KelTec: Distinctly Innovative

by
posted on March 30, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Keltec company logo U.S. flag color red white blue flag stripes

KelTec’s name is associated with some of the most innovative firearms available on the market today, but that hard-earned reputation didn’t begin with the company making its own models. In 1991 George Kellgren established the firm in Cocoa, Fla., as a supplier of precision CNC parts for other gun companies.

Swedish-born Kellgren previously worked as a designer for Husqvarna, Swedish Interdynamics AB and Intratec, so it didn’t take long for those skills to shine above OEM production. The company’s first pistol—the P-11—hitting the market in 1995. The polymer-frame semi-automatic, chambered in 9 mm Luger, proved to be a big success. Shortly after the P-32 appeared, a .32 ACP version of the reliable handgun.

Since then, KelTec has produced a wide variety of innovative, reliable and budget-friendly guns that have gained a wide following. Its SUB-2000, for example, is a 9 mm Luger carbine that became available in 2001, years before the current pistol-caliber carbine craze. One of the gun’s most innovative features is a folding stock that reduces overall length by roughly half. It’s even capable of running several different handgun magazines, including those for Glock 17s.

In 2011, KelTec dove headlong for the first time into the shotgun market. Demand for its KSG—a 12-gauge pump-action bullpup with a pair of rotating magazines capable of storing seven 2 3/4" shotshells in their tubes—was so great after its introduction at the SHOT Show that the model was on backorder almost overnight. The factory started working overtime to fill the demand, but it was almost impossible to find one on the shelves for some time.

The company has subsequently introduced the KSG-25—with a shotshell capacity of 24+1—and the KS7, which won the Shotgun of the Year Golden Bullseye Award from American Rifleman in 2020. It’s entire line of rifles, pistols and shotguns continue to be a popular choice among enthusiasts, for good reason.

KelTec remains headquartered in Cocoa, Fla., where it has grown from a small, relatively obscure company, into one widely recognized as a leader in the firearm industry. It currently employs roughly 300 people.

Latest

Double Stack 1911 Web Main
Double Stack 1911 Web Main

A Guide To Double-Stack 1911s

The 2011 brings double-stack capacity and modular upgrades to the 1911 platform, but not every wide-body 1911 out there earns that name.

Legislators Enjoy Afternoon Of Clays With Benelli USA, Among Others

A bipartisan group of Maryland state legislators met with firearm industry manufacturers and representatives for a day of clays shooting while also attending discussions on the positive economic impacts of the shooting sports.

2025 Ammunition Product Of The Year: Winchester .21 Sharp

For continuing to innovate, particularly in a corner of the ammo world that has seen very little recently, we named the Winchester .21 Sharp as our Ammunition Product Of The Year.

Rifleman Review: Hammerli Arms Force B1

The Hammerli Arms Force B1 is one of the most versatile rimfire rifles on the market, providing room for accessories, allowing for a personal stock fit and even offering caliber-interchangeability.

New For 2025: CZ Scorpion 3+ Magpul Edition

CZ-USA has enhanced its Scorpion 3+ pistol-caliber carbine yet again with a slate of factory-installed Magpul components and accessories.

Summer Suppressor Deals On Now

Whether it is a BOGO deal from SIG or free tax stamps from Guns.com and Silencer Central, there's plenty of hearing-safe savings to be had this summer.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.