[treysnow]

Hey all, first post here and really interested in picking up my first Kel Tec. Just have a few questions that I'd love some feedback on. I've read so many pages worth of information on various sites and I'm somewhat hesitant to make the plunge based on certain things, so here they are!

1. What's the life expectancy on the S2K Gen 2? Is it easy (relatively speaking) to work on the barrel or innards, if something really breaks or wears down?

2. Reliability? I'm an AK guy and I don't handle FTE/FTF's very well. I've read a lot on this from older Kel Tec's, but not much within this year. Has Kel Tec remedied these rumors?

3. Are there any upgrades that are generally considered mandatory? I read the trigger leaves much to be desired and the front sight isn't very "stationary", implying optics are best suited.

4. While a little more subjective, is it worth dropping big bucks into the S2K? This is more about the cost investment turning a stock S2K into a beast. Upgraded Brass bolt, Charging Handle, tube cover, trigger assembly, Rear sight, Front sight, Handgaurd, Optic.... You get the idea.

5. And finally, I've been seeing the asking price on the G23 40 Model hovering around 450. Is that fair, or should I be demanding lower?

Thank you all for reading and I appreciate feedback and answers!

 

[lorazepam]

My personal experience is that the S2k is reliable, minute of pie pan accurate at 50 yds using aluminium ammo (which is not recommended by kel tec). The barrel on mine is nitride treated, and should last several thousand rounds. I have a holosun red dot with an ADM qd mount that holds zero well enough.
Kel Tec has a lifetime warranty on the Sub 2k, so if you shoot the barrel out, I imagine they will replace it.
I replaced the trigger on mine, it made a difference in the pull for the good, and it gets smoother after a couple thousand rounds. I have been shooting the crap out of mine, and I am very happy with it.

 

[jonnin]

Ill try a few..
2) With quality ammo it should run 100%, or nearly, if clean. It may take a little break-in time out of the box.

3) Its an inexpensive folding carbine. Optics mess up folding if not installed with care. Other junk also mess up its compactness. Its not a weapon of war, its a low profile high capacity short range weapon suitable for briefcases, backpacks, etc. The more you mess with it, the less it does its job in general. The front sight should stay put, but you can probably remedy that if it works loose after a while. Trigger might need an upgrade, if you want. That would be internal and harmless to its design.

4) No. See #3. Internals if you want, but its an inexpensive compact gun... get a 9mm AR build if you want to go all-in on a pistol caliber setup.

5) Fair is what it goes for ... market price, supply and demand. I don't know about that specific gun but 5 min and a web search should tell you the current price to beat. Buds may be lame but that's your rock bottom most often.

 

[TexasVine]

To your question:

2) I found reliability to be 100%.

4) I found it worth while to do the upgrades (Red Lion Precision Forend, Top/bottom rails, Brass bolt, Tube Cover, Tandem Kross rear sight, Burris Fast Fire III). I shoot this carbine once and week, typically at steel targets out to 100 yards. For me, the upgrades have made this a much more enjoyable carbine to shoot than stock. With that being said, I would like to pick up a second Gen 2 in FDE and keep it stock.

5) As far as $450 being a fair price, for this area that is a very good price.

Overall, The carbine is a fantastic rifle. Not only is it unique, but very enjoyable to shoot at the range. By design, it allows for many upgrades if desired.

 

[SDF880]

I have 2 HC GEN 1 9MM and a GEN 2 40SW. I have shot my GEN 1's a lot and 100% so far and cleaning is a breeze. Today was my first time out
with the GEN 2 and I have the MIDWEST mount and a red dot on it. 50 flawless rounds but did notice the 40 has a fair amount more kick to it than the 9
but still wasn't bad at all! I have put a TruGlo light/lazer on all of them and a sling, plus fore end grip on the GEN2 and that's it. My GEN 2 I got lucky and found the only one they had for 399 OTD including transfer. I really like these little carbines and my new GEN2 makes a great addition to my Glock35 as they take the same mags including the 22 round extended. Again I really like them your mileage may vary!

 

[850sub]

Hey all, first post here and really interested in picking up my first Kel Tec. Just have a few questions that I'd love some feedback on. I've read so many pages worth of information on various sites and I'm somewhat hesitant to make the plunge based on certain things, so here they are!

1. What's the life expectancy on the S2K Gen 2? Is it easy (relatively speaking) to work on the barrel or innards, if something really breaks or wears down?

2. Reliability? I'm an AK guy and I don't handle FTE/FTF's very well. I've read a lot on this from older Kel Tec's, but not much within this year. Has Kel Tec remedied these rumors?

3. Are there any upgrades that are generally considered mandatory? I read the trigger leaves much to be desired and the front sight isn't very "stationary", implying optics are best suited.

4. While a little more subjective, is it worth dropping big bucks into the S2K? This is more about the cost investment turning a stock S2K into a beast. Upgraded Brass bolt, Charging Handle, tube cover, trigger assembly, Rear sight, Front sight, Handgaurd, Optic.... You get the idea.

