Kelt Tec SU 16

Because the guys with 2000 dollar AR would laugh and think the guy shooting it next to them is poor and can't afford better.

I think it's more because the accuracy just isn't there and the triggers are not conducive to long range accuracy.

Poor with a rifle is better than rich without. If it works, use it and be happy. I have heard good things about the SU16. The Survival from KelTec is another one that has a Cali compliant version that takes AR mags

I hardly believe the purpose of this Kel-Tec is long range accuracy.

Nor is it beauty.

But, it does get you an auto loading defensive rifle with a standard magazine capacity in an oppressive state.

CharliesHammer said:

I bought a Ca. Su 16 about 2 years ago and it finally made it out of the safe and to the range. Had to get the Sig Romeo sighted in which took less than five minutes. The trigger was super heavy but a very crisp break.
Light, fun, cycles slow but no failures of any kind For the price hard to beat here in the peoples republic. Accepts Ar magazines with no bullet buttons etc. Not sure why more people here in Ca. don't buy them.

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With trumpbux I probably going to buy one, if I can find one. Want the "A" model, which is pretty much not in stock anywhere I've looked.
One son has a Ruger 556, other a Mini-14...so wanted something
-different
-lighter
-cheaper
-but reliable and fun to plink with.

With ARs being inexpensive, I will only comment that about 10 years ago, I saw one of the Kel-tec's stock break clean in half during a carbine class. I would research their hard use as compared to a few boxes on the range.

I always thought the Kel-Tecs were interesting. Money has tight for a long time so I'd most likely go with a cheap AR (since I still don't own one) vs the Kel-Tec.

I still like the idea of the Kel-Rec as a car or bug out rifle. In that function the concerns of breaking during a high round are not as big a concern

I think the gun was fairly new, BTW.

GEM said:

I saw one of the Kel-tec's stock break clean in half during a carbine class.

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Which is unnerving, considering the design of it.

Also, when broken down, all the major bits, that shouldn’t have debris invade them, are weirdly clipped together and exposed to the elements.

Contrasted with the Sub-Two thousand, that has open the barrel and breech face. Again, not ideal, but easily checked for debris and rectified.

The fire controls of the SU, maybe not so much?

I thought the SU 16 was a neat idea when I saw it. Have you played with it enough to figure out what ammunition it likes best, if any?

I dig the hell outa mine and have over a dozen variously configured and calibered ARs as well.

Still, my SU fits a whole other place in my guns. Instead of a short-barrel rifle or messing about with a pistol & brace - I can toss the SU most anywhere for completely reliable and accurate shooting for the first 5+ rounds. That's all it's for to me. To have an exceptionally convenient, reliable and accurate-enough package in a small, light and relatively snag-free package. It is a most gratifying tool and to think.... I almost sold it.

Boat gun, pack gun, truck gun or quad gun - it's hard to beat as far as I'm concerned though I know partisan-hacks will attack it whenever they get the chance.

In taking it out to see about wandering zeros or hot accuracy, I have noted that though point of impact changes - it repeatedly changes on a predictable arc starting after 5-7 rounds of modestly paced shooting.

As to care... It gets beat to holy hell and continues to operate. Gets dirtier than one would expect and still runs. Hasn't found a load it balks at and the trigger gets better with use.

Brake-cleaner, motor oil and sometimes G-96 is all it ever gets.

Todd.

@ApacheCoTodd , yours seems to be folded in a different way than I’ve seen others.
Are there different models that fold differently?
Are they able to fold more than one way?

I really like my SU16. It's light, handy, and will reliably do 2" five-shot groups at 100 yards.

There are some design issues, but those can be worked around. The sights are kind of Mickey Mouse, but my old eyes require a scope anyway. It's necessary to choose a short scope, or you won't be able to fully break down the carbine for cleaning. If you slap the provided 10 round magazine home, you're likely to pinch yourself between the bottom of mag well and the bottom flange of the magazine. But you're not going to use the 10 round magazine anyway, are you?

On the plus side, it's light, it folds up, it has a little drop at the heel so it's not necessary to mount the optics so high, it's a blast to shoot, ammo is cheap, and it shoots minute of jackrabbit at 100 yards.

Demi-human said:

@ApacheCoTodd , yours seems to be folded in a different way than I’ve seen others.
Are there different models that fold differently?
Are they able to fold more than one way?

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The C model folds the stock so that you can still shoot the gun when the stock is folded. The other models fold in a way that the trigger group folds as well and can't be fired.

