Gunblast.com - Kel-Tec SU-16C

[bcott28]

hey jeff! great videos, and i love your website. one ? for you sir. will the model charlie still work folded with the Pmags? wondering since it looks as though the gi type mags are just the right size. wondering since i like pmag performance. thanks Brian

[Gunblastdotcom]

Yes it will.



Jeff

[ArgosRho]

After firing both the Mini-14 and this Rifle, which would you consider the better gun overall for out and about field work? I've been considering this rifle for awhile just because it seems Keltec has been putting out some very high quality arms recently and I've been batting this purchase around.

(Seen that RFB yet? My only complaint is the FAL magazine, they should gone with an M16 style)

[Gunblastdotcom]

I reviewed the RFB several months ago. Excellent weapon. The Mini or the SU just comes down to personal choice.

Jeff

[deacon997]

after a year of looking I finally found and purchased one of these guns, can't wait to get to the range!

[RooR2027]

lmao at the music, of course. but well done nice vid, and very informative

[Gunblastdotcom]

Wasn't intended to be funny...

[druisten3]

kel tec is verry inovative !

[Gunblastdotcom]

Mine is perfectly reliable. I do not run steel-cased ammo through my weapons.

Jeff

[akthemoor]

Quick question, do you consider this weapon more reliable than a mini 14?

[Gunblastdotcom]

I do not.



Jeff

[jpap967]

Hey Jeff, doesn't the handguard open up into two pieces that act as a bipod? I saw a picture of that I think and it looked like a pretty cool idea, I'd like to see it demonstrated.

[Gunblastdotcom]

It does. That feature is shown in the review on Gunblast.com

Jeff

[THEKOOL4iDMAN697]

i still don't get why people hate the looks on a "gun" like really its a gun if it does its job who fives a fly fuck how it looks.

[HerbWalker]

That Sucker would keep the cats outta your trash can!!! LOL

[HerbWalker]

Oh Hell Jeff.You are about to Convince me to buy a 4th GUN!! hahahahah Mama says I cant talk to JEFF anymoreLOL !!! (joke)

[woodynum86x]

dude awesome beard!!!

[GrenMoyo]

hey my name is Ethan :D god bless KEL TEC is an amazing company

[HerbWalker]

JEFF: My wife says Im not ALLOWED to watch your videos anymore:) She says you always HELP me spend my Money!!! hahahahahaha So Ya'll know, Jeff has helped me buy a shotgun AND a Metro Arms M1911 American Classic 45 Auto(GREAT GUN TOO) PS: See ya when she goes to bed Jeff!!! LOL :)

[HerbWalker]

Man I want a "Poor Mans AR" too! I would be VERY happpy with this weapon.

$550 VS $1200...........for the SAME job, well ,Dont wrap it, I'll TAKE IT! Thanks

[machineguntongue]

Nice work detailing the flash supressor. It really works well.

[chitown1966]

thanks for the review. good job. what is the average price for the rifle?

[Gunblastdotcom]

Around $550 or so in this area.

Jeff

[silkyz1337]

i'll probably get one just from plinking and defense.

[MohammedPoopChute]

Downside - ugly as hell.

Upside - cheap, light, small, and maybe reliable.

Still wonder what the practical use of it is. Hunting? Home defense? Seems like other guns do that better at the same or nearly the same price range.

[Gunblastdotcom]

That is why we have such a variety from which to choose. Some like it, some don't. If I had to justify my guns, the safe would be nearly empty.

[MohammedPoopChute]

@Gunblastdotcom The fact that we can own these weapons is something to be proud of. I am one of those sad people though who, for personal reasons, usually needs to find a justification of some kind. That said I have an SGL-21...because I like it. :)

[MohammedPoopChute]

@Gunblastdotcom My previous comment disappeared but I have to agree with your logic...

:)

[212driller]

love it guys, gotta get some of these babies up here in canada!

