Fear & Loading: Small Number of Kel-Tec Sub-2000s Recalled

A limited number of Kel-Tec Sub-2000 rifles with a third-party manufacturer’s steel tubes have a heat-treatment issue that creates the potential for the barrel rupturing when the gun is fired. Serious personal injury could result and the company initiated a safety recall.

Only those Sub-2000 rifles manufactured in 2017 are affected. Owners of guns made that year should discontinue use immediately and visit the company’s special web page to determine if their firearm is subject to the recall. Simply enter your gun’s serial number in the indicated field to ascertain whether the questionable component was used in its construction. A complete list of serial numbers has also been made available (pdf). Kel-Tec will replace the tube for free and cover expenses associated with the improvement, including shipping.  

The Sub-2000 was introduced in 2001 and models chambering 9 mm and .40 S&W are now available. Its different versions accept select Smith & Wesson, Glock, Beretta and SIG Sauer magazines, making it a popular choice for handgun enthusiasts looking for a sibling carbine.

With the stock folded it measures 16 1/4 inches, but deployed overall length grows to between 30 1/2 or 29 1/4 inches—depending on the adjustable stock’s setting. Barrel length is 16 1/4 inches on all models, 

If you haven’t seen one in action, here’s a look from back in February, 2016, and another from the 2014 SHOT Show. For a full review of the 9 mm version using Glock magazines, Field Editor B. Gil Horman’s range session and results provide more details.