The Kel-Tec SUB2000 Gen 3 Rifle

Overview and Technical Specs

The video focuses on the Kel-Tec SUB2000 Gen 3, a folding 9mm pistol-caliber carbine with a 16.15-inch barrel that maintains rifle length while remaining compact. It ships with a 15-round Glock-pattern 9mm magazine, giving a 15+1 capacity out of the box. The manufacturer lists the weight at about 4.2 pounds. Folded length is approximately 16.15 inches, essentially the same as the barrel length, and overall length unfolded is about 30.45 inches. The barrel uses a 1:10 twist rate and is threaded 1/2x24 with a thread protector installed. The stated trigger pull is around 5 pounds, which is later verified with a gauge during the video.

Gen 3 Folding System and Optic Compatibility

The Gen 3 SUB2000 introduces a revised folding system that allows the barrel assembly to rotate to either side before locking, so it can fold with an optic or accessories installed. Unlike earlier versions that required removing an optic to fold the carbine, this design uses M-LOK slots on both sides of the handguard to secure the barrel assembly in the folded position. The host demonstrates that the carbine is clear, then shows how the barrel section slides, twists, and drops into place when unfolding. The action can be locked into position by simply swinging the barrel down, and it clicks into battery regardless of which side it was rotated toward.

From Muzzle to Receiver: Features and Controls

Starting at the muzzle, the SUB2000 Gen 3 has a threaded barrel with a thread protector and a 16-inch barrel length with a 1:10 twist. A full-length Picatinny rail runs along the top, with a partial Picatinny rail on the bottom that stops short to allow a comfortable support-hand grip. M-LOK slots extend about two-thirds of the way down both sides of the polymer handguard. The platform is described as lightweight and known for running reliably with a variety of 9mm ammunition. The trigger guard is polymer and doubles as the folding release: pulling it outward unlocks the barrel so it can twist and fold. The video also highlights the ambidextrous manual bolt hold-open, which is engaged by pulling the charging handle back and locking it to either side, and notes that the bolt can be released with a firm slap on the handle.

Safety, Grip, and Action Details

On the side opposite the ejection port, the SUB2000 Gen 3 uses a crossbolt-style safety that passes through the receiver. Pushing it through exposes a red ring when the firearm is ready to fire. Just above the trigger guard sits an extended magazine release that protrudes farther than on many carbines, making it easier to access. The grip features Kel-Tec’s familiar square texturing and has cutouts to help strip out a stuck Glock-pattern magazine if needed. The ejection port includes a slight flare at the rear to direct spent cases away from the shooter’s face, including for left-handed use. The action uses a blowback system housed in a metal tube at the rear, containing the spring assembly and reciprocating mass. The charging handle is also metal, which is emphasized as reassuring for durability during repeated use and manual bolt manipulation.

Stock, Sling Mounts, and Overall Layout

At the rear, the SUB2000 Gen 3 has a polymer buttstock with three length-of-pull positions. Adjusting it requires removing a retaining pin, sliding the stock to the desired position, and reinstalling the pin, a process described as more involved than it sounds. The stock includes a sling mount and an additional clip-style attachment point, giving multiple options for sling setup. The host summarizes the overall configuration as essentially a 9mm pistol-style action with an extended, folding barrel and shoulderable stock, providing a compact carbine that can be folded for transport while still offering a stable shooting position when deployed.

Trigger Pull Testing

A Wheeler trigger pull gauge is used to check the SUB2000 Gen 3’s trigger weight. After removing the magazine and confirming the chamber is clear, the host supports the carbine and conducts three pulls. The first reading is approximately 3.1 pounds, which is noted as lighter than expected. A second pull measures about 4.8 pounds, closer to the manufacturer’s claim. The third pull registers around 5.6 pounds. Taken together, the readings suggest an average in the 4- to 5-pound range, aligning reasonably well with the stated 5-pound trigger pull specification for this model.

Length, Height, and Weight Measurements

The video then verifies the SUB2000 Gen 3’s dimensions and weight. With a magazine inserted, the unfolded overall length measures around 29 inches on the tape, slightly different from the listed 30-inch figure but in the same general range. Folded length comes in just over 16 inches, matching the barrel length and the manufacturer’s description. Height with the magazine installed is roughly 6 to a little over 12 inches, as shown briefly on camera. For weight, the folded carbine without a magazine registers about 4.24 pounds on the scale. With an empty magazine inserted, it weighs about 4.34 pounds. The host notes that with ammunition loaded, the total would be near 5 pounds, keeping the platform relatively light for a 9mm pistol-caliber carbine.