Kel-Tec RFB

The Kel-Tec RFB (Rifle, Forward-ejection, Bullpup)[4] is a gas-operated bullpup type semi-automatic rifle, manufactured by Kel-Tec Industries of Florida. At the 2008 SHOT Show held from February 2 to 5 in Las Vegas, Nevada it was declared by Kel-Tec representatives that the RFB rifle would be made available to the public by the 4th quarter of 2008. Later, the Kel-Tec website stated that the 18 in (460 mm) barrel carbine variant would not be shipping until February 2009 due to a change in the production process intended as preventive measures against potential gun control legislation.[5] The rifle first shipped to distributors in the first week of March 2009 and was first seen at the 2007 SHOT Show.[1]

RFB
The RFB Carbine model with EOTech 512 Holographic weapon sight attached.
TypeSemi-automatic rifle
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerGeorge Kellgren[1]
Designed2003[1]
ManufacturerKel-Tec
Produced2008[1]–present
VariantsCarbine, sporter, target
Specifications
Mass8.1 lb (3.7 kg) w. 18 in (460 mm) barrel (Carbine)
8.7 lb (3.9 kg) w. 24 in (610 mm) barrel (Sporter)
11.3 lb (5.1 kg) w. 32 in (810 mm) barrel (Target)
Length26 in (660 mm) (Carbine)
32 in (810 mm) (Sporter)
40 in (1,000 mm) (Target)
Barrel length18 in (460 mm) (Carbine)
24 in (610 mm) (Sporter)
32 in (810 mm) (Target)
Cartridge7.62×51mm NATO
Caliber7.62mm
ActionGas-operated piston, tilting breechblock
Rate of fireSemi-automatic
Muzzle velocity2,900 ft/s (880 m/s)
Effective firing range500 m (550 yd)
Feed system10 or 20-round metric FAL detachable box magazines[2][3][4]
SightsNone

Design details

The RFB is a semi-automatic firearm chambered for 7.62×51mm NATO/.308 Winchester ammunition. The RFB uses metric FAL magazines,[6] which insert straight into the magazine well and do not need to rock into place. It has a short-stroke gas piston operating system.[7] The rifle uses a patented forward-ejection system via a tube placed over the barrel that ejects the spent case forwards, over the handguard of the rifle. Extraction is accomplished by two extractors, each with two axes of rotation. The extractors may move side-to-side to engage the rim of the case, and pivot upwards to extract the spent case after firing. Empty cases remain in the ejection chute[3] until either the weapon is tilted downwards, the charging handle is operated, or they are pushed out by following cases. Cases drop gently from this chute to the left of the barrel.[1] To avoid sloppy trigger pull typical of firearms modified into bullpups, the RFB uses a floating linkage bar between the sear and the hammer, allowing the sear to remain above the trigger.[8] The weapon is fully ambidextrous,[9] much in the style of the Belgian F2000 rifle. The RFB is delivered without iron sights.[10] A mil-spec Picatinny rail is provided for mounting a wide range of optics and tactical accessories.[8]

The barrel of the RFB is not fully free floated, it instead serves as the rigid "spine" of the weapon, to which all other components are attached (either directly or through other components).

Meanwhile, Kel-Tec has introduced similar bullpup rifles in 5.56mm called the RDB and the M43, released in 2014.[11]

Variants

Kel-Tec has produced at least four versions with differing barrel lengths, weight, overall length, and performance:

  • Carbine with an 18 in (460 mm) barrel,
  • Sporter variant with 24 in (610 mm) length barrel,
  • Target version with either a heavy profile 32 in (810 mm) barrel or 26 in (660 mm) stainless steel barrel, and
  • RFB-C with an 18.5 in (470 mm) barrel meeting the Canadian requirement for non-restricted rifles, exclusively for export to Canada.[12]

The Target version also features a five-way adjustable trigger, for a trigger pull from 2 to 6 lbf (8.9 to 26.7 N). As of 2013, all four variants have been publicly released for sale.

See also

References
  1. "Modern Firearm's Kel-tec RFB rifle". Modern Firearms. Archived from the original on 2008-11-13. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  2. "Some interesting bullpup guns". Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  3. "New Kel-Tec RFB .308". Special Weapons for Military & Police. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  4. Jeff Quinn. "Kel-Tec 7.62×51mm RFB Bullpup Carbine". Gun Blast. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
  5. Richard (December 19, 2008). "Kel Tec RFB Carbine Delayed".
  6. Bullpup Rifles, p. 34.
  7. "Keltec product page". Archived from the original on 2015-08-31. Retrieved 2015-08-27.
  8. "SHOT SHOW 2007 Kel-Tec RFB Brochure" (PDF). Kel-Tec. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  9. "SHOT Mission Gear Spotlight". Tactical Life. Retrieved 2010-01-17.
  10. "FEEDBACK FROM THE SHOT SHOW". Strike Tactical Solutions. Archived from the original on 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2008-10-29.
  11. http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/01/14/kel-tecs-rdb-m43-bullpup-rifles/
  12. "Kel Tec Weapon specifications". Kel-Tec. Archived from the original on 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2010-01-17.
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