Anyone is Cali order a SU-16

That is very interesting. I think I like my FAB-10.

Ken just stopped by on the way home from the FFL to show me his SU-16. I must say I'm impressed. Gun was solid, points very well. LOP may be a bit long for the mall ninjas, but I found it to shoulder perfectly; cheek weld was perfect for me.

Sights aren't as bad as I thought, sure you won't win Camp Perry with them, but they're serviceable (durability TBD). Gun screams for a Red Dot.

Trigger was a pleasant surprise, light short take-up, teeny-tiny bit of creep and a good crisp let off. Perhaps 6#. Didn't test reset. Bolt stays open on last shot.

Mags look very durable and fit nicely in the butt stock. Gun folds down nicely (26 1/2" x 7 1/2"). Polymer butt, receiver and fore end is stiff and nicely molded. Fore end folds down to make the bipod legs, which are about 10" long, not as sturdy as a Harris, but are serviceable.

Looking forward to getting mine; will post a range report ASAP.

All I need now is my EOTech holographic sight, which should get here a week from today...

Shot one last week

I shot one for the first time last week. It ran perfectly on FMJ, but had problems digesting hollow points. The rounds would feed too low and hang up on the bottem edge of the barrel extension.

Re: SU-16 Choking on HPs

The same thing happened with my SU-16 (No. 01XX). FMJs worked fine from the KT mags, but I also experienced feed problems from normally dependable Bushy (New Design) 10rd mags and Royal Ordnance SA80 30rd mags.

I contacted KT told them of the problems, they told me to send it back to them so their gunsmiths could take a look at it. I sent it out to KT (along with my mags), and got it back within a little over a week. KT "polished" the feed ramps and all is fine now with all mags I own (KTs, Bushy 10-rd, SA80 & USGI 30rd), and with the HP rounds.

Considering the the new design and the work-up of production, I wasn't all too upset with my SU-16's initial problems. KT seemed to be very interested with my input as an eary owner and user of the piece, and I hope my experience will further the quality and dependability of the SU-16 as it ramps up production. KT also was quick to solve the problem and proof test the fix without modifying my magazines.

As for the rifle itself, previous reports are correct, it is a fun and accurate piece that has a load of potential (lower-priced, fixed stock version) as an affordable (<$450) .223 caliber "Homeland Defense" (or target, truck, pack, etc.) gun.

Good report - thanks for the info. Gentlemen, start your (Dremel) engines!

-sven, stocked up on Fitz

The EOTech sight arrived today, as expected. I bought the model that uses AA battteries (#512.A65). The sight is the same length as the SU-16's Picatinny rail, so I had to remove the factory rear sight (it was simply a matter of using a punch to push out the polymer lockbar, then slide the rear sight off of the Picatinny rail). Attached is a teaser photo. The rest of the photos will be live by morning. It will have its first range session this Friday.

That is killer. Can't wait to see the breakdown pics.

Here are the rest of the photos I took, in some meaningful order...

I gotta say, it looks pretty damn cool.

Can we get a shot with the bipod out?

Ken took the SU-16 out to the range today; I'll let him post a complete report. He did let me shoot it a bit and it felt nice, trigger was crisp and the trigger reset was a pleasant surprise. And no annoying "sproing" while firing.

I am very impressed with the function and accuracy of the gun.

Range report time...

I got to the range (Sunnyvale Rod & Gun Club) at about 1PM or so. Larry was already there playing with his M1A. I set up a B-8 target at 50 yards at the cease-fire. I put five or so rounds downrange, but never got onto paper. Larry was spotting next to me. I then set the target at 25 yards, and found that it was shooting high. A couple of adjustments to the EOTech sight, and we were in business. Keep in mind that it was now misting, with some nasty wind. At one point, I lost my target due to the wind. I finally set up another B-8 target, along with a second Shoot-N-See bullseye, put right above, at 100 yards. Bullets aimed at the bottom bullseye were striking the upper bullseye, so another adjustment or two was made on the EOTech. Once it was dialed in, almost all of the shots were well within the 10-ring. For me, this is nice, considering that I am using a non-magnifying sight and in crappy weather conditions. I am sure that this rifle can do much better. By the time I left the range, right after 2:30PM or so, the mist had turned into what most people would call rain.

The bipod worked very well. That's all I used in terms of a rest. I brought my bolt-action rifle rests, but they stayed in the trunk of my car. The rifle functioned flawlessly. The bolt locked open when each magazine was empty. I used only the Kel-Tec 10-round magazines that came with the rifle. I brought along a 30-round Orlite and a 30-round steel mag, but never had a chance to use them. The Orlite mag will not fit into the stock, due to the lip at the base of the mag. The 30-round steel mag, following the specs of the GI mags, will fit into the stock.

In all, 75 rounds were shot through the rifle. 35 were 50gr V-Max loaded by Black Hills. 40 were 55gr FMJs from a Winchester ValuePack. Larry had a chance to put a few rounds downrange. I wish Sven were there. He would have enjoyed it.

My impression is that this is a mighty fine rifle. Its workmanship is not shabby at all. When the bipod is folded, the resulting forend is solid, and doesn't rattle or otherwise move. I am also impressed with the EOTech holographic sight. It was a wise decision to mount it to this rifle.

I am looking forward to the next range session with this rifle.

Hello. Nice thread. I've been waiting for a report on this rifle. I just found out Tuan's guns carries them. What is the average price for one of these?

> I wish Sven were there.

Me too - I was in triage mode at work... around 1PM looked up into the hills and saw that mist and wondered how it was affecting you. T-minus 10 days or so until I get my SU-16 in my hands. the EOTech sounds compelling - might follow suit.

I am going to try to make it to the range on Friday, with my SU-16. I hope you can make it. I plan to get there at 9AM sharp. I have only 50gr V-Max (Black Hills), and they function 100% in the SU-16. Hopefully the weather will be a bit better than yesterday.

I am going to be bringing a different type of target next time, specifically the Hill 23P with five bullseyes. Last time, I placed the "Shoot-N-See" bullseye far to close to the B-8 bullseye that it was somewhat difficult to distinguish (in terms of centering the 1MOA target dot of the sight on the bullseye) the two at 100 yards using the EOTech sight.

Thanks for the field report. I'm starting to lick my chops for one of these.

Welcome aboard, FireControlman!

Here's a couple more photos, showing the front sight assembly...

Dr. Lunde,

Could you also see if the rifle strings vertically when the barrel's hot? My Mini-14 shoots accurately enough, until the barrel heats up, that is. Then things go south, literally.

The SU-16 doesn't look to have a heavy barrel, either. Have you been slow firing, allowing the barrel time to cool between shots?

Either way, very nice looking rifle. Congrats!

Other than required cease fires, I wasn't letting the barrel cool between shots.

From what I saw through the spotting scope, the rifles wasn't stringing vertically. I did a couple 10-round groups, both to the same bullseye, and almost all of the rounds, if not all of the rounds, were in the 10-ring of the B-8 target at 100 yards. The shape of the group was a bit more oval than round, being a tad wider than tall. This would suggest that it is not stringing vertically.

I read another review of the SU-16 in which there was a claim that it performed much better than the Mini-14 when the barrel was hot. My experience, though limited due to having a single range session, seems to reflect that.

The barrel is the heaviest under the forearm.

Note that there is a third party starting work on replacement front sight assembly/muzzle brake that will offer compatibility with AR-15 front sights. There are tons of rail-mounted rear sights for the AR, no?