Kel-Tec: Maker of America's favorite weapons is based in Brevard (2024)

Wayne T. Price

It seems once a year I put in a request to talk to the folks at Kel-Tec CNC Inc. in Cocoa.

And once a year, I usually get stiffed. Sometimes I might get lucky and get a statement via e-mail but by and large I’m like the awkward high schooler who faces rejection upon rejection by a girl and can’t grasp that “she’s just not into you.”

Sigh.

Kel-Tec: Maker of America's favorite weapons is based in Brevard (1)

Well, what I wanted to talk to gun manufacturer about were a few things that popped up in the news recently. Also, the company is hitting its 25th anniversary so I thought maybe that would be interesting to note.

First some news items where Kel-Tec was mentioned.

A recent study by CBS News reviewed some of the most popular weapons in the United States, cross-referencing data from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosiveswith sales data from GunBroker.com. What the report found was that in September 2015:

Kel-Tec’s PMR-30 was the most popular semi-automatic pistol in the United States, beating out Smith & Wesson’s M&P9 Shield and Sig Sauer’s P938.

Kel-Tec’s SUB-2000 was the best-selling semi-automatic rifle in 2015.

Kel-Tec’s KSG led in the pump-action shotgun category.

Kel-Tec: Maker of America's favorite weapons is based in Brevard (2)

Now maybe one reason I can never penetrate Kel-Tec is the gun industry probably has a distrust for the media, often because we use wrong terminology and make unnecessary, broad-stroke associations. The CBS report I mentioned above tended to do that with its description of the Kel-Tec SUB-2000, writing: “It's generally considered a less pricey alternative to the popular (and controversial) AR-15, used in the San Bernardino shooting and the massacre at Sandy Hook.”

Huh?

Anyway, back to more Kel-Tec news.

Brevard Sheriff Wayne Ivey talks guns in Palm Bay

The Manchester Union Leader in New Hampshire in January reported on a 4 foot11 inch tall, 105-pound grandmother earning the nickname “Granny Oakley.” The 65-year-old woman was allegedly grabbed by a would-be mugger and Granny Oakley shot the male assailant in the chest. He wasn’t killed and and was able to stumble to a hospital for treatment before his arrest.

Her gun in all of this? A Kel-Tec P32. It was the first time she had fired it.

“I’m not happy about what happened,” Granny Oakley (whose real name wasn’t released) told the Union Leader. “I wish I didn’t have to dot it, but my safety was priority.”

And just last month Deputy Nicholas Worthy of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office received the honor of being named 2015 Law Enforcement of the Year. One of gifts for the receiving the honor was a Kel-Tec RDB rifle.

Kel-Tec: Maker of America's favorite weapons is based in Brevard (3)

Brevard County, as FLORIDA TODAY has frequently noted, is a fairly notable place in U.S. gun circles. It’s just not talked about like aerospace and aviation and tourism. There are probably credible reasons for that.

I know behind the scenes some of the players like Kel-Tec and Knight’s Armament Company in Titusville do a lot for the community on the philanthropic side. They’re proud, just not loud.

Last week, the National Shooting Sports Foundation released a report that said the gun industry added 24,763 jobs in 2015 for a nationwide total of 287,986, an increase of nearly 10 percent from the year before in manufacturing and retail jobs for guns, ammunition and related supplies, like hunting gear.

The Newtown, Connecticut-headquartered NSSFsaid the jobs average $50,180 in annual wages and benefits. The top states for gun industry jobs are Texas, with about 21,386, followed by California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina and Missouri. Florida’s job total in the study came in at 13,994.

On a year-over-year basis, the industry’s economic impact rose from $43 billion in 2014 to $49.3 billion in 2015.

Kel-Tec: Maker of America's favorite weapons is based in Brevard (4)

“Our industry is proud to be one of the truly bright spots in our economy as an unprecedented number of Americans have chosen to exercise their fundamental right to keep and bear arms and to safely enjoy the shooting sports,” Stephen L. Sanetti, NSSF president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

Now as I write this I think it’s important to note that last week a 35-year-old Cocoa woman confronted and repeatedly shot her estranged husband, in front of her children, before driving her car into the river and turning the gun on herself.

And there were numerous shootings prior to that in Brevard County, and throughout the United States. No one, at least not me, is blaming Kel-Tec, or Knight Armament or I.O. Incorporated in Palm Bay, for any of this.

But it does indicate that with gun sales up, increases in employment and the economics at play, we’ll probably see this dichotomy for a long time.

And Kel-Tec folks:I’ll be ever waiting for a call so we can talk sometime about your company.

Price is Business Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. He can be reached at 321-242-3658 or wprice@floridatoday.com. You can also follow him @Fla2dayBiz.