[cpynch]

@212driller Vault is importing Kel Tec stuff in Canada now, RFB-C and Sub 2000 are already on the way.... SU-16 should be soon....

Can check with Wolverine, Wanstalls, or lots of other suppliers for Kel Tec gear in Canada.

[xPOSSUM45x]

cute kid! is he ur grand kid?

[Gunblastdotcom]

Yes, that's my grandson Ethan.

[TheMultishooter]

Jeff you've said in other videos you hunt and with your advise which do you think would be good for hunting coyote ? in .223 . would that su 16 work good ? how far do youthink it is accurate? or should i gowith the mini 14

[Gunblastdotcom]

Either of those would work well out to around 200 yards. past that, I would want a 20 or 24 inch AR-15.

Jeff

[crazydoormat]

to the colt m16a2 

[Gunblastdotcom]

That I am not qualified to comment upon. I have never fired an M16 for groups at 300 meters. I have fired many AR-15 rifles at targets, but only blasted rocks and such with an M16.

Jeff

[crazydoormat]

how is the gruoping i ment at 300 meters is it as good as an ar-15 is or is it worse ?

[Gunblastdotcom]

I have not fired it at 300 meters. However, compared to which AR-15? There are many styles, but an AR-15 can be built to be as accurate as any rifle ever made.

Jeff

[mrcabasa]

Thanks for the vid. Were you shooting civi or military ammo?

[Gunblastdotcom]

Military 855 ball.



Jeff

[crazydoormat]

how is the 16c shooting at 300 yards

[Gunblastdotcom]

Works very well, and even farther.

Jeff

[N0N0RIRI]

I have never seen that type of stock/grip before. Very interesting.

[xgi36]

Great demo, thanks for the info. Got to have one for my gun.

[bigphil562]

nice and quick and concise. lucky grand kid

[zchris87v]

Great vid, love the comparison with/without the flash suppressor at the end. Does the 16C (which I like for being able to shoot while folded) retain the folding forend (can be unfolded into a bipod) of the 16A?

[Gunblastdotcom]

Yes, it has the forend that transforms into a bipod.

Jeff

[ethosflux]

Wow that flash suppressor works magic

[skifast177]

Holly crap. Without the flash suppressor it looks like its puking fire.

[TexasDistortion]

How do you like running a scope on the Charlie? have you tried any other optics? Take care

[Gunblastdotcom]

It works very well, but I now keep a Trijicon Reflex dot sight atop the Kel-Tec.

Jeff

[ww2footage]

it looks like that this carbine is so light weight it needs muzzle brake

[cullensaquarium]

that flash supressor is excellent.

[BlunderingThundering]

Sooo hard to find these in stock.

[ButtPoopWiggle]

Holy SHITBALLS that flash suppressor works wonders!

[JacobTheIndoAmerican]

Nice Viking brades on your beard.

[Dmajorproductions]

I want the Charlie model so bad, but everywhere in Tucson cant keep them in stock.

[zchris87v]

This seems like the absolute most logical choice for a .223 over dropping $1000+ on an AR. Without even shooting this, I'm quite convinced I'd like to buy one, even if solely for the versatiliy of it.

[aphsknight74]

Is the SU-16 DI, or is it Piston?

[TheDukeofWellingtons]

Piston

[aphsknight74]

Thank ya

[TGLymantaiste]

@aphsknight74 It is the unholy matingof a AK and an AR. The gas system is almost identical to an AK (thats a good thing) while the bolt lock up is just like an AR. There dosent seem to be any down sie to this rifle other than the fact that it took me 3 months to find one. I love it. Its not bolt action accurate but ill bet it wil go under 1.5 MOA with the right ammo. Ill let you now if I get a chance to fire it off a bench.

[aphsknight74]

@TGLymantaiste

Let me know if you can get one within 8 weeks. The sites I see are 12-14weeks.

