I acquired a type of thrilling electronic mail earlier at present from Keltec asserting the brand new KP50 and MP50 5.7x28mm pistol and subgun. I instantly acknowledged it as a result of I had an opportunity to shoot the Stuff & Issues ST50 at GunCon final 12 months.
The ST50 was fairly superior. It was a brand new chassis for the KelTec P50 with a lot better ergonomics. I do know KelTec has proven the ST50 on their social media earlier than, and I assumed it was superior that they have been working with the S&T guys. Till I discovered that they weren’t.
What’s the KP50?
Effectively, for those who’ve seen the ST50 floating round since early final 12 months on social media, then you definitely just about know what the KP50 is. It primarily takes the barreled motion of the P50 and flips it the wrong way up in order that the magazine is way more accessible and lows from under. No extra opening up a clam shell to do magazine adjustments. It additionally makes use of an AR sample grip and might settle for a brace or a inventory. It seems like a wholly totally different, and higher gun. Magazine adjustments are dramatically simpler and sooner.
It’s an ideal design. Significantly better than the unique P50 in reality. It’s only a disgrace that Stuff & Issues got here up with it early final 12 months and KelTec doesn’t appear to be giving them any credit score for it.
S&T even designed a magazine coupler final summer season. I do know they aren’t the primary to make a magazine coupler, however they did make one to be used with their ST50 chassis, very similar to KelTec now has one for its KP50.
Variations?
So, is the KP50 a direct copy of the ST50? I don’t suppose so from trying on the pics. It does appear like the grip body differs. They use totally different safeties, and apparently, fireplace management components, and it appears to be like like a special fashion magazine launch. Arguably, the ST50 is a greater design as it should take any AR fireplace management unit, and it really works with a Hoffman Tremendous Security.
Nonetheless, I don’t suppose anybody can query the place the “inspiration” for this got here from. Particularly after I talked to the oldsters at S&T, they usually’d truly despatched KelTec a few ST50s to work with, and thought that they had working relationship with them. I’m guessing Keltec will say it’s totally different sufficient that it’s their very own factor, however you’d have thought possibly they might a minimum of credit score S&T for the idea on the minimal. Or simply labored with these guys and licensed their design or one thing.
KelTec actually has had people within the trade rip off their designs sufficient that I’d have thought they’d be a bit of extra delicate to this type of factor. Particularly with an organization like Stuff and Issues that was selling their merchandise, not copying them.
Choices
Effectively, the KP50 has an MSRP of $1,399.00. Or you might purchase a P50 on the used market and get an S&T equipment for it for $239.99. Actually, the KP50 is a pleasant design. However the way in which they dropped it with out even mentioning Stuff and Issues simply leaves a foul style in my mouth. I hate when stuff like this occurs within the trade. I like KelTec and have numerous their weapons, and have had others over time.
I had a pleasant chat with among the people at SHOT and hoped to get one of many P3AT’s to check out. I used to be within the KP50, too, till I noticed how this performed out. At this level, I suppose I’ll wait and see how issues play out, however I’m hoping KelTec a minimum of acknowledges the place the concept for the KP50 got here from.
