Kel-Tec KSG update

Everyone seems as excited about the KSG as I am, so I decided to put out a quick update about the new models that have been announced recently. Above you see first the standard KSG that I have already talked about and below the Patrol and Tactical versions, with a 16.1" barrel and 24" overall length for the Patrol and the a 13.7" barrel, 21.4" overall length Tactical. Both of these weapons would be considered a short barrel shotgun by the ATF and are subject to the rules under the NFA, namely a US $200 tax stamp is needed to purchase them. If you are from a state that tightly controls firearms, just keep dreaming. The "authorities" obviously know better than you and are there to protect you from yourself.

Both of the new models will obviously weigh a little less than the standard KSG and most likely have a little more felt recoil. I don't think there will be too much of a market for these guns as the original KSG is already so small and will be at a much lower price point and more easily available. (You know, for a Kel-Tec) But some police SWAT teams may buy them for use as a breaching tool or entry gun. It looks like the reduced length will translate into one 2.75" round fewer per tube for the Patrol and two fewer per tube for the Tactical. At 12 rounds for the Patrol and 10 for the Tactical, they still have more than almost any standard or mag fed shotgun.
For what it is worth, I wouldn't be that interested in the Tactical model even if it was easy to obtain and in my price point as the other two are plenty short enough. But that is just me. As they say, your mileage may vary.

Kel Tec KSG 12 gauge

This is the new shotgun from Kel-Tec, the KSG. It is a bullpup 12 gauge shotgun with dual magazine tubes. Ever since it was announced a few months ago, I have been excited about it. The KSG manages to be as compact as legally possible with a 26.1" overall length and an 18.5" barrel. It is pretty neat design, almost revolutionary, the only other thing that is close to it is the South African Neostead.

http://homemadedefense.blogspot.com/2009/10/weird-guns-part-4-neostead-dual-tube.html




The magazine tubes carry seven 2-3/4" or six 3" shells apiece for a total of 14+1, which is nearly ridiculous (-ly awesome). The user can switch between the tubes with a three position lever located in the area behind the trigger guard. The lever can also be set to a central detente area to allow the chamber to be emptied with the pump action without feeding a new shell from the mag tube. The pump is linked to the bolt via dual operating bars. The spent shells are ejected down through the loading port. Once the selected magazine is empty, the user must manually switch to the other tube. There is a cross bolt safety located above the pistol grip and a pump release lever at the front of the trigger guard.

The KSG comes in at 6.9lbs (unloaded I am assuming) and while that is maybe a little heavy, you will likely want that extra weight to soak up the recoil. Which I imagine will be, ummm, noticeable even with the rubber butt pad. It has a Picatinny rail along the bottom of the pump to mount a grip, light or laser and another rail on the top of the weapon for sights. As of right now, it seems it will come bare, and that is a bad decision on the part of Kel-Tec. If I buy a gun, it should come with sights. So do me a favor and throw a cheap fiber optic on there. Forward and rear sling loops are built in, and a regular sling is included. There is a cheek rest structure that also functions as a type of blast shield in case of a catastrophic failure of the chamber or barrel. And that is nice, because, you know, your face goes there.

KSG field stripped

There have been some internet rumblings about perceived shortcomings of the the design though. One thing is recoil, which in large bore bullpups can be a bit much. Another is the fact that its extremely short overall length may lead to negative views by the media, law enforcement or the States. I could easily imagine California, for example, looking on the KSG with scorn. There are also some issues with the magazine selection lever and the trigger. But keep in mind that any design takes a little while to reach maturity and this is still a new design, not yet for sale at this time.

In the pic above you can really see how much more compact the KSG is compared to a standard pump shotgun. If the design proves solid, I think it might find a lot of acceptance in the Law Enforcement and civilian areas. MSRP has not been stated, but it has been mentioned to be in the $800 US range. Hopefully that would make it about $625-675, which I think would be a good price, I would probably be willing to pay that, but they are not going to find a lot of people willing to pay $800 for a pump action 12 gauge, no matter how stumpy.