Why buy Kel-Tec?

[davsel]

I keep seeing "deals" on Kel-Tec weapons, and hear about demand overpowering supply.
I just do not understand why the demand is so high for a company who has only ever had one (1) government contract for a grand total of $3035.
I understand that many people can not afford more expensive weapons, but why stake your life on a weapon created by a company pushing out "unique" weapons that are often knockoffs of quality products produced by companies with hundreds of millions of dollars in government contract awards. Or, are they just meant to be fun guns to blow some cash on?

I just don't get it. What am I missing?

[Wulf202]

They're still worlds better than Taurus

[sniper7]

So because the government buys it makes it better? Serious question


i like their stuff for the innovative designs and affordable prices. Who else has a 30 round 22 mag pistol? A dual tubed 12 guage?

why do we spend money on Russian made guns like saiga? I love my 12. Probably the most enjoyable gun to shoot in my collection. Shooting 20 rounds of 12 guage always puts a smile on my face and doesn't break the bank.

most of the fun guns I don't stake my life on and don't carry every day. They get in the rotation when I go shoot and I have a good time shooting them

[mtnrider]

I think the only weapons they really have a back log on are ones like the Sub-200 and KSG. I have owned a Sub-2000 and it was every bit as reliable is every other firearm in my collection. I have a KSG on my wish list. Not really interested in anything else they produce though.

[TFOGGER]

I like my little P11 9mm. At the time that I bought it(3 years before the Ruger LCP), it was fairly unique in the industry: an inexpensive, light weight pocket pistol in 9mm (not .380). It is smaller and lighter than a PPK in .380(and less than half the price!), and carries 11 rounds of serious defensive ammo. They also offered it in .40 at one time, but discontinued it due to complaints about the recoil. Mine may have the worst trigger of any weapon I've ever owned, but it is reliable and reasonably accurate, holding about 3-4 inch groups at 15yds freestanding. Is it a Glock 26? No, but it is about 60% of the bulk, and conceals nicely in situations where my Glock might be too bulky. It wouldn't be my first choice as a defensive weapon in most situations, but it definitely fills a need for me.

[Bailey Guns]

I own or have owned several Kel-Tec guns. All have been as reliable as any other gun I've owned at a fraction of the price (except for the RFB). And what does having a .gov contract have to do with anything? I frequently carry a PF9 because it's small, light and it works all time. The SU-16 family of rifles are very accurate and lightweight. What's not to like about a rifle that folds up, weighs less than 5 lbs, shoots 5.56 out of AR mags, stores an extra mag or two in butt stock and is reliable?

Have you ever owned a Kel-Tec, OP? Or are you just repeating things you've read online?

And there's a reason they have a tremendous backlog that will take them months, if not a year or more, to fill on certain guns. It's certainly not because they make guns that don't work well.

And what guns do they produce that are unique yet knock-offs of other guns?

Most of their guns may not hold up to extended, heavy-duty use (again, the RFB might be an exception). But they're certainly priced right and they do fill a niche for people who don't have a Sig or Kimber or HK budget.

[Zundfolge]

...a weapon created by a company pushing out "unique" weapons that are often knockoffs of quality products produced by companies with hundreds of millions of dollars in government contract awards...

What does Kel-Tec make that is a "knockoff" of any other company's work?

[bellavite1]

Looks to me like the Ruger LCP is actually a Kel-Tec knock off (or did they just buy the design?).
Not sure about the internals but they do look oddly similar.

As far as staking your life on it, I'll say what nobody apparently wants to say: it worked quite ok for Zimmerman.

Oh, and I don't own any Kel-Tec right now.

[KestrelBike]

If I ever see a glock19-mag sub2000 out in the wild, I'll buy it (provided it's <$550)

[SouthPaw]

If I ever see a glock19-mag sub2000 out in the wild, I'll buy it (provided it's <$550)

Same here. I am waiting to read the OOS thing on KSG so I don't feel like I have to purchase it.