[Big Dog]

Well, after having finally gotten to feel one up at the last gunshow, I still hadn't been able to shoot one of these Folding Fantastics.
Happy day! My buddy, Ray The Glockman, brought his new toy to the range. A brand-spanking new SU16. We checked it out thoroughly, and followed the recommended break-in procedure (shoot a round & clean, shoot five more & clean, etc.)
Once broken in, then we started adjusting the sights. The front adjusts for both windage and elevation - using the tried&true two-screw method, similar to the Finn M39. Elevation is adjusted by moving the firesight blade up or down before tightening the screws.
A special tool is used, as the screws are hex-head. No slots to bugger up!
After shooting several groups, we had moved the front sight all the way right, and it's still shooting about one inch to the right of center at 50 yards. Ray is going to get the optional adjustable rear sight. I think a Red Dot would be the shizznitt.
It has a built in Weaver rail.
Ray is a pistol shooter, and after a few magazines (five rounders) he was doing easy two-to three inch groups. I made a one inch group with out any trouble - this with a rather large ghost-ring peep and old ammo of dubious quality.
The trigger really surprised me. Kel-Tec has never made a gun with a trigger I liked - til now! A tiny bit of take-up, then a crisp let-off - very alright!
The folding forearm (turns into a bipod) was very secure closed.
I didn't care for the bipod feature - too floppy, too narrow, doesn't lock open.
The stock's length of pull worked okay for me, and Ray tells me they have an optional extender pad for it.
The buttstock is fairly secure, even though hollow. Boy, is that puppy hollow! I'm thinking - NO buttstroking the goblin with this gun! Of course, the SU16 takes regular AR15 magazines. Even the quirky thirty-round Israeli Orlite worked well.
So basically, the ol' 'Dog gives this Kel-Tec the thumbs-up.
Once the sight glitch is worked out, I think it'll give the Ruger Mini-14 some very stiff competition.
Hey - I can't believe I actually like a KEL-TEC! After the utterly horrid little beast the Sub2000 is, this one finally redeems the name. For $450 - I might be tempted. Have to see how Ray's rifle turns out.

Kel-Tec's site for info and pics:
http://www.kel-tec.com/su-16_rifle.htm

Thank you BD ! :right:

[Volk]

Was it the one that folds in half or the new one that has folding stock and can be fired folded?
I would probably get the new one some day.

[Volk]

Looks like that new model is no longer on Kel Tec website. !!!!. Did they drop it before they even build some? No Kel Tec for me then.

[Volk]

I want this one!

http://www.kel-tec.com/SHOT2004.htm

[Big Dog]

Volk, the one I shot was the original model, which folds under and can't be shot folded.
I think it's quite a decent rifle in it's price range. It'll be compared to the Ruger Mini-14 and the .223 AK variants - both "wood&steel" rifles.
For compactness and the fact it uses the basic AR15 magazines, I like it.
But the optional adjustable rear sight is a must!

[NRAJOE]

That would be a great truck gun....throw it uner the back seat of my extended cab....HMMMMMMM...

[PAPA G]

wonder if Armalite is going to remake the AR180B with the folding stock next month???

[Big Dog]

Just as an engineering note:
one thing that makes the SU-16 able to fold, is the bolt system. The bolt carrier kind of resembles that of the AK, except that the recoil spring is inside the tube extending forward in hte gas tube. Interesting system.
I had thought it would be an AR-180 style bolt, but it ain't.
Still, it's nice not to have that silly buffer and spring back in the buttstock.
I never could get used to the AR's "twang" when shooting one.

I'm thinking the SU-16C with short barrel and folding stock would be an interesting "entry weapon".

I'd still love to see an Su-16 in 7.62X39. That would be sweet!

[jerry]

nice looking rifles, thanks for sharing.