Kel-Tec SU-16C 5.56 rifle, Dive into the Innovative Features
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- Lightweight and a functional shooter, the Kel-Tec SU-16C offers a unique experience, even though the two main innovative features on the gun are not that useful. I have no affiliation with any of the companies discussed in this video, everything was purchased by me. This is not an educational or training video. Please gain and utilize knowledge of the rules of firearms safety.
I've had my KelTec SU-16C for over a decade.. as a bug out bag/truck gun.. had multiple sights on and off the gun.. it SHOOTS well THOUSANDS of rounds through it.. in spite of "short comings" it's a viable "go to" weapon.
How do you tighten the bi pod???
Thanks for the review, well done.
i was using bi-pod and finished shooting a mag and like a dummy i grabbed the barrel,aye aye hot stuff and like you i dont use flimsy bipod anymore .i really like the reliability,so far su 16 has never failed.
A very good review although I disagree with some of your conclusions.
I just picked up two Charlies. Bought them online and they were literally the only two I could find which is why I bought them both. (Sequential serial numbers too. 🙂). Apparently, I bought the last two for sale in existence. (I don’t count guns com.) One rifle I’ll accessorize a bit, but the other will remain stock.
Being aware of the breakdown issue when using a lengthy optic, I went with an ACOG clone so I don’t have to remove the optic to remove the bolt. Only about $80. No batteries required for illumination. (My Colt AR-15 has a real deal Trijicon.) You're happy with the Romeo with the magnifier and that's all that matters.
I don’t have an issue with the slight flex of the stock. I feel it’s all but unnoticeable, but helps with felt recoil - even though 5.56 recoil really isn’t bad. You’re going to have to reacquire your target for each shot anyway due to muzzle rise, but I minimized that by installing a Fortis muzzle break. (The rifle just doesn’t look right without a break, compensator, flash hider or _something_ on the end of the barrel anyway. I wouldn’t waste a suppressor on this rifle though.)
It’s true though that you won’t be using it to bash your way through an obstacle. If caught in that type of situation I hopefully would have a more durable firearm like one of my AR-15’s. _You_ didn’t say it, but I get tired of people saying things like, “I would never carry this rifle into battle.” Well, duh. It most certainly would not be _my_ first choice. That’s not it’s intended market, but it’s pretty unlikely that I or anyone else not in the military will be heading into battle anytime soon anyway - even with Democrats in charge. Yeah, you don’t get to bash the stock into anything without risking damage, but in exchange you not only get a folding stock - but a folding stock that folds over a 30 round magazine and you get a lighter weapon. A 4.7lb 5.56 rifle? Hard to beat.
As far as loading a magazine goes when the stock is folded: No one uses that ten round mag anyway unless they live in a commie state and have no choice, but I believe the rifle is illegal there now anyway. I converted the included ten round mag into a storage box. I first glued the follower in. Then I removed the spring and slightly modified the bottom plate so it can be removed and then snapped back in and won’t fall off. I can now store some small tools, cotton swabs, a vial of oil etc in this little mag and store it in the guns mag well. I tend to use polymer mags, but purchased metal just for this rifle to maintain the ability to fold over a 30 round mag. (Admittedly, it’s a tight fit.) I don’t feel it’s difficult to insert 30 round mags with the stock folded at all although it’s true that just trying to shove a magazine straight into the well with the stock folded can be a bit awkward. The easy way: With the stock folded, insert the (metal) magazine similar as to how you would insert a magazine into an AK-47 with the bottom of the mag angled towards the barrel’s muzzle. Slip the mag far enough in so one corner is inside the well. Then rock it back and push it in. Works like a charm and it slips right in. Practice makes perfect. If out and about with the rifle I tend to keep a 30 round mag inserted already anyway. In an urgent situation I can pull the rifle out and lay down suppressing fire while still in the folded configuration. Then I can flip the stock out first chance I get and continue firing while swapping mags as necessary.
As far as the bi-pod/forend goes, yeah, it’s a bit flimsy, but not as flimsy as I expected and it’s one of the features that made me want this rifle. I reshaped that “thigh master” spring just a bit so it fits better in its recesses and is much less likely to pop out. I also employed the AK-47 hammer spring trick. Now, as soon as I unlatch the forend it flips forward as a bi-pod all on it’s own. It’s more sturdy, doesn’t try to fold back while you are firing and makes it easier to snap the forend closed again because the two sides aren’t flopping around. When pressing the buttons to release the bi-pod I too find it not unusual for one side to release while the other doesn’t. I simply press _both_ buttons again - not just the unreleased side - and the second side easily releases.
