The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - KelTec KSG observations and brief initial range report

SCGeorge · March 9, 2025, 08:43 PM

I recently purchased a KSG. Wanted one since they came out but initial availability issues plus I wanted to wait while bugs were worked out meant I was going to wait. And, for a while, prices were crazy.

Mine is the standard 12 gauge KSG version. This is the standard length, dual tube, 12 to 14 round capacity version. There are NFA versions, a KSG25 version that holds a full box of shells, and also very popular, a KS7 version that is single tube and has a carry handle as a standard sight. There are also some .410 versions but I’m a 12 gauge man.

I have a good amount of experience with the Remington 870, Maverick88/Mossberg500/590, the Winchester 1300, and also some Benelli Supernova experience. This is my first bull pup of any kind and first bottom ejecting shotgun

Configuration

Sights- this version has a 1913 Picatinny rail to mount AR style sights and optics. This requires at minimum AR height sights, and a mount that puts a red dot sight at 1/3 lower co-witness is the right move. If you add a cheek pad, you will need risers. And a riser rail in general may make it more comfortable especially with ear pro. Currently I have a cheap AR front sight (junk) that somehow made it to my parts bin and a cut down AR carry handle as a rear sight. I will be replacing these with a set of Daniel Defense A1 style fixed BUIS. Many like the Magpul folding BUIS on these as well.

Optics- I intend to add a red dot sight once I agonize through the decision making progress to choose one.

Forend- I added a Magpul vertical grip at the front of the forend rail. This provides improved racking force and also acts as a safety device to prevent your hand from going in front of the muzzle.

Note- do not use junk parts for this. At least one injury from a breaking air soft grade junk (I think ATI?) vertical grip has occurred. A hand sliding in front of a load of buckshot or a slug going down the tube will not be just a flesh wound, you simply won’t have a hand. Some like a hand stop, I did not when I tried it on my gun. Grip tape on the forend is also an option you can employ.

Operation

Loading the KSG- you have to select the tube for loading and use using the selector lever. Effectively the lever is a magazine cutoff for the tube you do not want to use or load. Loading is a little slower than a standard tube shotgun and is not as easy by feel. Crimped shell length determines ultimate capacity- 6 or 7 rounds per tube for 2 3/4” shells. 3” shells, which I don’t have a ton of should be 6 per tube. The slowed down loading is balanced by the double capacity.

The KelTec does have a very neat feature of witness slots in the magazine tube so you can observe your ammo state. I have not encountered any other design that has such.

Being a bottom ejecting shotgun getting a good view of the chamber isn’t the easiest thing. Don’t forget your muzzle direction when loading and chamber checking. KelTec provides a neat chamber flag. It’s the trade off for ambidextrous use.

I had no problem with ejecting shells burning me or hitting me. Some people do and add a shell deflector. I suspect this is mainly a smaller frame person issue.

Racking- the slide release location is excellent. Many designs suck at this, with the Mossberg being the best of the traditional designs

It is widely noted that you cannot be gentle with this gun. It needs to be racked with authority or it will not dispense a shell from the magazine onto the lifter arms. I do not know if this was intentional, an unavoidable design feature, or needing breaking in but I have frequently heard it is very common to require forceful racking to run this gun. Not a problem for me, I’ve always since learning to shoot at a young age run the pump with authority. I have noticed in my shooting experience people seem to be very timid with running pump shotguns. My shooting partner for today shortstroked the gun due to this issue today several times.

Safety- I don’t know why they missed a perfect opportunity to have an AR safety. It’s a cross bolt safety, a large, square bar. Marked S for safe if pushed to the left, F for fire if it’s pushed to the right. Note- it is OPPOSITE of the common crossbolt safety as used for the 870, 10/22, Win 1300, and similar common firearms. I have heard it is a hammer block safety, but that might be hearsay. Would be nice if it is truly a drop safe long gun when the safety is engaged.

Range Time

Today I shot at an indoor range. This range requires slug and buck due to birdshot not having the energy to make it to the backstop. They said sometimes small shot and BBs bounce around the shooting bay so that’s why they require higher energy and heavier projectiles. Being this was the first time I have shot a shotgun at this range, I was unaware of that rule until I arrived. I had only about 12 slugs for zeroing and 20 rounds of buckshot for pattern checking, and I was thus unable to use my 100 rounds of birdshot for working out the gun. I’ll make my next range trip to an outdoor facility to be able to shoot a large amount

The KSGs have a reputation for having pretty good accuracy, I can vouch for that. Based on todays performance this is going to be a great shooter with slugs and keeping buck patterns tight. I have heard these may be a little tighter than a typical cylinder bore, some say it’s almost a modified choke. Great slug accuracy on the short 25 yard range, shot pattern is pretty good so far. I’m eager for some serious time on the pattern board at 50-100 yards but I can tell you this thing blows big holes and tight patterns at closer ranges.

So to sum it up, it’s got its quirks but it’s a really fun shotgun. 14 rounds in a 26” long gun is wild.

Once I prove it and get very comfortable with the manual of arms plus improve the sighting arrangement with better sights and an optic it will be a primary defensive gun, right along my 870 and AR carbine.

