Kel-Tec Sub-2000

Pistol caliber carbines have been the rage for more than a few years now. If you didn't already know, there are many good reasons as to why the demand for these guns continue to grow every year, some of which include better ballistic performance, faster and more accurate follow-up shots, easier to control recoil, room for more attachments, and versatility if you happen to own a handgun chambered in a pistol caliber like the 9mm, the .40 S&W, and the .45 ACP. Handguns usually have a barrel measuring between three and five inches long depending on the make and model. A pistol-caliber carbine's barrel, by comparison, is usually two to three times longer than a handgun's. The longer barrel improves the ballistic performance of any given pistol caliber as it offers significantly more room for the projectile to accelerate. Compared to being fired from a handgun, a bullet coming out of the longer barrel of a pistol-caliber carbine will have a higher velocity and as a result, more muzzle energy. In addition, having a longer barrel means having more room for accessory rails. A longer barrel also offers more weight. More weight equates to better recoil control, which translates to less muzzle flip. With a good red-dot sight, the platform allows for faster target reacquisition and faster, more accurate follow-up shots compared to handguns. All of the pistol caliber carbines on the market today are practically the same when it comes to improved ballistics, better handling, and more customizability. But there are two things about the KelTec SUB2000 that make it stand out from its competitors: one, it's affordable, with a street price of just around $465; and two, it's a foldable pistol caliber carbine, making it a unique proposition if you’re a backpacker or if you want a foldable truck gun with sufficient firepower. Granted, there are a handful of foldable carbine-sized firearms these days, but with the exception of the Savage Model 42 Takedown that comes with a barrel chambered for .410 shotshells, almost all foldable carbines are chambered for rimfire cartridges only, i.e. either the .22 Long Rifle or the .22 Magnum. The KelTec SUB2000, on the other hand, is available in either 9mm or .40 S&W. None of the three cartridges competing models are chambered for can be considered as versatile as pistol calibers. In a similar vein, none of the two rimfire cartridges are as reliable or as powerful as the 9mm or the .40 S&W. Check out our updated listing below if you’d like to purchase one.