Quick Review of KEL-TEC SU-16A

[Tigerclaw_x]

I got the rifle for my B-DAY from a friend. His rifle was never fired but was very old, one of the first SU-16s out there. He never fired it, and gave it to me on my b-day. He also suggested that I send it to KEL-TEC to upgrade it.
I did. I was pleasantly surprised. They replaced just about everything: receiver, bolt carrier, barrel, front sight, rear sight.
So I took the rifle to the range. I fired 150 rounds of TULA 55gr 5.56 ammo. Here is what I noticed:
1. The rifle is featherweight. It is nearly weightless. It weights less then my friends DPMS M4
2. The "hunting rifle style" stock on it is MORE comfortable to me then any pistol handle.
3. The rifle fired 15 series of 10 rounds without ANY issues.

Now for "not so good parts"
1) The recoil is much stronger then either M4, Galil, C93 or Vepr 223 or Saiga 223 or AR-180B that I own
2) Despite having a nice trigger, accuracy was inferior even to Saiga 223.
3) I was unable to get my groupings in less then 4 inches at 50 yards. (Though I was shooting standing, unsupported).
4) the space between tactical handguard and receiver heats up a LOT during firing.

The rifles is VERY light, folds in half, mine has the stock that does NOT block firing when folded.

Overall, I would say that if you are BUYING a rifle, VEPR 223, C93, or Galil would be a better option for about the same price

 

[MachIVshooter]

1) The recoil is much stronger then either M4, Galil, C93 or Vepr 223 or Saiga 223 or AR-180B that I own

Dude, it's a 5 pound gun. Of course it will have more felt recoil than 7-9 lb rifles.

2) Despite having a nice trigger, accuracy was inferior even to Saiga 223.
3) I was unable to get my groupings in less then 4 inches at 50 yards. (Though I was shooting standing, unsupported).

Bench it. It's really not fair to judge a rifle's accuracy when there is so much potential for operator error as with standing and unsupported. As well, a 5 pound rifle is not going to be as easy to steady as an 8 lb gun.

4) the space between tactical handguard and receiver heats up a LOT during firing.

The original stock covers that section; Putting the tactical PLR-16/16D handguard on leaves it exposed. Just don't put your hand there!

The SU-16 is a sound design. Just understand the characteristics and limitations of a super-light pencil barrel rifle.