LF Information on the Kel Tec SU-16F & Friends

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Northern_AME

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Hey there fellow marksman, firstly I'd like to just say that this is my first post on the forum and I am glad to finally be apart of the community.

I was unsure if this one was justified for the black and green rifle section vs the sporting side, but I though you guys might possibly have more to add considering the somewhat grey areas commonly walked within the genre.

I've been doing allot of contemplation lately on the SU-16 (as a whole). Despite being set on wanting to purchase one eventually, I have alot of questions rolling through my mind on what's actually available, what the different models offer and their compatibility / interchangeability.

From what I can see by doing some light 'googling' is all that's really commercially available here in Canada is the SU-16F model vs the State's get to enjoy a plethora of models. The F model is from, what I gather, an American A model more or less. Is it possible to get any other model than F in Canada non-restricted?

What I want to know is basically is it possible to turn a F model into a CA model regarding the iron sights (is the rear sight the same and all you'd need is a CA front sight?) Is it possible to swap barrels with a CA for the threaded end? (I believe they're both the same length at 18.5") Can you use a C model stock on a F model whIle still retaining the non-firing capabilities while folded thus keeping it a non-restricted longer than 660mm overall folded including a 18.5" threaded barrel firearm?

Another thing I've found strangely enough is the SU-16TAC, which from my understanding, is a modified F model. I can't seem to find much practical modification facts on this unit either. Can the stock fold on this unit as does the regular F model? Can it receive a regular F model stock? Can you use a regular F model fore-grip to replace the 'tactical' grip while still retaining the CA/C model from sight placement?

Where can someone buy replacement parts for these kinds of projects?

I know I'm asking some seemingly random question's here:bangHead:, but honestly I'd greatly appreciate what anyone would have to say about their SU-16 and where I should go from here.
 
I had an SU 16. It was solid. Accurate enough for a semi. If you want a light small , package it’s a good choice. But for a few bucks more now that Wolverine has the wk180 on the market for $1000 or u can build your own AR ish rifle from Maccabbee or ATRS I see those as better options. Plus they’re aluminum construction vs plastic.
 
Some parts are interchangeable, but the barrel is a tough one , as it’s pressed in.
There’s an SU 16 website that has a ton of info.

But as stated, there’s better options out there.
 
robab said:
I had an SU 16. It was solid. Accurate enough for a semi. If you want a light small , package it’s a good choice. But for a few bucks more now that Wolverine has the wk180 on the market for $1000 or u can build your own AR ish rifle from Maccabbee or ATRS I see those as better options. Plus they’re aluminum construction vs plastic.
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That is what I'm looking for, an accurate enough semi in a small light package for carrying around to my favorite plinking spots. I'm not necessarily looking for a 'tactical' AR style rifle.
 
I bought one back in 2012 - cost $800 for the gun and $250 for the collapsible rear and compact front stock to make it look more AR-ish....This was back when there were not a lot of .223 AR-ish (inexpensive) options in Canada. Fun little non-restricted rifle, light weight and fairly accurate. Never had an issue with it.
 
lone-wolf said:
Mini14, WK180c, An SKS, all more reliable, accurate, and solid than a su16.
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Not sure about that one...

My buddy's su 16 tac has NEVER jammed in the 800+ rnds its seen. I've yet to witness a mini 14 in person that didnt jam! haha and with good ammo, I noticed the SU 16 was right around 2moa. Which probably surpasses most sks's and minis I've seen.

HOWEVER the solid part is something somebody really needs to consider when purchasing a SU 16... many of there receivers do break after a matter of time. And that totally blows, especially since until it broke, the SU 16 F was a kickass gun for the money in Canadas market.

Of course now that the 180c is out. Idk y anybody would buy a SU. I know I wouldn't.
 
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I have the complete opposite first hand experience, the su16 stovepipe often and barely putting rounds on paper, the mini(580 series mind you) doing 2moa(flirted with 1moa) and never a jam.
 
For the price, I just don’t know that the value is there, especially with the possibility of a cracked receiver. This seems to be a continuing issue, and Kel-Tec doesn’t have the best record of coming through with warrantee for Canadian customers. I believe there was even a discussion that their warrantee was only good for the original owner, and didn’t extend to used/second owners. A couple years ago, when there were no other options in that $1K range I could see the market for them, but with the WK-180C now available I don’t know why anybody would take the chance with their hard earned dollars.
 
Murray 3-D said:
Not sure about that one...

My buddy's su 16 tac has NEVER jammed in the 800+ rnds its seen. I've yet to witness a mini 14 in person that didnt jam! haha and with good ammo, I noticed the SU 16 was right around 2moa. Which probably surpasses most sks's and minis I've seen.

HOWEVER the solid part is something somebody really needs to consider when purchasing a SU 16... many of there receivers do break after a matter of time. And that totally blows, especially since until it broke, the SU 16 F was a kickass gun for the money in Canadas market.

Of course now that the 180c is out. Idk y anybody would buy a SU. I know I wouldn't.
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The one thing I really like about the SU is the fact that it folds in half giving it more pack / storage options. But with the 180c out now and it being cheaper than I'd expected I might consider it now over the SU.
 
Unless you have 'X' size storage area that only a SU16 can fit there are for sure better choices if size and weight are not a concern. The SU16 really only thrives as a survivalist type truck gun due to its size and weight, open sight or scoped option with ability to carry three mags in a quick grab and go package. My only complaint is that the rear sight sux! There is an up graded after market disk diopter rear sight available but i have tried to source it a few times and no luck. To my knowledge the threaded barrel option was not available in Canada nor are the other goofy stock options other then the traditional type rifle stock and the AR type stocks.
Stay away from the tactical version with the AR... as stated the receivers are fragile due to the leverage the AR type stocks put on it. It is decently accurate though for what it is...for me out to 300 m its a 3 moa rifle.
 
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I had one, sold it, then bought another the day C71 was first mentioned.
They should be cheaper, but my experience has been positive. I put the AR style fore end and stock on both of mine.
Very light gun, which is good and bad. Accurate when cold. Bang a mag through it quickly and it starts to wander.
I shoot light .223 handloads in mine.
 
There are better options now for around the same money. I wouldn't buy an SU-16 and I definitely wouldn't buy one used since the warranty is non transferable.

I've shot 3 of them, the two basic model ones were terrible, they made groups at 100 yards that looked like a shotgun had been on the range. The other was the FX model I think, it looked a lot more like an AR and it was much more solid feeling and shot much better.
They feel cheap, 2 out of 3 of the ones I shot were terrible for accuracy, but all were reliable at least for the couple range sessions I had with them.

Save your money and buy something better.

If you do buy one keep an eye on your bolt face, been a few reports of the firing pin hole growing and ending up with blown primers and other issues. Easily fixed if they will warranty it but still something you shouldn't have to worry about with a rifle.
 
Northern_AME said:
The one thing I really like about the SU is the fact that it folds in half giving it more pack / storage options. But with the 180c out now and it being cheaper than I'd expected I might consider it now over the SU.
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If ur plinking range isnt much further than 150ms, I would also suggest maybe a PCC instead! At less than 150m shooting there way better for the money than most NR .223s here in canada.
 
Type 97 gets my vote. Very compact, may need a little tweaking (had to take 10 mins and file my magwell to accept all AR mags) but now it feeds everything and in over 1000 rounds hasn’t had an issue. Hasn’t even been cleaned, it’s just a lug anywhere bang around gun that is a lot of fun to shoot.
 
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