While some people had qualms about this rifle after it was first introduced, the Kel-Tec sub-2000 has grown in popularity over the years and is now one of the most popular guns (of any kind) in America.
DISCLAIMER: Article contains affiliate links
Introduction:
Pistol-caliber carbines are nothing new- they have their origins dating back over a century to the chaos of World War 1 when both allied and central powers forces needed a more accurate weapon with a higher magazine capacity than a pistol (especially for aircraft and vehicle crews and for trench raiding) but at the same time, one that was shorter and lighter than the long, heavy bolt-action rifles that where the mainstay of armies at the time.
While this desire to develop shorter, more compact carbines would ultimately culminate in the development of the first submachine guns by the end of the war, the first step toward developing such a weapon was simply to add a stock and larger magazine to existing pistols.
The concept worked, and these weapons proved invaluable for their intended purpose, serving admirably for decades during both world wars and beyond.
Although both pistol-caliber carbines and submachine guns would be gradually phased out of military units and generally be rendered obsolete for most purposes by the 21st century (largely due to the rising prevalence of rifle-caliber carbines), they are not finished yet.
Both types of weapons- lumped together under the generic "pistol-caliber carbine" mantle- have made a resurgence in popularity among the civilian and law enforcement markets in the last two decades.
While many pistol-caliber carbines today are basically just semi-auto clones of decades-old classic submachine guns like the H&K MP5, an even larger and ever-increasing number of these are entirely new designs- spurred by the demand of people who need something that fills the space between the power and accuracy of a rifle but is more accurate and versatile than a handgun, or who just want a cheap, handy gun for plinking (because these guns are a lot of fun to shoot).
Of all of these guns, the most popular is likely the sub 2000 (specifically the second generation) made by the American firm Kel-Tec.
Why is the Kel-Tec sub 2000 so popular? Is its popularity deserved? What's it good for? Read on to find out.
First impressions and hands-on experience:
Like many of the brands we review here, Kel-Tec is known for making some great- and in their case particularly unique and innovative- firearm designs.
You may- if you're in my generation- more readily recognize their famous KSG shotgun- with an unmistakable, futuristic-looking bullpup design and a dual-tube magazine sporting a total capacity of 14 rounds, it's been present in many first-person shooters and weapons inspired by it have appeared in other games like Rockstar Game's notorious (and insanely fun) crime adventure epic, Grand Theft Auto 5.
But Kel-Tec's best- in my opinion- is none other than their equally unique sub 2000 lineup. I first got into 9mm carbines with Hi-Point's 995 carbine (which unfortunately become notorious for its use in the Columbine High School massacre) and eventually started looking for something a bit lighter, as the 995 weighed a lot more than I felt it should.
I discovered the sub 2000 at a gun show while on vacation in North Carolina a few years back and instantly recognized this as a 9mm carbine I'd want to try when I got back home.
Handling and features
Picking up the sub 2000 for the very first time- it was extremely light- it almost felt like a toy because of its polymer construction (not necessarily a bad thing, but that's just what I noticed).
It's notable in the fact it does not use proprietary magazines (which are inserted within its extremely ergonomic grip)- depending on the model, you can put Glock 17, 19 or 22 magazines, Smith and Wesson M&P magazines, Beretta 92 magazines etc. of not only 9mm but also in .40 S&W depending on the model.
The second generation- in an improvement over the somewhat troubled first generation- has picatinny rails along its entire upper length and also along much of the length of the barrel on the bottom as well, so if you're looking for something you can put lights and red dots and the like on, the Kel-Tec sub 2000 won't disappoint you (although it comes with iron sights, they aren't anything special, so getting a red dot might actually be a pretty decent option).
Another very fascinating feature is the fact that, rather than needing to disassemble the rifle to break it down for storage (or if you want to transport it in a pack or bag), users can literally fold the rifle in two- with just a gentle downward pull of the trigger guard, the barrel end of the gun flips up and over to face the rear of the carbine, locking firmly into place with the buttstock.
