Kel-Tec KSG

History of Kel-Tec KSG

The Kel-Tec KSG is designed as a traditional hand pump action 12 caliber slide shotgun with several key differences from the normal method. First, it was arranged in a bullpup configuration, making the action of the pistol grip backwards. This allows the weight of the weapon to be concentrated on the shooter's shoulders while still retaining a full-length barrel for a more compact overall package. Second, the weapon is fed from two tubular magazines placed under the barrel, which allows for almost double the number of shells standard for this type of weapon.

The KSG is manufactured by Florida-based Kel-Tec CNC Industries, which also sells a line of pistols and rifles. The double-barreled shotgun was introduced in 2011, and several variants have appeared since then.

The design of this weapon is very simple, with clear lines throughout, and in addition to the typical black, there are a variety of finishes to choose from. Its bullpup arrangement meant that the stock housed the main internal working parts, as well as the feed and ejection ports, and were joined together as an integral part of the weapon. A recoil pad is located at the rear of the stock to delay some of the hard recoil. The pistol grip is stocked as usual, and the weapon has an empty weight of 7 lbs and a loaded weight of 8.5 lbs. The overall length is 26 inches and the barrel is 18.5 inches long.

Lanyards are standard equipment for carrying weapons on the march. Handling weapon failures by managing multiple pins in the shotgun design makes servicing and cleaning relatively easy.

Above the barrel and above the tubular magazine pair is a length of Picatinny rail - the lower span of the barrel allows for attachment of a foregrip or aiming/lighting accessories, while the upper span can be used to attach sights or various optics. The weapon's construction consists of plastic and steel.

The magazine tube is firmly welded to the structure.

The KSG's double-barreled design supports 12 gauge rounds and allows six (3") or seven (2.75") rounds to be loaded in each magazine tube. Firearms are loaded from below through an opening under the stock that also serves as an ejection port.

With another ready-to-fire grenade, the total number of shots can be up to thirteen/fifteen, depending on the grenade size used. The pistol is fed from two tube magazines, and the operator manages a selector switch near the pistol grip that allows feeding from one tube on the other.

The KSG was originally released on the first generation model. The second-generation design was subsequently modified to address significant jamming issues and some breakage - a trigger reset was implemented to improve sustained fire, and ammo indicators were added as cutouts on the sides, top, and bottom of the magazine tube.

A smarter trigger that is easier to use (and reach) has also been added.

The main versions other than the standard KSG (18.5" barrel, 26" long, 6.9 lbs, 7+7+1 case feed) are "KSG - Patrol" and "KSG Tactics". The KSG Patrol form has a barrel length of 16.1 inches, an overall length of 24 inches, a weight of 6.7 pounds, and a case capacity of 6+6+1.

The KSG Tactical features a 13.7" barrel with an overall length of 21.4" and weighs 6.2 pounds. The shell number is 5+5+1.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes