Kel-Tec SU-16C: "Featherweight Firepower" By Nutnfancy, Pt 1

PART 1 OF 3:
The Kel-Tec SU-16C is a super lightweight, portable rifle possessing excellent firepower, good accuracy, and reliability. At a mere 4.7 lbs the SU-16C enjoys an amazingly versatile POU: backpacking gun, patrol officer carbine, civilian sheepdog weapon, or aircrew armament. As shown with Burris "Speed Dot" sight , 30 rd USGI mag (empty), M6 laser/light, and single point sling the SU-16C weighs still a svelte 5.8 lbs. The SU-16C is a high value gun and competes against that also excellent Ruger Mini-14 in the high value .223 carbine category (subject to change with pricing). It takes the ubiquitous AR-15 magazines which gives it plentiful and useful firepower. Integrating a built in Picatinny rail, the SU-16C can easily take optics to increase night sighting and overall hit potential. I recommend sticking to very lightweight sighting options on the gun to retain its portability and speed in handling. The iron sights however are good using a ghost-ring aperture system. They are capable of good accuracy at 50 yards as shown with my target proof. The SU-16C should be considered to have a break-in period and one model I shot experienced many stoppages until this phase was complete. Thereafter (and after cleaning and lubing), that example became 100% reliable with a variety of ammunition. Ensure the bolt, lock lugs, and bolt carrier wear a good lubricant like BreakFree CLP or Slip2000 to help ensure reliable functioning. Some users polish the bottom of the bolt carrier and inside the ejector (NOT extractor) hole to further improve functioning, however these guns worked fine without these mods. The gun shows resistance to harsh environmental conditions and handling while still maintaining high reliability. The ergonomics on the SU-16C are excellent and it possesses surprising sturdiness for its design. The stock has a comfortable, full-size length of pull (thank you Kel-Tec) and locks into place solidly and without any play. The trim forend has excellent checkering, lots of room for grasping, and doubles as a bipod. The magazine release button can be confused with nearby receiver screws so train appropriately. Accessories from Kel-Tec are plentiful and include a compact Picatinny forend replacement , a single point sling and mounting hardware, 10 round magazines, and a pistol grip which allows use of AR-15 stock systems. As in some other Kel-Tec designs, the molded stock/frame may show a sharp corner here and there but a careful sanding with 420 grit sandpaper can smooth those edges quickly. Operation of the gun is simple and is a hybrid of AK and AR procedures (as are its gas piston design and M16-like bolt and locking lugs). Fieldstripping and reassembly are unique in their procedures and may take some practice to achieve speed. The operating handle reciprocates during firing and has an integrated case deflector which also makes charging and operation of the handle more comfortable. Windage corrections on the rear sight are somewhat tedious but effective. These screws and others on the receiver should be lock-tighted or secured with plumbers tape to prevent backing out during firing. ). These examples of the gun had rust in the front sight cups that had to be removed but I feel that this is not representative of the usually excellent Kel-Tec customer service and quality control. The barrel on the SU-16C is an impressive .625 in diameter and .735 underneath the handguard. This substantial thickness is a big plus for the design and provides more capabilities as discussed. Impressively, the muzzle wears a 1/2x28 threaded end that can accept AR-15 muzzle devices, with the YHM Phantom 5C2 flash suppressor being one of my favorites. Accuracy is good with medium quality ammo (better loads will improve results), producing sub 1" groups at 50 yds (using red dot sight) and about 2" to 2.5" at 100 yds (scoped). Shooting a 5.8 lb gun accurately is a bit tougher since minimizing the guns movement is more difficult. But the distinct advantage in "Mobility" and lightweight with the SU-16C is much preferred and makes this system option one of the smartest choices for an all-around, high-value defensive tactical carbine. /////////////Nutnfancy Likeability Scale: 10 of 10