Kel Tec KSG

Before we dive into the KS7 it’s prudent that we review the pump-action KSG, the Kel-Tec platform the KS7 is based on. The KSG is a bullpup 12 gauge shotgun that’s budget-friendly with a mixed reputation. The special quality of the KSG, besides for being a bullpup shotgun, is that it holds two magazine tubes each with a 7-shell capacity. As a result, the KSG quickly became the coolest tactical shotgun on the market and sales skyrocketed. The KSG came out in 2011 and is still in a league of its own with almost no competition. Nevertheless, many shooters simply won’t touch them. I happen to think the KSG is a cool gun to own but I wouldn’t say that it’s necessarily practical. I keep one in the safe but it’s definitely not my go-to for home defense. Now that we have a little bit of background, let’s take a look at Kel-Tec’s newest tactical shotgun, the KS7.

Kel-Tec KS7

The KelTec KS7 looks like it was designed for a cheesy Netflix Original science-fiction movie remake with at least two washed-out actors. Others might say it looks like it was made by Dr. Frankenstein himself for home defense. Besides for all of the debate surrounding Kel-Tec as a company, bullpups themselves are a hot topic of conversation within the gun community. For instance, some folks can’t get enough of guns like the Steyr AUG, Tavor X95, and the FN F2000 to name a few of the best bullpups. On the other hand, some people prefer traditional builds and nothing else.

Regardless of any bias, I want to take a closer look at this marvelous gun because it’s really something else and did win some pretty prestigious awards from the NRA. The first thing that you have to notice is the versatility built-into this firearm. First of all, a bullpup shotgun can be used for home defense, hiking in the backwoods, or for a great day at the range. Next, you’ll notice that Kel-Tec offers optional Picatinny and M-LOK accessory mounting systems for adding even more features. The KS7 also has a nice large barrel considering its small size which leads to better accuracy. Similarly, shotguns can be great for close quarters and the bullpup design maximizes that effect.  

Now you can’t miss the carry handle on this shotgun and that’s a weird sentence to write, but many owners like this feature. I don’t like the idea of a carry handle when a sling can easily replace it and offer a superior sight system. Nevertheless, they did a decent job of incorporating the fiber optic bead sight into the carry handle. I don’t love it but it’s not bad for a carry handle. 

In terms of its tactical abilities, the rear loading and downward ejection make it a solid choice for defense and tactical situations. This also makes it an ambidextrous gun which is a nice bonus. Likewise, the bullpup design does add control to the power of the 12 gauge so shooting on the move, for instance, is way more manageable than a standard shotgun. 

In practice, the KS7 is more dependable than the KSG thanks to its more simple internal design. However, unlike the KSG, the KS7 only boasts a 7-round capacity but that’s plenty for a shotgun all things considered. I did some plinking downrange and really got the hang of using the fiber optic sight within the carry handle and I was pleasantly surprised. It was pretty seamless to shift between targets and keep a solid sight picture. 

I’ve been enjoying my Mossberg Shockwave for home defense but I can see why others might opt for the KS7. Even with all of the unusual elements to this shotgun, it often comes down to the price. Many Kel-Tec owners choose their respective weapons because of their price tag and believe they’re getting the most bang for their buck. 

In terms of ergonomics, it’s surprisingly ergonomic for a 12 gauge bullpup shotgun. The control was pretty good and the forward handguard was alright. I like the pistol grip texture and control system, though the trigger was subpar and loading the shotgun was not simple. The KS7 has a thin loading port which made it hard for me to load with my fat thumbs but I managed. Just don’t expect to win any competitions for speed loading. 

Out in the woods, I had nothing but positive experiences getting on target and transitioning well. I switched between birdshot, double-aught buckshot, and slugs and was able to confidently get on target fast and get my loads downrange without any difficulty. Additionally, my follow-up shots were fast and on-target which was a nice thing to see with this gun. The recoil was definitely felt, most folks with tactical shotgun shooting experience shouldn’t have any troubles. 

KS7 Specs

• Model: KS7
• Caliber: 12 Gauge
• Capacity: 6+1 (3″ Shells)
• Barrel Length: 18.5″
• Overall Length: 26.1″
• Weight: 5.9 lbs. (Unloaded)
• Sights: Fiber Optic Bead
• MSRP: $539

Kel Tec KS7 for Sale

The Kel-Tec is readily available in most gun shops and dealers without requiring any tax stamps. While Kel-Tec guns can be problematic in some fascist states like California, the KS7 shouldn’t be problematic. For instance, it meets the California 26” minimum length mandate and a less than 10-round capacity.   

Kel Tec KS7 Accessories

While I don’t love the carry handle, attaching lights or lasers on the carry handle was pretty seamless and effective for simulated tactical exercises. Anyone using this gun for home defense or tactical uses can benefit from attaching an accessory. I definitely recommend checking out my favorite shotgun accessories but you can’t go wrong with the Streamlight TLR-3 flashlight or the TLR-2 combo flashlight and laser sight. 

Kel Tec KS7 Problems

So I only had limited time with Kel-Tec KS7 and experienced no issues with it but there are many shooters who experienced serious problems. I spoke with many shooters and heard stories of failures to feed, cycling issues, ejection problems, and jams. That being said, there are ways to help this, such as breaking-in the gun, cleaning and lubing it properly, and making sure your operation is smooth and deliberate. Otherwise, you just have to know it’s not the gun you want to put your life on until you’ve solved all of the issues. When it’s working, this is a cool and useful gun, otherwise, it’s a liability. 

