How about a little info on the Kel Tec PLR-16

[M2 Carbine]

I bought a Kel Tec PLR-16 at a gun show last Saturday. Price $430.

I've been shooting it the last couple days. Here's some of what I've found out so far.

Loaded with a 20 round mag it goes 3 pounds, 12 ounces.
The trigger pull is 7 pounds, 9 ounces.

I put a Red Dot and Harris barrel mounted bi pod on the gun for a little hundred yard shooting after sighting in the open sights at 18 yards.
The Harris works good but I'll take it off after some more 100 yard shooting.

The first day I shot 120+ Wolf ammo. I talked to Kel Tec later and they said don't shoot Wolf, use only brass case ammo.
Kel Tec also said only the forearm is available at this time and no estimate when the muzzle brake and sling will be available.

The ammo used yesterday was South African .223 that was imported in "battle packs" a couple years ago. Good ammo, I wish they would import some more.
I also shot about a box of Win White box that I've had for years. It hit about 5 inches lower than the SA at 100 yards.

The below target isn't outstanding, but the Red Dot about covers the black. No doubt a scope (and better shooting) would tighten up the group.

This gun is having ejection problems. When I clean it later I'm going to take a good look at the extractor and ejector.

The PLR-16 has an interesting action. The bolt, bolt carrier and receiver stay very clean since no gas is vented into the receiver like an AR.
It's easy to break down for cleaning.

I have to chronograph it.
At 18 yards the Wolf bullets wouldn't quite make it through 1/4 inch steel plate, but almost.

A FUN interesting gun.

 

[kokapelli]

The PLR16 is an interesting gun, but the KelTec SU16C is significantly more accurate and it's 16" barrel produces much better bullet performance.

IMO, 5.56 NATO ammo is wasted in short 9" barrels like the PLR16's.

 

[M2 Carbine]

But the KelTec SU16C is a rifle and the PLR-16 is a pistol.
That's like comparing my 1911A1 to my SA Thompson.
Both do their jobs well but they are apples and oranges.

In comparing the PLR-16 to other pistols in it's class, it's quite a piece of machinery.

I've got the Bushmaster and AK pistols also.

The PLR is smaller, more compact and has a longer barrel than the Bushmaster pistol and at about half the price.

The AK pistol is larger, much more powerful, much much heavier, has a 11 inch barrel, up to a 75 round drum magazine and costs just a little more than the PLR.

IMO all three would make good car guns and house guns (depending on the house) but when picking up the gun a set of ear muffs had better be picked up also.

As far as 5.56 NATO ammo being a waste in a pistol (for defense)?
Possibly, but I don't know, I haven't heard of anyone taking a hit or two of 223 FMJ in the chest from a Bushmaster pistol and still standing.

But in any case that's why if you want max preformance in a pistol you load it with pistol ammo, JSP, etc.

 

[MCgunner]

But the KelTec SU16C is a rifle and the PLR-16 is a pistol.

Hmm, looks a little uncomfortable for IWB carry. What would you USE something like this for? I'd rather have my Contender for varmint hunting.

I guess I'm weird, but I sorta need a REASON to own a gun before I buy it, more than just shooting at the range that is. That's basically why I don't own a .223. There are no prairie dogs in Calhoun County Texas, I've never hunted them. I shoot coyotes with my deer cartridges.

I mean, I can sorta kinda see why one would want an "assault" style rifle in .223 just for fun. I'm not totally down on 'em, just have no personal urge to own one. I'm that way about 9mm and .45ACP carbines, too, and M1 carbines.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Hmm, looks a little uncomfortable for IWB carry. What would you USE something like this for? I'd rather have my Contender for varmint hunting.

QUOTE]

I "use" it for shooting.
Many years ago I quit trying to come up with a reason why I "needed" a gun.
Why do I "need" 14 Makarovs?

I don't shoot people (I hope) and I don't shoot animals, so about all that's left is shooting paper and a few other targets. I could do that by just owning a couple guns.
The truth is most of us shooters can't "justify" most of the guns we own. We buy them because we want them, which is the way it should be.

But other than just fun shooting, this pistol could be used as a car or house gun (not my first choice however). In my case it's a handy walking around the place at night gun.


Carry?
Actually if someone had the need to carry a powerful hi cap pistol, these type pistols carry well with a shoulder strap and would conceal well under about a 3/4 length coat.
I have a strap for my Bushmaster and AK pistols to carry them to the range and they hang comfortably under my arm. This PLR being smaller and lighter should carry even better.

But bottom line, the PLR, like most all my guns is just to have fun shooting.

