Kel-Tec Survival and Tactical RDBs — SHOT Show 2017

For more information, make sure to visit Kel-Tec.com.

Overview

Kel-Tec has been in the bullpup design business for many years now, and they never rest on their laurels. This year we saw two new designs that should prove very popular, both in the RDB family of weapons.

Survival RDB

First is the new survival model, a back-pack sized wonder. Everything about this gun has been streamlined, every extra ounce of weight removed. The barrel is a pencil barrel, which fits with a survival-type gun. The pistol grip has been removed, and now features a California-style smooth grip. The sights are tall, but the fold down flat with the barrel in storage configuration. The collapsible stock fits flush, but gives you another 1.5 inches when fully extended. The magazine that comes with the rifle is a 10-rounder, that fits flush with the magazine well.

Kel-Tec Survival and Tactical RDBs -- SHOT Show 2017

The RDB Survival.

Tactical RDB

The Tactical model features a thicker barrel, more appropriate for extended shooting sessions at the range. It features a 17.3-inch barrel, housed in a chassis that gives you an overall length of 27.3 inches. This bullpup ejects spent cases down, avoiding the face burn some other bullpups are famous for. And it features a real pistol grip, like we expect in a tactical gun.

Kel-Tec Survival and Tactical RDBs -- SHOT Show 2017

The RDB Tactical.

Price and Availability

Pricing for the Survival RDB and the Tactical RDB should be in the ballpark of the original, plus or minus $100.  So, that puts it in the neighborhood of $1,100-$1,300  It should hit the streets in the “third quarter of this year,” which in Kel-Tec terms means we probably won’t see it until the second quarter of next year.  LOL.

For more information, make sure to visit Kel-Tec.com.

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  • fred dietz October 17, 2017, 2:31 am

    I have 4 different Kel tec weapons, including a P 40 they took off market years ago for failures to feed due to limp wristed users. All 4, 3 pistols and a rifle have an excellent record of reliability, even the P 40 that I regularly carry concealed. Yes, it does hurt to shoot it but with a firm grip it has NEVER failed to cycle. No large production manufacturer has 100% reliability with all cartridges, magazines, etc. Both Remington and Winchester have had huge trigger recalls recently. And so on the one hand people carp about reliability and on other they don’t like having to wait for an ample supply of product. My guess is that Mr. Kelgren wants to make sure the each new Kel tec firearm works as well as mine do. That is to say damn good!

  • xLoCxRambo February 13, 2017, 12:28 pm

    I wish they would work on reliability before making more “innovative designs” only because I have seen way too many reviews or examples of kel-tecs ability to mess up or have something flimsy enough to break in their first day on a range. I do love the looks and ideas behind their weapons though.

  • John February 9, 2017, 2:31 pm

    RDB Survival New York OK?

  • david hamilton February 9, 2017, 1:15 pm

    This is one kel-tec I may be interested in, for all the good that will do me. If it follows their typical yearly production numbers of ‘two’, it will be a while. What the heck, everyone needs a hobby. Looks like one of the better kel-tec efforts, though.

  • Glenn February 9, 2017, 3:11 am

    lol I’m still waiting on a tan rfb order I placed about 3 years ago

    • Junior February 9, 2017, 7:17 am

      I hope you didn’t put a down payment on it… 😁

      • kave February 9, 2017, 9:58 am

        I’d put money down on a Survival if they’d take it. Put me in line for the wait,….I don’t care.

        I’m sure specs are available. How about at least a mention of the projected weight in the article?

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