I dislike when someone calls the rifle “plastic” and complains about it. It’s polymer. Everyone _knows_ it’s glass infused Zytel polymer, but they still call it plastic. No offense, but you’re guilty here of insinuating that this is a negative. Polymer is tough. Of course, it’s just not indestructible. Throw it against a tree and it’s likely to break, but throw that AK with the wooden furniture against a tree and that’s likely to break as well. There’s never a guarantee than an all metal weapon thrown against a tree would survive unscathed, but then - how many rifles are all metal? Solution? Don’t throw your weapon against a tree. The polymer makes makes the firearm much lighter. Anyone who buys a polymer firearm and complains afterwards has no right to do so and shouldn’t have purchased the weapon in the first place. They knew it was polymer going in. That SUB2K you have… What’s it made of? Polymer. That Ruger American Ranch you have… What’s it made of? Polymer. That Henry Survival .22 AR-7… Polymer stock and the steel barrel is literally coated with ABS plastic. Jump off the band wagon. Polymer is not a negative thing. My Canik METE MC9 is polymer. The frame of my Glock 19 is polymer. The stock, pistol grip and foregrip of my AR-15’s are all Polymer. Polymer is everywhere so it’s silly to present it as a negative. The Tavor bullpup, a staple of the Israeli military, is made of….. polymer. I’ve got a Tavor 95 in my safe too.
You don’t _ignore_ the innovations Kel-Tec comes up with. You buy their firearms _because_ of the innovations. It just pains me when someone buys this Charlie rifle, swaps out the forend and/or the stock or adds a pistol grip negating the folding ability. Why buy a Charlie at all? You just eliminated all the features that make this rifle unique and desirable. (I hope you still haven’t put that Red Lion forend on.)
My only concern when buying the SU16C was the polymer trigger. I normally have no issue with polymer, but feel it’s not the right material for a trigger. I was pleasantly surprised at how _good_ the trigger on this rifle is. Virtually no flex unless I _tried_ to make it flex without charging the rifle. I have nothing to measure it with, but I strongly believe the triggers on my two rifles is significantly less than the advertised six pounds and the reset competes with the fantastic trigger on my Canik METE MC9.
So far, my only issues with this rifle are: That %#^&# take down pin. It’s pretty tough to get in and out. I understand the need for it to be firm, but damn! If you have to break this rifle down in the field you had better hope you brought along a small hammer and a punch. And the fact that it’s not retained is a mystery to me. I’m considering the hitch pin replacement. The other issue is the lack of the dust cover on the Charlie. Kel-Tec apparently removed that feature a number of years ago with no explanation. (I suspect it was simply a cost thing. The BCG on the Charlie was different than the other SU16 models in order to accommodate that dust cover. Now it’s the same as the other models. It’s cheaper and more efficient to produce just one style of BCG rather than two.) Unfortunately, the Kel-Tec website still shows a picture of the firearm with a dust cover and the manual still talks about the dust cover even showing it in diagrams. Other than that disappointment. I find no fault with the rifle.
Regarding folding that GEN2 SUB2K with an optic attached: You of course know there are several mounts that flip or swivel your optic out of the way. (MCARBO (good) and Midwest Industries (better)). I went with the MI mount for a while, but my final solution was to mount a reflex sight made for a pistol onto a 45degree offset mount which allows the weapon to be folded without the optic being in the way. I get to maintain use of the irons and I simply cant the rifle slightly to use the optic.
Sorry for the essay. When I have a strong opinion I tend to spill it all.
There's a company that will convert these to .300 blackout.😁 Also, if the bipod gets too sloppy and you want to replace it in the future, it will receive an AK hand grip with zero modifications.
Excellent information, thank you!
Where who 😅?
Isn't there another company out of Idaho that does a .308 conversion?
@@anjgixxer2600Negative Ghost rider; do not use the damn Magpul fore end.
Big blocky claps and an aluminum sub frame. It will throw off the nice balance of the weapon.
The Red lion and two short pieces of rail are all that is needed.
People should appreciate Kel TEC more for their gun designs and cheap prices
Get what you pay for I suppose. Mil spec mag in folded position works great for quick deployment in the wildI never had any intentions on reloading it while still folded. As a cheap sport utility rifle folding stock and bi pod off the shelf I enjoy it. Nice video and I like the Romeo optic you have
Awesome, On Defense, thank you. Good perspective!
@@anjgixxer2600 I only keep the stock folded on my SU16C when carrying in a backpack or on a bicycle.
Interesting piece. Metal 30rd mags aren't my favorites, but I have a few. Looks like a great, light, trail or truck rifle in a decent caliber with respectable ballistics and range.
Lord, I don't need another 556....
