The Kel-Tec SU-16 line of folding stock .223 rifles are a fairly new option for those seeking a lightweight, compact, mid-range wilderness survival firearm. Ed Whiting puts the SU-16 through its paces and reports on what he found.

This is hopefully the first of a series of articles on compact, lightweight firearms suitable for inclusion in your survival equipment, if you are so inclined. We have a list and Ed will be working his way through them going forward.

http://www.equipped.org/Kel-Tec_SU-16_Review.htm

Doesn't the inclusion of a magazine-fed rifle in .223 make this a "survivalist" entry?

Just saying ...

While not everyone cares to include them, and you can argue the weight might be better spent elsewhere or elsewise, firearms are a perfectly appropriate tool for wilderness survival. For small to moderate size game and potentially rouge wildlife, .223 is a practical cartridge. I carry such a firearm myself at times. Not sure what it being a magazine fed rifle has to do with it. There's nothing in the article of a "survivalist" bent, assuming by that you mean the adverse connotations the word has taken on, and for which we avoid that term here.

Thanks for the review. I carry a older Kel-Tec 9mm Sub Rifle to compliment my G-17 in my kit. I've been looking to upgrade with a SU-16.
A .22 lr conversion kit or a few conversion cases might make the SU-16 a great camping firearm as well as a survival firearm.

Wow that was an exelent reveiw. Thanks Doug for providing the heads up and thanks Ed Whiting for writeing it.

Is there a special deal where ETS readers can get one for 1/2 off?

I can dream, can't I?

Very worthwhile review, Doug. Nice to see a test we can trust and one aimed at the ETS user. We have all seen the tester who never saw a firearm that wasn't the greatest ever made.
Some suggested guns for future testing:
AR-7: This has been around for nearly fifty years and four differant manufacturers.
Savage 24: Take a look at a couple of the older wood stocked models, such as 22 WMR/20 gauge and the little 24C Campers Companion, as well as the current (and heavier) F series.
Smith & Wesson M60, 3" barrel: You might want to compare this fine field gun to the similiar, but lighter model 360.
I've done quite a lot of work with all three and have my own observations, but I'd like to see what your reviewer has to say.

Great review!

I have been looking at the SU-16C and CA. I am holding out for one in Remington 6.8 SPC. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I have read that a survival kit with a rifle is required for flights over Canada. So a rifle is not a survivalist item.

Repeat after me... survivalist is NOT a dirty word <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Troy

If you want to use Doug's web site you have to pretend it is! <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Which half .... The left half <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Good luck on the 6.8 SPC! I was planning on buidling up an SPR in 6.8SPC, buut planning on waiting until good ammunition is easier to obtain.

Great review, have been looking at the CA also... maybe after christmas.

I'm holding out for one in 7.62x39, better than .223 on deer and other medium game, but a lot more common than 6.8mm SPC or .300 Whisper.Just a matter of new barrels, new bolt, some other minor mods to the action, and modified STANAG magazines, it's been done for AR-15s for 20 years.

Great review by Ed. It is apparent from reading it that he knows his stuff.

Here are some SU-16 links:

KTOG SU-16 forum; a great resource for details & firsthand info

another SU-16 review

yet another SU-16 review

" I'm holding out for one in 7.62x39..."

That was my very first thought after reading the review. That and a $450.00 or so price tag would likely generate some sales. I know I would snap one up.

Regards, Vince

P.S.: Nice review by the way.

Did a 2 day rifle course last month and a guy had one. We fired just over 1000 rounds and it ran fine.

Dave

Good revue, But I'll add some Australian info why it wont sell down here.

Semi Auto is illegal here. (except for pistols)
We have a maximum legal limit of 5 round magazine. (except for pistols)
Folding stock is illegal in South Australia, and I think all other Australin states.
The state of Western Australia has banned all firearms using 'military amunition' so the 223 is illegal there.

We're sorry. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I once saw a pump action carbine from South Africa that used AR15/M16 magazines. That might be something doable, if they were to make it in something other than .223 or 7.72x39

No military cartridges? What about .303? Or is it only current duty military cartridges? *shakes head* People are silly.

Im in South Australia, 1500km from Western Australia. What I know of the W.A. laws is 2nd hand from a friend who is a gun smith, so Im not sure of the 303.
Pump action shotguns are illegal Aust wide, but Pump action riffles are ok, subject to the 5 round limit.
The Government is gearing up for the next round of firearm cut backs, and there is talk about semi auto pistols on the hit list next. But this is only seculation talk from those in the industry because the Gov. hasnt said anything yet.

Biggzie,

Do you guys have something like the NRA to help fight the anti freedom crowd?

Dave,

Please tell us about the 2-day rifle course.

Thanks!

Post deleted by Doug_Ritter

Class was done by Tactical Response www.tacticalresponse.com. I had done a 2 day handgun class with them earlier in the year. Both classes were held a few miles from my home, so I didn't have to travel or pay for motel room.
The class itself was fast paced, very little lecture time. I went thru 1100 rounds of rifle ammo and 150-200 rounds of pistol ammo. You shoot both during the class for transitions to handgun or if your rifle goes down. Did the basics, zero and made sure everyone could shoot. Mostly expieranced shooters with mix of LEO and civliians. We shot from close in to 90 some yards ( the limit of the range). Shot riifle moving, forward, backward and lateraly. Fired handgun 1 handed, left and right. Shooting from behind cover, moving to cover and shooting with rifle and pistol. Worked up to 2 man drills moving while partner shoots and vice versa. Range ran Hot all the time, 360 degree scans for after action drills. Malfunctions and reloads were covered. Night shooting with weapon mounted light or hand held . This was FUN!. Need 2 lumens of light per yard to see target enough to shoot it.
The 1st 2 days are the Basic and the next 2 are the advanced. Most people stayed for the whole 4 days. I couldn't get time off from work. Yeager, the Co. owner came in to instruct and was assisted by a Fed. LEO. Cost was $300 for 2 days. I'm very happy with both classes I've taken and am looking forward to a shotgun class.
A note about setting up classes with TR. You can go to their facility in Tn. Or if you can arrange range facilities for a minimum of 10 stufents, they will come to you. You also train for free. The Fed. LEO set everything up and we had the use of a LEO range.
I was also impressed with Yeager's attention to emergencies. Positioning a vehicle with keys and all doors open for medevac use and GSW/BOK on range, LEO to drive EMT/Medics were ID'd at start of course. The class moved fast and this is a poor run down. I have to do some work, so I'll try to get out more later.
Part 2 Edit
Having working, clean and lubed weapons is a must . 6 to 8 rifle mags and 3-4 handgun mags that work . IMHO this was not a class for the novice shooter, beginers would be OK.
Weapon maintance during the class is also a must. The instruction was good and everyone received a lot of attentionThe TR site has the schedule and run downs on all their classes. Both TR classes were a step up in level of training as well as intensity compared with my other training.
Highly recomended.
Dave

Hello! Here are some questions on the review of the survival rifle:
-How does it stand up to rust, constant wetness and high humidity? Lets say 3 days hiking in a downpour with no daily checkup/cleaning?
-How does it respond in very cod temperatures (I´m Swedish), does metal parts or plastic become brittle?
-Does it work well with dust, sand and mud. My experience, and the pics, told me that the action´s locking mechanism was that of the M16 with a number of lock-slots on the bolt (cant explain any simpler), the Russian Ak47 has only two lock slots and are infamous for its reliability. High degree of precision gives lower acceptance of dirt.

Comments anyone?

Stefan, Sweden (Europe)