Kel-Tec: Maker of America's favorite weapons is based in Brevard (2024)

FAQs

Why does Kel Tec have a bad reputation? ›

Many of Kel-Tec's QC and design issues can be traced to the heavy use of polymer in their firearms, which can crack or be molded out of spec. Reports of Kel-Tecs generating polymer shavings while being fired are fairly common, though they have becoming less common recently.

Why are KelTec so hard to find? ›

KelTec is a manufacturer of your favorite firearms (hopefully). We don't have the infrastructure in place to send guns directly to gun shops or directly to customers. Like most other manufacturers we sell everything that we make to firearm distributors.

Is KelTec a cheap brand? ›

This firearm is amazingly cheap. It clocks in at under $200 dollars which is a drop in the bucket if you're into guns. That's not even mentioning the value you get out of it. It might look ugly and cheap (and it is), but it sure feels good to shoot.

Where is KelTec based? ›

Kel-Tec CNC Industries Inc., commonly referred to as Kel-Tec, is an American developer and manufacturer of firearms. Founded by George Kellgren in 1991 and based in Cocoa, Florida, the company has manufactured firearms since 1995, starting with semi-automatic pistols and expanding to rifles and then shotguns.

Did John Wick use a KelTec? ›

John Wick 1 Guns

One of the familiar John Wick guns of the original film, a Glock Model 26 chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum. John Wick loves shotguns almost as much as he loves American muscle cars, and the Kel-Tec KSG makes an impression in one of the film's most pivotal scenes.

What rifles did KelTec send to Ukraine? ›

Before the February invasion of Ukraine, an American gun company known as KelTec received an order for 400 Sub 2000 carbines.

Is the Kel Tec Sub-2000 illegal now? ›

Many of you might be wondering if owning a KEL TEC SUB-2000 in California is legal. The answer is yes and no. A stock SUB-2000 that comes directly from the manufacturer is not allowed in the state. But with a few modifications, the rifle can be owned without the worry of getting into trouble with law enforcement.

Why is the Kel Tec sub-2000 discontinued? ›

IMPORTANT SUB-2000 SAFETY RECALL NOTICE

The safety of our customers is our primary concern, so Kel-Tec has voluntarily initiated this recall because of the possibility of a barrel rupturing.

Can you buy direct from KelTec? ›

KelTec does not sell firearms to individuals or even to federally licensed individuals or retail dealers.

Does KelTec take Glock mags? ›

COOL, BUT DOES IT TAKE GLOCK® MAGS? Yes!

What is KelTec known for? ›

KelTec is an innovative manufacturer of high-performance firearms under the laws of Florida and the United States. We specialize in innovative designs and are proud to have pioneered concealed carry handguns in the United States, starting with the P11.

Does cabelas sell KelTec? ›

Keltec PMR30 Rimfire Semi-Auto Pistol | Cabela's.

What guns are 100% made in the USA? ›

8 Guns That Are 100% Made in America
  • Henry Repeating Arms. Going by the motto "Made in America, or Not Made at All," gun enthusiasts can rest assured that Henry Repeating Arms is deeply rooted in local tradition. ...
  • Daniel Defense. ...
  • Bond Arms. ...
  • Sturm, Ruger & Co. ...
  • Christensen Arms. ...
  • Kahr Arms. ...
  • Honor Defense. ...
  • Charter Arms.
May 15, 2024

What guns are made in Cocoa, Florida? ›

KelTec, based in Cocoa, Florida, is a pioneering firearms manufacturer with a focus on compact, high-capacity firearms. Their innovative designs and commitment to pushing boundaries have led to the creation of unique firearms like the KelTec SUB-2000 and KelTec KSG shotgun.

Who is the owner of KelTec? ›

George Kellgren
NationalitySwedish
CitizenshipAmerican
Occupation(s)CEO of Kel-Tec, firearms designer
Websitewww.keltecweapons.com
1 more row

Why are bullpups unpopular? ›

Bullpup weapons need a much longer trigger-sear linkage due to the trigger's forward position, so they tend to have stiffer, less precise triggers. Trigger pull characteristics are consequently a frequent criticism of bullpup weapons.

Are bullpup rifles bad? ›

The dominant issue with bullpup rifles that KelTec has risen to the occasion to answer has been an ejection system ruling out left-handed shooters. Typically, bullpup rifles have featured side ejection. The only solution in the past has been to purchase expensive conversion kits.

How accurate is a KelTec RFB? ›

Despite the malfunctions, we found the RFB to be an accurate rifle, with an average grouping just over 2 inches for all ammo types. Also, disassembly was relatively simple, requiring only a punch or bullet tip to remove four pins.

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