Kel-Tec SUB-2000 Gen2 – New Version of the Popular Rifle

At the 2015 SHOT Show, Kel-Tec introduced their new pistol caliber rifle: the SUB-2000 Gen 2.

The original SUB-2000 has been a very popular folding carbine, and one of the company’s better known products. However, based on the feedback provided by thousands of shooters, Kel-Tec decided to enhance the classic gun and release it as the Gen 2.

Let’s take a look at the new gun, and how it differs from the orignal…

Many readers may be familiar with the original SUB-2000. It is a pistol caliber carbine that can fold in half for storage and transportation. The gun is largely polymer, uses a blowback design and is offered in a variety of models that allow for the use of Glock, Beretta, SIG SAUER and Smith & Wesson (59-series) magazines.

SUB-2000 Gen 2 Features

Many of the key features from the original gun carry forward to the Gen 2 rifle. Both guns fold in the middle, and both are available in 9mm and .40 S&W. However, there are a few changes that shooters will be interested in.

accessories – Adding lights, lasers and other accessories is a popular American pastime. The original SUB-2000 did not have any rails or other easy ways to attach things. Part of Kel-Tec’s upgrade to the carbine includes Picatinny rails at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions of the hand guard.

Kel-Tec also added Magpul M-Lok attachment points to the 3 and 9 o’clock positions on the hand guard.

adjustable stock – The new gun has a three-position adjustable buttstock. The stock does not rapidly adjust like an M-4. Essentially, you find the right position and lock it in. Adjustment lengths can add either 0.625″ or 1.25″ to the LOP. It is not adjustable on the fly.

sling attachment points – The new stock includes several new options for adding a sling. There is a wide slit in the stock for the attachment of a web-type sling. In the crook of the buttstock’s L-shape there is a single point attachment. A sling with a mash-type clip will work perfectly here.

new polymer – Kel-Tec is using a new polymer for the rifle stock. The new polymer uses a different blend of materials and has a different feel. I liked the new feel of the stock. Frankly, it feels like it is a higher quality material.

front sight – The front sight has been redesigned and is now made of aluminum. It is also removable, which exposes threads for the attachment of a flash or sound suppressor.

pistol grip – Combined with the new polymer, the redesigned pistol grip feels good in the hand. It is hard to quantify the feel of a grip, but I like the new version a lot.

Specifications

Here are the specs on the new Kel-Tec Gen 2 SUB-2000:

Caliber	9mm, .40 S&W
Action	blowback
Barrel Length	16.05″
Twist Rate	1:10″ (9mm) or 1:16″ (.40)
Overall Length	29.25″ – 30.5″
Folded Length	16″
Length of Pull	13.25″ – 14.5″
Weight	4.25 lbs
MSRP (at launch)	$500

New Magazine Options

The Gen 2 SUB-2000 will have models available that accept a variety of pistol magazines. New for the Gen 2 will be guns that will take Smith & Wesson M&P and Springfield XD magazines. The Kel-Tec rep said the two new magazine options are being introduced due to significant customer demand.

Shipping and Price

Kel-Tec products tend to be in high demand. The company’s guns seem to hit the right balance between price and performance with a dash of coolness mixed in. I expect the new Gen 2 SUB-2000 carbines to be very popular.

Currently, Kel-Tec expects to begin shipping in the third quarter. If past performance indicates future behavior, I would expect the initial production to be low volume that builds as the manufacturing process is perfected.

The expected MSRP is $500. This number is subject to change, but I would not expect it to increase by very much.

What do you think? Do you like the look of the new guns?

Update

At the 2015 NRA show I was able to follow up with Kel-Tec on the Gen2 rifles. There are several things I want to pass along.

First, the guns are still on track for a Fall 2015 release. There are no anticipated delays.

Second, the MSRP is still at $500. I was afraid that in the time between announcement at the SHOT Show and the release there would be a price increase. Thus far, pricing remains the same.

Third, I was told that Kel-Tec is doing everything they can to ramp up production to meet consumer demand. According to the company, several design improvements in the SUB-2000 were made so that production is actually increased. So, for a given amount of time, Kel-Tec will be able to make more Gen 2 rifles than they were the original guns.

Last Update: October 17, 2022