[TGLymantaiste]

@aphsknight74 Probably wont be able to get one sooner than that but I will get bck to ya if I find one.

[aphsknight74]

@TGLymantaiste

Thank ya

[AZflyingdevil]

Well that settles it, I'm getting a flash suppressor.

[Saiga223TAC]

How does it cycle 556? Ive heard it has problems with it. I really want to buy one but that would be a deal breaker.

[Gunblastdotcom]

It cycles 5.56mm perfectly.

Perfectly.



Jeff

[mach2525]

would you recommend this rifle or the Ruger mini 14 tactical? I'm leaning towards the mini 14 because its desgined after the M1, thanks

[Gunblastdotcom]

I like both. It depends upon your needs. If you need a compact weapon, the SU is the better choice. Also, it uses the cheap and plentiful AR mags. The Mini is also a fine weapon.

Jeff

[mach2525]

thanks Jeff, i think i'm gonna go with the tactical mini 14 for now because of long term reliability but I'm still going to get the Kel-tec in the future because it has some great features, nice vid

[GT03235]

so what are you long term thoughts on this rifle? Are you still pleased?

[Gunblastdotcom]

Yes I am. I had it out again yesterday. It is a lightweight, handy little carbine.

Jeff

[GT03235]

Jeff thanks for your quick reply

[arturo656b]

Wow-no flash, looks better with the Micor too.

[JasonBJJ1990]

IS mini 30 as acc as mini 14 WHICH is better???

14 or 30

[M16AR15dude]

only difference is the mini 30 is chambered in 7.62x39 and the 14 is chambered for 5.56x45 (yes i am pretty sure that you can shoot 5.56 out of a newer mini)

[JasonBJJ1990]

@M16AR15dude

ok i heard they dont make 30 rd mags for mini14/ 30

SO would it be better to just get a keltec su 16. and any thoughts on the NEW ruger sr556 (ruger ar15) piston driven system. sounds dope.

i livein cali by the way.

[M16AR15dude]

you can find reliable 20 and 30 round mags for mini 14. however, the mini 30 is a little more of a hit or miss deal as far as mags go. some work and some dont, it just depends on the weapon and how much work you are willing to put into the mags to get them to work.

for the Su-16 and SR556, check out NutnFancy's reviews on them. they both look like very good weapons. i still prefer the AR style platform because of the amount of parts and accessoriesfor them

[M16AR15dude]

however, they are expensive and if you are just looking for a cheaper, thow-around gun, the keltec SU-16C would be great. personaly, i like the AR's because if i want to use a different caliber, all i have to do is put a new upper on it and get different mags. in the end, it is all dependant on what you want to do with it.

[neolexington]

the mini 14 in .223 has much better ballistics than the mini 30 7.62x39

its all in how much lead you want to throw.

[sublimepatriot1776]

Thanks Jeff

[h4s5g9]

good vid i wish there a video of the pistol grip for the kel tec su

[Mr291229]

I want to know which gun is better and more reliable, cost or price is right, the Minni 14 or Kel-Tec SU and how much does the Kel-Tec cost I've heard a lot of things about this gun. But need to know which one is better. Thank you have a nice day.

[Gunblastdotcom]

Both are very good weapons, and neither is "better" than the other. It depends upon your personal wants and needs. For an all-around hunting rifle, the Mini is better suited to my needs. However, I also like the compactness and light weight of the SU-16, particularly the folding stock model. I also like that the SU-16 uses standard military AR mags. They are cheap and plentiful. I couldn't decide either, so I own both.

Jeff

[MrSmitten25]

Check out Nutnfancy's review on the SU 16-C, he does a three parter and compares against the mini-14 (NRA edition).

Gunblast has great reviews, Nutnfancy does as well although they are a little more in depth and lengthy - er. This is of course if you haven't seen those vids yet. If so, what did you decide to go with cause im in the same dilema. Though i really dig the looks and feel of the SU-16 C.

