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Semi-automatic rifle From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Kel-Tec RDB (Rifle, Downward-ejection, Bullpup) is a bullpup carbine offered in 5.56×45mm NATO semi-automatic rifle, manufactured by Kel-Tec Industries of Florida. It uses a rotary bolt with a spring loaded ejector and an extractor facing down, ejecting spent shell casings downward, allowing easy ambidextrous use.
RDB | |
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![]() Kel-Tec RDB-17 with an angled grip, flip up Iron Sights, and Trijicon MRO | |
Type | Semi-automatic rifle |
Place of origin | United States |
Production history | |
Designer | George Kellgren[1] |
Designed | 2015[citation needed] |
Manufacturer | Kel-Tec |
Produced | 2015[citation needed]–present |
Variants | RDB, RDC-C[2] |
Specifications | |
Mass | 6.7 lb (3.0 kg) (RDB-17) 7.1 lb (3.2 kg) (RDB-20)[3] |
Length | 27.3 in (693 mm)[3] |
Barrel length | 17.2 in (437 mm) (RDB-17) 20 in (520 mm) (RDB-20)[3] 17.4 in (440 mm) (M43)[4] |
Cartridge | 5.56×45mm NATO |
Caliber | 5.56 |
Action | Gas-operated, rotating bolt[5] |
Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
Sights | None |
The RDB was designed to be modular, and is broken down into four Assembly Groups, held together with HK style push-pins:
The RDB operates using the short-stroke piston system, firing from a closed bolt. A gas regulator is built into the Barrel Assembly Group to allow the operator to adjust the amount of gas used to cycle the action. The RDB uses a unique downward ejection method to permit the operator to fire the rifle from either side. During the extraction and ejection cycle, spent casings are dragged rearward over the magazine to the ejection chute located directly behind. The RDB bolt uses dual ejectors to assist in positive ejection, and has been demonstrated to operate normally even if the rifle is turned upside-down.[6] While other bullpup rifles (FN 2000, Kel-Tec RFB, Desert Tech MDR) have used forward-ejection to allow ambidextrous use, these solutions tend to add parts and complexity to the design. Other bullpups can be converted to eject from one side to the other (IWI Tavor, Steyr AUG) but may not be able to do so without special parts.
All variants accept AR-15 STANAG magazines. They feature an ambidextrous bolt release and a manually locked back charging handle.[4]
The Kel-Tec M43 is a similar design replacing polymer parts with parkerized steel or with wood for the stock furniture. Compared to RDB models, it has additional integral folding sights and a heat shield over the short stroke piston.[4]