KS-23 question

[Cerebellum]

Hello! I'm an editor over at Wikipedia, and have a problem maybe you guys can help me with. I've already asked this over at Shotgun World, but in a multitude of counselors there is wisdom, so I'll ask it here too.

On our page for the KS-23 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KS-23) Russian combat shotgun, we know (pretty certain, anyway), that it has a 23mm barrel, and according to the equation on our gauge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauge_%28bore_diameter%29) page, that is equal to 6.27 gauge.

However, Jane's Special Forces Recognition Guide (2005 edition, page 434), the Modern Firearms page (http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/sh30-e.htm) for the KS-23, and most other internet sources seem to think that the KS-23 is actually a 4 gauge.

Is the Wikipedia equation wrong? Soviet weirdness? General ignorance? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

[johnbt]

I suppose it could be a matter of whether you measure the bore diameter or the groove diameter. For instance:

"Hastings Paradox slug barrels - The bore diameter of the 12-gauge Paradox rifled barrel is .716 inches and its groove diameter, .727 inches."

http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/sh30-e.htm lists it as:

KS-23 rifled bore of 23mm caliber
Type: pump-action
Gauge: 4 / 23 mm (rifled barrel)

_____________

I've read of 4 bore shotguns measuring .935" to .955", so multiplying .935 times 25.4 mm = 23.749 mm

Other sites list the KS-23 as 23.2 mm, so it's close.

Heck, I dunno, I'm just winging it. :)

John