KelTec has built a reputation for pushing boundaries with innovative firearm designs that serve a practical purpose. The SUB2000 folding carbine is a perfect example—compact, reliable, and easy to deploy. Now, KelTec is taking that proven platform a step further by introducing a new chambering: 10mm.
With increased ballistic performance and the same trusted folding design, the SUB2000 10mm brings added capability to a wide range of applications—from backcountry defense to home protection. Here’s the official announcement from KelTec:
Cocoa, FL – KelTec® announces yet another new twist on one of its leading innovations. Available late this summer, the 10mm SUB2000™ rifle, the latest in a new line of caliber options for the groundbreaking folding carbine.
What began as the first fold-in-half 9mm carbine, KelTec gave a new innovative twist with a unique forend that allows the SUB2000 to twist-and-fold in either direction in a single motion, without removing optics. Last September, KelTec introduced the 5.7x28mm. The first in a new line of caliber options.
“Whether you’re hiking, climbing, camping, upgrading home defense or now even hunting,” said Managing Director Derek Kellgren, “the SUB2000 10mm is a reliable, accurate and even more versatile folding carbine.”
The SUB2000 also continues its benefit of being compatible with popular handgun magazines. The new 10mm caliber is being offered in Glock® 20 magazines (15-round capacity) and supports various third-party stick and drum magazine options.
The ballistic advantage and accuracy at distance come from the 16 barrel. Barrel length translates to ″ velocity which translates to power downrange.
“The SUB2000 10mm, like it’s other caliber siblings, is also available as part of the KelTec Peacekeepers™ Program,” added Director of Business Development Parker Rosenberger. “It’s an excellent choice for law enforcement, government, private security, school resource officers, and church protection teams. Its ability to quickly fold and deploy, with zeroed optics ready to go, makes it perfect for situations where compact, reliable firepower is essential.”
For home defense, the SUB2000 10mm naturally includes the benefits of compact, fold-in-half storage and quick and easy deployment.
“KelTec’s commitment to innovation, quality, and performance means we never stand still,” concluded Marketing Manager Matt Stanek. “The evolution of the SUB2000 line is a testament to our dedication to continuous innovation.”
To learn more about the 10mm SUB2000, visit KelTecWeapons.com.
Stop ,wait, now come on. Ballistic advantage with a longer barrel? but , but, but, I’m told an SBR doesn’t give up that much in velocity so it really doesn’t matter.
Longer barrel bigger better until it isn’t. But seriously 10mm is all kinds of fun from 4-13 inches depending on what you are going for. Same as 357 (Sig and mag).
Diminishing returns. With very few exceptions, “improving” output 10% by doubling or tripling input makes a product worse.
According to one of those “cut an inch off the barrel and see” You Tube videos, the sweet spot for 10 mm is close to the 13″ mark. After that, you start to lose velocity from the 13″ peak performance. 16″ is still better than 4″ barrels by hundreds of feet per second.
From my 6″ barrel PDW, my favorite [factory] load equals or betters every BBTI-tested 18″ result (except one). That one exception gets 12% better energy by tripling the barrel length. It isn’t a loss – just a pointlessly disproportionate “gain”.
My AR SBR is significantly more capable. The only performance-based justification for the 10 is that it’s much more compact. Some people like PCCs because 9×19 is substantially cheaper than 5.56, but that simply isn’t true for 10mm – especially when it comes to the “real stuff”. I’m not disparaging anyone’s subjective enjoyment of any gun (even matchlock arquebuses) but objectively, everything is a tradeoff until it isn’t.
Going to be doing some testing of 6″ and later on 9″ out of the Glock this summer. Got the chrono now it’s just gathering appropriate test ammo/components. Longer term would love to see something in the 10-14 range for large frame pistol/sbr but will have to move first.
SAFE,
Very cool! I’ve seen plenty of 6″ Glock barrels, but out of curiosity where did you find 9″? I mostly shoot .357SIG these days (again, tradeoffs – slightly lower KE, much lower recoil).
Are braces legal there? Any potential cases pending?
9in lone wolf pending a new production run
357sig is a go to here as well but less options for crazy barrels
It can be legal up here depending on county and judge but would need to have a fixed magazine or internal magazine at 10 rounds or less. Ultimately ask if it would be approved and build your own if money matches what you want.
Ah, I didn’t know that about Lone Wolf. The last I checked (a while ago) they seemed to be dialing way back on their different or creative options. I made my .357SIG barrel (not for a Glock) from a 9×19.
As always, you have my empathies until you can either improve or leave that place.
Yeah barsto and others are nicer but ultimately it’s for fun not high end use so lone wolf on their next run it is. Now about the barrel you made as I wonder how many are up for that pressure increase without having structural issues and generally an interesting project.
The difference between .357SIG and 9×19+P pressures is miniscule. Also, I’m not sure how familiar you are with the EAA Witness, but there are small (9/.40) and large (10/.45) frame models. They sell mags and barrels to shoot short cartridges in the large frames, but the opposite obviously doesn’t work. The 9mm conversion barrel I converted has the same outside dimensions, lugs, etc. as the 10mm factory barrel.
I suppose it’s theoretically possible that they used a slightly lesser alloy or heat treat, but I doubt it since that would just add costly and pointless variation to the manufacturing process, for a relatively low-volume product. In all my years buying and building gun parts, I’ve never seen any barrel blanks (except those explicitly rated for blackpowder) limited to certain normal factory cartridges and not others.
While not familiar at all with the witness it sounds like you have more than enough material for the chamber to handle a slight (or slightly higher depending on reloading adventures) pressure increase even after reaming the chamber (assuming) to fit 357 Sig (especially when 10mm would be even more material if less pressure). Did you have to do anything special to accommodate the flare at the case mouth or did the headspace largely remain unchanged?
I just headspaced carefully, gradually and iteratively (cut, gauge, cut, etc.). I polished the feedramp, but no special provision for feeding was really necessary because the bottlenecked SIG case is even more conducive to feeding.
Take a look at Ballistics by the Inch 16″ 10mm is pretty good! Can’t say the same for Keltec QC(had a sub 2000 & a George Zimmerman /Trayvon Martin killer PF9).
Pretty bad ass really, I’d take the KelTech over the Henery 9mm Carbine.
Pilots in Bear country, folds in half, 10mm yup yup.
Pretty badass really, I’d take the KelTech over the Henery 9mm Carbine.
..
This T Tag delayed comment thing sux, you never know if your post went through or not.
Make The Truth About Guns Great Again. Somehow?
Comment system awful now. Theyve pretty much lost my commenting. Not that i ever added much other than picking at Debbie. I ‘spect to see the comments dwindle from here on out, looks like its already happened
I think we are only supposed to comment on how great the advertisers products are.
Oooohhh. Now there is a carbine that I HAVE to have!
I will be looking for one of these in the next several weeks.
I find the Sub in 9mm darn hard to charge, can’t imagine what a 10mm would be like!