March 9, 2025, 08:43 PM	#1
SCGeorge Junior Member Join Date: February 28, 2025 Posts: 3	KelTec KSG observations and brief initial range report I recently purchased a KSG. Wanted one since they came out but initial availability issues plus I wanted to wait while bugs were worked out meant I was going to wait. And, for a while, prices were crazy. Mine is the standard 12 gauge KSG version. This is the standard length, dual tube, 12 to 14 round capacity version. There are NFA versions, a KSG25 version that holds a full box of shells, and also very popular, a KS7 version that is single tube and has a carry handle as a standard sight. There are also some .410 versions but I’m a 12 gauge man. I have a good amount of experience with the Remington 870, Maverick88/Mossberg500/590, the Winchester 1300, and also some Benelli Supernova experience. This is my first bull pup of any kind and first bottom ejecting shotgun Configuration Sights- this version has a 1913 Picatinny rail to mount AR style sights and optics. This requires at minimum AR height sights, and a mount that puts a red dot sight at 1/3 lower co-witness is the right move. If you add a cheek pad, you will need risers. And a riser rail in general may make it more comfortable especially with ear pro. Currently I have a cheap AR front sight (junk) that somehow made it to my parts bin and a cut down AR carry handle as a rear sight. I will be replacing these with a set of Daniel Defense A1 style fixed BUIS. Many like the Magpul folding BUIS on these as well. Optics- I intend to add a red dot sight once I agonize through the decision making progress to choose one. Forend- I added a Magpul vertical grip at the front of the forend rail. This provides improved racking force and also acts as a safety device to prevent your hand from going in front of the muzzle. Note- do not use junk parts for this. At least one injury from a breaking air soft grade junk (I think ATI?) vertical grip has occurred. A hand sliding in front of a load of buckshot or a slug going down the tube will not be just a flesh wound, you simply won’t have a hand. Some like a hand stop, I did not when I tried it on my gun. Grip tape on the forend is also an option you can employ. Operation Loading the KSG- you have to select the tube for loading and use using the selector lever. Effectively the lever is a magazine cutoff for the tube you do not want to use or load. Loading is a little slower than a standard tube shotgun and is not as easy by feel. Crimped shell length determines ultimate capacity- 6 or 7 rounds per tube for 2 3/4” shells. 3” shells, which I don’t have a ton of should be 6 per tube. The slowed down loading is balanced by the double capacity. The KelTec does have a very neat feature of witness slots in the magazine tube so you can observe your ammo state. I have not encountered any other design that has such. Being a bottom ejecting shotgun getting a good view of the chamber isn’t the easiest thing. Don’t forget your muzzle direction when loading and chamber checking. KelTec provides a neat chamber flag. It’s the trade off for ambidextrous use. I had no problem with ejecting shells burning me or hitting me. Some people do and add a shell deflector. I suspect this is mainly a smaller frame person issue. Racking- the slide release location is excellent. Many designs suck at this, with the Mossberg being the best of the traditional designs It is widely noted that you cannot be gentle with this gun. It needs to be racked with authority or it will not dispense a shell from the magazine onto the lifter arms. I do not know if this was intentional, an unavoidable design feature, or needing breaking in but I have frequently heard it is very common to require forceful racking to run this gun. Not a problem for me, I’ve always since learning to shoot at a young age run the pump with authority. I have noticed in my shooting experience people seem to be very timid with running pump shotguns. My shooting partner for today shortstroked the gun due to this issue today several times. Safety- I don’t know why they missed a perfect opportunity to have an AR safety. It’s a cross bolt safety, a large, square bar. Marked S for safe if pushed to the left, F for fire if it’s pushed to the right. Note- it is OPPOSITE of the common crossbolt safety as used for the 870, 10/22, Win 1300, and similar common firearms. I have heard it is a hammer block safety, but that might be hearsay. Would be nice if it is truly a drop safe long gun when the safety is engaged. Range Time Today I shot at an indoor range. This range requires slug and buck due to birdshot not having the energy to make it to the backstop. They said sometimes small shot and BBs bounce around the shooting bay so that’s why they require higher energy and heavier projectiles. Being this was the first time I have shot a shotgun at this range, I was unaware of that rule until I arrived. I had only about 12 slugs for zeroing and 20 rounds of buckshot for pattern checking, and I was thus unable to use my 100 rounds of birdshot for working out the gun. I’ll make my next range trip to an outdoor facility to be able to shoot a large amount The KSGs have a reputation for having pretty good accuracy, I can vouch for that. Based on todays performance this is going to be a great shooter with slugs and keeping buck patterns tight. I have heard these may be a little tighter than a typical cylinder bore, some say it’s almost a modified choke. Great slug accuracy on the short 25 yard range, shot pattern is pretty good so far. I’m eager for some serious time on the pattern board at 50-100 yards but I can tell you this thing blows big holes and tight patterns at closer ranges. So to sum it up, it’s got its quirks but it’s a really fun shotgun. 14 rounds in a 26” long gun is wild. Once I prove it and get very comfortable with the manual of arms plus improve the sighting arrangement with better sights and an optic it will be a primary defensive gun, right along my 870 and AR carbine.