KelTec RDB vs Eh-R 180

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BKnill1

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So I'm considering my next rifle purchase and the new R18 Mk3 has piqued my interest. However, I was recently at bullseye and the guy behind the counter was talking up the KelTec RDB and one of the better 5.56 guns in canada (for the price).

Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone had any experience with rhe RDB? Is it a good gun? Is it reliable (the all plastic has me a bit worried)? Should I wait for the MK3?
 
The RDB's are not all plastic and a pretty solid design over all, one of Keltec's better guns for sure.
You could get the model with the allum handguard and even further reduce the amount of plastic.... or get an aftermarket foreend.

Triggers are nice and they shoot well. The chamber is a bit tricky to "observe" but that's the price you pay for downward ejection.

I'm not familiar with the other gun.
 
^^^What he said.
With heavy bullets mine was sub-moa. And two reasons I got rid of it are: non-military design and hard to observer empty chamber during competition.
P.S. You can buy RDB, you can't buy Mk3.
P.P.S. If you decide to go with RDB - buy it from business so you would have a warranty or buy it significantly cheaper second hand without warranty.
 
Horilka said:
^^^What he said.
With heavy bullets mine was sub-moa. And two reasons I got rid of it are: non-military design and hard to observer empty chamber during competition.
P.S. You can buy RDB, you can't buy Mk3.
P.P.S. If you decide to go with RDB - buy it from business so you would have a warranty or buy it significantly cheaper second hand without warranty.
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Thanks for the comments.

Did you have any issues with the reliability?

I've seen some second hand ones for 1200 to 1300 shipped on ####### without warranty. Jsut trying to gage what the warranty is worth.
 
Have about 1000 rounds thru my RDB. It is accurate (using a Holosun 403B with their 3x Magnifier) out to 300m, so long as you're willing to accept my definition of 'accurate' as reliably hitting torso-sized steel at that range. I have never put it on paper except to zero it. Reliability is very good once you tune the gas regulator for your ammo, which is easy, and it's not very finnicky. I've found a setting that works on pretty much all 55gr ammo that I've tested it with.

I would like to get the enlarged bolt release from Lucky Irishman, as well as an MLOK handguard. The plastic one the rifle comes with is pretty underwhelming and it isn't heat-shielded. The trigger is very good, not just for a bullpup but in general.

I'm probably going to be buying a Sterling Mk3 next year sometime myself, but I plan on keeping my RDB. It's fun!
 
BKnill1 said:
Thanks for the comments.

Did you have any issues with the reliability?

I've seen some second hand ones for 1200 to 1300 shipped on ####### without warranty. Jsut trying to gage what the warranty is worth.
Click to expand...
Not with reliability, no. I had actually several RDBs. One of them had issue - slam fire producing nice 2-3 rounds bursts. She went to KelTec for service (was bought from IRG) and they fixed it. Once you adjust gas system for your rounds - she is very reliable.
 
Army2006 said:
With a few more bucks, you can get Tavor x95 with better quality and reliability.
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for $1k more or so, not for few more? I do have X95 and I agree it's more quality and reliability (though we're getting way past average sport-shooter required reliability), but it's a) significantly more expensive and b) less accurate and c) harder to clean.
 
I bought an RDB thinking I would take it out a couple times and sell it. Still have it and always enjoy it. I set the gas and it has never gave me any trouble. Very reliable IMO and very easy to strip.
 
Was really close to buying one didn't quite get there on it and purchased X95 instead. From what I recall from the extensive research I did on them about a year ago it's about the best rifle Keltec has produced and for a bullpup the trigger is pretty damn good. I ultimately got hung up on the two primary models the standard vs the defender and reading that the defender wasn't quite as accurate due to different/thinner barrel profile. Also it looked like a real pain in the ass to attach a sling (no QD without upgrades). I still think about getting one every now and then really love the idea of it even though I have an X95.
 
Horilka said:
^^^What he said.
With heavy bullets mine was sub-moa. And two reasons I got rid of it are: non-military design and hard to observer empty chamber during competition.
P.S. You can buy RDB, you can't buy Mk3.
P.P.S. If you decide to go with RDB - buy it from business so you would have a warranty or buy it significantly cheaper second hand without warranty.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. without a warranty you are on your own if anything goes weird and the RDB is a weird design to start with.

One of the weirdest aspects of the RDB is that the barrel is the entire backbone of the rifle. Basically everything hangs off the barrel, rather than the barrel hanging off a receiver.


Horilka said:
Not with reliability, no. I had actually several RDBs. One of them had issue - slam fire producing nice 2-3 rounds bursts. She went to KelTec for service (was bought from IRG) and they fixed it. Once you adjust gas system for your rounds - she is very reliable.
Click to expand...
You are the first person I have heard articulate the same problem I had with my RDB. The only difference being that mine was second hand and NOBODY wanted to touch it. I even offered to pay the distributor to fix it and was turned down. In the end it got fixed but at considerable cost. In the meantime I bought an X95 and have not looked back. My RDB got sold off.


Adjusting the gas system can be a bit tricky because too little gas and the thing double feeds, which is super fun to clear when you can't see the chamber. Also the gas system is not marked and I always forgot which way to turn for more or less gas.
 
