Watch It Fold With Optic Intact: KelTec’s Sub2000 Gen 3 — SHOT Show 2024

Levi Sim SHOT Show 2024

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

KelTec’s new Sub2000 Gen3 is such an upgrade that they are completely discontinuing the Gen 2 version. And the changes are not subtle.

The new Gen 3 is a huge upgrade.

Do the Twist

The Sub2000 has always had a full-length Picatinny rail, but anything mounted to the rail — like a red dot — would be smashed when the gun is folded in half. Since folding is its primary feature, most of us relied on the included iron sights.

KetTec listened to all the feedback and redesigned the Gen 3 so that the forend twists 90° when folding. That means the Picatinny rail and anything on it are no longer smashed when the gun is folded.

Now you can leave optics attached to the rail when folding.

Likewise, lights attached to the bottom rail can stay in place. The forend twists in either direction, so if you have accessories attached to the M-Lok slots on either side, they can stay there, too. However, you can’t accessorize both the left and right and still fold the gun.

You can add stuff to either side of the handguard, but not both.
As always, the Sub2000 folds at the barrel.

Other New Features

Twisting while folding isn’t the only upgrade to the Sub2000. It also has a new flat-faced trigger with a curve for indexing that weighs in at 4.5 to 5 lbs.

Another big improvement is the polymer from which the frame is made. They are using a new formula that’s 20% stronger than previous models. And it comes in black, green, or tan.

The trigger is flat-faced and the guard releases the folding mechanism.
The folded length is just 16.15″.

As important as the twisting fold, the charging handle can now be locked on either the left or the right instead of only the right. this means you can slap it down with your off-hand, MP-5 style.

The charging handle now locks open on either the right or the left.

One more excellent upgrade is that the ejection port now has a deflector. This deflector helps keep brass from hitting your face if you’re left-handed.

The blowback action now includes a deflector to keep brass flying in a safe direction.

KelTec’s Sub2000 Gen 3 includes loads of important upgrades. The first run is compatible with Glock Mags (Glock 19 mags fit flush) and additional mag compatibility will come in future runs.

It is available now at the usual price of $499.

The threaded barrel comes standard.

Specs

  • CALIBER 9×19 mm
  • WEIGHT UNLOADED 4.2 lbs
  • MAGAZINE CAPACITY: Varies by magazine
  • OVERALL LENGTH 30.45”
  • LENGTH COLLAPSED 29.25”
  • LENGTH FOLDED 16.15”
  • BARREL LENGTH 16.15”
  • TWIST RATE1:10”
  • TRIGGER PULL 5 lbs

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  • Zac February 9, 2024, 9:06 am

    If they come out with a 10mm version that takes S&W mags I’ll be the first in line.

  • Buzz Breath January 31, 2024, 5:20 am

    Absolutely overdue.
    I loved the concept of the older Sub 2K, but the execution turned out less than desirable.

    I’ve had exceptional service from Kel-Tec products. I may need to take a look at the Gen III.

  • Peter January 30, 2024, 8:10 pm

    To say that owning a Gen 2 Sub2000 was a forgettable experience has all the elements of truth in it.
    For you see, I did buy said Subby that took Glock 19 mags. I did buy it in September 2015 since that is the month and year of the photos that I took of it. I even kept the receipt which told me the exact date I bought the gun.
    So, what’s the problem?
    I apparently got rid of it but I don’t remember WHEN, WHERE or HOW!
    If I sold it, I don’t have an invoice for the sale – something I created for all of my gun sales.
    Now, the WHY is easy to surmise because I also once owned the Gen 1 Subby which I also quickly exchanged for another gun.
    I hated the difficulty of pulling the bolt back to set the trigger and the trigger itself was heavy and spongy.
    This was back before they had custom parts for it, too.
    But, then why did I buy the Gen2?
    Was it because I thought the issue with the bolt had been improved or the issue with the spongy trigger as well?
    Maybe, but it must not have been enough of an improvement to warrant keeping it.
    When I bought it in 2015, the price was like $250. The price would later skyrocket up to $500 making me wish I had held onto it longer.
    In any event, I have decided to never buy a Sub2000 again so that I won’t have to go through buyer’s remorse again.

  • Guido January 30, 2024, 8:55 am

    Yes I own a SUB 2000, gen 2 . That said the plastic 10 lb. trigger is the absolute disgrace, long spongy pull and never has been improved over the last 10-15 years. Yes you can buy a replacement trigger, that is until you watch the video detailing that job. Or you can send it to MCARBO, wait 8 weeks, pay the installation charge of approx. $120 + trigger, and freight both ways. Since S&W came out with a better folding 9mm PDC Kel-Tec woke up and blew out their gen 2 SUB2000 rifles as they couldn’t compete. Now is it too late to compete with a better 9mm folder at the same price point ?

  • Richard Wayne January 30, 2024, 7:37 am

    Wake me when the .40 Glock mag version drops.

  • LJ January 30, 2024, 7:32 am

    Very popular guns down in the ‘hood’! What ELSE are they good for? 🤷‍♂️

    • TacSKS January 30, 2024, 8:09 am

      “What are they good for!?” Let’s see…how about anything a compact lightweight PCC is good for. Don’t be an idiot.

      • LJ January 30, 2024, 9:51 am

        I’m far from an ‘idiot’ as you say. What I am, is a former gun dealer, gun collector for over 50 years, and a level III life member of the NRA. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out where a lot of these ‘plastic-fantastic’ turds end up, on the street in the hands of ‘idiots’ that can’t legally own them to begin with. A lot of them stolen. Common sense needs to factor into this equation at some point. That’s all I’m saying. Sorry if I hurt your feeling.

        • TacSKS January 30, 2024, 11:19 am

          And I’m a 2A absolutist. No manufacturer should be discouraged from producing a product because CRIMINALS might use it. But it’s not surprising to see such a bad idea from someone who still supports the NRA.

        • Big Al 45 January 30, 2024, 1:01 pm

          Yet your comment is chock full of bias, so there is that, the “plastic-fantastic” kinda gives that away, eh???
          By your standards, ‘good’ guns NEVER end up on the street???? And THEN you tout “common sense”????????
          A “rocket scientist”? No, but I question that comment.
          If you don’t like the gun, fine. But don’t go off on a tangent of bias and hate loaded with nonsense.
          And no, I don’t one.

          • LJ January 30, 2024, 3:28 pm

            Hurt your feelings too, did I? Well, you know what they say; ‘opinions are like a-holes, and most stink’.

    • Big Al 45 January 30, 2024, 3:47 pm

      Yes, and thats where your opinion originated from, what an elitist pr***.

    • BR February 25, 2024, 2:43 pm

      Other than the tranny school shooter I have never heard of any crimes being committed with them. Is that a problem in your area?

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