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Work order — Kel-Tec SUB-2000

Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification. Generated from the Pew-Takedown entry last updated 2026-10-29. Confidence: high.

Shop difficulty: Tier 2 of 3

76 line items (112 pieces) in a clamshell polymer grip/frame held by pins, with a buffer and stock pin under recoil-spring tension. Kel-Tec warns that dropping the hammer with the bolt out makes the rifle inoperable. The stock pin needs the buffer, stock position and receiver lined up at once. There are many parts and several traps, but no timing. 76 parts (SUB2000 exploded view and parts list (REV 013020), 9mm and .40 rows). Pew-Takedown's rating, not the manufacturer's.

Bench time: strip ~45 min, rebuild ~75 min (estimate). Actual: strip ______ rebuild ______

Special tools:

• Pin punches — Receiver grip pins, trigger bar pin
• Front sight tool/screwdriver — Front sight detent

Watch for:

• The buffer assembly is under recoil-spring tension and parts fly when the stock pin comes out; the pin is not captive. (disassembly; Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.)
• Dropping the hammer with the bolt assembly out makes the rifle inoperable. (both; Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.)
• The stock pin only goes back with the buffer slot, stock position and receiver all aligned at once against spring tension. (reassembly; Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.)

Tools

• Cartridge or other pointed object — Pressing the stock pin out from either side.

1. Clear and make safe

1. Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger.
2. Place the weapon in the SAFE configuration using the push-bolt safety behind the trigger.
3. Remove the magazine.
4. Cycle the bolt assembly manually to eject any chambered cartridge.
5. Inspect the chamber and magazine well with a light and physically confirm the chamber is empty.
6. Confirm the carbine is unfolded, with the barrel assembly rotated to the chambering position, while you clear it.
7. Remove all live ammunition from the work area.

2. Disassemble

Manufacturer's video: Kel-Tec SUB-2000 Field Strip (KelTec)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHBL40L23dM

Folding and Unfolding (Storage Mode)

1. Ensure the weapon is unloaded, with no magazine or ammunition present, and place it in the SAFE configuration.
2. Remove any accessories on the top rail of the forend that would interfere when folded.
3. Rotate the trigger guard down, away from the trigger. The barrel assembly is then free to rotate around the rear sight axis.
   Warning: Your trigger finger and this latch occupy the same space. Move the guard deliberately.
4. Rotate the barrel assembly until it latches into the latching tab in the buffer assembly.
   Warning: The latching tab assists the barrel in staying closed for transport. It is not a lock or a safety.
5. To open from storage mode, press the latching tab rearward, away from the grip, to release the barrel assembly, then rotate it to the chambering position.
   Warning: Do not release the bolt assembly from its notched, locked-back position while the barrel is folded. Doing so could damage the receiver tube.

Field Strip

1. Rotate the barrel assembly into the forward position if it was folded, and complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure.
2. Make sure the bolt assembly is forward (closed), the hammer is cocked and the push-bolt safety is engaged.
3. Press the buffer assembly in, towards the front of the weapon. It will move about 3/32 inch before bottoming out on the stock pin.
4. Release a small amount of tension on the buffer assembly so the stock pin can begin to come out.
   Tip: The stock pin is held captive by the buffer assembly. Easing off slightly is what frees it.
5. With a cartridge or other pointed object, press the stock pin out from either side.
   Warning: Keep positive contact with the buffer assembly while the pin comes out — it is under recoil spring tension and parts may fly loose. The pin is not captive once removed. Put it somewhere safe immediately.
6. Remove the buffer assembly and set it aside.
7. Pull the bolt assembly back by the operating handle and pull out the recoil spring.
8. Pull the operating handle out downwards.
   Tip: Downwards, not rearward.
9. Slide the bolt assembly out of the rear of the receiver tube, and separate it by lifting the bolt head off the bolt.
10. The stock can be removed or its position adjusted now that the stock pin is out. The barrel assembly can be rotated up for cleaning or inspection.
11. Stop here.
    Warning: Do not release the hammer with the bolt assembly removed — Kel-Tec states this will make the rifle inoperable. Further field stripping is not required for normal operation.

3. Refinish

The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks "factory fit" should not be swapped or reworked.

The manufacturer's full parts list (76 parts) is on the reference page.

4. Reassemble

Manufacturer's video: SUB-2000 Assembly (KelTec)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmd4HuPog74
KelTec SUB-2000 Hammer Reset (KelTec)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Mx-wN7l3DY

Reassembly

1. Assemble the bolt head onto the bolt.
2. Insert the combined bolt and bolt head into the receiver.
3. Line up the operating handle hole with the operating handle slot below, and fully insert the operating handle.
4. Put the recoil spring into the bolt, then slide the bolt assembly forward.
5. Add the stock to the receiver and set the stock position.
   Tip: Position 1 is the shortest overall length; position 2 adds 5/8 inch; position 3 adds 1.25 inches.
6. Add the buffer assembly, pressing the bolt assembly slightly rearward if needed so the recoil spring and buffer assembly line up.
   Warning: The buffer assembly is under recoil spring tension.
7. Press the buffer assembly towards the front of the weapon and line up the slot in the buffer assembly with the desired stock position and the receiver.
8. Push the stock pin completely in.
   Warning: This may take some adjusting of the parts to get complete alignment. Do not drive it against misaligned holes.
9. Release the tension on the buffer assembly and cycle the bolt assembly a few times to check the action.

5. Torque

Notes: From Kel-Tec's SUB2000 / SUB CQB owner's manual (GEN2). Kel-Tec states the barrel maximum twice — as a number and as a warning — because tightening a muzzle accessory past it can damage the rifle.

Fit or check on rebuild

• Stock pin and buffer alignment — The pin carries the buffer/recoil load and must go fully home
• Cycle/function check — Cycle the bolt and check the hammer and safety after the grip halves go back
• Barrel collar — Leave the collar/barrel in place

6. Function check

• Verify the firearm is unloaded with no magazine inserted before each step.
• Cycle the action by hand and confirm the bolt returns fully into battery.
• With the safety on, press the trigger. The hammer or striker must not release.
• Move the safety to fire, cycle the action, and press the trigger. It should release.
• Hold the trigger back, cycle the action, and release slowly to feel the disconnector reset.
• Confirm the magazine seats and locks positively and releases cleanly.
• Confirm the carbine is fully unfolded and the barrel latch is engaged.
• Attempt to fold it without releasing the latch — it must not move.

If any check fails, the firearm is not safe to fire. Stop and see a licensed gunsmith.

If it won't go back together

Sources

1. Kel-Tec SUB2000 / SUB CQB Owner's Manual — Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc. primary
   https://media.keltecweapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/SUB2000-SUB-CQB-Manual_OPT.pdf
2. KelTec — KelTec Recall Information: SUB2000 Safety Recall — Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc. primary
   https://www.keltecweapons.com/keltec-recall-information/

Educational guide only. Some information comes from non-authoritative sources. Always consult your manufacturer's manual and a licensed gunsmith. Verify your firearm is unloaded before every procedure. Full disclaimer: https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown

Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.