KelTec RFB production changes

[Claven2]

Does anyone know if there is a handy reference showing RFB production changes? I'm surious how you know you are sporting the latest updates or not.

I know of at least two changes to the RFB since they started being imported, and there are probqably more I don't know about.

Examples include:

- two different versions of the gas regulator
- two different gas piston designs (one with AR15-type gas rings and one without)

 

[sapper043]

I think I have 2 different gas regulators at home. I will try to remember to post pictures when I get home. I need to change out and test the newer version.

 

[Claven2]

From what I gather talking to Vault earlier today is that the RFB-C has been sold in two production variants, call them Gen1 and Gen2.

The basic differences seem to be:

Gen 1: AR-15 style gas rings on a short piston with a regulator that is actuated with a cartridge head and a non-captive plunger. The bolt carrier is TIG spot welded together and the impact surface for the gas piston is an L-profile bracket welded to the carrier body. Lower body screws use a washer.

Gen2: No AR15-style gas rings on the plunger which is overall longer. Regulator is instead actuated with the tip of an FMJ bullet and the plunger is captured by a roll pin. The bolt carrier re-inforcements are pull-penetration TIG seam welded in and the L-profile bracket is replaced with a machined steel block. One of the recoil springs is augmented with a secondary spring which reduces overall perceived recoil. The lower body assembly screws are washer-less.

Feel free to correct me if any of these are wrong, but I think that's the gist of it. Vault said they have had to replace a couple Gen1 carriers with Gen2 carriers due to ppl firing the gun on too agreesive a gas setting, but that none of the Canadian market guns have had a Gen-1 gas system fail to the point it needed upgrading to Gen2 (which requires the gun to go back to the factory in Florida).

 

[Claven2]

Oh, and PS, the formal Vault position is that threading the barrel still voids the Keltec warranty on the whole firearm. This is actually a Keltec position that the distributor is forced to abide by, despite it not making much sense.

My RFB being a Gen1 that could need some Gen2 upgrade parts at some point basically precludes my ever threading the muzzle. (sadly).

I may try to build a muzzle device that uses the accessory threads though... fake can anyone?

 

[Jay]

I have to agree Claven, the fact Kel-Tec won't allow the RFB barrel to be threaded, even by the folks (Dlask) who did the threading for the Desert Storm version, really disappoints me.

It would be nice if they allowed this, even if they stipulated who was to do it & you had to keep a record of it to ensure your warranty would be honored...

Cheers
Jay

 

[Claven2]

Honestly, I would be happy if they said it only voided warranty on the barrel, but the whole rifle makes the liklihood of my doing the mod VERY small.

It's still a cool rifle tho.