[haugrdr]

I made a visit to Kel Tec yesterday, to have my Gen 2 Sub gone over and "upgraded" with a new style front sight. I met with Nick (Customer Service Tech) and Greg (Sub 2000 Repair Tech) and Greg asked some questions about how I liked my sub and he took my sub in for a look see.

They wound up doing a lot more than what I figured they'd do. Really gave it a tune up. Took about 2 hours. Pics to follow.


First is the Repair Work Order, stating what was done...but some work was done that wasn't on the sheet, just told to me after.

 

[haugrdr]

Next I have pics of the new sight...which others have already seen. This is now the standard sight shipped on new Subs. I was told the sight was re-designed to help with using a suppressor ( the jam nut) and to fix the problem of the sights wanting to tilt left/right (again, the jam nut.)

Nick was asked if an owner could send his old version sight in and swap for a new version sight. He said Yes...just contact Kel Tec and make the arrangements. You wouldn't need to send in the whole rifle, unless you want them to do the install.

 

[haugrdr]

Next up is a new trigger guard, which I hadn't heard a peep about. Apparently they've designed a new trigger guard to be MUCH wider than the old one...and make a much MUCH wider thumb pad on the guard...to make it easier to pop the action open to fold the rifle. This one really surprised me, never heard even a peep about a new trigger guard.

Funny, I just saw a new video ad from some company making an aluminum guard...one of their selling points is the wider thumb pad. Making it much easier to flip the guard open for folding.

 

[haugrdr]

Whoops!!!

Now can have already seen the next newest surprise they hit me with...and brand new redesigned aluminum TRIGGER!

Actually 2 of them! Seems they listened to the complaints and came up with a new plastic trigger. It has a staighter profile (like we asked) and just a tad longer (so there's no pinch) and it really looked great!

But....Greg came out and told me about ANOTHER new trigger that the Kel Tec competition team came up with. It's aluminum, and has a screw type travel stop. Would I like to try one? First I said YES....then he explained...the new plastic trigger is being installed on all new Subs currently being made. This new aluminum trigger is not available just yet...they are still working/thinking on it...but it may be available in the near future for competition and target shooting...it absolutely MUST be installed at the factory, no if's and's or but's. They WILL NOT SELL YOU ONE, unless THEY install it. They don't know the price point yet...that's being discussed also.

And...get this...even though it's a factory installed factory aftermarket item...installing it will VOID your warranty if the trigger causes a problem. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that...but I told them to go ahead and I'll try it for them. I don't really like the looks, the new plastic one looks/feels great! And I may change my mind in the future (they said they'll take it out and put the new plastic one in for me if asked) but what could it hurt to try it? I don't know much more about it, but will keep my eyes and ears open.

 

[haugrdr]

Next up is not a Kel Tec product. It's the new 31 round plastic mags made by ETSGroup (made in the US)

I've read a lot of posts about them so I bought 2 of them. $21 apiece...which is cheap. They looked good but I haven't tried them yet. I loaded both of them with 115gr FMJ Remington ammo and asked Greg to try them out for me. You shoulda heard the reports I heard coming from the range (I was sitting right outside of one of the vents) boom boom boomboomboomboomboom....LOL. He run thru them WAY faster than I'm used to shooting! He told me he couldn't make them misfire or misfeed. (no, they won't let us shoot at their range...I asked)

That's nice to know!

 

[haugrdr]

Now we come to a new safety detent. They came up with one that's both longer and bigger around...supposedly makes it click in to "safe" better and more securely. It's very hard to get a pic of it...but you can figure it out...sorry. To fix the safety popping out problem that we all read about awhile back.

 

[haugrdr]

No more pics, just talk talk.

Nick stated very strongly, Kel Tec does NOT recommend aluminum or steel cased ammo in ANY weapon they sell, across the board. Period. He stressed that if they find out this type of ammo had anything to do with possible damage to the firearm...the warranty will be void.

