Kel-Tec KSG 12-Gauge

Kel-Tec’s new KSG 12-gauge shotgun will stop any threat in its tracks 

The upper and lower Picatinny rails on the KSG allow for myriad combinations of user-selectable sights, optics, lights, lasers and vertical foregrips. This shot shows a 1x24mm Trijicon RX-06 reflex sight combined with a CAA short vertical foregrip.

Story and Photos by John N. Raguso

What’s 26.1 inches long, weighs 6.9 pounds unloaded, offers a 14+1 onboard magazine capacity, is shorter than your typical pistol grip 12 gauge and offers a full 18.5-inch barrel with a standard 13-inch length of pull stock?

 

And the answer? Why, it’s Kel-Tec’s newest innovation: the KSG bullpup shotgun, of course.

It’s been a long time since I was tasked to test out a weapon that was this unique and singular an experience, and it was really worth the wait. This new weapon from Kel-Tec is truly a one-of-a-kind 12 gauge that will be perfectly cast as the weapon of choice in a future Alien, Predator or Zombie movie and will further ingratiate this innovative Florida-based manufacturer both with its loyal cult followers and newbies alike.

If you’ve been waiting for the “real” scoop on this very special 12 gauge, and not some third-hand balderdash from internet commandos, then keep it dialed where it is and let’s get right into it.

Big boom in a micro package. The KSG’s 15-round capacity and compact 26-inch frame offers universal appeal to special operators, law enforcement officers and home-defense scenarios.

Genesis and Evolution 

According to Kel-Tec’s director of sales and marketing, Derek Kellgren, the “original” idea of the KSG design stemmed from John Browning and the Ithaca 37 shotgun, which was bottom ejecting and loading, so the concept has been around for a while. And there were probably other ideas from John Browning before that that were in the minds of shotgun designers.

         To read this article in its entirety, pick up a copy of Gun World’s December issue, available on newsstands now.