For a sub-$1000, non-restricted gun with Pmag compatibility, this thing ain't bad.

lone-wolf said:
Red tape to export back to the US, why wouldn't they just import an upper to Canada? I assume the broken receivers are junked anyways.
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I've asked Kel Tec to do this for me...so far no luck. I've asked them what it would cost me to do this...so that it's understood that I'm not looking for a freebie. No answer probably means that they're telling me to just go buy another brand new one. I would...but the experience has left somewhat of a sour taste in my mouth.

Here's another hilarious part of my story...I was dealing with Kel Tec's customer service manager via phone and email. He told me that he had a contact in the BATF in the Seattle office, and that this agent informed him that Washington would have no issues with me importing the stripped upper as a non-functioning firearm part to send to Florida via an FFL that Kel Tec will make arrangements with. All I needed was a letter on company letterhead outlining what I was going to do. So I receive the letter from Kel Tec a few weeks later, and before doing anything, I brought the letter to the CBP and explained what I was about to do, wanting to make sure I wasn't going to be doing anything wrong. Well...surprise! I'm not allowed to do it...had I just followed the advice, I would have gotten in trouble. I asked to have the name of the BATF agent in Seattle so that CBP can get in touch with him...but silence since February...lol.
 
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jethunter said:
Glad I read this thread, I was actually considering buying one of these things. Basically the gist of what I see from the explanations so far is:

1) only the original buyer can get warranty and then only if Vault is the importer; and
2) if you buy it used (ie - you are not the original purchaser) then not only do you have no warranty but you can't even pay to get it repaired if it breaks!

If you buy it used then it's disposable for all intents and purposes - use it 'til it breaks and then throw it away. Which means you'd have to be crazy to buy one of these things "used" unless it was darn near free. Even bought "new" from Vault the resale value is going to be zilch unless the buyer is awful gullible, considering the sketchy reliability and that 2nd owner has no warranty and no recourse to repair.
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Pretty much.
How an importer and manufacturer can get away with such a low level of consumer support is hard to understand?
Sure it's a hassle at the border but it's a hassle bringing them in the least they can do is set up a system for warranty and repair work!
 
jd1965 said:
YOU are not understanding what I'm saying, so I too will try to say it another way...

I don't necessarily disagree with what you've said...but you can be the ORIGINAL, FIRST purchaser of a BRAND-NEW Kel-Tec firearm that was NOT imported by Vault, and in that case you're not getting warranty service from Vault.

So, prior to purchase, best to call Vault w/ the serial number of the NEW gun you're considering and have them confirm -in writing- that it is in fact one imported by them, and that the Kel-Tec warranty will be honored by them.

You won't want to be caught-up in the inevitable mess that will surely ensue once you call them with an issue.
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Vault just sounds like a great company.
Lousy support for their customers and no support for other people that they could help if they wanted.
The fact that you can't even pay them to help you says a lot.
 
Allstone said:
After I bought a used one and it cracked on me with no available recourse to fix it even though I was willing to pay a significant amount of money to do it...never again. Polymer doesn't belong in anything that produces any significant amount of recoil, IMO. Maybe a .22 LR or a pistol...but not in a rifle.
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Interestingly enough, I had pretty much the same situation.. only I was a seller - after about an year since I sold my SU16 (in pristine condition btw) guy contacted me and asked if I still have the original receipt of purchase - his receiver cracked as well. Man, was I glad that I got rid of it..
It's nice and light and shoots reasonably straight first 10-20 rounds, but hey, cracking receiver is a big big issue.. However it probably won't crack too soon if you use it for it's intended purpose - carry it around in a bush, making an occasional shot once in a while. It's definitely not a range gun for prolonged use.
 
Well, it seems like I've heard the final word from Kel Tec today...and the short version is, sorry, you're on your own.

