How to run a KSG

[-hanko]

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KSG also fits in smallish gym bags.... It has its purpose and hard to deny having that much firepower on tap in such a compact package. Recoil is similar to a M44.... It's not for everyone anyone.

A minor fify.

I've written here before about witnessing a Keltec demo for the local sheriff and some of his department folks. A Keltec factory guy flew out for the demo.

The first 3 shells shot fine, the rest were jam-o-matic. After 2 more jam-o-rama episodes, he apologized, flew back to the factory, and was not heard from again.

[FeuerFrei]

Wow! Nobody mentioned the wrist damaged incurred when improperly gripping the sg!

I got no dog in this fight, but if a guy is gonna complain about a firearm it helps to be specific as to the offending part/s that broke or bent. Cause of malfunction has value.

If this thing is crap I'd like to know exactly why. Discounting user derps.
Calling all KSG's out as sinkers or floaters has little value IMO.

Call out the problem you had and not what the "problems" that the YT monkey throwing poop at the screen showed.

[deckhandmike]

I merely shouldered a KSG and laughed. Most uncomfortable gun I’ve ever held. Have no desire to shoot one assuming it could even run.

Hey, it looks cool and if you got money to burn get one for the range. But it’s not known for being reliable.

[Quiet]

I have a KSG Gen 2.
Been running it for about 8 years, as my in house defensive shotgun.
It's loaded with 23 Aguila mini buckshot shells.

I've shot Rio, Winchester, Federal, and Aguila shells through it.

User induced stoppages are the main reason why anyone who has shot it has had issues with it.
^Need to pump with force, both back and forward. If you rack it limply or baby it, it will induce a failure to feed or failure to eject stoppage.

For me, when loading/reloading, I flip the shotgun upside down and feed it.
It may not be the tacticool way to do it, but I find it's the most efficient for me.

For me, having it loaded with 23 12Gauge mini buckshot is more than enough for any interior home defense scenario and if I run out of ammo, I would transition to my pistol that I have stored with the shotgun.

I look at it as a niche shotgun and for me the niche is interior home defense.
^Short overall length with large ammo capacity.

There are better shotguns for other tasks and I would utilize one of those shotguns if the scenario was something other than interior home defense.

IMO...
The Beretta 1301 is the best CA legal tactical/defensive semi-auto shotgun currently available.
The Mossberg 590S is the best CA legal tactical/defensive pump-action shotgun currently available.

[Capybara]

I have a KSG Gen 2.
Been running it for about 8 years, as my in house defensive shotgun.
It's loaded with 23 Aguila mini buckshot shells.

I've shot Rio, Winchester, Federal, and Aguila shells through it.

User induced stoppages are the main reason why anyone who has shot it has had issues with it.
^Need to pump with force, both back and forward. If you rack it limply or baby it, it will induce a failure to feed or failure to eject stoppage.

For me, when loading/reloading, I flip the shotgun upside down and feed it.
It may not be the tacticool way to do it, but I find it's the most efficient for me.

For me, having it loaded with 23 12Gauge mini buckshot is more than enough for any interior home defense scenario and if I run out of ammo, I would transition to my pistol that I have stored with the shotgun.

I look at it as a niche shotgun and for me the niche is interior home defense.
^Short overall length with large ammo capacity.

There are better shotguns for other tasks and I would utilize one of those shotguns if the scenario was something other than interior home defense.

IMO...
The Beretta 1301 is the best CA legal tactical/defensive semi-auto shotgun currently available.
The Mossberg 590S is the best CA legal tactical/defensive pump-action shotgun currently available.

I have my M&P 12 setup the same way as you use your KSG, interior home defense with the mini shells, green dot, sling and flashlight.

I actually bought the 1301 Tactical for the same purpose but quickly discovered that in my home's very tight stairways and landings that the length of the 1301 was pretty clunky and not good, even though it's a shorter shotgun. The M&P 12 OAL is over 10" shorter than the 1301 Tactical and even with the mag extension, it only holds 7 shells. If I ever get off of my rear to do three gun or something like that, or when I move to a larger home with more space and no stairways and landings, I would utilize the 1301 Tactical, I think, but the M&P 12 seems up to the task and the Mini Shells are cool. I discovered a similar thing too, with a bullpump, rack it like you mean it works much better.

[deckhandmike]

You guys ever run those ksg or mp12 in an actual class? I’d be surprised if they worked without issue. I see them go down at the range more than any other shotgun.

