Kel-Tec Sub 2000 Heavy Bolt

I had mentioned before about how my new Kel-Tec Sub2000 had a rather sharp recoil impulse.

It's a 9mm blowback firearm, so of course the recoil is going to be more than my AR-15 which is a DI Gas operated rifle.

My solution was to take a bit of a foam pool noodle and some cable ties to make an ersatz recoil pad for it.

Since then several other shooters have fired my KT S2K, and they ALL report the same thing.  Even with the pool noodle recoil pad, the recoil on the S2k is too sharp to be comfortable for any extended shooting.

So yesterday I went about doing something to calm that recoil impulse some.

I ordered a "Heavy Weight Bolt" for the S2K.  (Kel-Tec revamped their website so you cannot link directly to any particular product.  The bolt is the bottom left on my monitor/screen.  It might be in a different place on yours.  To be exact, the bolt is on the second page of results and is the only full color photo in the results.)  It costs $45.00 plus shipping, my total cost is $55.03.

This should, reduce the recoil impulse, coupled with the pool noodle recoil pad, to make it more enjoyable to shoot.

Oh, and when I say other shooters, I mean my 4 sons, my daughter and her fiance, my friend Ken and his wife Samara, and about 8 total strangers I met at the range and offered to let them shoot my S2k.

EVERYONE has said the same thing about the recoil on this little carbine, using ammo from tula, Wolf, Winchester Whitebox, Federal, every type of ammo.  from 115 gr up to some PMC 147 gr sub-sonic.

The recoil is uncomfortable.

I think a LOT of that is the way the buttpad itself is shaped.  It is angled towards the muzzle at the bottom of the butt, which means the tubular receiver becomes the focal point for all that recoil being delivered into your shoulder.

If Kel-Tec offered a flat replacement buttstock, I would purchase one of those to replace mine.

The too small contact area at the top of the receiver and buttstock mean you have all of that recoils delivered into one small area, about 1.25 inches around, hitting into your shoulder/collar bone area.

HIGHLY uncomfortable if you plan on shooting more than a mag or two.

When the new Heavy Bolt comes in, I'll swap it out for my current bolt and then I"ll head back to the range to test out the recoil impulse between the two.

Sping loaded Tip off Optice mount for Sub 2000

I actually would like something similar to this, however since I have a Gen 2, I'd like it to mount to the side of the forend and tip on and lock down with a QD RTZ mount.  I can always add a M lok Pic rail to the side to mount it, but I feel that if it also had a QD mount to secure it to the forend it would be much more stable.  But still allowing it to fold to the side for folding the rifle.

Kel-Tec Sub 2000 modifications

I put the Tacticool receiver tube cover on to save my cheekbone, but that still left that painful buttstock.  I had a couple of foam pool noodles left over from another project and I figured "Heh, if it's stupid but it works, it ain't stupid"

A pool noodle cut to size then slit down one side and a couple cable ties  and it's done.

I'll try to get to the range this week to see how it handle the recoil and it doesn't slide around too much on my shoulder.

If it does work, maybe I'll change the color later or just cover it in black duct tape.

First Look Kel-Tec Gen 2 Sub 2000 9mm

I finally was able to get a Kel-Tec Sub 2000.  I've only been trying to get one for almost 2 years.

Target Sports USA sent out their mailer and before I posted it, I saw they had the Gen 2 Sub 2000 in stock, so I ordered it.  According to their website, they had 25 in stock.  After I got my order in their in stock total dropped to 6.  It took almost 10 days to get here, but I got it Wednesday and I picked it up at the dealer in town, NOT my normal dealer which I'll be talking to my FFL about getting their license on file with Target Sports.



Right after I got my order in with Target Sports USA, I went over to Centerfire Systems to order 5 of their Korean 9mm 33 round Glock magazines.  They got here in 3 days.  For it's first range trip though, I only loaded them to 20 rounds to get the springs broken in.

I've since ordered a Glock Magazine loader off of E-bay from a seller I've dealt with before. Two loaders with free shipping for less than $15.00 is a pretty good deal.  They should be here Saturday.

I used the Tula Bi-metal FMJ 115 gr 9mm that I got from Ammoman.com earlier this year when I bought my FEG P9M and Browning Hi Power.

Well I'll let the video I shot say the rest of the story



My target from Wednesday.

Aiming point was the X

Aiming point was center of the head

Aiming point was the 8

Aiming point was the 8

Aiming point was the 7

Aiming point was the 7


Now for some pictures of it after it's first range trip.

It comes in a really spiff box which makes storage easy.  I wish they would make a polycarb or hard plastic case for it similar to this.  It would be perfect to slide under the rear bench seat of the Suburban or behind the seat of my S-10.

How it looks when you open the box.

Locked in place

Folded port view

Folded starboard view

The buttstock is adjustable by removing the pin and sliding it out.  I did this after my range trip, it's still a little too short for me to shoulder it comfortably.  The angle of the stock and that very sharp edge digs into my collar bone every shot and the sharp toe of the stock which has a short pic rail on it for some reason, also digs in when firing it from the bench.

The front sight is adjustable like the AR-15/M-16/A1.  When I adjusted it though it wobbles inside it's housing, leading me to think there may be some accuracy issues.  A few other VidBloggers have stated the same thing.  Several companies are offering different front and rear sights for both the Gen1 and the Gen 2, however I'll wait until there are a few more options.  Kel-Tec might offer their own fix for it, so I'll wait a bit.