I truly wish this could have been a lot easier than it came to be. I’m sorry that the outcome came to this and wish more could have been done, but with importing and exporting laws and regulations have made this situation much more difficult not being under warranty. When I spoke too Border Patrol they assured me that it was ok to cross the border with a letter head from the factory stating the business of the rifle being in the US then it wouldn’t be a problem. As I mentioned before Vault Distribution is the main contact and warranty claims in Canada and all future repairs or going threw them. If you have any questions or comments you can reach me VIA information below.
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Again...just bringing awareness to those of you who are wanting to spend $600-700 for a used SU-16 on the EE...this can happen to you. ;)
 
I echo all that has been said here in this thread. My faulty Sub2K will not be fixed by Vault. The worst customer service I ever experienced. Don't risk buying Kel-Tec second hand or you might end up with a big black $700 paper weight like me.

Sean at Kel-Tec told me he will speak with the "HR guy" who apparently is the owner's son "to see what they can do"... should I be holding my breath? At least Sean isn't condescending!
 
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so vault wont help you even if you offer to pay?
The Kurgan said:
I echo all that has been said here in this thread. My faulty Sub2K will not be fixed by Vault. The worst customer service I ever experienced. Don't risk buying Kel-Tec second hand or you might end up with a big black $700paper weight like me.
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The Kurgan said:
I echo all that has been said here in this thread. My faulty Sub2K will not be fixed by Vault. The worst customer service I ever experienced. Don't risk buying Kel-Tec second hand or you might end up with a big black $700 paper weight like me.

Sean at Kel-Tec told me he will speak with the "HR guy" who apparently is the owner's son "to see what they can do"... should I be holding my breath? At least Sean isn't condescending!
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Don't hold your breath. The email I quoted above is from Sean Turpin. I've been dealing with him for a looong time. Too lazy to search, but I'm tempted to say since the beginning of the year (maybe longer?). He's just being nice to you, making you feel like he really is going to do something, and in the end, after months of waiting, you will end up with the same outcome as me...which is nothing. That's his plan...stall until you're sick of waiting and finally realize they're not going to do anything for you.

Kel Tec doesn't want to ship anything north of the border for you, and you can't cross south and bring it back with you without the right paperwork. Vault has the know-how, but they don't want to deal with you (because it's out of warranty)...even though I offered to cough up the money to cover expenses. It was a lost cause, and a lesson learned.

I've been wanting to get an SU-22 for a while now...but this experience has left such a lousy taste in my mouth that I don't think I'll ever buy another Kel Tec, out of principle.
 
It is odd, I own three Kel-tec firearms, and have yet to have a major failure, or even multiple minor malfunctions like have been posted by some. I count myself as lucky, and keep a healthy dose of caution towards various Kel-tec firearms.
 
luke s said:
well whats worth parting? (you know the parts I need)
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Just about every part. Even the barrel shoots straight. I think as a package it's a fail.

Waiting for Sean to work his "magic"... in other words that they can't do anything for me(!), then I'll list every major component on EE.
I would like to sell it as a complete parts rifle first but I suspect I'll earn more selling it piece by piece.

Honestly, I forget what you need.?
 
Kevin M. said:
It is odd, I own three Kel-tec firearms, and have yet to have a major failure, or even multiple minor malfunctions like have been posted by some. I count myself as lucky, and keep a healthy dose of caution towards various Kel-tec firearms.
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Knock on wood... I was optimistic once, but reality set in quickly. Total US made garbage. I wouldn't take another Kel-Tec if it was offered to me for free.
 
Hell, I was thinking, maybe I'll have some fun and make a youtube video of me blowing it to pieces (in a controlled environment of course) with my far superior, and far cheaper to purchase, Russian SKS. I'll forward the link to Vault. Yay or nay?
 
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Allstone said:
Don't hold your breath...He's just being nice to you, making you feel like he really is going to do...been wanting to get an SU-22 for a while now...but this experience has left such a lousy taste in my mouth that I don't think I'll ever buy another Kel Tec, out of principle.
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I got that same feeling... in fact I don't think he listened to a word I said!

There are much better guns than an SU-22... ever heard of twice burned?
 
The Kurgan said:
Hell, I was thinking, maybe I'll have some fun and make a youtube video of me blowing it to pieces (in a controlled environment of course) with my far superior, and far cheaper to purchase, Russian SKS. I'll forward the link to Gary and Sean. Yay or nay?
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Or instead you could donate your Kel tecs to me for the sake of science!
 
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