That is exactly what I was asking myself before I won this brand new Kel Tec RDB bull-pup style rifle.

I used to brush off the word "Kel Tec" as something of quality on par with "Hi-Point", "NC Star" or any other myriad of budget brand firearm related goods. I think it's a stigma that Kel Tec has had attached to it's name for a very long time. It has become apparent to me recently that the Kel Tec brand has been diligently working very hard toward shaking that tenacious stigma that many firearm enthusiasts still perceive of them.

Kel Tec's latest offering, the RDB 223/556 bull-pup style rifle is a clear sign of the innovation and design that Kel Tec is putting forth in their products these days. Once I got past the Kel Tec name and stigma, I was able to actually research information and physically experience the RDB in my hands. I was very pleasantly surprised at the positive reviews that the RDB was receiving as well as the very natural feeling I experienced when holding and shouldering the RDB. The first thing I noticed was that it did not have that "plastic toy" type of feel that I was expecting. It felt heavier than I thought it would, but not too heavy to like. It was just heavy enough to let you know it wasn't some kind of joke but actually a well thought out piece of hardware that was designed with functionality and purpose in mind. I knew I could conduct business with this tool in a serious way. The balance of the RDB is astonishing and it feels very natural as you snuggle it into your shoulder and achieve a cheek weld. It was similar to the feeling I get when I put on my 15 year old Danner boots that I've had resoled three times, like a comfortable old friend with a very personal, tailored fit. I haven't had the RDB to the range yet but at this point I am very confident that this rifle will be growing on me. It has certainly changed the way my brain reacts when I hear the name Kel Tec.

I had been waiting until I could get some sights or an optic for the RDB before getting it to the range. I didn't want to plunder the sighting equipment from one of my other rifles, as I would usually have done to facilitate instant gratification in a new rifle that I'm anxious to shoot. I knew after fondling the RDB that I would want to put an optic on it that would remain on it. A clear sign that I intended the RDB to be a keeper for me. I ended up buying another (I have two now) Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x24 for the RDB as I've been impressed with how affordable, utilitarian and versatile this Vortex product has proven itself to be. I mounted the Strike Eagle to the RDB in an American Defense Recon 30mm with quick disconnect levers. It is now ready for a range trip I have planned for Monday with Jukk0u (Jim) and sinus211 (Mike) if they are willing to bless me with their presence. I want to see and hear what their impression of the RDB will be as well.

I'll leave you with this range ready image of the RDB as I eagerly anticipate Monday morning at MRC.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Nice photos!

I look forward to the range report.

I dunno. I haven't been impressed by Kel-tec. Hopefully it works out great for Old11B. I too am waiting for the range report though.

PMB... you so funny...



I'm very optomistic. However, that is why I am soliciting the more objective impressions of two friends with no dog in the fight. I'm already smitten. With the rifle too.

What are you going to feed it? Bare-bones steel case, or you going straight brass cased. M855 or 193, or maybe some commercial stuff like Federal Fusion MSR or the Speer Gold Dot?

Maybe I should bring the Waguns 3rd birthday SBR for a reunion shoot?

Da fuq the hate on Hi-Point all about? Tiredofthatbullshit.

I look forward to your range report. I have been wanting a bullpup and been curious about that one since they released the 308 version.

That rifle looks unsafe, I will gladly take it off your hands and dispose of it.

Finally got the RDB out to the range today with sinus211 (Mike). We got the Vortex Strike Eagle sighted and shot the gongs at 220 yards like they were fish in a barrel. I swear I heard Mike playing the gongs like the dueling banjo song from the movie “Deliverance”.

As I stated earlier, this RDB has a very solid feeling weight and balance to it. In my humble opinion the trigger was excellent. This is the first bullpup I’ve ever shot so I don’t really have anything to compare it against. Nice smooth pull without any grittiness whatsoever. The trigger pull seemed a very steady weight all the way through to the break. It’s no Geissele but it’s not bad either. I do remember Kelly Bachand telling me, when I picked the rifle up from him that the RDB had one of the best triggers of any bullpups he had shot.

I really liked the casings ejecting (not really ejecting as much as just dropping, like turds, hot turds) out the back end from beneath the stock. There were no issues with getting hot brass on me or even noticing they were dropping there until I had finished my shot. The only time I did have a casing burn my hand was during the sight in of the scope and I had my non-shooting hand folded and tucked underneath the stock like I typically position it for precision shots. Once the rifle is sighted in I don’t anticipate shooting the RDB with my hand in that spot so it shouldn’t be an issue.

The rifle has a very short overall length and it would be extremely easy to maneuver in tight quarters without bumping into everything. I need to get a sling for this. I’m sure it would be short enough to conceal underneath a winter jacket if I really had the desire or a need to do so.

One thing I did notice when we went cold on the line was the difficulty one has with getting a visual to ensure an empty chamber. It’s easy enough to drop the mag and lock the bolt to the rear but you have to literally turn the rifle upside down and peer down the mag well to see the empty chamber. It’s dark in the mag well and can be difficult to tell if the chamber is indeed empty.
I know it will take me a little while and some practice to get quicker at the mag changes because of the placement of the RDB’s mag well but I believe that once I’ve adapted, I could be as proficient with the mag changes as I am with on an AR.

The mag release is located directly in front of the mag well and it operated flawlessly. You can drop your mags with your trigger hand by using the back of your thumb and wrist area and still maintain a master grip on your pistol grip. It’s pretty handy and could be very beneficial if you got good at it.

In conclusion, is it worth the money, hype, time and effort it takes to track one of these down? Hell yes! I am very happy that the Kel Tec RDB was my first bullpup rifle. I have nothing but positive impressions of this Kel Tec product. There wasn’t one hiccup with it the entire day. It left me with a new interest and admiration for this type of rifle. It’s because of the RDB that there could be more bullpups in my safe in the future.

Sounds like a fun day at the range!

Yeah, the downward eject is a big plus in my book, as a reloader. Chasing brass isn't as much fun as it used to be . . . .

RDB's are for boys while the real men shoot the RFB