SU-16 CA Opinions?

[fireflyfather]

I'm looking into a couple of new pieces to celebrate a new (and long-worked for) job. I'm thinking about a S&W 642/637 J-frame, getting an off-list lower to build a CA-legal AR, or getting the SU-16 CA. I'm concerned about a couple of things with the SU-16:

1. How's the accuracy out of the box? 3-4 MOA? 1 MOA?

2. How finicky is it with ammo?

3. Barrel life is said to be around 6k rounds according to the manufacturer. Any comments on that?

4. Wife is an extreme hoplophobe, so I may be pushing it GREATLY to shoot for an AR. The SU-16 may be a better choice here, if I don't simply go for the J-frame. In any case, is the SU-16 a candidate for duracoat? I mean, could I turn this thing into a pink monster for my daughter some day? Or am I going to have to buy a custom stock for that.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

The SU-16 hasn't been totally reliable in my limited experience. Also, the factory 10-round, plastic magazines are terrible (the ones I've seen, anyway). It's really meant to be used with AR mags, but since you're in CA, you'd have to either get some 10-round AR mags or just use the factory ones. Kel-Tec could have improved the factory mags since I've shot the SU-16. I don't know.

Instead, I would suggest the Saiga .223. It's an un-eviled AK, so reliability is a non-issue. To me, the SU-16 also seems ''cheaper'' than the Saiga. Another plus for the Saiga is that you can convert it to standard AK-configuration if you move to a free state.

DISCLAIMER:
It's been a couple years since my experience with the SU-16; things could have changed since then.

 

[browningguy]

I've got an A and a C (similar to the CA)model, both have been very reliable, I even used the C in 3 gun a couple of times. My A is actually a little more accurate but only with it's favorite load, then it's a 1.5" gun. The C seems to shoot more loads reasonably well (2-3") than the A, but I have not found a load yet that is consistantly less than 2". Of course I'm using a 4moa red dot so that probably doesn't help the accuracy. Mine are both reliable with all the ammo I've used, but I don't put steel or plastic coated cases though any of my guns. 6K rounds seems reasonable for barrel life, although I only have around 2-3K through mine.

They had a problem with a large batch of magazines that were too soft, causing them to bend outward, and unload a couple of rounds, when fully loaded. This was supposedly fixed about two years ago but I haven't bought any of their mags since the new ones came out.

Thay are also easy to paint, I just used Krylon flat camo paint, works great on plastic.

 

[fireflyfather]

Thanks. I'm not worried about magazines, as that problem has reportedly been fixed. I was just worried about an out-of-box 6MOA gun that wouldn't hold duracoat well.

A saiga is a bit of a stretch here in Cali, as they are not exactly on every gunrack in the store here. Also, depending on configuration, it might have to have a maglock. Also a lot less LE-friendly, should I be stopped. I know an OLL is also going to run that problem, but I wouldn't be putting it together for a long while.

Thanks for the info. Now I have to decide....heh.