Would you trust a Keltec KS7 for home defense?

[SandHill]

Like lots of us, I am intrigued by bullpup pump action shotguns. Getting an overall length of 26.5 inches while keeping an 18 inch barrel is brilliant, and for those of us in CA who can't get the tax stamp for a short barreled shotgun, is a great work around. Even if you could get a tax stamp, if you start with a typical pump shotgun and cut the barrel down to 12 inches, you are left wtih an overall length of at least 32 inches, and you're giving up a lot of muzzle velocity. So I want to like bullpups.

The problem is that I hated the only one I have shot, a KSG. Balance on it was horrible, felt like shouldering a concrete block rather than a shotgun. And of course, like all Keltec products, there were reliabilty problems out of the gate. The shotguns I have used for home defense have been in production for at least 50 years, and have had any such problems worked out long ago, if they had any to begin with.

Not long ago, I had the opportunity to handle a Keltec KS7 in a gun shop. Didn't get to shoot it. It was a completely differnt beast. Much lighter, better balnaced, I could see myself using it. Less ammo capacity than a KSG and other double mag offerings, but as much or more as a typical 18 barrel HD pump shotgun, so not bad. And a very handy length.

So I am wondering: do they have the bugs out on the KS7? Would you trust your life to one?

[CJJohn]

I think they have the bugs worked out. I bought one for HD but I haven't shot it a lot and have another platform for HD. There are some pretty cool addons available for the KS7. I've seen barrel extensions, chokes, etc....
It IS a very handy length for the house, that's for sure.

[deckhandmike]

Hard no on any keltec product. While most of them work most of the time they just have too bad of a reputation for unreliability as a company. Don’t miss on your first shot.

[sealocan]

There are just other proven over many years (by both the police and the military) to be reliable designs, like the Remington 870 and my favorite the Mossberg 500 series, that are still available for not too much money that I think I would choose one of those instead.

In fact compared to other firearms like high end handguns and rifles, traditional pump shotguns are one of the best deals in the whole firearms market, even though they have increased and price a bit over the last few years.

[jmaglipay]

I have a ksg. It worked on my first range trip then it started to double feed and failure to eject. Its sits behind my trusted mossberg 590a1

[lastinline]

[heavyhaulin818]

FAB ARMS STF 12.

[Dr. Peter Venkman]

No, I would not. $1300 can get you a Beretta 1301. You can mod it your heart's content and you'll have a duty grade semi underneath it all. If you don't want semi, Mossbergs are good too.

[heavyhaulin818]

I own a beretta gen II 1301, Benelli m4 h20, Remington Versamax Competition Tactical, vepr 12, MOSSBERG 590’s, remington older Remington wingmaster classic, and a remington super mag...none are as accurate as the fab arms and none of the pumps run like the fab arms.

[W.R.Buchanan]

OK guys,,, just let me tell you once again, that you need to get trained on any weapons system you decide to use and especially if you plan on using it ins a SD or HD situation. People tend to think that they can go to the range and shoot their new gun once, and then go home and throw it in a closet until their house gets broken into and the bad guy has a knife to your wife's throat.

What they would probably do is shoot the wife because they don't have any useful gun handling skills. You kinda got to practice this stuff to be competent and or willing to take a Hostage Shot..

The KSG is a decent little gun, but you have to learn how to use it. And that is true of this gun more than others as it is way different than most conventional style guns.

The main thing I have seen, and even ran into myself when I got o shoot one, was that they are easy to Short Stroke. They require a serious back stroke to insure they are racked all the way, then a positive move forward to close the action.

other than that they are good to go, and you would be too as long as you got a few days of decent training and drilling on using it

Randy.

[axhoaxho]

The main thing I have seen, and even ran into myself when I got o shoot one, was that they are easy to Short Stroke. They require a serious back stroke to insure they are racked all the way, then a positive move forward to close the action.

Yes.

The 'KSG (shell) Lifter' does most-of-its-action during the last inch of travel at the back. It is essential to rack the KSG all the way back without short-stroking.

Rack the KSG all the way back (like we freaking mean it) and rack it all the way forward (like we freaking mean it.) Don't worry, it won't hurt the gun.


KSG (shell) Lifter.

[L84CABO]

I am not a fan of bull pup shotguns. But if I were looking at them, I would at least want to see Smith & Wessons new gun before I bought anything.

And not matter what I bought I would absolutely want to prove it out with 500 rounds before I used it. No matter what type of gun it was.

[Notpc]

KS7, repeat after me KS7. Op was asking about the KS7..............

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

Personally, I wouldn't... and there are several varieties of Kel-Tec firearms in my safe right now.

[Oceanbob]

No, I would not. $1300 can get you a Beretta 1301. You can mod it your heart's content and you'll have a duty grade semi underneath it all. If you don't want semi, Mossbergs are good too.