[seal20]

I have run it through a class. Have me less problems than my Glock. It wasn't fun, I learned a lot. Thing is "a class" isn't comparable to a real life scenario. It's like a compilation of many scenarios. I have confidence in my KSG, because I've trained and practiced with it. It has its place. So do my Mossberg 500, 930, Remington 870 and 1100. This, is the spice of life...

[Capybara]

You guys ever run those ksg or mp12 in an actual class? I’d be surprised if they worked without issue. I see them go down at the range more than any other shotgun.

I have not, have only put about 300 rounds through it at the range. So far with range use, flawless, no FTF or FTE but I understand that that's not a high volume class where you are pumping shells through it fast all day.
OTOH, I have a Remington 870-based 12" AOW and that thing misfeeds every time I shoot it. It's had numerous problems and issues with FTE and FTF and I've had to tweak and replace several parts on it. FWIW, it's a
Freedom Group 870 and Freedom Group "Remingtons" overall have been horrifically bad. Older 870s are the dream for smooth actions and reliability but my experience with Freedom Group guns is they turned out to be junk with
all of the cost cutting they did to that once great brand.

[TonyKat]

I love mine

Added a Hogue grip (Grip 17020 for Glock 17 fits perfect) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NY3HRX5
And a Magpul XTM Hand Stop Kit https://magpul.com/xtm-hand-stop-kit...obal_color=118
And a LimbSaver AirTech Slip-On Recoil Pad (Small) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KCS5X8O
And some fun sights https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KBNDYLP
And a light https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZTSK1CT

I've put 500+ shells down range. With regular shells it's less recoil than an standard 870 and with mini shells it's a dream, almost no recoil

[axhoaxho]

In one class, I loaned my KSG to a new student (young guy, full of energy.) He racked the KSG like he was gonna break it, but that's probably the way to go..... He finished the class without any hiccup.

Working the KSG was not glamours, but it could be done.... with a few Red Bulls and a sore shoulder.

For myself? I used my old-trusty 870 Tactical. I customized it to my liking, and it was like an extension of my body. I am sticking with it.

[Quiet]

I ran my Kel-Tec KSG Gen 2 through a CA POST Firearms/Tactical Shotgun course that was run by local Sheriff Department for my Tribal reservation law enforcement agency.
^There were a few extra open spots and they let me attend.

I passed the course without any issues.

After the course, I let some of my Tribal officers shoot it and the first of them had issues because he was babying it (racking it like he normally does for Remington 870 and not racking it with force through the entire process). Once I instructed them how to run it properly, there were no more issues with it.

My Tribal agency is still running 1990s era Remington 870 Police Magnum, which the officers preferred over the KSG.
^I also prefer the Remington 870 Police Magnum for the role that they require shotguns to perform. IMO... KSG is tool for niche use and not for general use.

[deckhandmike]

I ran my Kel-Tec KSG Gen 2 through a CA POST Firearms/Tactical Shotgun course that was run by local Sheriff Department for my Tribal reservation law enforcement agency.
^There were a few extra open spots and they let me attend.

I passed the course without any issues.

After the course, I let some of my Tribal officers shoot it and the first of them had issues because he was babying it (racking it like he normally does for Remington 870 and not racking it with force through the entire process). Once I instructed them how to run it properly, there were no more issues with it.

My Tribal agency is still running 1990s era Remington 870 Police Magnum, which the officers preferred over the KSG.
^I also prefer the Remington 870 Police Magnum for the role that they require shotguns to perform. IMO... KSG is tool for niche use and not for general use.

Very well written. I can see why so many have issues if you have to rack it significantly harder than a 870.

[FeuerFrei]

Based on user responses here I think a common denominator is showing up.

Sounds like racking the thing with authority will maintain reliable feed/ejection. Loose 870/500/590 racking may seem to induce derps. That can still happen to these other models too. Newbie user racking that we've all seen or done at one time or another.

[JWHuey]

I still want a KS7.

And an RDB.

[bigbossman]

Very well written. I can see why so many have issues if you have to rack it significantly harder than a 870.

Well, that's an issue IMO. After a lifetime of racking all kinds of "conventional" pump shotguns, I now have decades of muscle memory built in. I really don't think it is a good idea to try to superimpose another reflex over the long ingrained one, especially if it will be a necessary requirement in a life or death situation.

I'll leave the new toys to the youngsters and operators. I'll stick with the tried and true riot gun. Easy to use, easy to maintain. Done.