My current after thoughts;  This is a fun little Pistol Caliber Carbine.  However, extended shooting is painful as it comes from Kel-Tec.  I've already ordered a Receiver Tube Cover from  Tacticool Products, so I don't think the problems with bashing my cheekbone will be an issue.  However, the trigger, HURTS.  I don't know about you, but I use the very tip of my index finger on rifles, pump shotguns and single action semi-automatic handguns.  I use the first joint of my index finger on double action revolvers, double action semi-auto pistols and single shot or double barrel shotguns.  Shooting this Kel-Tec is like shooting my mother's Kel-Tec P-32, except the pain is on my fingertip instead of the outside of my first knuckle.  I so far haven't found any suggestions through Google about how to deal with this trigger.

The crossbolt safety was a little rough the first few times I used it.  It has smoothed up considerably

Extending the stock to it's full length is a little difficult.  The retaining pin requires some english to get it free, and removing it completely requires three hands.  Reinserting also requires some english to line everything up, and I hope you have your helper.

I've only got 115 rounds through this so far, but I'll be having my friend Ken and his wife Sam trying it out possibly this weekend.  I'll be sure to bring one of the video camera to get their opinions.

Finally got some range time today.

Unfortunately I was only able to get about an hour and ten minutes worth of actual shooting and video.

Guns I took to shoot.

Kel-Tec P-32
FEG AP765
Heritage Arm .22 LR/.22 Mag Single Action
Norinco 1911A1 Government Model .45ACP with a Brand New SIG Sauer 1911 .22LR conversion kit
Charter Arms/Henry .22 LR AR-7
Chiappa  .22 LR Little Badger
Norinco (CAI) PW87 12ga. Lever Action
Mossberg 185 20 ga. Bolt Action

Guns I actually GOT to shoot.

Kel-Tec P-32
FEG AP765
Norinco PW87 Lever Action
Mossberg 185

I TRIED to use the SIG Sauer .22 LR Conversion, BUUUUUT, BUUUUUT there was a slight issue.

The SIG Sauer 1911 .22 LR Conversion is for the SIG Sauer 1911A! pistol which is a clone of the Series 80 Colt 1911A1.  Meaning my Stock Norinco Government Model will NOT activate the Firing Pin Block/Plunger.  So it will NOT work on my Norinco.  YET.



I will be REMOVING the Firing Pin Block/Plunger from my Conversion and I will try it again.  If I have the time, I will try to do it tomorrow.  If anyone knows of a small rubber or silicone post to put in the hole the FP block/Plunger is in, please leave me a link in the comment section.

I also had the chance to try out my mom's Kel-Tec P-32.  I bought it for her as a combination Mothers Day and Birthday present.  I only had one small bobble with it and it seems to be magazine related with 2 FTF's, both from the same Mec-Gar 10 Round Extended Magazine.

I then pulled out my normal carry piece, my FEG AP765 to compare the two.  For me personally, I prefer my FEG.  The Kel-Tec has a Looooooong, HEAVY trigger pull every time you pull the trigger.  My FEG does have a long and heavy pull on the first round then it is a short single action pull until slide lock.  My trigger finger and my sons trigger finger are both sore and my son actually has a small blister on his from firing the Kel-Tec.  The blister is on the front bottom of his finger meaning his finger is rubbing the front inside edge of the trigger guard under recoil.  The rubbing is less noticeable with the extended 10 round magazine versus the stock 7 round magazine.  I replaced the baseplates of both of the 7 round magazines with the small grip extension baseplates I got from Midway, as even my mom's small hands had problems holding on to the pistol properly.  When I ordered the Kel-Tec from Buds Gun Shop, it only came with one 7 round magazine so I ordered an extra 7 round and two 10 round mags from Midway at the same time I ordered the grip extensions.  For mom, who is used to the long heavy trigger pull of her Taurus 82 .38 Special, the Kel-Tec should be good once she gets some practice with it.  Me personally, I'll stick with my FEG or my Charter Arms Undercover.  But then again, my hands are easily twice the size of my mom's.

I then brought out my new to me Mossberg 185 20 ga. Bolt Action Shotgun.  I haven't shot a bolt action shotgun in a Looooooonnnnnnnggggggggg time.  And while I enjoyed shooting the Mossberg, it wasn't very nice to my son.  The recoil is a little stout using 7/8th oz. 7.5 Bird and Squirrel loads, and using 7/8 oz slugs, well my son did NOT really enjoy that.  I've got it on video which I'll post later.  One of the most unusual things about the Mossberg 185 is the use of an External Choke Tube.  I'm not sure which one my Mossberg has but it appears to be a Full.  I plan on getting a Modified and an Improved Cylinder tube for it plus the proper wrench.  This little shotgun is quite similar to my old H&R 349 Bolt Action 12 ga. in handling but I really like the fact that this uses a box magazine versus the small tube mag of the H&R.

Next up was a brand new and new to me me as the very first owner Century Arms PW87.  Which means Norinco PW87.  A modern reproduction of the Winchester 1887, which has been modified for use with 2.75 inch shells versus the 2.5 inch shells of the original.  My son Mitchell and I were only able to shoot some #7.5 through it and not the Buckshot I had planned on because the range was getting ready to close, but it fed and fired properly, but I will say I'm going to look for a slip on recoil pad.  The L.O.P. is a leeetle short for me and it does like to kick a bit.  I got this one from J&G Sales, back when they were on sale for $279.00.  Mitchell even tried it left handed as he actually is a southpaw.  But I could only get him to fire 3 shells.

Then it was time to break it all down and load up the truck.

I'm hoping I can get more range time this week.  Especially after I remove the FP Block/Plunger from the SIG Sauer conversion for my 1911A1.