Keltec SU-16, is it reliable? fussy on ammo choice?

[socalbeachbum]

I've read what I could in past threads, many of which are from a few years ago. I'm interested in getting an SU-16 but I have a low tolerance for unreliable weapons, or ones that are too fussy about ammo. Can anyone weigh in for me on the SU-16's made in recent years (I'm looking to buy a new one) as to problems, reliability, and ammo choice?

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I had one: the SU16c model that had the underfolder stock. Never had a jam and was a really good shooter. I shot steel and brass through it. I believe it had 1:7 twist barrel so it liked heavier ammo and was not a 1MOA gun with 55 grain cheap stuff. If you look a the bolt and chamber, it's basically an AR15 with a piston.

People talk trash because they are KelTec and compare them to high end AR15s. I'd rather have an SU16 over an entry level AR, which it more accurately competes against.

I would not be worried about getting one. Plus, KelTec has great customer service.

 

[zaitcev]

I have a 2008 SU-16CA, and it is very reliable.

That said, if I didn't live in California, I would rather have a good AR-15, because of better compatibility with optics and accessories. For example, sights often sit on high pedestals these days, because that's what you want on AR. Putting those sights on SU turn your chin weld into a jaw weld, at best.



P.S. I know Kel-Tec was cutting corners on production of SU recently. In particular, the C model does not come with the dust cover anymore. But I didn't hear anything bad about the reliability, at least not yet.

 

[denton]

Never had a problem with mine.

In my AR, I have to be careful to use thicker primers, else I get little holes in them. The SU digests all the regular primer ammo without complaint.

 

[ewlyon]

My SU-16C has been perfectly reliable since I took off the charging handle cover thing. Before that it would stovepipe occasionally and it seemed like the cases were at some point hitting the charging handle and not fully ejecting because of it. Since then it has run some factory ammo (steel and brass) and my handloads without issue. It has also been much more accurate than I expected. Most of my shooting with it has been short range (<60yds) but last year I brought it to the range and shot it at 100yds for the first time and with my plinking handloads and a 4x scope I was able to get a 5 shot group that was less than 2".

 

[montess85]

I own a SU-16A. Its been a 100% Reliable rifle. Seems to devour any ammo I put through it. Its also decently accurate. I've never bench rested it for groups ,but it hits what I aim it at. As far as quality goes its ugly as sin and the plastic is cheap. Its fit and finish aren't really great, buts its not really meant to be an heirloom quality firearm. It goes bang and cycles reliable. It also fold up pretty compact and is very light. I don't know if its quite as tough as even a cheap AR. Would it hold up after being dropped or handled rough? Not sure. Probably fine for most peoples needs. I don't know if I'd use it as a club. lol

 

[GEM]

Saw one of first ones have its stock crack in half. It fell apart. Hope they fixed that.

 

[zaitcev]

Saw one of first ones have its stock crack in half. It fell apart. Hope they fixed that.

It's still happening, although very rarely nowadays. For SU-16 to function properly, a number of things have to be in perfect order: the spring tube, the operating rod, the bolt carrier, and the piston assembly. If your oprod unscrews, or the front clevis breaks, or the recoil spring breaks, then the bolt carrier slams the rear of the receiver and may easily crack it.

Over the years, Kel-Tec implemented a number of measures to tighten up the parts involved, most famously staking the oprod in the carrier. However, even today every owner needs to inspect the receiver when cleaning and watch for gouges in the rear. If carrier starts damaging plastic, the rifle must not be shot anymore and has to be sent to the mothership for repair.

Nutnfancy shot several thousand rounds through his SU-16s with no issue. Mine is somewhere north of 2,000 rounds and seems fine. I think the cracked receiver is still a problem, but we can say that it's related to manufacturing defects. It's not something your rifle develops over time. If your gun went through 1,000 rounds without making plastic shavings, it will work reliably until your rifling is shot.

Kel-Tec completely re-designed the RDB by putting the recoil spring _behind_ the carrier.