Kel-Tec KSG (top) and Standard Manufacturing DP-12 (bottom) are competing bullpup pump shotgun designs. (Photo: Kristin Alberts)
Pump shotguns: single barrel, double barrels, two tubes, high volumes, tactical, radical, standing in empty 12-gauge hulls. Sound like fun? Sounds like some range days with Standard Manufacturing’s DP-12 and Kel Tec’s KSG scatterguns. Which one comes out on top when these two bad boys go head to head? Let’s look at the players.
| Specs | Standard DP-12 | Kel-Tec KSG |
|---|---|---|
| Barrel Type | Double 18 7/8” | Single 18.5” |
| Capacity | 16 Rounds | 14 Rounds |
| Empty Weight | 9 lbs | 7 lbs |
| Material | 7075 Aluminum | Polymer/Steel |
Standard Manufacturing DP-12
The DP-12 moniker comes from D-double, P-pump, 12-gauge. It’s a double barreled pump action shotgun with a 16-round capacity and inline feeding tubes. Barrels are 18-7/8”, machined from bars of 41-30 steel, and accept Tru-Chokes. Standard Mfg is an American company building the DP-12 from start to finish on home turf.
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Kel-Tec KSG
Kel Tec’s KSG shotgun features dual magazine tubes and a 14-round capacity. Feeding is manually selected with a lever behind the trigger guard while the pump release is in front. At just over 26” overall and weighing only 7 pounds, it has worked out the kinks over its long market presence to become a tactical staple.
Lightweight. Compact. Reliable.
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Head-to-Head Performance
Accuracy Battle: A Tactical Tie
At tactical ranges, both are equally capable of bedroom-distance accuracy and tearing up paper targets. While the DP-12 offers easier choke customization out of the box with Tru-Chokes, the KSG performs flawlessly at home defense ranges.
Reliability & Feeding: Edge to the DP-12
The DP-12 feeds inline, avoiding the manual selector toggle required by the KSG. Adrenaline can make a shooter forget to switch tubes on the KSG, whereas the DP-12 pulls from both tubes automatically with each pump.
Shotgun Speed: Rapid Fire Winner
The DP-12 gives you two shots per pump cycle. Our fastest shooters emptied the DP-12’s 16 shots in just 8 seconds, while the KSG took 15 seconds for fewer rounds. For high-stakes defense, the DP-12’s "double tap" capability is a major advantage.
Build Quality: Aluminum vs. Polymer
The DP-12 is machined from a solid block of 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum, making it an overbuilt beast. The KSG uses significant amounts of polymer to keep weight down. While the DP-12 is heavier, its build quality is virtually unmatched in the bullpup market.
THE FINAL VERDICT: Which Should You Buy?
The Kel-Tec KSG is easier to find, lighter to carry, and more affordable. It’s an innovative design that offers incredible bang for your buck.
However, the DP-12 is our pick for the ultimate home defense bullpup. The two barrels immediately set it apart, providing superior reliability, less felt recoil, and higher firepower. Assuming you desire the highest quality bullpup and don't mind the weight, the DP-12 is worth every extra penny.