The stock on the C is really flimsy and doesn't look comfortable at all. Honestly, I see no situations where keeping it folding and shooting it are practical. Also, the stocks on the other models will hold AR mags, two 20 rounders or one 30 rd. IMO, two 20 rd mags is better than one 30.

Demi-human said:

@ApacheCoTodd , yours seems to be folded in a different way than I’ve seen others.
Are there different models that fold differently?
Are they able to fold more than one way?

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Yup. This version folds in a way to deliberately allow firing while folded.
I also believe it is a more streamlined package.

The other version folds in such a way as to present shorter while folded but is a higher, top-to-bottm package while folded.

I favor my version but recognize the merits of either.

I've found it carries exceptionally well and balanced as in my last pic.

The stock has never presented a problem no matter how I treat it. Of course, I'm not butt-stroking cartel operatives or doing three-point drop&rolls with it either. Too, when folded, and especially with a 20 router in place - it is a wonderful locked-up design for strength and convenience.

Also, any failure with the stock in this version and it's still an operable firearm. The other versions.... not so much as they'll find their weakest point at the hinge.

Todd.

Never had the 16 but I have had three SU-22 rifles and I quite like them. One of the three had a hitch in its giddyup the other two run perfect. My SU-22 is as accurate as any semi 22lr I have had except for the Ruger LVT. I don't mind all the plastic in a 22 lr. Needs a few more philips head screws for my taste though... They are very light weight, but you can quickly add weight with a big scope or brake. I have both the original buttstock and the underfolder. The original stock has better fit for me and for some reason has a better trigger (the trigger comes with the stock.)
I feel like sometimes people see all the molded plastic and automatically throw Kel-Tec in the fire with Hi Point. That is underestimating the Kel-Tec somewhat. Although Hi-Points are better now I understand. Reason why I never pulled the trigger on the SU-16: coincidentally was getting into AR15s at that point and so reason to spring for both.
I have kind of pined for the RFB time to time, but again plenty of good semi auto 308 AR's and M1a's abound so I have not bought one, and I cant get comfortable with the idea of the blast happening right under my cheek. I should get one though...
https://www.keltecweapons.com/firearms/rifles/
View attachment 905556

I've got an SU-16B with the pistol grip stock conversion (and the original stock tucked away somewhere around here). More plastic than the AR but then again even most newer military rifles like the FN2000, Beretta ARX-100, etc are all going to more and more plastic usage.

Personally if I could only own one of these types of rifles I think the AR-15 is a better gun, but variety is the spice of life, and after a certain number of AR's sometimes you just want something different.

Hey, if they fit a niche you have and work for you, more power to 'em!

I've only seen them in the racks at gun stores, I've never held or fired one. The folding option model Todd has is the one I would go with if I was to pull the trigger and buy one...that looks to be a practical centerfire from many angles

Stay safe.

Bought mine when I lived in California. It works fine, but I don't think it makes much sense elsewhere. Even in California nowadays I could get FightLite SCR.

I never fold it. Never use the stock storage for full magazines either: they can fall out under recoil. And of course I got rid of the bipod. I traded it for a sensible sling attachment, so I just sling out when I'm done shooting.

There is just something about an all black Kel-Tec that screams: Paint me!

zaitcev said:

View attachment 906082
Bought mine when I lived in California. It works fine, but I don't think it makes much sense elsewhere. Even in California nowadays I could get FightLite SCR.

I never fold it. Never use the stock storage for full magazines either: they can fall out under recoil. And of course I got rid of the bipod. I traded it for a sensible sling attachment, so I just sling out when I'm done shooting.

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I'm liking the tan furniture.

The SU-16 is a rifle to be carried a lot and shot a little. The one a friend had broke in half when we had around 2500 rounds through it. No rough handling, just shooting. Kel-tec replaced it right away.

I've got one that stays unfolded, has a 3X9 scope, and usually stays on my Polaris SXS, I've shot well over 1000 rounds thru it, without a hic cup, so far it's held it's zero, which is 1.5" high at 100 yards. The rifle is not intended to be a defense rifle, however it could if need be, I've shot quite a few coyotes, as well as jack rabbits with it, and has not failed me yet. So what can I say, my youngest son bought a Kel Tec 2000 in 9mm that I wouldn't give a plug nickel for due to the sights, but that's another thread.

I've got a SU-16A, bought used several years ago.
It's light, handy, and accurate enough for what I use it for.
Also have one of the Sub 2000, not the new version, but the one before that.
I'd have to be pretty hard up to part with either one.