I made a thing! SU-16 bolt release, bubba style!

[Uisge]

So I made a thing! It’s nothing special really, just the results of boredom and time. I have always wondered why the SU-16 doesn’t have a bolt release? So I pulled it out, it’s really not that spectacular of a part, just a stamped piece of steel. Looking at the 858’s aftermarket bolt release I decided it just needed a tab so you could pull it down, also similar to the XCR but not quite as fancy. So after digging though my random parts I came to the factory trigger from my Sub 2k. It’s the right size, pre-drilled, seems to be strong enough, and zytel (so it fits in). Also a Kel-tec part that many of us have lying around never to be reinstalled. So after a couple mock ups, and some testing I drilled 2 holes in the bolt release at the bottom. It drilled quite easily. Then in mocking it up further I decided it was a little too low, so I removed the stepped up side and filed it flat. I left it a little angle that felt good so I didn’t flatten it square. Then installed 2 stainless 1/8th rivets, knocked out the mandrel head, and flattened the tip of the expanded rivers with a pin punch to make them a bit shorter. Then all that was left was a test run of snap caps, in which it worked as anticipated.

So! In closing, was this an easy mod, yes, should you do it? Probably not, did it increase the resale value? No, did it permanently alter factory parts, yes, is it ugly? Also yes. Worst case you might have 2 speed holes in the bottom if removed, or you could buy a replacement, and it might make it more fun to shoot so I’m calling it a win. Feel free to mock and shame in response! My “design” is free for all, but if you make them commercially the least you could do is send me a couple for testing.

 

[Murray 3-D]

I welded a XCR styled bolt release to my buddys SU. Totally a worth while mod. Brings the SU 16s ergonomics to a new level, increasing the guns value in my opinion. Blows my mind why Kel-Tec didnt incorporate that feature at the factory...

I have no photos. But u can see it in action in some portions of this video.

 

[Lookingforantiques]

"I made a thing". Everything on the internet doesn't have to be a meme. Just say "I made a bolt release for my gun". Don't need to make it sound cute.

 

[Uisge]

"I made a thing". Everything on the internet doesn't have to be a meme. Just say "I made a bolt release for my gun". Don't need to make it sound cute.

Poor guy doesn’t know what a meme is...

 

[Uisge]

I welded a XCR styled bolt release to my buddys SU. Totally a worth while mod. Brings the SU 16s ergonomics to a new level, increasing the guns value in my opinion. Blows my mind why Kel-Tec didnt incorporate that feature at the factory...

I have no photos. But u can see it in action in some portions of this video.

That would be far better, I couldn’t find anything that shape and the trigger was just sitting there taunting me. I’m also amazed that M-carbo or someone else hasn’t just pounded out a bunch of them.

 

[xdmer]

I'm tempted to get one of these again.

 

[Daver_II]

I'm tempted to get one of these again.

Me too. It was handy.

 

[Murray 3-D]

Id only recommend one if it was NEW, the Tactical model AND considerably cheaper then the MCR.

 

[Stevo]

Id only recommend one if it was NEW, the Tactical model AND considerably cheaper then the MCR.

This is my favourite SU-16 I've seen on the EE. Fixed by a "gunsmith", stronger than new!

https://flic.kr/p/2j6XVpZ https://www.flickr.com/photos/162118399@N03/

 

[Johnyy]

..haha. there was one busted in EE. DOnt think so anymore. Seems he played it off as 'THE LAST GUY" must have closed the pin down on it ..lol..yeahh OK. Like you wouldn't have noticed that when you first bought it! It's busted & they are asking pretty much market value. That thing doesnt seem safe after she cracks. I really like these. esp. the Tan one. It's certain early production Only? That had the breakage problem? The one in the EE, was tan, so that has to be a later production. Like ^ Above Pic.

