If you’re looking for portability, quality, and affordability in a single-stamp rifle, look no further. The recent Kel-Tec SUB CQB, an integrally suppressed 9mm (single stamp) rifle, seems to be one of the few recent additions to the rifle game that isn’t just another repetitive take on an AR-9. That’s why I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this rifle to give it a try.
Kel-Tec is known for innovative designs that are exciting with interesting appearances and features; and most importantly an affordable price point at under 1K without sacrificing quality. Despite the price point, it does not require a proprietary magazine and has a full-length Picatinny rail on the top and bottom. The KSG Shotgun and the recently released R50 5.7 rifle are also both fantastic examples of Kel-Tec’s innovative design and features.
What is a single-stamp rifle and how is it different?
It all comes down to barrel length, at 16.2” and having the suppressor integrated into the barrel, this requires only a single $200 tax stamp. Barrel length below 16” requires a $200 tax stamp for the rifle as well as a secondary $200 tax stamp for the suppressor. Giving you more “bang for your buck” so to speak.
What features set the SUB CQB apart?
Most notably, the ability to fold the lightweight carbine body of the SUB CQB in half sets this single-stamp rifle apart from others on the market; this feature allows for both portability and convenience. Adding to affordability is the non-proprietary Glock-19 style, 9mm magazine. Even with the lower price point, the rifle still includes full-length Picatinny rails on both top and bottom and the folding ability provides an unconventional trigger guard; making it less likely to mistake the lock for a mag release or safety, compared to a button or lever. The SUB CQB is known as a “Hollywood quiet shooter” when used with subsonic ammo and comes with a removable handguard allowing for customization. One of my favorite features is that the rail twists so I never have to remove my optic when folding.
Kel-Tec kept things simple when they designed the safety and opted for a cross-bolt safety, keeping the gun’s overall design very sleek yet impressive. Despite the sleekness of the rifle, the suppressor has substance and obvious quality.
The Kel-Tec SUB CQB Specs
MSRP: $995
CALIBER: 9x19mm
WEIGHT 5.15lbs (2.34kg)
CAPACITY: Varies by magazine (but came with 2 15-round Magpul P-mags)
OVERALL LENGTH: 30.5” (775mm)
LENGTH COLLAPSED: 29.25” (742mm)
LENGTH FOLDED: 16.25” (413mm)
BARREL LENGTH: OAL 16.2″, Rifled 4.25″ (OAL 410mm, Rifled 108mm)
TWIST: 1:10”
TRIGGER PULL: 9.5lbs
Testing
Kel-Tec claims “Hollywood quiet” shooting with subsonic ammo. I found that this largely is dependent upon on the ammo used. Several brands and weights were tested and I found that some of the re-manufactured 147 grain 9mm ammo I had on hand was not that quiet. The supersonic 115 grain obviously was louder, but as it was supersonic, that was to be expected.
Ammo tested:
50 rounds – American Eagle Handgun 9mm Luger 147 Grain
100 rounds – Winchester “white box” USA 9mm Luger Ammo 115 Grain Full Metal Jacket
35 rounds – Magtech 9mm Luger 115 Grain Full Metal Jacket, (finishing an incomplete box)
50 rounds – Freedom Hush Subsonic 9mm Luger 147 Grain
200 rounds – Norma 9 mm Luger FMJ Range & Training 115 Grain
50 rounds – Not to be identified re-manufactured 147 Grain
Winchester “white box” ammo was the dirtiest to no one’s surprise, but the Norma did a fair job of cleaning up the mess that “white box” left. I wish I had taken photos to show, but the shooting was so enjoyable from this rifle, that it kept me going back to reloading and failing to take photos as I should have.
The only problem I had the whole day was a single light primer strike on the re-manufactured ammo. I just reloaded the ammo into the magazine, and it fired the second time with no further issues.
I found that without hearing protection, even the supersonic ammo was more muffled than expected, it was quieter than the sound of the round hitting the steel target. However, hearing protection was used after testing those two rounds of supersonic to determine noise level.
Magazines brands used to test this rifle were four Amend2 33-rounders, the two 15-round Magpul P-Mags that came with the rifle, one 33-round Magpul P-Mag, and an assortment of Glock branded mags. All of which ran flawlessly.
I found I spent less time thinking about the overall MOA (accuracy) and more about keeping my groupings on an 8″ gong from 25 and 50 yards while testing the SUB CQB. In this testing, I did not focus on precision, the SUB CQB did what I asked of it and stayed on the metal gong. I did switch to a larger plate when I did mag dumps of 33 rounds. Even then, a 2/3 IPSC plate was more than big enough to handle the barrage of bullets I sent its way.
The Case
The case seemed great when I first got this rifle. The SUB CQB comes folded with one mag in the gun and one in the foam, and a cut-out for the end cap tool. I originally felt this was all it needed. After I added my optic, I realized the lid is not deep enough to let you cut the foam for any size optic. I did not go with a large optic like an EO Tech or the most micro of red dots on the market. I chose the smaller Holosun AEMS Core.
Not being able to fit the gun with an optic attached in its own case is a small annoyance. So, what is the fix for Kel-tec? Unfortunately, none, because they would need to completely redesign the barrel or even the entire gun to fix this or create a very awkward case. I really enjoyed the gun as they made it. If the case is that big of a deal, just finding a slightly longer gun case solves the problem for you.
The Optic
When it comes to optics, I believe the firearm determines the optic needed. I do run everything from a $140 Firefield all the way up to a $2,800 Steiner T6Xi 5-30×56. The Kel-Tec SUB CQB needs something that is going to hold zero and not need much fuss, adding to its affordability and convenience.
For testing, I chose the Holosun Advanced Enclosed Micro Sight (AEMS) Core. I chose this optic due to the 50,000-hour battery life, shake awake technology, and 2 MOA green dot. (I use a lot of red paint for targets on my range. This helps the targets show up against the black backstop).
Final Thoughts
In the short amount of time I have had the Kel-Tec SUB CQB, it has exceeded all of my expectations. The gun is fun to shoot and even more, fun to watch friends and family shoot it for the first time. I heard a lot of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ just taking the gun out of the case. It certainly has a cool factor. After an afternoon with this rifle, I can say this is a gun for everyone. The weight and low recoil mean you can teach someone how to shoot starting with this rifle. It doesn’t have an intimidating bang or recoil that those new to shooting expects. You can use it as a varmint gun or as your go-to rifle. This isn’t a special occasion rifle.
The CQB is comfortable, quiet, and easy to fold. I really appreciate having it compatible with Glock 19-style mags; meaning I can run any of the 33-round mags I own. The Kel-Tec SUB CQB isn’t cost prohibitive, the ammo is some of the most common on the planet, and the mags are available and inexpensive. Thanks to it being a pistol caliber carbine (PCC), It doesn’t have a felt recoil. Kel-Tec does not build run-of-the-mill firearms, they have a winner in this rifle, and I am here for it!
Truly, the biggest downside of this gun will be the wait time from when you buy it until you can take it home.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Atticus James has been involved in the firearm world for nearly 20 years. He enjoyed firearms while a member of the Boy Scouts, with his family and friends, and then joined the firearm industry in 2011 by becoming a full-time blogger/YouTuber. You can find his articles at gearsofguns.com and his videos @gearsofguns on YouTube.
