The KelTec PLR-16 is a gas-operated, semi-automatic pistol version of the
SU-16
SU-16 refers to a series of semi-automatic rifles and carbines manufactured by Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc. of Cocoa, Florida, referred to in KelTec's marketing as "Sport Utility rifles". The SU-16 series is notable for its compact, lightweight a ...
, chambered in
5.56 NATO, manufactured by
Kel-Tec
Kel-Tec CNC Industries Inc., commonly referred to as KelTec (previously hyphenated as Kel-Tec until 2021), is an American developer and manufacturer of firearms. Founded by George Kellgren in 1991 and based in Cocoa, Florida, the company has manu ...
Industries of
Florida
Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...
.
Design
The PLR (''Pistol, Long Range'') was designed for recreational target shooting, and
small game
Game or quarry is any wild animal hunted for animal products (primarily meat), for recreation (" sporting"), or for trophies. The species of animals hunted as game varies in different parts of the world and by different local jurisdictions, t ...
,
varmint
Vermin (colloquially varmint(s) or varmit(s)) are pests or nuisance animals that spread diseases and destroy crops, livestock, and property. Since the term is defined in relation to human activities, which species are included vary by regio ...
, or predator hunting.
[
]
Due to the PLR's barrel, the 5.56×45mm bullet's velocity is slightly reduced compared to its velocity from a traditionally barrel.
The PLR-16 combines the multi-lug
rotating bolt
Rotating bolt is a method of locking the breech (or rear barrel) of a firearm closed for firing. Johann Nicolaus von Dreyse developed the first rotating bolt firearm, the "Dreyse needle gun", in 1836. The Dreyse locked using the bolt handle ra ...
design and breech-locking system of the
AR-15 with a gas piston system.
The pistol accepts the same
STANAG magazine
A STANAG magazine or NATO magazine is a type of detachable firearm magazine proposed by NATO in October 1980. Shortly after NATO's acceptance of the 5.56×45mm NATO rifle cartridge, Draft Standardization Agreement ( STANAG) 4179 was proposed i ...
that is used in the M-16, AR-15, and other NATO rifles chambered for 5.56×45mm.
[Friedman, Ed. "Kel-Tec PLR-16 Pistol: It’s not an AR, but it can take AR magazines. What is this…this thing?" ''American Rifleman''. 2011]
The PLR-16's frame is constructed of reinforced polymer, making the pistol both durable and lightweight. The frame incorporates a
Picatinny rail
The 1913 rail (MIL-STD-1913 rail) is an American rail integration system designed by Richard Swan that provides a mounting platform for firearm accessories. It forms part of the NATO standard STANAG 2324 rail. It was originally used for mount ...
molded to the top of the receiver to accept various
optical sight
A sight or sighting device is any device used to assist in precise visual alignment (i.e. ''aiming'') of weapons, surveying instruments, aircraft equipment, optical illumination equipment or larger optical instruments with the intended target. ...
s.
See also
*
Carbon 15
The Carbon 15 is a family of lightweight, magazine-fed pistols, carbines, and rifles developed by defunct United States weapons manufacturer Professional Ordnance, with the design later picked up by Bushmaster Firearms.
Overview
The Carbon&nbs ...
*
Olympic Arms OA-93
References
External links
Kel-Tec PLR-16Kel-Tec's Owner's Group & Online ForumReview of the Kel-Tec PLR-16 from ''American Rifleman''
{{Use dmy dates, date=June 2017
5.56×45mm NATO firearms
Semi-automatic pistols of the United States
Front-magazine pistols