Any love for the KelTec Sub 2000?

[NFrameFred]

Typical grist for a forum like this where these things are chewed over and spit out just for something to do. Idle chit-chat. Something to talk about. As such, perspective starts to take a beating in these threads, IMO.

Fact is, a lot of folks just like to have a metaphorical dog to kick around for fun.
Not too many firearms out there where no matter how many people like it for whatever reason that it's not hard to find something better, even if it's not a fair comparison.

Good example - the Sten gun the Brits produced en masse as an expedient in WWII - not particularly accurate, prone to jamming (because of hastily pounded out mags for the most part) and its propensity to occasionally keep firing until the mag ran dry whether you wanted it to or not. But it had its' place, filled a need, and could easily be derided since there were obviously more accurate and reliable offerings at the time. But that were not available to all. But not in time. But not at the price.

No disputing there are better options out there than the Sub2000. Depending on what you want from it and what you expect to do with it, there are also likely better options out there than a Registered Magnum . . . but to be fair, the OP did present it as asking for advice, anecdotes, and opinion . . . perspective . . .

 

[robvious]

I found the Kel-Tec concept intriguing... the execution questionable and the thought of buying Gluck anything abhorrent... so I am PCC free at this point... I have looked at Mech-Tech conversions... for decades, just can't do it...

 

[rwsmith]

I have an A-10 Warthog T-shirt....

People like ugly these days.

The front has a Warthog that says "Go Ugly, Go Early". The back has the GAU-8 Avenger with the tag, "Ugly Stick". I suppose that I'm an ugly fan.

 

[rwsmith]

I'm not a Block fan myself.....

I found the Kel-Tec concept intriguing... the execution questionable and the thought of buying Gluck anything abhorrent... so I am PCC free at this point... I have looked at Mech-Tech conversions... for decades, just can't do it...

But I got my Kel Tec set up for Glock magazines due to availability. The 33 round job is real kick.

 

[rwsmith]

Yeah, it's old hat to those of us that have one.....

. . . but to be fair, the OP did present it as asking for advice, anecdotes, and opinion . . . perspective . . .

...but to someone who hasn't had the experience and ask, I'm glad to share mine.

I always ask people what their experiences are with a car before I buy one. It doesn't do any good. The one I get too often runs me into the poorhouse. "Well, they changed it in the middle of the model year....."

(The worst was the Mercury Topaz. It wouldn't stay in line and chewed tires up for breakfast. I had asked at least half a dozen people their opinions before I bought it and it was all positive.)

 

[robrossk]

I had a 9mm and 40SW. Fun to shoot and went through LOTS of ammo real fast. Cheek weld was horrible, and I eventually sold both to fund other projects.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Before we all turned PC (and got old) ‘Go Ugly Early’ was an often heard and used saying.
Still thinking about a 9mm Carbine, leaning toward the Ruger.

 

[cstelli]

S&W FPC

I came close to purchasing a Kel-tec a few years ago. I just wasn't happy with the overall function of the Kel-Tec. I recently purchased a S&W FPC. Extremely reliable and accurate. No failure to feed, and with a suppressor and Remington Suppressor ammunition it is great fun. It is more expensive, but to me it is worth the price.

 

[Gunnut1952]

The KEL-TECH can be made into a good reliable PCC with after-market parts from M-CARBO, but by the time you buy the parts to make it into a good PCC you could just buy an AR PCC from Aero Precision for the same money. If you want a great front sight, get one from Red Lion, their front sight is what KEL-TECH should have put on the gun in the first place. MC

 

[bassmangotdbluz]

I fired one belonging to my Adult son's friend. I have a long beard and that reciprocating bolt just wants to grab it. The thing ran okay with Glock Magazines but they look and feel less than sturdy or substantial, in fact, the thing is really pretty cheesy. That having been said, it was fun to try it out and at least it runs. Which is more than I can say for my Ruger PCC with Glock factory Magazines. I own a lot of Rugers, I just think this thing is a lemon, it happens. I bought the early one released right after the end of lockdowns.