RDB and RFB's are built well. I can understand the plastic fantastic concerns and it's not an issues unless you're really abusive. Make sure to tighten screws and maybe use some Loctite because some will work loose - also don't over torque the top rail to the receiver, both RDB and RFB can be MOA / Sub MOA with quality ammo and generally heavier bullets. I have two RDB's, one scoped, one red dot'ed and two RFB's carbine red dot'ed and hunter scoped. I have no plans of getting rid of them.

I'm really looking forward to the R18 MK3 models .. if you are looking to buy now, RDB. If you've not had or used a bullpup and aren't sure, then wait for the R18 MK3's.
 
I Dont Care About You said:
Absolutely. without a warranty you are on your own if anything goes weird and the RDB is a weird design to start with.

One of the weirdest aspects of the RDB is that the barrel is the entire backbone of the rifle. Basically everything hangs off the barrel, rather than the barrel hanging off a receiver.



You are the first person I have heard articulate the same problem I had with my RDB. The only difference being that mine was second hand and NOBODY wanted to touch it. I even offered to pay the distributor to fix it and was turned down. In the end it got fixed but at considerable cost. In the meantime I bought an X95 and have not looked back. My RDB got sold off.


Adjusting the gas system can be a bit tricky because too little gas and the thing double feeds, which is super fun to clear when you can't see the chamber. Also the gas system is not marked and I always forgot which way to turn for more or less gas.
Click to expand...

Maybe it's just because the only other gun I own with a multi-position regulator is my FN-49, which is a bit of a pain, but I found the RDB to be pretty easy to set up. To your point though, I did use a grease pencil to mark which way is 'more'.
 
Just here to mix things up a bit.. Had the RDB, as mentioned above the lack of chamber access / non mil use kind of turned me off. You will always have the X95 crowd pushing for the better bullpup.. I can agree with them and I am one. HOWEVER I will always strongly push people towards a Type 97. Flawless rifle when you get into the Gen2 and Gen3 rifles. There are a few available right now. I have never had a single issue in the years of my Gen2 and Gen3 T97 ownership.

Gen1 rifles really only suffered from a feed ramp issue which was solved with a Dremel and 5 minutes of work.

*EDIT* Forgot to mention that I have had excellent experiences with the LockHart Raven. Currently enjoying the Crypto and am kinda interested in what the MK3 will bring to the table. Have had 3 wk180's and no issues with any of them personally.
 
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Mines been the best bang for buck black rifle purchase I've made post OIC. Better trigger, accuracy, lighter and better parts availability than either Tavor (Tar21/X95) out of the box (and arguably better than the Geiselle super sabra and lightning bow) and much, much cheaper. I've sold both Tavors and kept the RDB. Its by far the best option for a black rifle that you can buy off the shelf up here, I don't swim in mud nor feel the need to treat my rifle like a make shift hammer, so it's been more than reliable.
 
Tvw said:
Just here to mix things up a bit.. Had the RDB, as mentioned above the lack of chamber access / non mil use kind of turned me off. You will always have the X95 crowd pushing for the better bullpup.. I can agree with them and I am one. HOWEVER I will always strongly push people towards a Type 97. Flawless rifle when you get into the Gen2 and Gen3 rifles. There are a few available right now. I have never had a single issue in the years of my Gen2 and Gen3 T97 ownership.

Gen1 rifles really only suffered from a feed ramp issue which was solved with a Dremel and 5 minutes of work.

*EDIT* Forgot to mention that I have had excellent experiences with the LockHart Raven. Currently enjoying the Crypto and am kinda interested in what the MK3 will bring to the table. Have had 3 wk180's and no issues with any of them personally.
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Yah I've tried the T97 and it was okay. Though I'm not a CCCP fan so I try to stay away from norinco when possible.

Good to hear about the Raven though. How is it wearing? The decision to not anodized seems a bit controversial
Andurp said:
Have about 1000 rounds thru my RDB. It is accurate (using a Holosun 403B with their 3x Magnifier) out to 300m, so long as you're willing to accept my definition of 'accurate' as reliably hitting torso-sized steel at that range. I have never put it on paper except to zero it. Reliability is very good once you tune the gas regulator for your ammo, which is easy, and it's not very finnicky. I've found a setting that works on pretty much all 55gr ammo that I've tested it with.

I would like to get the enlarged bolt release from Lucky Irishman, as well as an MLOK handguard. The plastic one the rifle comes with is pretty underwhelming and it isn't heat-shielded. The trigger is very good, not just for a bullpup but in general.

I'm probably going to be buying a Sterling Mk3 next year sometime myself, but I plan on keeping my RDB. It's fun!
Click to expand...
Sounds like the gun can outshoot me at 300 yards.

I think I may get the Sterling Mk 3 as well but wait till 2025 to see if there are any issues with the new piston
 
BKnill1 said:
Yah I've tried the T97 and it was okay. Though I'm not a CCCP fan so I try to stay away from norinco when possible.

Good to hear about the Raven though. How is it wearing? The decision to not anodized seems a bit controversial

Sounds like the gun can outshoot me at 300 yards.

I think I may get the Sterling Mk 3 as well but wait till 2025 to see if there are any issues with the new piston
Click to expand...
Pretty hard to not support china now days. Do as you will.
Raven was good for the 6-700 rounds I put thru it. Sold it after I got the Crypto.
 
I forgot Type97 at all.
For the same bucks, T97 would be a better choice if you want reliability.
I trust China more than Kel-tec on quality...
 
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