Is the Kel-Tec SUB-2000 worth it?
So Kel-Tec SUB-2000 is a really interesting gun, super compact, and it’s lots of fun shooting a PCC in 9mm. BUT, the trigger was kinda poo and overall it seems cheap. I asked M*Carbo if they’d be able to send me some trigger stuff and they sent me the whole bunch of Sub-2000 parts to review. In their care package, they sent:
What kind of Screws do you use on your Kel Tec?
Factory Kel Tecs use metal screws screwed into aluminum pins. I’ve seen some Kel-Tecs with loose screws that won’t tighten because they’ve been over-torqued on the aluminum and they’re stripped. The upgrade kit uses steel pins and screws and is more about peace of mind and long term durability with disassembly.
Why is the trigger pull on my sub 2000 so heavy?
The SUB-2000 comes with pretty heavy springs from the factory and they contribute to a heavy, mushy trigger pull. The spring kit dropped the trigger pull from 8.5lbs to 5.25lbs, a very noticeable improvement.
How good is the m*Carbo SUB-2000?
Gen 2 of the Sub-2000 is a lot better than Gen 1 and they upgraded a lot of smart parts, but these M*Carbo parts really round out the Gen2 to a very decent PCC. The trigger is MUCH better, the charging handle is easier to grab, and the stock doesn’t steal beard hair.
Video Review of Kel-Tec SUB-2000 Upgrades
I’ll review these in order of how much impact I felt they made to the gun.
Aftermarket SUB-2000 Trigger Springs
The SUB-2000 comes with pretty heavy springs from the factory and they contribute to a heavy, mushy trigger pull. The spring kit dropped the trigger pull from 8.5lbs to 5.25lbs, a very noticeable improvement.
Skeletonized Charging Handle
This one surprised me because I didn’t think there was anything bad with the existing charging handle, but I was wrong. The new one is fatter and makes the heavy recoil spring feel easier to move around. I think it’s because it’s 3X wider in the middle, so I can get a better grip on it.
Curved Aluminum Trigger
I’ve upgraded polymer triggers on pistols before, and aluminum just feels more solid than most polymer triggers. This aluminum trigger feels great, and it doesn’t flex at all. The lack of flexing and lower weight really contributed to a less mushy feeling trigger.
Aluminum Trigger Guard
Nothing wrong with the factory part here, but this one is more solid, doesn’t bend at all when you pull it down to release, and will put up with more abuse than the plastic one.
Bolt Tube Cover
With its straight recoil design, the SUB-2000 isn’t jumping up into your face, but the metal bolt tube isn’t super nice to put your face on in -30 weather, and when I pressed my face right up to it, I’d catch my beard hair in between the buttstock and tube.
Extended Magazine Release
I had absolutely no issue with the factory mag release, but those with shorter thumbs will appreciate the extended mag release. It is slightly easier to depress since it’s a larger surface and it feels less cheap than the factory one.
About the Kel Tec Sub-2000 Gen 2
Before we talk about problems, let’s look at the S2K a little closer. It was designed as a follow up to the Gen 1, with a few needed improvements. This semi-automatic pistol caliber carbine rifle is blowback operated, with the operating spring located in the rear tubular stock.
5 Problems with the Kel Tec Sub-2000 to Know About
The most notable problem or issue with S2K is a barrel recall on some of the 2017 models. Apparently, the steel tubes Kel Tec used for a limited number of barrels were not heat treated properly and pose a safety concern. This was no fault of Kel Tec, as they outsource these barrels from another manufacturer.
Other After-Market Options
As you can tell, M*Carbo offers a number of after-market parts for the Kel Tec Sub-2000 that will enhance it’s performance and shootability. Here is a link to all of the available upgrades that they have to offer. Their website has a number of installation tutorial videos and a forum with a ton of useful information, as well.
Conclusion
The key to knowing that there may be issues or problems, with anything really, is to have a plan in place. This gun is highly functional and handy. The things that most people consider problems are actually just personal preferences. It is plastic and feels cheap, and it’s not what you are accustomed to when you think of a semi-automatic rifle.