Kel-Tec SUB-2000
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The SUB-2000 is a pistol-caliber carbine manufactured by Kel-Tec CNC Industries of Cocoa, FL. The rifle is a blowback operated, semiautomatic firearm with its operating spring located in the tubular stock. It feeds from a grip-located magazine well using magazines designed for various pistols, and is an inexpensive carbine. The distinguishing characteristic of this rifle is that it folds in half for storage and transportation.
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[edit] Design
It is available in two versions chambered for 9 mm or .40 S&W caliber cartridges. It was designed by George Kellgren, a Swedish-American designer who also designed many earlier Husqvarna (in Sweden), Intratec, and Grendel brand firearms.
The receiver is made of an impact modified glass reinforced Zytel. The front end houses a hinge block holding the barrel and the rear site. This block is securely locked in place by a swiveling trigger guard. The receiver rigidly attaches to the stock by multiple lugs. The bottom of the receiver forms the pistol grip, also accepting different magazines according to the version specified. The receiver also houses the firing mechanism. The 4130 ordinance steel barrel has a spring loaded collar to ensure an accurate lock between the receiver and the polymer forend and the fully adjustable front sight. The forend also has integrated the ability to house batteries and/or other small devices. The tubular steel stock contains the bolt and is ended by the polymer butt stock. The heavy two-piece steel bolt holds the firing pin, the extractor and has the operating handle on the bottom. A captive guide recoil spring with buffer actuates the bolt. The firing mechanism is of conventional single action type. It has a positive disconnector, a push bolt safety that blocks the sear and disengages the trigger bar. The hardened steel ejector is internal. This design, with its long bolt travel, allows for very large functioning marginals.
The basic SUB-2000 design is implemented in a rather unusual folding design that folds for storage into half its total extended length. Folding is accomplished by pulling downward on the trigger guard and swinging the barrel assembly back over the top of the rifle. A latch in the buttstock secures to the front site housing, and the gun can be locked with a key in the folded position for added safety. The gun cannot be fired when folded. Even when folded, it is still 16 inches long, and not easily concealed as some would claim.
The SUB-2000 has an effective range of over 100 m. At distances closer than 50 m, the 9 mm bullet approaches the muzzle velocity of a .357 Magnum. At 200 m, velocity approximates .380 ACP muzzle velocities. The SUB-2000 weighs 4 pounds (1.8 kg) unloaded.
[edit] Uses
There is a wide market for this type of weapon. Law enforcement officers use the weapon to supplement their pistols which utilize the same magazine. This simplifies logistics, while providing greater range with high accuracy in certain circumstances. It is also utilized by some backpackers and campers, supplanting the now-discontinued wooden-stocked nonfolding Marlin Camp Carbine as a utilitarian pistol-caliber carbine. Sporting users of this rifle are drawn to its light weight and the ability to use high-capacity magazines for informal competition and plinking.
[edit] See also
- Kel-Tec CNC Industries of Cocoa, FL
- Kel-Tec P11 (9 mm Parabellum) Pistol
