I see a lot of people denigrating the SUB-2000, and then saying that they don't own one, and likely have never fired one. They often opine that they don't want something that won't hold up over the long term. I recall hearing similar comments when the Glock first came out...and we all know how that worked out.
I do understand that a few Kel-Tec offerings have experienced some issues, so the concern is not totally undeserved. To my mind, while the 9mm is a fairly high pressure round, for a handgun, I still don't see it as being anything that should be difficult for a carbine to handle. So, I can't see why it shouldn't be capable of firing many, many thousands of rounds without issue.
I have a SUB-2000 in 9mm, originally took the G17 mags, but a previous owner shortened the grip to allow it to take G19 mags. While I haven't done a torture test on it, I certainly haven't "babied" it, either. It's had probably a couple thousand rounds through it (on my watch...unknown how many rounds the previous owner may have fired through it), and I haven't had one single problem with it, not a FTF, or a FTE, or anything. I'm well-known amongst my friends for being a bit unconcerned about regularly cleaning my guns after every outing...so, this SUB-2000 has been allowed to get rather dirty...still without any issues, whatsoever.
As to the performance of pistol caliber carbines: certainly, it can not compare to an AR-15, or any other rifle caliber carbine. There's just no comparison in range, accuracy, or power. That having been said...there are still some times or conditions under which a pistol caliber carbine may be just the ticket.
For one thing, the SUB-2000 will fold to fit into a space that very few rifle caliber carbines can be made to fit into, without fully breaking them down. So, the SUB-2000 will fit into a backpack or even a briefcase, but can still be made ready to fire in a very short time.
Also, for people with limited size and strength, either the very young or very old, or petite women, or those suffering from arthritis or something similar...a pistol caliber carbine allows for greater accuracy, quicker follow-up shots, and significantly less recoil than a rifle caliber carbine or pistol.
A slight caveat on the "improved" ballistics of a pistol caliber carbine. Just because a particular bullet is being driven to a higher velocity, thereby generating more ft./lbs. of energy...that does not necessarily translate to a more effective "man-stopper". Not surprisingly, most pistol cartridges are designed with the idea that they will be fired from pistol-length barrels. Therefore, many of the defensive cartridges have been designed for optimal expansion at the standard velocities obtained when fired from those barrels. When fired from carbine-length barrels, many of these bullets do indeed achieve much higher velocities...which oftentimes results in more rapid expansion, sometimes causing the bullet to fragment and/or suffer jacket separation. The end result in some of these instances is a dramatic decrease in the penetration of the bullet, which can result in a wound that is so shallow it fails to reach any vital organs...effectively DECREASING the overall effectiveness of the cartridge! So, one must be aware of this before flatly stating that the velocity gain achieved by the longer barrel is a good thing...it may actually be a bad thing, with certain cartridges.
So...I love my Kel-Tec SUB-2000. It's a great little rifle, very compact and lightweight, very accurate, very reliable, gentle recoil, same mags as my pistols, etc...what's not to like? Would it be my first choice as MY rifle? No. Not unless/until I get much older, and/or my arthritis gets much worse.
Tim
