Is the su-16 kel-tec durable?

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Woegie7.62

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Hey guys :ar15:

I own a kel-tec su-16 my question is will this rifle stand the test of time or will the rifle because of it's mostly plastic construction wear out and or break? The reason I ask is because I had the folding stock break on me when I just bought the rifle Kel-tec did repair the rifle but it took over 3 months. I only shot about 70 rounds through the rifle and it is in near perfect condition do you guys think I should keep or sell the rifle?

All input is very much appreciated have a good one guys! :)
 
The su16 gets pretty bad reviews around these parts. Haven't handled one myself, but I've been scared off them by what I've heard online.

With the new wave of NR options that have been classified over the last year plus, I sure wouldn't bother with that particular keltec. The rdb is neat though...
 
Su16 owner here. I’ve had mine 2 years. While the plastic is flimsy in the stock I’ve found it 100% reliable. I’ve shot just under 2 moa with it on factory Ammo. For me it’s a $500 gun that sells for $800 off the shelf. I basically keep it as a bushwhacking rifle. If you can score a good deal on one go for it. But don’t pay almost $1000 with tax for one.
 
Just look at nutnfancy’s review and he loves it,

Ran it really hard in the desert for a few years:

He’s probably fired more rounds through the rifle then all the Canadian owners combined
 
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I agree that this gun's purpose, if it has one at all, is to function as a bushwhacking rifle. That means, to me, durable construction above all. I'm glad that FancyNuts has fun with his rifle in the desert, but as a Canadian coyote hunter who would be using this rifle in temperatures probably 30 - 50 degrees colder than those he seems to enjoy...I'll pass.

Maybe somebody can categorically and factually prove that the plastic used in this gun is unaffected by the cold, but for me the confidence just wouldn't be there; if you are constantly expecting your rifle to snap/crackle/pop while shooting in the cold, the fun is gone even if that problem doesn't actually develop.

OP, under what conditions and how did the stock break?
 
Almost everyone who owns, or owned, one liked it... including me.

You will not find a lighter semi .223 utility rifle out there in the same price range.

It is a clever little gun that will work quite well for you.

It will last perfectly fine if you are using it as it should be.... it isn't a run and gun rifle, it isn't a military rifle, it isn't a battering ram...

But it will cycle, and shoot accurately, and be an all around light duty predator control/plinking rifle all day long, for years to come if you treat it right.
 
It's a KelTec. You shouldn't be buying KelTec if you're looking for long term durability. They seem OK for what they cost though?

Personally I'll never own another KelTec product after my experience with the miserable piece of crap that was the gen 1 Sub-2000. Nope.
 
They are better than people say they are.

You need to remember too, that as soon as one gun has a failure (at all, ever) people will call it crap regardless of the other tens of thousands of rifles that are working just fine. It is the same type of reaction that antigunners have when there is a shooting (one gun did something bad, so they all must be bad). I find the psychology of it interesting personally...

The bottom line is do your own research to generate you own opinion, don't just take random peoples word for it. That alone is probably the cause of a lot of the worlds problems at the moment...
 
jjohnwm said:
Hmmm...
Click to expand...

Talking about the SU-16, not the sub-2000.

I am not a fan of the sub-2000 either, except it is very handy to take places as it is one of the only guns that fits nicely inside a small backpack or camelback.
Shooting it though.... pinching hands, pulling beard hair, odd feeling recoil (to me), and overall not comfortable ergonomics for a man of my stature... I prefer my CX-4.

But the SU-16... Very fun, accurate, light weight, gun.... I have never met someone that didn't like shooting it.
I understand the concern about broken receivers, but I wonder how many were from abuse, or from an early generation.

for NR guns... you won't beat the SU-16 for the price. hands down.

My only complaint was that the two screws by the magazine release feel like a mag release button.. and I found that I would sometimes try to push them by accident, or index my finger onto them. but that was a pretty minor complaint.
 
Nut'n isn't paid by anybody, that's one of the reasons I like his channel.
I had an SU16, sold it when I ordered a WK180. With the recent unpleasantness this week, I have another su16 on the way.
 
Daver_II said:
fail... watch the video where he clearly says he is not a fan of a few of keltec's products....

pretty sure he wouldn't be paid by keltec to not endorse their other guns.
Click to expand...

He is one of the only reviewers that actually tests guns thoroughly. None of the paid monkeys on youtube really test anything, they simply demonstrate it, go over features, and make claims that it is "durable" or "reliable". I respect him for that, but not really a fan of his personality.

migrant hunter said:
Nut'n isn't paid by anybody, that's one of the reasons I like his channel.
I had an SU16, sold it when I ordered a WK180. With the recent unpleasantness this week, I have another su16 on the way.
Click to expand...

what unpleasantness?
 
I've owned 3 and enjoyed them all thoroughly. I wouldn't use it as a jack handle to get my truck out of the ditch or use it as my just in case SHTF gun that is supposed to outlast the apocalypse, but for farm yard plinking it's tough to beat.
 
Daver_II said:
fail... watch the video where he clearly says he is not a fan of a few of keltec's products....
Click to expand...

migrant hunter said:
Nut'n isn't paid by anybody, that's one of the reasons I like his channel.
Click to expand...

Riiiiight, and IV8888 doesn't have their opinion bought and paid for at $5K per video. Take what a YouTuber says, ANY YouTuber says, as a grain of salt. If you're not putting money in their hands for the work they do, someone else is.

But back on topic, the SU16's that I've handled are what they are, a budget rifle. If you're buying one with reliability in mind, there are better options in the same price point (but may be a different caliber). If you are going into the purchase to get a cheap plinker that you don't care if / when it goes down and you need to submit it for warranty then at least you're going in with eyes wide open.
 
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