 

[trickyasafox]

neat review! if you ever ring out the accuracy with a better scope update us!

 

[MCgunner]

Hmm, looks a little uncomfortable for IWB carry. What would you USE something like this for? I'd rather have my Contender for varmint hunting.

QUOTE]

I "use" it for shooting.
Many years ago I quit trying to come up with a reason why I "needed" a gun.
Why do I "need" 14 Makarovs?

I don't shoot people (I hope) and I don't shoot animals, so about all that's left is shooting paper and a few other targets. I could do that by just owning a couple guns.
The truth is most of us shooters can't "justify" most of the guns we own. We buy them because we want them, which is the way it should be.

But other than just fun shooting, this pistol could be used as a car or house gun (not my first choice however). In my case it's a handy walking around the place at night gun.


Carry?
Actually if someone had the need to carry a powerful hi cap pistol, these type pistols carry well with a shoulder strap and would conceal well under about a 3/4 length coat.
I have a strap for my Bushmaster and AK pistols to carry them to the range and they hang comfortably under my arm. This PLR being smaller and lighter should carry even better.

But bottom line, the PLR, like most all my guns is just to have fun shooting.

Well, I guess I try to analyse need and overly justify spending money. Maybe I can blame that on the wife, but she don't really care how many guns I have at this point, LOL! I do have a couple of cheap SKSs that are basically just range fun with cheap ammo. I could hunt with the one I've fixed up for that, but that's pretty lame considering the hunting rifles I have. I reckon I should lighten up and buy more just plain fun guns.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Well, I guess I try to analyse need and overly justify spending money. Maybe I can blame that on the wife, but she don't really care how many guns I have at this point, LOL!

You should have seen me, years ago, try to explain to my Wife how come I needed 6 Makarovs.

 

[Dave R]

and I don't shoot animals

I respect your choice. But I also think the PLR-16 might be a cool "walk-around varmit gun," for those that shoot varmits.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I respect your choice. But I also think the PLR-16 might be a cool "walk-around varmit gun," for those that shoot varmits.

I'm not anti hunting or anti varmit shooting, etc.

I just personally don't like to kill anything that I don't have to (except Rattlesnakes and Copperheads).
My Wife and I even raised a litter of baby Skunks in the barn. Now that was fun.

Yes, I think the PLR would make a good "walking around" gun. Maybe with a low power scope on it and JSP ammo.

BTW hitting about 1.5 inches low at about 18 yards will put it on at 100 yards (depending on the ammo).

 

[kokapelli]

I'm not anti hunting or anti varmit shooting, etc.

I just personally don't like to kill anything that I don't have to (except Rattlesnakes and Copperheads).
My Wife and I even raised a litter of baby Skunks in the barn. Now that was fun.

I'm kind of like you in that I don't want to shoot things are not intent on harming me,
Rattlesnakes and copperheads won't bother you if you don't bother them and they are important in keeping the rodent population down.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I'm kind of like you in that I don't want to shoot things are not intent on harming me,
Rattlesnakes and copperheads won't bother you if you don't bother them and they are important in keeping the rodent population down.

I don't completely disagree but around the house and buildings they certainly will harm you and your animals (too many stories to tell). So even though they are just protecting themselves and I really don't like killing them, it's just a matter of making a preemptive strike when they show up around the house.

Heck, I've got a little Armadillo digging up the place now. I think he thinks my chasing him is a game.

 

[Dave R]

I have to chronograph it.

Let us know when you do. I'm curious what .223 does out of a 10" barrel.

 

[kokapelli]

Let us know when you do. I'm curious what .223 does out of a 10" barrel.

KelTec's website is down right now, but if I remember correctly, they listed the muzzle velocity at 2400fps. That is nothing to sneeze at, but SS109 and M855 milspec ammo requires a minimum velocity of 2700fps for the bullet to fragment and create the large wound channel that makes the milspec so effective.

Of course, civilian ammo would be effective at the lower velocities from the PLR16, but would lack the fragmentation and barrier penetration of milspec ammo.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Let us know when you do. I'm curious what .223 does out of a 10" barrel.

I'll try and get it tomorrow.

I shot the PLR-16 again today sighting in a new Red Dot sight. Didn't do anything worth talking about.

For interest this is what my 7 inch barrel Bushmaster does.

Old Win white box=2296fps
Old Wolf=2188fps
1993 reloads, Rem 55gr JSP, 26gr 748=1971fps

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Thanks.

I was looking for info on this and the AK pistol version that's floating around.

Not sure which way to go yet or which round makes the most sense in this platform.