 

[357p239]

I like them, they're a fun, small carbine

I've had three Sub-2000's, two 9's and a .40. They fold into a compact package and make a great plinker. Sighting them in can be a pain but once done the sights are fine. My range is only 55 yds and I can hit metal with them all day.

If you need/want an optic sight these are probably not the guns for you.

 

[rwsmith]

The Ruger feels like.....

Before we all turned PC (and got old) ‘Go Ugly Early’ was an often heard and used saying.
Still thinking about a 9mm Carbine, leaning toward the Ruger.

...you're shooting a 'real' rifle, not like a 'skeleton' gun. If the Ruger came out at the same time that Kel Tec did, I surely would have bought it. You can't get over the 'cool factor' of a fold up carbine, though.

"Are you finished shooting?" "Naw, I got one more gun to shoot." (Reaches in bag, pulls out something) Flip, click, slap.... BANG BANG BANG!!!

BTW: I think having a Red Dot on it would cure a host of ills. But again, getting a mount that swivels out of the way is expensive.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

If you must fold it completely then the optic mount options (and holding the zero) can be tire$ome, but...

The 45° mount (see Post #8) is another option (although it doesn't fold completely flat) and mine (with the Romeo5 attached) still folds small enough to fit in a backpack or a larger briefcase (think the old Samsonite one).

Cheers!

P.S. For $300, how wrong can it be?

 

[S-W4EVER]

... it seems it would make good sense to just spend more and get a Colt. That way you should have reliability, accuracy, and resale value should you ever want to trade or sell - you'll have something desirable to many rather than just a few.

That’s what I did, first a AR6450 and then an AR6951, both 9mm carbines. I also bought a bunch of stick magazines (20 & 30 rd.) and never looked back. Might be overpriced to some but I like them. No plans to ever sell them.

 

[boykinlp]

I bought one when they first came out at a good price. I bought it entirely for the “cool” factor! If I had waited for other companies to do what Kel-tec did first, maybe I would have made a different choice. But, I didn’t buy it for something important like home protection, but because it did something that no other gun had done before, wasn’t expensive, but was FUN. I bought a few inexpensive M-CARBO upgrades which made a fantastic difference. I also put a spare Primary Arms sight on it, taking care of the “face on the tube” problem. Mine is a Glock variant, which I have a lot of magazines for, and has been completely reliable. Here is how I carry mine…….TO COOL FOR SCHOOL!
Larry

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

What about the ugly things that S&W makes?

True...........I 'll never own one of those butt ugly Elmer Fudd designed 22 victories either( Insert Ruger MK II or Browning BM here for a proper .22 auto)

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

People like ugly these days.

Eager trumps ugly

 

[NFrameFred]

Eager enthusiasm trumps ugly

There, fixed it for you

 

[rwsmith]

THANKS!

If you must fold it completely then the optic mount options (and holding the zero) can be tire$ome, but...

The 45° mount (see Post #8) is another option (although it doesn't fold completely flat) and mine (with the Romeo5 attached) still folds small enough to fit in a backpack or a larger briefcase (think the old Samsonite one).

Cheers!

P.S. For $300, how wrong can it be?

I'll take a on that one too. It's a good option, but unfortunately more than I'd spend on a fun gun when I've learned to use the provided sights. The problem I have is, though, that it knocks my ear muff upward, but since I wear plugs also it's not that big of a deal. UNLESS other people at the range are shooting cannons, which is often SOMEBODY.

The S&W is far superior in the way it folds up and any optic would be a good one. The Ruger doesn't fold, it comes apart, so it works good with optics, too.

 

[rockquarry]

That’s what I did, first a AR6450 and then an AR6951, both 9mm carbines. I also bought a bunch of stick magazines (20 & 30 rd.) and never looked back. Might be overpriced to some but I like them. No plans to ever sell them.

Looking at things from a practical perspective, they're not overpriced. The originals will hold value better than the copies.