Kel-Tec KSG

Kel-Tec CNC Industries · Shotgun · In Production · 2011

Also known as: KSG, Kel-Tec Shotgun

Overview

The Kel-Tec KSG is a bullpup pump-action shotgun designed by Kel-Tec CNC Industries and introduced in 2011. The KSG's defining feature is its dual tubular magazine system, which holds 7+7 rounds of 2.75-inch shells (or 6+6 rounds of 3-inch shells) for a total capacity of 14+1 rounds -- nearly double that of conventional pump-action shotguns. The bullpup configuration places the action behind the pistol grip and trigger, allowing the KSG to maintain a full 18.5-inch barrel while achieving an overall length of just 26.1 inches, making it significantly more compact than any conventional shotgun with equivalent barrel length. An ambidextrous selector switch near the pistol grip allows the shooter to choose which magazine tube feeds, enabling the use of different ammunition types (such as buckshot in one tube and slugs in the other) without interrupting firing. The KSG ejects spent shells downward, making it fully ambidextrous for left- or right-handed shooters. Picatinny rails on the top and bottom of the receiver provide mounting points for optics, lights, and vertical foregrips. The threaded muzzle accepts choke tubes and breacher attachments.

Specifications

Weight (empty)	3130 g (110.4 oz)
Overall Length	663 mm (26.10")
Barrel Length	470 mm (18.50")
Action Type	Pump Action
Firing Mechanism	Hammer Fired
Trigger Type	Single Stage
Trigger Pull	22 N (4.9 lbf)
Magazine Capacity	14 rounds
Magazine Type	Dual Tubular
Effective Range	40 m (44 yd)
Barrel Rifling	Smoothbore
Number of Grooves	6
Frame Material	Polymer
Barrel Material	Steel
Stock Material	Polymer
Finish	Matte Black

Calibers

12 Gauge · primary — also known as 12 ga, 12 bore

Features

Firing modes: Semi Automatic
Feed systems: Dual Tubular Magazine
Safety mechanisms: Crossbolt Safety, Trigger Disconnect
Features: Bullpup Configuration, Dual Tube Magazines, Ambidextrous Tube Selector, Downward Ejection, Completely Ambidextrous, Picatinny Top Rail, Picatinny Bottom Rail, Threaded Muzzle, 3 Inch Chamber, Ammunition Indicator Ports

Variants

Kel-Tec KSG-25 — Extended
Kel-Tec KSG Tactical — Compact
Kel-Tec KSG Compact — Compact
Kel-Tec KSG-NR — Standard

Service history

Operators

French RAID (Recherche Assistance Intervention Dissuasion)
Republic of Korea 707th Special Mission Battalion
United States Law Enforcement (limited adoption)

Production

Production years: 2011-present

Produced at Kel-Tec's facility in Cocoa, Florida. Commercial success but limited military/LE adoption.

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Designer: George Kellgren

Notes

The KSG's dual-tube magazine system requires the shooter to manually switch tubes using the selector lever when one tube is emptied, which requires training and practice to perform under stress. The KSG-25 variant extends the concept with a 30.5-inch barrel and 12+12 round capacity (24+1 total with 2.75-inch shells), yet maintains an overall length of just 38.25 inches due to the bullpup layout. When loaded with Aguila 1.62-inch Minishells, the KSG-25 can hold up to 40+1 rounds. The KSG Tactical variant features a 13.7-inch barrel and is classified as a Class 3 Short-Barreled Shotgun (SBS). The KSG Compact includes a molded foregrip with an integrated 450-lumen tactical light. French counter-terrorism unit RAID and the South Korean 707th Special Mission Battalion are among the known military/law enforcement users. The KSG's polymer construction and compact dimensions make it one of the most portable full-size shotguns available, though the light weight combined with 12-gauge recoil can make it less comfortable for extended shooting sessions.

Background

The KSG's dual-tube magazine design allows shooters to load two different ammunition types simultaneously and switch between them with a selector lever. When loaded with Aguila Minishells, the extended KSG-25 variant can hold an astonishing 41 rounds, making it the highest-capacity pump-action shotgun ever produced.