[DaytonaRoadster]

@MrSmitten25 Try someone who doesnt have Red Dawn Diease for Gun reviews, however it is a great gun.

[sublimepatriot1776]

Good Review as always Jeff.

Did you experience any reliability issues after the supposed 200 round break in period? When and for how much did you pick that one up for. Ive seen them for 500, but heard stories of people grabbing them at shows for 250-350.

Keep the reviews coming.

[Gunblastdotcom]

I do not remember the price I paid, but I had no reliability problems at all. I always use good-quality NATO-spec ammo, and rarely experience a problem with a .223 or 5.56mm weapon.

Jeff

[jlac2xmglock]

I personally never seen the best out of a kel-tec SU-16, fired a couple shots, it was O.K. but when my buddy bought one, there were all sorts of problems with it.

No, offense to kel-tec fans, its not exactly the kinda rifle for me, my buddys rifle kept jamming after 3 rounds and worst of all the rifle cracked right on top of the reciever,behind the action, plus its difficult to clean the lugs, no access to it!

No points for ergonomics.

[mujahedeen1987]

amazing i ask a question and i get thumbs down!

[mujahedeen1987]

would anyone choose a kel tec over a ar15?

[clubtc05]

I would for the cost checkout nutnfancy table top review on it... a ar15 cost over $1000 and a kel-teck SU-16C, C meaning Charlie version is around $500-$700, so its cheaper and more compact

[Possumlivingdotcom]

No offense, but by no means do all AR-15s cost over $1000. Assembled ARs can be had for under $700, and if you don't mind assembling it yourself (a 15 minute job) you can get one for under $550. How do I know this? I just built 2 of them. The Kel-tec is a neat rifle, though, and I would buy one over a MIni-14, which I have also owned, for one reason: magazines.

BTW, "Charlie" is International Phonetic for C, C doesn't "mean" Charlie. C is simply the third version of the SU-16 to be introduced.

[clubtc05]

lol non taken, about building an AR-15, Cheaper than Dirt has a CMMG complete kit in their catalog but it doesnt have a price on it and I was thinking of building one but then I found out about Saiga rifles with are pretty cheap, found one for $400 for .223 new, and I still might build an AR in the future but im so scared that I might mess it up when im building it...lol do u know any vidoes on the net that show how to build one?? Thanks for the info and reply

[Possumlivingdotcom]

That's a good price on the Saiga.

Sarco has AR15 kits, everything except the lower receiver, for $439. Lower receivers are readily available for under $100.

Ar15 dotcom has a good set of instructions online, complete with photos, showing how to assemble an AR.

[clubtc05]

gotcha thanks man and thanks for all the information im want to get a rifle just in case SHTF lol

[ranhefner]

When comparing prices of the AR15 and SU-16, make sure you compare the PISTON guns!

[Possumlivingdotcom]

Why? A lot of people assume that having a gas piston makes it better, but that is not the case. In fact Armalite, who make a gas piston gun, say gas pistons are not better, only different; and that the only reason the AR-18 had a piston was to avoid patent infringement, since they had sold the DI design to Colt.

DI is lighter and more accurate. And they work. The theoretical reliability advantage of piston guns is just that: theoretical.

[Hammerhead6814]

Hate to break your fairy-tale land idea Possumlivingdotcom, but if the added reliablity of a gas piston was only theoretical, the AK-47 wouldn't be known as the ultra-reliable gun it is today. You ever read? I mean, at all? Because according to Armalite itself, they built the AR-18 in direct response to the AR-15's (military: M16) shortcomings. And they never lost the patent on the AR-15, Colt simply got the contract from the US Military to build them. Google it or read about it in Guns and Ammo

[Possumlivingdotcom]

First, my comments about Armalite were quoted from Armalite factory reps. Go tell them your story. Second, I never said the AK wasn't reliable. But the fact that it is reliable doesn't automatically make other designs unreliable, nor is its reliability necessarily the result of one specific feature you happen to like.