And, with a push of a tab at the very back of the gun, you can fold it back and it will lock solidly into place.
Some other features that may be of note are the fact the second generation has a threaded barrel (featuring 1/2 inch-28 right hand threads on the 9mm versions and 9/16 inch-24 right hand threads on the 40 S&W versions- both of which take suppressors and still function flawlessly, though may need increased cleaning after shooting) and a unique rear recoil tube charging handle that is a bit challenging to get used to at first.
And of course, the federally mandated (ugh) minimum 16-inch barrel that, while unnecessary for anything else, does offer increased muzzle velocity- and thus potential stopping power- which obviously is critical for hunting and self-defense situations and the like.
Shooting it
The sub 2000, being a direct blowback carbine- is exceptionally reliable- I have fired likely thousands rounds through a variety of manufactures through one of my friend's first gen models with only occasional hiccups (mostly due to ammunition, as most of the stuff we shoot is pretty cheap and possibly some of it is faulty).
Knowing this, I wouldn't be surprised if the second generation (which is highly praised an enormous improvement over the first) preforms even better.
I certainly wouldn't mind using this weapon for home defense, and a pistol-caliber carbine is likely a better option than a rifle for this specific purpose due to the fact it's usually much smaller and more compact than a rifle, the rounds are much less likely to over-penetrate than rifle rounds, and are easier to suppress with subsonic ammo- which are among the reason reasons why military and police tactical teams still use them.
The model I tested was chambered in 9mm, and while I haven't had the chance to shoot one chambered in 40 S&W yet, I'll be on the lookout for a chance to try one for sure.
Also, one word on the sub 2000's recoil- nonexistent. Well, practically (especially with any kind of muzzle device).
It's incredibly soft-shooting and it's great for plinking as a result. First-time shooters will likely find this to be quite a manageable gun to fire in that regard, anyways, and it's not going to generate the huge amount of concussion rifles will usually have due to the much smaller charge of pistol-caliber rounds, so if you have sensitive sinuses like me, that could also be a plus.
Pros and cons:
Pros:
Compact folding, lightweight design makes it ideal for carrying in bags or gun cases when you need too
By virtue of being a pistol-caliber carbine, it recoils far less and is much less likely to over-penetrate than a rifle
Designed to take the take most common pistol magazines
Has a threaded barrel for muzzle device (including suppressors)- this will work especially well with subsonic ammo
Has all the picatinny rails you'll need right out of the box
Cons:
May feel a bit flimsy to some
Iron sights aren't all that spectacular
Charging handle feels kind of clumsy at first
Final thoughts, best deals and gun stats:
Overall, the Kel-Tec sub 2000 is an absolutely fantastic pistol caliber carbine. It just seems to do everything right. The combination of its unique features (such as being able to literally fold the gun in two in seconds or take a huge variety of magazines from a variety of manufacturers) and the inherent design benefits of pistol-caliber carbines as a whole really lend themselves to a variety of situations you could find yourself in or any number of uses you could find for it.
The Kel-Tec sub 2000 is Kel-Tec's crown jewel of their entire product lineup in my opinion, and likely in the opinion of millions of others. It's a fantastic gun all around, be it the best Kel-Tec product or not.
By now, you should hopefully start to understand why this gun is so popular among civilians (It's also common among patrol officers in Law Enforcement, by the way!) and you may yourself be wondering where the best place to buy one of these fine guns is.
Well, personally, as always, I'd recommend Palmetto State Armory and Brownells, being two of the biggest and most popular sellers in the industry. Follow the links below for more info and to check prices!
Gun stats:
Note: Specifications are specifically for the Kel-Tec sub 2000 gen 2
Caliber(s) | 9mm or 40 S&W |
Barrel length | 16.25 inches |
Overall length | 30.5 inches (14.5 inches when folded) |
Weight | 4.25 pounds |
Magazine capacity | Varies (depends on magazine the specific model can accommodate) |
Action | Semi-Automatic, direct blowback |
Kommentare