quality difference. I am not knocking Kel-Tec, I have a Sub 2000 in 9MM and love it. I am just saying the S&W is a better rifle in the long run. If you move out of California, you can put a regular mag release in your AR.
 
My M&P Sport is a tack driver and runs very well even with Russian steel cased ammo. Kel Tec is garbage. With some Magpul furniture the M&P looks very good.
 
The sport all the way I have one, and then picked up a .22 upper, now have 2 for the price of one, not familier with the Keltec.
The duxt cover has never been an issue, and the forward assist I've never had to use on my other AR.. Here In Northern CA, I just saw the sport advertised for $599.00 you just can't beat that
 
It did surprisingly well with the American Eagle AR Tactical .223 (55gr FMJ). I also ran some Hornady Steel Match and handloads through it. It was a friends rifle, so extensive testing wasn't done, but it was a far cry from the old 180 series in terms of accuracy.

I will note that it did have a trigger job done. It was shot off a sand bag rest, and was wearing a Bushnell Trophy(?) 3-9x42 scope.
 
They're about 1.5-2MOA at 100 yards.
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Not too shabby. Better than the OG Minis of yore.
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Certainly better than mine, but I still like it. It will still be running when I am dead and gone. For defense inside 100 yards, it is good enough. Price has gone way up though.
 
Walkalong said:
Certainly better than mine, but I still like it. It will still be running when I am dead and gone. For defense inside 100 yards, it is good enough. Price has gone way up though.
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No kiddin. For what a nice Mini draws, you could get an entry AR. But, something about bluing and walnut that makes me smile.
 
Thanks everyone. I think the verdict is clear. SW Sport it is going to be. I was looking at the Keltec more for ease of mag changes and price. The mini is off the table simply because it doesn't take AR mags and it is harder to mount optics on a mini.
 
CAgunowner13 said:
Thanks everyone. I think the verdict is clear. SW Sport it is going to be. I was looking at the Keltec more for ease of mag changes and price. The mini is off the table simply because it doesn't take AR mags and it is harder to mount optics on a mini.
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Congrats on a clear cut decision. IMHO, it's the wisest one you're faced with. Good luck.
 
I don't like the kel tec plastic receiver top for scope mounting. It just seems to me that you want to be mounted to steel or aluminum but not plastic. The kel-tec is a rung below the AR's to me. Now maybe if they made the thing out of aluminum that might be better.
 
Yeah, the bullet button is a pain, but if you keep a ball point pen on a lanyard around you neck it speeds up the process and you needn't fish around for a cartridge. Just my two cents.
 
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I have a Keltec SU16 ca and it is an interesting rifle and has its purposes. I have owned AR15s since 1971 and I would without hesitation recommend an AR 15. It will put a smile on your face.
 
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I have a SU-16C only because I used to live in Cook Co. Ill. (Chicago) where ARs are banned :( if legal in your locale buy the AR, if not the Keltec is a fine gun.
 
Walkalong said:
Certainly better than mine, but I still like it. It will still be running when I am dead and gone. For defense inside 100 yards, it is good enough. Price has gone way up though.
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It does depend on ammo, you have to find a brand it likes. Some, like Winchester white box, were over 3 MOA, but I've found that WWB performs poorly in multiple rifles of different kinds (AR's and Sig rifles included). It also only shot that well after a trigger job was done.
 
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