5. And finally, I've been seeing the asking price on the G23 40 Model hovering around 450. Is that fair, or should I be demanding lower?

Thank you all for reading and I appreciate feedback and answers!

1. Lifetime warranty.

2. Should be completely reliable after break-in. Use quality ammo and magazines.

3. A lot of us like the tacticool upgrades. The gen 1 subs needed a grip cover but may not be needed on the gen 2. I discovered red dot scopes with my S2K. And i love them. Quick release and mount on bottom bottom rail when folded. But they're not mandatory. Some triggers are fine. Some get better with use. Some are not that good. Personal preference on that. Maybe a sling. A Bore Snake is a good investment. So are extra mags.

Mandatory is only ammo and some gun oil.

4. It's like Burger King, you CAN have it your way.
Bone stock, or trick it out.

5. $415 is the cheapest I've seen locally, and they wouldn't budge on the price. They had 2, and only lasted a month. The higher priced ones will sit for longer, but will eventually sell. Those $525 and up usually collect dust. So 450 is fair considering the market demand and your overall cost (if you find a good deal somewhere else). Oh, and you should always ask for a lower price, or try to bundle a box of ammo and an extra mag. If you think the price is too high, keep shopping. But beware, you may not see any for a few months. So be willing to wait it out if you have a budget. For what it's worth, for my newest gen 1 S2K i paid $379 for a Parked, Glock 22 grip a few years ago. And I passed on the $415 Blued last summer.

 

[H2OMAN]

1. What's the life expectancy on the S2K Gen 2?
You have a warranty, so you'll probably run out of ammo before you wear out the gun..

2. Reliability?
Should be better than average, I haven't had mine long enough to review long term reliability.

3. Are there any upgrades that are generally considered mandatory?
Yes, mandatory upgrades for my personal S2Ks include the trigger, the bolt, a recoil pad, and the rear sight.
You may as well 'upgrade' the springs while you're there, I did.

4. While a little more subjective, is it worth dropping big bucks into the S2K?
I am pleased with the results, so yes. I also settled on an EOTech as my primary method of aiming the gun.

5. And finally, I've been seeing the asking price on the G23 40 Model hovering around 450.
Is that fair, or should I be demanding lower?
$550 is common in my local secondary market for a 9mm. .40s don't seem to sell fast, so they are closer to $400 here.

 

[ral357]

The sub is what it is. Reasonably reliable pistol caliber carbine that excels at what it was designed to do, fold, being pacted in a discrete manner and deployed ready to fire very quickly. To that end It is THE choice. If you want it fill other functions there are far better choices that while more expensive to buy initially will cost less in the end. The Beretta storm carbine for example, beats the sub in EVERY WAY except being able to be folded and carried discreetly in small inconspicuous bags/pacs and share your pistol mags.
I have a 9mm sub and am pleased with it. I do not expect to take out every shooting session and run thousands of rounds though it. It is fired enough to stay familiar with its operating characteristics. It does leave the house more often than the other "long guns" riding along discreetly in the hopes of never being needed but capable if needed.
The asking price for 40 cal subs is closer to $400 the nines are in more demand but I paid south of $400 for mine, lucked out I guess. Only you can know if it is the right PCC for you. It depends on what your expectations are. If the folding feature is not the PRIMARY reason you want it you may be better served with other options. If you do buy the sub and decide it is not what you like you should be able to get a good share of your money back provided its not been a victim of bubba engineering

 

[Upinthetrees]

The sub is what it is. Reasonably reliable pistol caliber carbine that excels at what it was designed to do, fold, being pacted in a discrete manner and deployed ready to fire very quickly. To that end It is THE choice. If you want it fill other functions there are far better choices that while more expensive to buy initially will cost less in the end. The Beretta storm carbine for example, beats the sub in EVERY WAY except being able to be folded and carried discreetly in small inconspicuous bags/pacs and share your pistol mags.
I have a 9mm sub and am pleased with it. I do not expect to take out every shooting session and run thousands of rounds though it. It is fired enough to stay familiar with its operating characteristics. It does leave the house more often than the other "long guns" riding along discreetly in the hopes of never being needed but capable if needed.
The asking price for 40 cal subs is closer to $400 the nines are in more demand but I paid south of $400 for mine, lucked out I guess. Only you can know if it is the right PCC for you. It depends on what your expectations are. If the folding feature is not the PRIMARY reason you want it you may be better served with other options. If you do buy the sub and decide it is not what you like you should be able to get a good share of your money back provided its not been a victim of bubba engineering

I think you summed the Sub2K up perfectly. I have AR's, HK's, etc., that I would choose over the Sub2K for a "serious" gun, except for it's size and folding capability. That's the niche that it has all to itself. If Colt, S&W, H&K, Ruger, etc. made a similar gun, Sub2K sales would dry up. Sorry Kel Tec....

But I've never seen any of the 9mm $400 ones, and I'm a pretty good shopper. I paid over 500 for mine.