20 round Duramag Speed mags (aluminum) are the go to.
i have the su-16 B and i wanted it to be a little more different so put a su-16 C stock on it.i really like it,operates fine.good vid thanks
Nice! Thank you
I find my SU-16C to be what I expected when I purchased it, a 5.56/223 semi automatic rifle that will fold to make it smaller to carry in a backpack or other carrier, Firepower and accuracy is acceptable when used properly and ease of maintnance is also a plus. I will agree the folding stock is all but useless as a bipod but it is necessary for dissassembly and cleaning so I am not sure it was truly ever intended to be an effective bi-pod. As for loading and unloading while the stock is folded I agree it is not the most convienent but it is possible and the use of the larger magazine generally precluded rapid changes. Overall it is a unique design but not perfect!
No one should expect speed or accuracy, or anything else good, from trying to fire a gun until its empty and reload it with the stock folded.
🤔 interesting! I've never seen one of those, awesome video 👍
You didn’t mention the takedown pin that all of the SU16 rifles have to fold on the receiver pin, vs. the folding stock of the C variant. (I don’t use mine either.). I also occasionally transport it in a regular tennis racket case, with a cable lock through the action, and mags in the ball pocket.
To each their own. I would not use bi-pod. But still like the break down of it.
its able to fire folded
BUT THATS NOT THE PRIORITY
so expect to rip it into extension asap
and then the mage replacement is not
the big deal claimed at length here...
as for butt-stroking -- if thats a big
want then get a much heavier rifle
Hey Anj, question for you. Is your original Keltec SU-16C rear peep sight accurate? To my understanding it doesn't seem to be adjustable and I have to aim left to hit where I want to aim. I'm thinking of changing the rear peep sight to a Tech Sights rear peep sight, but I also wouldn't mind a romeo + Juliet combo which also allows me to use iron sights if needed. I guess this is a two part question, are your stock sights accurate, and do they co witness with the romeo and juliet?
Hi, no, my sights do not co witness with the Sig optic. The red dot riser allows for use of the stock sights, but not co-Witness. The stock sights are accurate for me. I am better with the optic, but at 50 yds I can hit with the sights. At 100 yards using the sights I am not very good. I can’t see well enough to make a good try of it and I did not attempt to adjust them. Thank you, Happy New Year!
I had one had to sell it. I'm looking for another one I really liked mine. They are a neat little gun that is light and relatively well built I do with the bipod/forend were strongr. If I can find another one I'm going to make a new forend/bipod out of aluminum. I think mine was the A version. I would rather have a C I think. But the ability to carry 2 10 round mags or 1 30 round mag in the folding stock of the A version without one actually being in the mag well to me was a nice feature but that's personal preference. And I really like the fact it's a piston gun instead of DI. nice video
Cant buy this rifle anywhere
Lol lots of negatives haha this and a sub are just easy storage camping or bugout bag guns for what it costs and what it's Designed for it's great In my opinion but the next gen of it will be more precise
Should have gotten the su-16e
That’s a lot of plastic
I like and hate keltec. Keltec has great innovations and then they refuse to make corrections or better quality parts for their guns making them better. This model has some parts that be swapped with Ar's like the bolt but the recievers and frames on these will crack and break and are not suited for regular use. I wish keltec or someone would make an all metal receiver version that is not polymer.
I still have the su16c but it's just an emergency backup gun . My true backpack gun and worst case gun is a more expensive and metal trigger modified steyr Aug . That thing will never break and rarely needs be cleaned.
The fact that you spent so much time on the stock/magazine dilemma astounds me. Just unfold the stock dude. What situation will you be in that requires you to keep it folded in order to reload?
Decent review other than that.
I was thinking that too. Maybe in very tight quarters like in a vehicle, while using it as a pistol, being able to reload without unfolding would be useful.
If you don’t like it I’ll give you 350$ for it.
Kitty Cat!
Will it still shoot when folded up
Yea
You have to have a steel mag in it though. It won't fold over plastic ones they are too wide.
paint the stock and grip brown, and you have something california democrats are okay with
are these still in stock?
There are a few listed on Gunbroker. That's why I'm here watching reviews
You shouldnt use your friggin gun as a damn hammer to begin with thats absolutely stupid. If you hate it that bad just sell it.
Well, let’s ignore the self defense aspect of using a buttstock in an emergency then. Are you aware of how to clear a round stuck in the chamber? I’ve used the buttstock/charging handle method, and it wasn’t a little tap that it worked with. Let’s also ignore the fact that I said I like the gun. My entire point is if they are going to design innovative features, I’d hope those features are as good or better when compared to a side-folder. Plus, I don’t sell guns, doing so is usually a bad idea.
@Judge102
Clearly, someone has never served in the military. It causes them to post stupid hateful comments.