Does anyone here have any experience with the Kel-Tec SU-22 rifle?
http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/su22.htm
Yes, it's a 'plastic' rifle. OTOH it costs notably less than the .22 ARs typically do.
More expensive than a 10/22 or Marlin 795; but does have the advantage that it may be folded up to be stored compactly, and therefore fits in a case that doesn't advertise 'gun', which may be desireable in certain non-permissive environments. Also, AFAIK it is legally 'disassembled' when folded, also possibly beneficial in certain non-permissive environments.
It is also very light, at 4 lbs.
The stock rear sight leaves a lot to be desired, and the sight radius is short. Optics of some sort are definitely indicated, which makes it less appealing for a 'loaner' gun.
All that said, it may have certain applications. If you can think of some, post them here.
The one that occurs to me is just part of my desire to be prepared... to have a rifle and ammunition which I may take with me as many places as possible, just in case an Appleseed or other shooting event were to happen in my vicinity. :)
how about the Henry Survival rifle?
Under $200 and breaks down into the stock.
I hear they are decent, but can't vouch.
I've heard those AR7s and their clones have feeding problems sometimes... this may be related to the detachable barrel.
Also, they don't have a place for a forward sling swivel, so they are poor appleseed rifles.
I've heard of someone using one at an appleseed shoot; but it was a poor arrangement.
Marlin 70PSS "Papoose"
Much like the AR7... barrel screws off the front and stows in the stock.
Slinging it would take some creativity though.
The AR7 and Papoose feed and light strike reliability issues are usually attributable to the barrel not being fully screwed on. To fully install, screw the barrel on while holding the bolt backwards. Sometimes the bolt can interfere with proper installation of the removable barrel.
re the SU-22: Looks a bit better than a .22 AR conversion, IMO. Direct blowback, so no gas system to accidentally foul up like if you converted an AR. Sights claim to be adjustable for windage and elevation, though the radius is short. I'd probably mount a small fixed power scope on it though since the radius is so short.
I'd still rather have a 10/22 or 795 though.
I would tend to just stick with a standard 10/22 with an After Market folding stock on it.
If you really want to get a Kel-Tec though, go ahead.........
I would not recommend that anyone attempt to do an Appleseed with an AR-7/Henry survival rifle, as like others have said, it does not have the capability of mounting a sling (It could be done, just would take a little work on a custom barrel band etc...).
Quote from: Rifleman_NH on July 16, 2009, 09:15:24 PM
I would not recommend that anyone attempt to do an Appleseed with an AR-7/Henry survival rifle, as like others have said, it does not have the capability of mounting a sling (It could be done, just would take a little work on a custom barrel band etc...).
Nothing like a challenge...
Myself, I want to shoot an Appleseed with a Steven's favorite (vintage - not the current ones) in .22, and a Remington Rolling block - maybe 7mm (I almost bought a .43 Spanish version)
I have no experience with the Kel- Tech but I do recall an AAR a while back in which a shooter described how his literally broke apart during the Appleseed.
Don't know the details, and I looked for it using the search function, but no joy.
Anyone else remember this and know where to find it? I'd like to know what happened too.
I owned a PLR16 which is the pistol version and I sold it inside of a very short time. Why?
1. The rear sight is controlled by two screws, you loosen both and slide it over in no real controlled fashion. You can chase it all day long trying to get a precision shift out of it. And it would not at all surprise me if a sight blew off the rifle completely.
2. I picked the best of several one of the ones available, but even mine had a barrel that was not in centerline with the plastic receiver.
3. The unit was fine as a short term rifle, or a trunk gun, but I would not rely on one long term as the plastic receiver did not instill me with the strongest confidence the firearm would hold up to thousands of rounds fired.
So I sold it off. I would rather have a henry survival rifle and jury rig on a sling.
Quote from: Junior Birdman on July 17, 2009, 03:36:17 PM
I have no experience with the Kel- Tech but I do recall an AAR a while back in which a shooter described how his literally broke apart during the Appleseed.
Don't know the details, and I looked for it using the search function, but no joy.
Anyone else remember this and know where to find it? I'd like to know what happened too.
I do remember reading that. I did my research before beginning this thread. Search for 'su-16' on this forum and it's the first hit.
http://appleseedinfo.org/smf/index.php?topic=7334.0
Yes, the rear sight on the SU-series rifles does look positively atrocious. I also do not know of a peep sight which can clamp to a Picatinny rail and is low enough to work on this rifle.
It's pretty plain that the open sights are there as a stopgap measure until one mounts an optic.
I certainly won't gainsay that these rifles have limitations. I'm just wondering how functional they are within those limitations, and how limiting those limits are in practice.