Things done/installed I can't take pics of:

A new, longer...wider feed ramp. And they polished it for me.

A new bolt tube (with my old serial number) so they could give me the new ejector. Which is welded in...new shape to cause the empty case to "spin" with a different timing...so that the empty wouldn't hit/damage the edge of the ejection port. Plus they polished the inside of the bolt tube.

A new machined "cut" in the chamber...to allow better seating of aftermarket and production mags.

They really liked my new Early rear site. They hadn't seen one yet.

The factory store has a ton more products than the last time I was there. Even aftermarket items. I didn't really get a chance to look around much. I guess that gives me a reason to go back soon.

I can't remember at this moment...but I think there was another thing or two done to my rifle. Old age I guess...lol. If I think of anything, I'll update.

Oh...check the bottom of the work order. They now state "Recommend using light silicon based oil for both cleaning and storage of the firearm."

Oh again! Greg said he measured the trigger pull with the new trigger and adjustments at 4.2 lbs. Not bad. I'm going to test it out this weekend.

 

[Artofgolf]

Nice pics and interesting new items / services; I enjoyed your write-up. Thanks for your effort & taking the time.

 

[haugrdr]

Thanks! Not sure if I stressed it enough...most of these changes are already in production. They should already be shipping.

 

[H2OMAN]

No way, the craptastic plastic trigger is no more... wonder why?

I think valuable feedback from 3-gunners and a few mere mortals was well received.

Good on Kel-Tec!

 

[TxCajun]

Very cool stuff. Thanks for education. It's always nice when we get an insider report. How far are you from Cocoa?

 

[haugrdr]

Very cool stuff. Thanks for education. It's always nice when we get an insider report. How far are you from Cocoa?

Dale, it's my pleasure to share with my friends here at KTOG!

I was floored by the changes made that we haven't even had a hint of here. And they're already in production. The Techs think ISO9000 certification is working and helping get changes made and into production sooner, faster and smoother.

We're almost exactly an hour north if we stick to I-95. Depending on traffic, it can get bad during rush hours. But usually only slows ya down by 15 minutes or so.

The back roads (US1 or SR-415) takes maybe an extra half hour. Both can be fun and interesting trips...especially by bike.

 

[lorazepam]

Thanks for the write up! Lots of good stuff happening, good to see the improvements. What is the sling mount you have on your tube?

 

[haugrdr]

Both the single point sling mount and the bungee sling are from Tandemkross. Simple and works great.

 

[haugrdr]

Hey, thought of another one. Greg changed the extractor. He said there's a new version out. I wasn't having any problems with extraction, but he changed it while he was rebuilding my Subbie.

So if any of you are having extraction problems, there's a new extractor available and a new ejector. One or both of those could help you with making your sub run right. Oh, these are for the Gen 2's.

 

[H2OMAN]

haugrdr, thank you for sharing this information.

I am now very happy that I have NOT started to upgrade my NiB S2K yet.

 

[phideaux]

Any idea what it would cost to send my S2k into them and get the full update ?
Are they even dong that?

I would be interested in doing that.
If its not an arm and leg ,
I only have 1 3/4 arm.



Jim

 

[haugrdr]

LOL...Jim, I have no idea. My paperwork was marked "Warranty Repair." And we really didn't talk about prices at all. Guess I should have thought of that.

I didn't expect all of this, I went in just for the updated sight. LOL....that's all I asked for.

 

[Artofgolf]

LOL...I didn't expect all of this, I went in just for the updated sight. LOL....that's all I asked for.

Well, they sure treated you in a first-class way ~ sounds like CS that went above & beyond
Good-to-know AoG

 

[haugrdr]

Well, they sure treated you in a first-class way ~ sounds like CS that went above & beyond
Good-to-know AoG

I DO know most of the Techs, from living nearby and visiting often. Also from our Pizza for Kel Tec excursions. Nick I've known the longest. But I don't think my experience is anything strange. Kel Tec is a smallish, family owned business...and still act that way. I like it.