At the 2017 SHOT Show Kel-Tec showed off their new RDB Survival bullpup rifle. The RDB Survival is based off the RDB C which is a pistol gripless California compliant (hence the C) version of the Kel-Tec RDB bullpup rifle which does have a pistol grip. We posted about the RDB C model last year at SHOT Show when it was first released.

The new Kel-Tec RDB Survival isn’t much different than the Californiafied version RDB C. The main difference really is the shorter 16 inch thinner profile barrel and shorter handguard as well as flip-up front and rear iron sights. The overall length is also shorter at just 26.1″ long and it weights in at 5lbs unloaded. Why the non-pistol grip version for their new RDB Survival? Kel-Tec is marketing their new bullpup for people taking it into the woods, preppers, zombie slayers and the like. I’d imagine the more stream lined RDB C and Survival models without the pistol grip would be a bit easier to carry when hiking through the bush vs the original RDB bullpup.

I got to play around with the new RDB Survival and it felt noticeably lighter vs the other models, it also pointed very well. I can’t vouch for the new RDB’s reliability though. However I really want to try shooting the new model, I’d imagine the lighter weight and shorter length may also increase the recoil. Not that 5.56 has much anyways. Just like with the other RDB models the new Survival accepts standard AR mags and is ambidextrous. Check out keltecweapons.com for more info.

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