Conclusion

I like the Kel-Tec KS7 but it’s hard to recommend a firearm that has a history of failure. I think this gun has its place but I wouldn’t feel comfortable putting my life on it. On the other hand, I think it would be a blast to use at the range to blow up bottles and watermelons. I certainly wouldn’t buy this gun without the ability to return it within 90 days. I hope one day these guns will be dependable because I think there is a huge market for them. Even if they were to increase the price to increase the quality, they would be much better off.  

The post Kel-Tec KS7 Review appeared first on Gunivore.

Table of Contents

• How to Find Comfort While Shooting
• Various Sizes of Pachmayr Decelerator
• Different Fits
• Does the Kel-Tec KSG Need a recoil pad?

The Kel – Tec KSG shotgun pretty much revolutionized the way we view shotguns. It’s bullpup design gives it a unique look and feel. To be frank this is a very modern piece of weaponry. The KSG shotgun comes with dual piccatinny rails allowing for any number of accessories and overall gun customization. There is one important accessory that has nothing to do with the rails, though. The recoil pad is an add-on that cushions the butt of the gun against the shooters shoulder. The KSG stock butt-pad only cushions so much. If you are looking for a little more comfort buying a slip-on recoil pad may just be what the doctor ordered.

The shooters stance is integral to a confident and accurate shot.  The recoil of any shotgun is powerful. Without the proper stance, the chances of the bullet hitting the mark are not as good. When you plant your feet firmly, and when you have a good grip on your weapon, your shots become that much more accurate and effective. The recoil pad can help with all this.

How to Find Comfort While Shooting

The way to achieve this stance is, first of all, being comfortable and familiar with your weapon. This comfort is achieved mainly through consistent training, but there is also a basic comfort that can (and should) be part of the weapon to begin with, regardless of range time. For this reason, Pachmayr have produced the Decelerator – a slip-on recoil pad. Frank August Pachmayr  was a gunsmith known throughout the gun community. Although he began building and modifying firearms he soon ventured into rifle accessories. The Pachmayr Decelerator is the top choice for many shooters, amateur and professional alike. It turns the shooting experience to a much more pleasant one. When it comes to shotguns, some of them carry a lot of recoil. The Pachmayr Decelerator is produced in several sizes, in order to accommodate various weapons. It can be installed quickly and easily, and no gun-smithing is required. If you are unsure if a recoil pad is for you this detachable version is perfect for you. Your shoulder will thank you, believe me.

Various Sizes of Pachmayr Decelerator

Pachmayr has released several versions of its recoil pad:

• Small size, fits stocks 1-1/2″ to 1-5/8″ wide and 4-3/4″ to 4-7/8″ long
• Medium size, fits stocks 1-1/2″ to 1-3/4″ wide and 5″ to 5-3/16″ long
• Large size, fits stocks 1-3/4″ to 1-7/8″ wide and 5-3/16″ to 5-7/16″ long

The decelerator is a 1 inch thick pad of rubber goodness. The pad is made out of high quality rubber and comes in either brown or black. It’s curved, cut away sidewalls make it a easy to attach and remove from your shotgun. The additional 1 inch pad improves the shotgun by lengthening the length of pull of the KSG.  It is easy on the shoulders, and with a relatively lightweight shotgun like the Kel–Tec KSG, you need to have that protection. Nobody wants to come home shoulder-bruised from a day at the range, and the recoil pad can help a great deal in relieving the pressure put on the shooter’s shoulders.

Different Fits

The small size slip on pad is large enough for the KSG, and it fits very well. This recoil pad is designed to fit within .050 on an inch on factory stocks. It will enhance the way your weapon looks and feels, and that can certainly improve your shooting experience. Like any other factory-made shotgun stock, the KSG’s stock can become annoying and distracting. It is made from very hard material, and that is not necessarily what you want to be using when you are at the range. Good to know there are alternatives.

Shotguns normally carry more of a punch than any ordinary 5.56 caliber rifle, like an M4 or AK-47. They recoil quite a bit, and because of this you will need a more aggressive stance when firing a shotgun. You want to be in control of the weapon, not the other way around.

Does the Kel-Tec KSG Need a recoil pad?

Initially I decided to not to buy the recoil pad when I bought my KSG. I took it out on many occasions without a problem.  I didn’t get what the big deal was with recoil pads. That was until my buddy brought one out with us one day at the range. He purchased the Decelerator because his shoulder had been bothering him and shooting was not helping. He wasn’t going to stop though so it seemed that a recoil pad was needed. I was curios to give it a try. The nice thing about these pads are that they are removable. This made it easy to install on the butt of my gun. I noticed that it added a bit of length to the gun but it was negligible. I shot off a bunch of rounds and was really surprised at how it absorbed the recoil. It definitely made me rethink what I thought about recoil pads and I was online ordering one that night.

As I mentioned earlier recoil pads can assist in a more comfortable shot. Most shotguns come stock with either polymer or wood butt-ends. Over time these rough materials can start to fatigue and even bruise your arm. It seems like a no brainer then to add a recoil pad. These cushioned additions to your gun can give you an upper hand. They can reduce recoil. This boosts the amount of time you can stay out on the range shooting. They can also minimize muzzle jump which can affect your accuracy. For me shooting should be a comfortable experience. Throughout our lives we focus on finding the most comfortable furniture and shoes, why not guns too? The Decelerator will set you back 20 dollars or so. This is a small investment for something that can have a big impact on your shooting.

Another good investment for your Kel-Tec KSG shotgun is the Magpul Industries Gen II sight set…

The post Pachmayr Decelerator Slip-On Recoil Pad for Kel-Tec KSG appeared first on Gunivore.