Kel-Tec SU-16B?

[heypete]

I recently (i.e. today) forked over a sizeable amount of money for a Kel-Tec SU-16B. It's about the "scariest" EBR that one can buy in California for a reasonable price. In ten days I'll get to pick it up.

I got a fairly good deal on it, about $100 less than the MSRP, so I'm happy. I was looking to get the SU-16CA, as I liked the sight design better, but they didn't have any in stock and the price was significantly higher than the "B". If anyone in the SF Bay Area wants to do a face-to-face trade, let me know.

I've read good things about these rifles, but I'm curious if anyone here has any hands-on experience.

What weight ammunition should one use? I picked up 500 rounds of 55gr .223 Rem American Ammunition (I think they're made in Israel, but they say "American". Go figure.) Hopefully this'll work out all right.

Other than having an empty magazine in the mag well, is there any way of locking the bolt to the rear? There doesn't seem to be any sort of latch or catch where one could do that.

Now I'll finally have a use for all the AR-15 mags I bought years ago -- I couldn't afford an AR-15, but I figured the magazines would have some future use.

 

[Sprout]

Let us know how it shoots. I too am behind enemy lines and have been thinking about getting an SU-16. The only thing holding me back is that I can't get any real feedback on accuracy.

 

[heypete]

All righty. I'll post to this thread once I get it and shoot it.

From what I've heard, it's approximately the same accuracy as an AR-15. It's also quite rugged, and handles abusive conditions well. Lots of plastic, but it's glass-filled Zytel, and feels quite sturdy, even at <5lbs total weight.

 

[RKCheung]

You can lock the bolt to the rear by pulling it back and pressing the latch that is on the bottom rear of the mag well.

Enjoy your SU-16B, I just put on the Bravo sights and sling to my Alpha and loving it even more.

 

[heypete]

You can lock the bolt to the rear by pulling it back and pressing the latch that is on the bottom rear of the mag well.

Right, but what happens if I want to lock the bolt back when there's a full magazine? I don't want to have to remove the magazine and insert my finger into the mag well. Is there any external control?

I just put on the Bravo sights and sling to my Alpha and loving it even more.

I wasn't aware the sights were interchangeable. I'm glad Kel-Tec put so many AR-15 compatible componets on the SU-16. I like the lines of the CA edition a lot better than any of the others (with the exception of the regular C one), but alas, the shop didn't have it. :banghead:

 

[Caseless]

Do you plan to add any scope/reflex sight?
I am curious since I just bought a Su-16CA in Fremont.

 

[Caseless]

...

 

[heypete]

Do you plan to add any scope/reflex sight?

Possibly. I'll have to see how well the iron sights work. We'll see.

I am curious since I just bought a Su-16CA in Fremont.

Which shop? How much?

 

[MechAg94]

If you know someone who gets Gun Tests magazine, they looked at that rifle. They said 2.2 inch groups at 50 yards with Federal. 2-3" groups with other ammo. Not sure if that is good or not.

The SOCOM they tested was comparable except with some Federal low recoil ammo that got them below 2".

 

[RKCheung]

Right, but what happens if I want to lock the bolt back when there's a full magazine? I don't want to have to remove the magazine and insert my finger into the mag well. Is there any external control?

You don't need to remove the mag to lock it back. The latch is actually just to the outside of the mag well. Take a look and you'll see what I mean.

 

[Caseless]

Which shop? How much?

Irvington Arms. $565

 

[heypete]

If you know someone who gets Gun Tests magazine, they looked at that rifle. They said 2.2 inch groups at 50 yards with Federal. 2-3" groups with other ammo. Not sure if that is good or not.

That's better than I can shoot unless I'm shooting from a bench with a bipod and sandbags with my Remington 700BDL in .30-06.

Certainly is better than what I need it for (SHTF carbine, plinker rifle).

You don't need to remove the mag to lock it back. The latch is actually just to the outside of the mag well. Take a look and you'll see what I mean.

Ah, all right. The only time (other than at the shop) I saw the rifle in action was at the range a few weeks ago when another shooter had one. Alas, I wasn't familiar enough with it either time to know such a latch existed. I'll be sure to look more closely when I go to pick it up.

Thanks for all the great responses.