Kel-Tec KSG-25
The first firearm I purchased was a Winchester 1300, which I then
used to hunt everything from doves to deer. I’m still a fan of
slide-action shotguns but, in my opinion, there haven’t been a lot of
groundbreaking changes to the basic pump design since I bought that
1300. Unless, of course, you consider Kel-Tec’s KSG.
Imported pump shotguns are limited to
five shells in their
tubular magazines, and there are some domestic pump guns that come with
nine-shot tubes. Kel-Tec, on the other hand, beat those numbers
soundly with the KSG in 2011. The original held seven 23/4-inch,
12-gauge shells each in two tubes with the option of one extra in the
chamber for 15. The new KSG-25 holds 24 (plus one) and weighs 9 pounds
(2 pounds more than the original). Shells are cleverly held in a pair
of tubular magazines that run from the receiver — the top of which
doubles as the comb of the stock — to the muzzle.
The KSG feeds from below the barrel, and ejects as the forend is pumped along the dual magazine tubes.
The design of the KSG series is simple. It feeds from below the
barrel, and ejects as the forend is pumped along the dual magazine
tubes. Feeding is controlled by a three-position selector switch at the
rear of the magazine tubes underneath. This switch allows you to choose
whether the shotgun feeds from the right or left tube, or neither if
the selector is in the middle. Both magazine tubes have numerous cutouts
that keep the shooter informed of the remaining shells available.
When the ambidextrous action release on the front of the triggerguard
is placed into the down position and the forearm is retracted, the bolt
is pulled rearward through the receiver. Once it reaches the back, a
pair of lifter arms drop down to pick up the next shell. The lifter arms
ride upward on the return stroke and the shell is then chambered. After
firing, the forearm is retracted and as the bolt reaches the rearward
position, it ejects the spent shell casing as the lifter arms drop back
down to catch the next shell in line.
There’s a square crossbolt safety with reverse orientation. Out of the box, the safety must be pushed to the right to fire.
The
KSG-25 arrives with two top rails, a long one closer to the receiver
for mounting optics and a short one for attaching a front sight above
the muzzle.
The KSG-25 arrives with two top rails, a long one closer to the
receiver for mounting optics and a short one for attaching a front sight
above the muzzle. There’s also a lower rail on the forearm. The gun’s
pistol grip and buttplate are polymer, too, and the grip features
Kel-Tec’s signature square texturing. (Bonus: A vertical grip for the
forearm was included in the box.)
The KSG-25 comes factory-equipped with flip-up Magpul MBUS
sights, but I removed them and mounted an Aimpoint 9000SC with a 2 MOA
red dot for this evaluation. While the Aimpoint proved to be an ideal
optic for this shotgun, I would swap out the low rings for something
with a bit more elevation. Interestingly, I observed no point of impact
shift after firing more than 80, 12-gauge slugs.
The grip features Kel-Tec’s signature square texturing.
There’s a bit of slop in pulling the trigger until it breaks at 6.1
pounds. Group sizes landed between 3- to 4-inches on average, but
that’s the norm at 50 yards. It’s worth noting that the metal receiver
that doubles as a comb can provide a stiff blow. I suggest some
cushioning be placed atop the receiver to protect the facial bones when
firing through a full load in both mags.
For defensive use, there are few guns that can match the KSG-25’s
prodigious capacity and authority. At $1,400, the KSG isn’t cheap but
that’s what you’ll pay for a shotgun in a class all by itself.
Kel-Tec KSG-25
Type: Pump action
Gauge: 12
Capacity: 24+1 (2¾ in.), 20+1 (3 in.)
Barrel: 30.5 in.
Overall Length: 38 in.
Weight: 9 lbs., 4 oz. (unloaded)
Finish: Matte black
Sights: Magpul MBUS
Trigger: 6 lbs., 2 oz. (tested)
MSRP: $1,400
Manufacturer: Kel-Tec CNC Industries Inc.,
321-631-0068,
keltecweapons.com
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