 

[Murray 3-D]

This is my favourite SU-16 I've seen on the EE. Fixed by a "gunsmith", stronger than new!

https://flic.kr/p/2j6XVpZ https://www.flickr.com/photos/162118399@N03/

Gawd, looks like that Ape from Gorilla glue company just wanked all over that poor SUs rear bits XD



The very credible theory that ive heard behind the SU 16's cracking is that earlier models would have the piston rod slowly thread out of the bolt carrier group. This in turn causes the bolt carrier to travel further and harder back then the design allows for. The Updated upper... AND newer SU 16 models appear to have the piston rod thread peened so it wont back out. My buddys SU 16 with the updated upper probably has around 300-400 rnds thru it since the vid. Not much ik, but SO FAR it is showing ZERO signs of receiver damage. His old model broke at around 800rnds. All of which was UMC 55gr FMJ, so nothing crazy.

If I had to guess, id say the updated upper became a thing around 2 years ago. 2017 ish

 

[Uisge]

..haha. there was one busted in EE. DOnt think so anymore. Seems he played it off as 'THE LAST GUY" must have closed the pin down on it ..lol..yeahh OK. Like you wouldn't have noticed that when you first bought it! It's busted & they are asking pretty much market value. That thing doesnt seem safe after she cracks. I really like these. esp. the Tan one. It's certain early production Only? That had the breakage problem? The one in the EE, was tan, so that has to be a later production. Like ^ Above Pic.

That was me! And that’s how they get broke. I’ve owned 4 of them, the one in question, after looking back at the serial number I’ve owned twice. If you own one, double check the pin is out before you slam the receiver shut.

 

[vultr]

I was interested until I saw the $1200 price tag. At $7-900 I would be all in.

 

[hsatimmy]

I would buy the upper to try to mate to a franken-fal if lower was damaged.

 

[Uisge]

I would buy the upper to try to mate to a franken-fal if lower was damaged.

I have crazy ideas to make receiver set that uses their system. If it was all 7075 that light, simple, long stroke action would be pretty awesome. In the mean time I’m gonna shoot that one til it breaks. Seems to be always the upper that breaks, the lowers are relatively cheap and available.

Rear takedown pin bore for reference. Little different than the typical receiver failure. Bought it sight unseen on good ol townpost, had my friend who was in that town pick it up, but the price was right so I really can’t complain.

 

[Milofficer]

It's a shame that KT didn't beef up the plastic reinforcement in that area of the receiver. If you think about it though, the end cap is only really there to keep the receivers mated together. You could go real Mad Max on it and use wire lashing and JB Weld to keep the gun running.

I do really like the self-contained operating component design on the SU-16. It's just a shame they never made a metal receiver for it. Maybe there's a way to make an inexpensive conversion using a WK receiver or aluminum extrusions if someone wanted to get really Bubba creative with it lol

 

[Johnyy]

"I made a thing". Everything on the internet doesn't have to be a meme. Just say "I made a bolt release for my gun". Don't need to make it sound cute.

If Grumpy Cat was a Human, you'd be him.. ~

 

[Uisge]

It's a shame that KT didn't beef up the plastic reinforcement in that area of the receiver. If you think about it though, the end cap is only really there to keep the receivers mated together. You could go real Mad Max on it and use wire lashing and JB Weld to keep the gun running.

I do really like the self-contained operating component design on the SU-16. It's just a shame they never made a metal receiver for it. Maybe there's a way to make an inexpensive conversion using a WK receiver or aluminum extrusions if someone wanted to get really Bubba creative with it lol

I’ve been thinking of filling the whole area in with epoxy, and then sanding to fit and drilling out the pin bore. But really I don’t think it’s going to break further, none of the recoil force goes in that direction. The pin fits snug and the receiver fits together pretty tight. Might just run it and see what happens. Worst case I could ship it to Kel-tec and have them replace the receivers. It makes a pretty darn good truck gun as it is, perfect for spur of the moment coyote hunts, and I’m not worried about the finish.