Is Kel-Tec suspending PLR-16 production

[Lobotomy Boy]

I heard a rumor this morning that Kel-Tec is stopping production of its PLR-16 to focus its efforts on reducing its inventory of unsold SU-16 models. This came from a gun seller, so I took it with a grain of salt. It doesn't make good business sense. If they are selling every PLR-16 they make, they should focus their manufacturing efforts on making the gun people want to buy. Stopping production would be like the publishing house I work for stopping the printing of our best-selling titles in order to sell down the inventory of loser books stinking up our warehouse.

According to this rumor, Kel-Tec is is in such dire financial straights that it can't afford to build guns anymore. I hope this is BS because I'd hoped to buy at least two--maybe three--Kel-Tecs this year.

 

[Soybomb]

He didn't by chance have a plr-16 for sale at a high price did he?

 

[alamo]

If they are suspending production, and I doubt it, it would only be to work on production of the new single stack 9MM due out in May. Those are going to fly off the shelves.

According to this rumor, Kel-Tec is is in such dire financial straights that it can't afford to build guns anymore.

That's a joke. This is a very low quality rumor. A good rumor should have some basis in fact.

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

The source of this rumor was a sales person from another smaller manufacturer who wasn't selling Kel-Tecs, for whatever that's worth. I hope you all are correct and this is just BS, as I suspect. What I do know for a fact is that now that I am actively shopping for a PLR-16 there don't seem to be any available at any price anywhere.

 

[alamo]

I e-mailed someone at KT. It's complete BS as I thought, they're making as many as they can. They are in high demand right now and some dealers just can't get them from their distributors.

 

[Wilson 17&26]

I had a PLR-16 on order for several months from a dealer at $429. This dealer had four on order from two different distributors but couldn’t get any. Don’t tell me Kel-Tec is trying to reduce inventory. I finally gave up going for the best price and paid $449 for one a gunshow earlier this month.

Keep in mind that the bulk of Kel-Tec production effort goes to their bread and butter product, pocket pistols, approximately 200 per day. My PLR-16 serial number is P08xx, which indicates to me that current production is likely less than 250 per month. Likely even that small number would strain their production of SU/PLR-16 production. Folks this is a very specialized product that only few tens of thousands of people would even want to shoot, much less own.

The only reason the PLR-16 was manufactured was Kel-Tec had virtually no development or equipment investment cost. This pistol is a SU16D9 only with a pistol grip instead of a stock. In fact there is some substantial savings over the SU-16D9/12 by not hard chroming the barrel & chamber. The $200 savings in federal manufacturing tax for a Short Barrel Rifle and no $200 purchaser tax also makes it an easier sale. Sorry for rambling

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I don't own any Kel-Tec's and can't buy them in this pinko state (MD) that I am currently assigned to.

However, good to hear that they are doing well. I hope they continue to prosper.

 

[duncan]

If you look at the math, they should be doing just fine.

Less metal, more injected mold polymer, tons of their own machining = healthy profits

Just a little more attention to quality and I'd be happy.

Sure they have a few more dud guns that normal but at $250 a pop, you can just replace the gun!

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

I think Kel-Tec is a great company and I'm glad to hear this is B.S.

Sure they have a few more dud guns that normal but at $250 a pop, you can just replace the gun!

I'm not sure that is true. All the negative comments I hear about Kel-Tecs are almost universally of the "friend-of-a-friend-had-trouble" variety. Actual owners generally seem quite pleased with the guns. They do seem susceptible to limp wristing, but that is true of any small autoloader.

As for the PLR-16 being a specialty gun, Kel-Tec is a small manufacturer that focuses on specialty guns, and as far as specialty guns go, this one's a winner. I bet Kel-Tec could sell as many PLR-16s as Ruger sells PC9s, PC40s, and Beretta sells CX Storms combined. That might be a small number for a manufacturer like Glock or Smith, but for Kel-Tec this should represent a significant financial windfall. I am serious about buying two--one for each of my vehicles.

 

[Gas Operated]

I've been waiting on a PLR-16 since the start of February.
My local store is doing the "order from 4 or 5 distributors" thing with no success so far.

 

[duncan]

I'm not sure that is true. All the negative comments I hear about Kel-Tecs are almost universally of the "friend-of-a-friend-had-trouble" variety. Actual owners generally seem quite pleased with the guns. They do seem susceptible to limp wristing, but that is true of any small autoloader.

Own a P-32 that I had to send back once because Accurate Plating (their hardchromer) left too much material on the inside rails. Sent it back a second time because they had sent me a double recoil spring with only one of the springs!

Also owned an older all-metal Sub-9 carbine in 9mm with all of the toys including a weaver mount and a 50mm red dot scope. shot the crap out of it and it took some really hot loads like a champ. 1500 fps with a FMJ although I did blow a couple cases - and the barrel and chamber still held and accuracy was not effectived. Those older Sub-9s are the bomb for a folding 9mm.

If you visit ktog.org and any of the Kel Tec forums, you'll see a couple Monday guns still.

Love them and their pricing and you just have to be willing to tinker and F&B them.

For under $400, great little guns.

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

I've met some of the folks who work there. They seem decent, and serious about making sure the customers are taken care of.

 

[Crosshair]

As high of a demand there is for them where I live I see them running 24/7 for quite awhile to keep up.

 

[michiganfan]

Sounds like I was lucky to get my hands on my PLR 16. It is da bomb as my teenage daughter would say.

 

[Wilson 17&26]

In addition to the Forend and Case Deflecting Operation Handle, Kel-Tec now has Single Point Slings in stock for you guys with trench coats. They hope to have Muzzle Breaks in a week or two. Kel-Tec is planning on a laser in the lower part of the Forend later this year, which should really make us all smile

 

[beerslurpy]

Kel-tec is doing awesome, business-wise. I wish I could invest in them.

Their guns are well designed and decently well made and they have outstanding customer support. I own a P3AT.

 

[Mizzle187]

I called my gun shop last week about the PLR-16 and they had one in stock. I went buy the next day to pay for it and picked it up Today(thanks to a NICS delay). I already put the fore grip,dynamic handle, and Phantom 5C1 on it. As of last week the slings werent available but its good to knwo they are now. Price?

 

[Wilson 17&26]

The SP Sling price is $15 plus shipping.