Yes, I read. Technical stuff, in fact. Do you work on guns, test guns, use guns? Or do you just read crap on the Internet written by armchair commandos?

[Hammerhead6814]

First off, OF COURSE THE ARMALITE FACTORY REPS ARE GOING TO TELL YOU THAT. Just like Olypmic will tell you they make the best AR-15 (yeah right). I never said you said the AK wasn't unreliable. I said that it's reliability was due to the piston desgin. No you don't read. In fact, I doubt you shoot. I've had more experience shooting AR-15's and AK's in my life than your little e-mail to a rep will ever give you. Yes, I work on guns, in fact I'm working on accurizing a Mosin right now.

[Possumlivingdotcom]

Why are the Armalite reps "of course" gonna tell "me" that (actually, it wasn't me they told, and it was a Q&A session, not an email) considering they designed and build the AR18/180/180B. They were talking about their own product, and were asked by gas piston fans to comment on the supposed reliability advantage of that product over the AR-15 design as built by so many companies, and they refused to do so even though it would have been to their competitive advantage; opting instead for honesty.

[Hammerhead6814]

They're going to tell you that because they're trying to sell you a rifle. It's amazing that even though your older than me you can't seem to tell the difference between a sales pitch and the truth. Armalite is selling a product, not the truth.

Listen, just look over the facts. The Tavor: Piston Driven. The L80: Piston Driven. The Scar series of rifles: piston driven. If there is no advantage, why on earth are the minds in charge of military's word-wide adopting piston-driven rifles?

[Possumlivingdotcom]

The US, Mexico and Canada haven't adopted gas-piston guns. If you know of ANY country that formerly used the AR pattern and has changed to a piston gun, let's hear it. And as for Armalite, it is you who obviously doesn't read, you complete moron: Armalite made these comments in a Q&A session about the AR-18/180/180B, their products, which are piston operated guns. Read that again: They were not talking about AR-15s, but about their own piston-op gun.

[Hammerhead6814]

Mexico has adopted the H&K G36c, which is piston-driven. They're building their own version locally which is piston-driven. Canada gets M16 model rifles from us dirt cheap, hence why they use it. Read this again: the AR-18 was designed to combat the AR-15's own short-comings. Do I have to bring in company and independent sources or are you going to do some research instead of pretending to know what your talking about?

[Hammerhead6814]

Oh, and Norway. they used the AR pattern rifle for ten some years before ordering the H&K 416 in 2006. Ready to stop spreading bullshit yet? I can do this all day, it only takes a google search to prove you completely wrong.

[Possumlivingdotcom]

The whole point I have been trying to make is that Armalite, when talking about their own piston-operated rifle, when asked to comment about how their gas-piston system is better than the AR-15 DI system, stated that it is not better, only different. I have made that point, for the folks reading this who are capable of understanding that simple point. Hammerhead is obviously too dense to comprehend, or more likely is just looking for trouble.

[Possumlivingdotcom]

And some more facts for you: The Tavor has been adopted by a few countries...to replace various versions of the AK, not the AR series. And the SCAR series is being tested by some US units. To infer that militaries all over the world are moving away from DI rifles is an absolute fabrication

[Hammerhead6814]

It's a fabrication is it? Britain uses the SA-80, piston driven. Germany is using the G3 and G36C, piston driven. France uses the FAMAS, piston-driven. Norway is adopting the H&K 416, piston-driven. Mexico uses the G36c and a locally built copy, piston-driven. Korea uses the K2, piston-driven. China uses the QBZ-95, piston-driven. Singapore uses the SAR-21, piston-driven. The world is moving away from DI, there is no denying it. Look it up, it's a fact.

[Hammerhead6814]

No you said that piston's only "theoretically" increase reliability. Apparently your so flustered you can't even read your own posts. I pointed out that this isn't theoretical, but fact. You responded without sources or facts, but theory. I called bullshit, and your still to dense to figure that out. Your corner is waiting.

