The primary new gun for 2024 is the third era of the KelTec Sub2000.
Introduced the morning of Jan 1, the brand new folding carbine gives a variety of upgrades from prior generations whereas nonetheless sustaining the majority of the options which have made it so widespread.
What Is the SUB2000?
In easy phrases, the SUB2000 is a pistol-caliber carbine designed to fold for compact storage and carry.
The rifles have been in manufacturing for greater than twenty years, and so they have proved to be fairly widespread with American shooters.
I’ve had an opportunity to shoot each the unique and second era weapons, and I discovered each to be dependable lengthy arms which have an fascinating place as survival rifles. For a pilot packing a survival bag or a mother wanting some extra safety in her trunk’s emergency gear, the gun makes loads of sense.
Nevertheless, the weapons weren’t excellent. Whereas every gun I shot was dependable and correct, they did endure from the lack to simply add a crimson dot or different optic.
Additionally, including a suppressor or muzzle brake was considerably restricted as a result of entrance sight meeting’s proximity to the threading.
Whereas aftermarket producers have jumped in to help shooters with rifle customizations, not one of the options ever “felt proper” to me. All of them, even one of the best of them, felt like workarounds. And I suppose they had been.
Third Technology SUB2000
KelTec just isn’t designing weapons in a bubble. I’m certain they’ve acquired numerous letters and emails concerning making modifications to the rifles. It appears they listened and appears to have delivered an actual winner.
Probably the most distinguished new function is the way in which the gun folds. Previously, the rifle merely hinged backward, folding on itself. Whereas this labored properly, it precluded the usage of any optic.
To fold the gun now, you utilize a twist-and-fold movement that rotates the higher meeting whereas folding the gun. The rotation ensures the highest Picatinny rail – the place the optic could be mounted – faces to the aspect as an alternative of towards the gun’s inventory. That enables for a crimson dot or scope to stay hooked up to the gun with none modification.
KelTec additionally up to date the gun’s motion. The SUB2000 Gen3 has a lighter motion which permits for simpler operation of the bolt. You’ll be able to “rack” the gun or lock the bolt open with much less drive now. This, I think, will likely be appreciated by lots of people because the outdated system had a recoil spring that was fairly stout.
Talking of the working deal with, it has been redesigned to offer a greater, extra comfy grip. Additionally, the maintain open notches are ambidextrous to permit for extra environment friendly use by people who’re left-handed.
KelTec additionally upgraded the set off meeting. The set off itself is a brand new aluminum mannequin with improved mechanics. In accordance with the corporate, the pull weight is lighter that earlier fashions. It’s supposed to return in at about 5 kilos. This places it into the identical vary as a striker-fired defensive pistol just like the Springfield Echelon or Glock 17.
The corporate additionally states the set off has a smoother pull with “extra exact suggestions.” KelTec suggests sensible accuracy needs to be improved due to this.
A smaller new function is a loaded chamber indicator. Whereas that is largely a ineffective function, it doesn’t affect reliability in any significant approach. It does, nevertheless, recommend the corporate could also be getting this rifle into the state of California? We are going to see.
Weapons will initially be provided solely in 9mm and can settle for Glock 19 and Glock 17 magazines. Prior KelTec SUB2000 weapons had been accessible in .40 S&W and compatibility with different pistol magazines. I think the corporate is not going to supply these choices on this rifle, however I hope I’m proved unsuitable.
The MSRP of the KelTec SUB2000 GEN3 is $499, which is fairly darn cheap on this economic system. I think demand will outpace manufacturing for the approaching months.
