Kel-Tec SU-16 barrel differences - Bravo vs Alpha

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J

Justang

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Yeah, another SU-16 question. I couldn't find an answer for this one though.

I read that the bravo model has a 'lighter and shorter barrel'. And, I've read bout the alpha barrels 'whipping around.' Wouldn't making a lighter barrel make things worse? Should one expect the barrel to whip more on the bravo model?

Is one barrel better than the other? length? weight?

I'm looking at buying a SU-16. But don't know if I should buy the 'alpha' or the 'bravo' model. The Bravo is only $30 more. But you get the better sights. Would it be wiser to get the heavier barrel and just upgrade the sites? It's still only $30 more.

comments? suggestions? anything.

I've decided I'm going to buy the SU-16. I've shot Mini-14's and they are nice. But I like the way the SU feels in my hands. And I'd rather not give ruger any more money, per his 'no badge no need' statement. And I've read the SU is more accurate, and takes the USGI mags. And since I'm in California I don't have many options.

Thanks for the feedback. :D

J
 
Well, my Alpha model's barrel certainly doesn't "whip around"... but the sights could definitely use improvement. I'll probably install the B model sights.
 
from what I've read during rapid fire the barrel 'whips'. I don't really know what that means for sure, but I'm sure it's not good. So I'd assume the Bravo barrel, being lighter, would have more of a tendance to 'whip' during rapid fire.
 
All barrels "whip" or vibrate to some degree. It's not necessarily a bad thing, as long as that it vibrates in the same manner and resettles the same shot for shot (hence the advent of free float tubes).

A shorter barrel will be stiffer than a longer barrel of the same diameter- however, shortening it and reducing the diameter could negate any stiffness gained.

I'd imagine that the standard SU-16 has a profile somewhere between that of an HBAR and an A1 profile barrel of an AR-15, and that the B model has an A1 profile. Can't get much thinner than that!
 
From my research, the B model's barrel is thinner than the A model's by a large amount, and it is also about 2" shorter. That being the case, the barrel will have a greater chance to whip around during firing. I have not read any comparison of the accuracy between the two though.

If I were you, I would go for the A model and then buy and install the B model's sites.
 
I'd imagine that the standard SU-16 has a profile somewhere between that of an HBAR and an A1 profile barrel of an AR-15, and that the B model has an A1 profile. Can't get much thinner than that!
Click to expand...

wow. I'm a newb, I got none of that. lol. So maybe it's about the same strength?

The SU doesn't have a free floating barrel does it? But the Mini-14 does? trying to learn all this.

MrTuffPaws said:
From my research, the B model's barrel is thinner than the A model's by a large amount, and it is also about 2" shorter. That being the case, the barrel will have a greater chance to whip around during firing. I have not read any comparison of the accuracy between the two though.

If I were you, I would go for the A model and then buy and install the B model's sites.
Click to expand...

I plan on a red dot anyway. But I want the option of decent sites. And I want the best for my money. I want a nice semi-auto rifle that's inexpensive, accurate, and fun to shoot.

Has anybody shortened their barrel?
 
Neither the Mini nor the SU-16 have a free floated barrel. Between the Mini-14 and the SU-16, I'd say SU-16 (and this is coming from a former Mini-14 owner).
 
oh... ok.

Yeah, I've pretty much decided on the SU-16. It fits me soo much better than the Mini-14!

what kind of guns have floating barrels.
 
Well all this talk has got me interested in one. I don't like the folding bipod though. I'd like an aftermarket forearm similar to an AR. I wish they made it better looking too.
 
I have an A model also, and it does not whip. The other great thing is it loves winchester white box Q3131A which is close to the cheapest ammo available. It will do less then one inch groups at a hundred yards with that stuff all day. It doesn't seem to like the federal xm193 though, which is odd since both are supposedly made to the same spec. I guess those isrealis know something special.

The barrel lengths are 19 inches for the A model and 16.5 for the B model. The B is also thinner than the A and being that short is a LOT louder. Personally, I would not waste my time on a B model unless you plan to do urban combat with the thing, better not try to butt stroke with it if you do that. The loss in velocity and accuracy beyond 400 yards is not worth the lighter weight of the shorter barrel.
 
Cool, I'll probably go with the A then and upgrade the sites if I need.

It's funny how many people put down the SU-16 and say you can't buttstroke anybody with it (I've seen it on many other forums). I don't ever plan on buttstriking any of my plinking buddies. :neener:

I got $300 saved. Just a bit more and I got it. $438 is what I'm paying. Is that a fair price for the gun?
 
Ok, I am thinking of getting a SU-16 too. Do we have anymore discussion on the A vs. B model? I am thinking I might just go with the A and get the B model sights like everyone else. This seems like it would be a good red-dot or EOTech gun. What do you all think? A or B?

Lets also consider I have my FAB-10 with a 20" V-Match upper that I would use for squirrels and I also have a 11.5/5.5 A2 upper with red-dot. I just want a .223 with a detachable magazine is the main reason I want to get a SU-16. The SU-16 takes AR mags, so why mess with a Mini14. So lets just consider this a fun .223 plinker gun and not a long range squirrel killer or CQB gun.
 
A it is. First I need to find those 20 AR magazines I bought back in 1985. I think I left them in the trunk of my wife's car. Hopefully I will find them soon. You would think I left them next to the 6 M14 mags I bought at the same time, but no, I found the M14 mags back in 2000 and the AR mags weren't with them. They have to be around here somewhere. :p
 
I don't think you'll notice the difference between the A and the B barrels while shooting. But I think the added barrel length of the A is better for the .223 round. I'm doin the exact same thing. Alpha with Bravo sights. I think I'll buy a red dot for it first though. ;) If we could get the Charlie barrel that would be cool. It's a medium 16.5" threaded barrel. But the stock is not legal in Cali because it can fire from a folded position. :( I wonder it Kel-Tec would sell you a Charlie barrel... and how much.

It's actually funny, I think I truely do have some 20 or 30rd USGI mags. As a kid we used to play with them with our green army men, the mags were our bridges. I do remember there was nothing in them though... it was just a shell. I imagine if I found them I could just rebuild them. Funny how things can work out. It might sound weird that I played with them, but I grew up in a military town in a military family. Gonna have to go rummage through my mom's attic for my stuff. :)

There's a company that sells 10rd mags that look like 20rd mags. I wonder if anybody sells a 10rd capacity mag that looks like a 30. I'd be cool with that. Or on that note, could you buy a 30rd usgi mag and modify it to only take 10rds, and legally import it into California?
 
Playing with GI mags? Yeah! Growning up, one of my bothers inlaw was in the Seals. He decked me out with enough webbing to open up a Army Navy store. I remember that he gave me 3 or 4 20 round mags to play with with my wooden M-16. I wish I still had them, but they went by the wayside long ago.
 
The alpha is 3/4" to 5/8". The Bravo I don't know. I read on another forum that it's around 1/2" toward the muzzle. It's 8oz lighter and 2.3" shorter.

A longer barrel is great to give you the max velocity. Which you need on a .223.
 
A it is. First I need to find those 20 AR magazines I bought back in 1985. I think I left them in the trunk of my wife's car. Hopefully I will find them soon. You would think I left them next to the 6 M14 mags I bought at the same time, but no, I found the M14 mags back in 2000 and the AR mags weren't with them. They have to be around here somewhere.
Click to expand...

Check your garage, that's where I found all my G17, G19, M14 and M16 mags I paid cash for sometime around '98 or so.

:D
 
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