Keltec RDB 5.56 Bullpup - Why So Costly?

[Abraham]

MSRP of almost $1300.00 - huh, for a Keltec?

Before I say anything more, I've owned 2 Keltecs's and find them, mmmmhhhh, adequate...

Can anyone here explain how a medium quality firearm (at best) manufacturer can produce a rather Tavor knock off looking firearm with a price like this?

C'mon, if I'm going to shell out that kind of money I think (and I could be wrong of course...) I'd want a much higher quality firearm. Maye, this is their first "high" quality firearm and deserves this MSRP, but somehow I have doubts...

They do have an overall SBR look to them even with a 16" pencil barrel. Their design accommodates this length barrel, but is quite short overall, though not (IMO) terribly light at 7lbs. Yes, 7 lbs. might be considered light compared to an M14, but to me, 7lbs is not super light...

Anyone here own one?

If so, please provide some insight into this nifty looking, but merely adequate quality (I'm guessing based on my ownership of their past firearm productions) firearm for the money.

P.S. I hope I'm completely wrong about the quality as this is something I find intriguing as heck. If they check out positively and I can find one at a much lower cost, well...

Thanks!

[Dave2]

My only "experience" with Keltec is holding a couple of their guns at the store and watching Nutnfancy's reviews (which, FWIW, include the RDB).

[Abraham]

Andy C,

That's part of what I don't understand, that is the high cost and demand for a low/medium quality firearm?

Yes, it's piston driven and I'm sure that drives up the cost for the mfg. and that's passed on to the consumer, but the overall quality I keep banging on about has me flummoxed as to why folks are going out of their way to buy these firearms?

No, they're not junk, but generalizing I would put them only a notch or two above Hi-Point.

Were I to buy a 5.56 Bullpup, I'd get a Tavor.

Yes, they're more expensive than the Keltec Bullpup, but you get what you pay for...ah, unless the Keltec Bullpups become widely available at some point and for a whole lot less money than they can command at this point...then I'd buy one, if I first got a chance to shoot one that is.

I hope someone here owns one and can comment on it.

[maverick2076]

Couple of things on the RDB and Keltec in general.
1. The RDB isn't a Tavor clone. It is a downward ejecting bullpup. This makes it completely ambidextrous without switching bolts, unlike the Tavor. Having held both in the hand back to back, I prefer the RDB.

2. Keltec prices are generally high because they make quality, innovative firearms. They also don't produce firearms full time. They do aerospace manufacturing as their main business focus.

3. The RFB is becoming easier to find, and prices have dropped a ton. You can find them now on slickguns for $1400-$1500 fairly regularly.

[Abraham]

$1400/1500 that's higher than MSRP - No way I'd paid that, though yes that price is less than a Tavor costs, and yes, I know it ejects downward, but there are problems with it building up spent cases too.

[curryman]

I waited years to get this KSG:



Msrp is $1000, got it for $700. When they first came out the were going for $1250 or more.

[Alf]

1. If they're selling at that price, the company doesn't have much incentive to lower the price.

2. If the price seems too high to you, don't buy it. I stopped eating at the local Salata when they raised prices.

[MechAg94]

1. If they're selling at that price, the company doesn't have much incentive to lower the price.

2. If the price seems too high to you, don't buy it. I stopped eating at the local Salata when they raised prices.

I don't think Keltec gets that additional money. That is the distributor/gun store selling high due to scarcity.

[cmgee67]

They charge it because they can get it most likely

[maverick2076]

$1400/1500 that's higher than MSRP - No way I'd paid that, though yes that price is less than a Tavor costs, and yes, I know it ejects downward, but there are problems with it building up spent cases too.

That is for the RFB (7.62mm), not the RDB. The RFB's were $2000 and up for several years.

The two RDBs I have seen for sale were about $1200, I believe.

[The Annoyed Man]

$1400/1500 that's higher than MSRP - No way I'd paid that, though yes that price is less than a Tavor costs, and yes, I know it ejects downward, but there are problems with it building up spent cases too.

That is for the RFB (7.62mm), not the RDB. The RFB's were $2000 and up for several years.

The two RDBs I have seen for sale were about $1200, I believe.

And $1200 puts them similarly priced to a higher-end AR15, which is accounted for by the RDB's novelty factor. Personally, they don't float my boat. I don't have a huge desire for a bullpup like some people do. It's just not my thing. I get the attraction, but it isn't for me. Plus, as a general thing, most bullpups have pretty bad triggers compared to even to an OEM milspec AR trigger.