As much as I like tinkering with my guns, there are very few times when an upgrade performs better than I ever expected. A Magpul stock might be better than a standard m4 stock, but it doesn’t blow my mind. A little company called MCarbo produces some of the most innovative additions and add-ons for a variety of firearms. My particular interest in their products boils down to the SUB2000.
KelTec’s SUB2000 is a pistol-caliber carbine that famously folds in half and uses popular pistol magazines. It’s a handy and fun little rifle that’s both made in America and quite affordable. The SUB2000 is one of my favorite little guns and my favorite bug-out blaster by far. However, the gun has a few problems.
The Blowback Problem
The KelTec SUB2000 uses a straight blowback principle to operate. Straight blowback works. In fact, it works rather well. This simplistic but reliable system allows the SUB-2000 to stay relatively trim and small and also affordable. The downside to blowback is an increased level of felt recoil. Every morning straight blowback systems wake up and choose violence.
The recoil isn’t painful like a ten gauge shotgun in the shoulder but does deliver a little snap. In fact, I’d say it’s snappier than most other blowback PCCs due to its minimalist design. Less recoil would make a more controllable platform.
The Optics Problem
KelTec’s little gun comes with a decent set of adjustable iron sights, but like any weapon, it could benefit from an optic. The problem is that adding an optic to the gun’s rails requires you to forfeit the handy folding design. Attaching optics of any kind is complex, and the weapon suffers for it.
A red dot makes PCCs easier to use. You don’t have to align sights, just put the dot on the target and go. A red dot is easier to see and easier to track between shots. If you want to max your speed and accuracy potential, a red dot is going to be the best way without going into the guts of the weapon.
The MCarbo Solutions
As mentioned, MCarbo provides some rather genius upgrades to the SUB2000. They make everything from an enhanced rear sight to an enhanced trigger kit to lighten and refine the pull a fair bit. They also make two simple and affordable products to solve the SUB2000’s most glaring problems.
First, the Recoilless Charging handle tames the snap. It’s a drop-in charging handle that’s thick but in a good way. The Recoilless charging handle weighs 3.2 ounces by itself and reduces recoil by slowly down the bolt as it flies backward.
The stock charging handle weighs an ounce, so the MCarbo charging handle only adds 2.2 ounces to the total design. That 2.2 ounce does a fantastic job of reducing recoil and stopping the bolt from slamming rearward with so much violence. To add weight, the charging handle is massive and does provide a better grip to allow easy charging of the weapon.
The recoiling spring in the SUB2000 is quite stiff, another problem with blowback guns, and the oversized charging handle makes it easier to grip and rip. Installation takes no time at all, and it just pops in, and the stainless steel locking pin ensures the MCarbo charging handle stays in place.
The Difference
You won’t believe the difference this charging handle makes. It truly does a fantastic job of reducing recoil and taming the SUB2000 a fair bit. I actually didn’t realize how much the SUB2000 recoiled until I installed the new charging handle. The difference is readily apparent and makes the SUB2000 much easier to shoot and much more comfortable.
Getting fast follow-up shots on target has never been easier. While the handle is heavier, the weight is minimal, and you don’t notice it. This is especially true when the weight sits near the rear of the weapon. Also, while you keep the weapon shouldered, the thicker charging handle is easier to work when reloading the gun.
MCarbo claims it reduces recoil by 68%. I’m not sure how exactly I can measure recoil reduction in a scientific way, but I can assure you the difference is immediately evident. I’d agree with MCarbo’s claim.
What About an Optic?
Adding an optic can be a little trickier when you want to retain the folding capability of the SUB2000. Yet, MCarbo found a way. They produced a spring-loaded optic mount that allows you instantly swing the optic to the side when the user wants to fold the SUB2000. Users get to choose between a left or right-handed configuration.
The MCarbo optic mount adds a small section of Picatinny rail that allows the user to mount nearly any red dot on the market. Mounting magnified optics is possible, but eye relief would be the main issue. Maybe a Scout scope or something could be used, but I think a red dot would be the better option.
Mounting the MCarbo optics mount requires you to replace four bolts in the side of the gun with four longer bolts to attach the mount to the gun. Once mounted, though, it’s a rock-solid fit. There is no movement, and it’s extremely tight.
Once mounted, a press of a top-mounted paddle sends the optic to the side and tosses it out of the way for easy folding capability. As long as you utilize a low mount, the MCarbo allows you to effectively co-witness with your iron sights. However, the sight picture might be crowded for some. A slightly higher mount offers a lower 1/3rd co-witness but compromises your good cheek weld.
Banging Away
The MCarbo optics mount and recoilless charging handle are must-have upgrades to your KelTec SUB2000. Both are simple, neither affects reliability, and both will make your SUB2000 an easier to use and a more effective platform.
Both work together to make you faster to engage targets, reduce the time between follow-up shots, and even make it easier to shoot your SUB2000 accurately. To me, these are must-haves, and I don’t plan on removing them for as long as I own my SUB2000.