[Hammerhead6814]

I'm also rebuilding a Saiga .308 that some bubba fucked over.

If there is an armchair commando online, you are it sir. Your miniscule, diluted idea of reliability and the mere suggestion that a piston system only "theoretically" gives a gun an advantage in terms of reliability while the British convert their L80 rifles to piston, the Germans build the H&K 416, and the rest of the world adopts a piston in it's MBR's, proves that you haven't the slightest idea of what your talking about.

[Possumlivingdotcom]

Thank you for your well-reasoned and thoughtful insults. I stand in awe at the wealth of experience and knowledge of firearms design that you have amassed in a mere 22 years of life, despite the fact that I was studying firearms design, building and shooting rifles and handguns, and shooting in submachine gun action competitions before you were born.

Wow. I need to learn a lesson from you, and start accepting as fact more of what I read on the Internet.

Fuck off, you little piece of shit.

[Hammerhead6814]

Hahaha. It's so lovely to see someone who knows that his story has been totally debunked crawl into the corner they came from and start screaming profanities. Yes, you do need a lesson, because it just so happens that anyone here can either look it up, in a library or in online, the true story of the AR-15, Direct Impingement, and the AR-18 and know your completely full of crap Possumlivingdotcom. Your probably one of those AR fans who cuddles up with his precious every night.

[Possumlivingdotcom]

"Your probably one of those AR fans who cuddles up with his precious every night."

Wow, you must be psychic! I do indeed keep one of my ARs within reach as I sleep. It is a FrankenAR I built as a knockabout to see how much abuse it can take. I have fed it several thousand rounds sans cleaning, mostly of the cheapest possible reloads, some with home-cast bullets (Lyman #225415). The brass is range pick-ups. So far it has been 100% reliable AND shoots 1.5 MOA, which beats my AK hands down.

[Hammerhead6814]

Throw some dirt in the gas tube or on the action and then see how reliable it is. My SU-16 Charlie shoots 1.5 MOA with Remingtion 55 grain, and with handloads I've had groups of five that are just under an inch. Never hand-cast bullets though.

[lynette1953]

the price ,.........hello! :)

[tuckergrass]

They are about half the price.

[ranhefner]

Yes, many do! And if you are going to compare prices, make sure you compare a PISTON AR15. With that in mind, it is about $700-$800 less!

[earlobejobe]

That flash suppressor was kick-ass!  I like your videos they're short, sweet, and to the point!

[RodCornholio]

All I gotta say about that Micor flash suppressor is that the flash was not suppressed -- it was ELIMINATED!

(at least during daylight)

[YouMockMe]

Thanks for the vid, the expresser make a bigger difference than I ever would have imagined... also, as this take the AR ammo and clip, how does it compare? Also would you suggest this over an AK? Again, great vid!

[lt6666]

is this gun offered in other calibers like 5.45x39? the ergonomics look kinda jacked up, how would it compare to an ar? nice flash suppressor demo! thanks for the vid.

[Gunblastdotcom]

It is not offered chambered for any Communist cartridges. The ergonomics work very well for me, but that is a subjective thing. Everyone that has handled this one really liked it, but some will not like it at all.

Jeff

[AreThereNoMoreNames]

There was some talk of a 6.8 version, but given that this is marketed as a cheap alternative to a Mini-14 or AR-15, and the 6.8 offers little over the 5.56 other than a higher price, I can't see that happening.

[ethosflux]

That flash suppressor makes a huge difference! Unsuppressed I almost have the question the kinda ammo he's shooting out of this. But 5.56mm was never meant to be short out of barrels that short.

[yyadamyy]

I want one :)

[celsorod]

thanks for the clip...good stuff

[ssstealth]

WOW, I'd have to say that that falsh supressor works like a charm!