Have you ever heard something go “bump” in the night and wake you from a sound sleep? If you have a KS7 nearby, you need not worry. The KelTec KS7 is an unusually compact 12-gaugepump-action shotgun that means business.
Its magazine holds 7 rounds of 2.75-inch shotgun shells that can be fired instinctively from the hip or aimed from the shoulder. It is not meant for traditional shotgun competition such as trap or skeet. It is a lean, mean, close-quarter shooting machine!
KelTec’s first bullpup shotgun design, the KSG, is still produced with twin magazine tubes holding 14 rounds total. Although popular and featured in movies such as “John Wick,” it is heavy!
In 2019 the company responded and began production of the KS7, a much lighter, smaller gun. Also less expensive, it fits the niche of home defense and close-range, fun plinking shotgun.
MY IMPRESSIONS
I like the way a bullpup feels. Although it is weird at first glance, I notice the center of gravity is well-centered – an important feature for firing control. There is no wasted space due to the mid-mount barrel design.
Despite its 18.5-inch length, the barrel does not make the gun overly long and nose-heavy. Therefore, it is very pointable – something I want in that unlikely event of a midnight home-defense situation. The pistol grip is as intuitive as a handgun and my off hand naturally finds the forward pump action.
The carry handle is a throwback to the early AR-15M-16 platforms and is a convenient touch that doubles as a good sight platform. The green fiber-optic front sight is a big aid in sighting and finding my target quickly. The carry handle can be replaced by a Picatinny rail for those of you who prefer an optical sight.
Although the 13-inch length of pull is short, it is manageable. I have no problem shooting this gun from the hip. Pumping is quick and smooth and will empty the gun in a few seconds of raw firepower.
CUSTOMIZING
The KS7 is a platform for customizing, and I love customizing my guns. Although there is nothing wrong with the original stock gun, there are a few nice upgrades out there from sources like M*Carbo and Missouri Tactical. The textured grips from M*Carbo are an easy way to dramatically improve your grip on the pistol grip and pump handle of the gun. They are easy to install and change the feel of the gun for the better if you have sweaty hands.
The kick of the KS7 is not to be underestimated! I have improved the felt recoil by replacing the original with a Missouri Tactical butt pad. It is also easy to install and made of soft neoprene-like rubber material that is bow-shaped and cushions the blow. Also, I added a piece of soft neoprene rubber to the cheek piece to soften the kick.
Finally, I opted for an M*Carbo aluminum trigger and trigger spring kit. This reduced the trigger pull to 6 pounds, roughly half of the stock trigger pull. Installation is not easy and requires patience and care to complete. This upgrade may be something for a gunsmith to install for you if you are not handy or are impatient.
SPECIFICATIONS
Overall Length: 26.1 inches
Barrel Length: 18.5 inches
Overall Empty Weight: 5.9 pounds
Length of Pull: 13 inches
M-LOK rail
Magazine Capacity: 12 gauge 7+1 or 6+1, depending on shell length
MSRP: $530
RANGE TIME
Although this is a pump shotgun, the KS7 is different and requires a new mindset to learn to load and fire. Most conventional pump-action shotguns are at least 40 inches long – the KS7 is 14 inches shorter!
There is no side ejection port. It is ambidextrous in loading and ejecting shells through a port in the lower rear of the gun. The manual safety is right-hand-only but does not need to be used by left-handed shooters to be carried safely.
Much has been commented about the difficulty loading this gun. I have found that by pushing each shell at a 45-degree angle prior to laying it down horizontally, it will slide into the magazine easily. It is also important to use good quality ammo such as Fiocchi or Winchester AA hulls. The crimp must be tight and round, for those of you who reload.
In Arizona, we shoot steel! Today Area 51 is loaded with steel and 2-liter root beer soda bottles just waiting for some buckshot. I am shooting a mix of Fiocchi and Winchester 00 buckshot shells.
Once loaded, the gun cycles smoothly and shoots well from my shoulder. My first shot takes down a heavy steel plate that weighs 50 pounds. Despite pushing the distance limit of the KS7 today, it has plenty of velocity and knock-down power! Although it takes a bit of practice to find the proper point of aim, I can hit 2-liter soda bottles quickly. They explode as 12-gauge buckshot vaporizes their contents in a spectacular burst. Now that I know the aim point, I can also hit a couple of soda cans and burst them as well.
PROS & CONS
Pros
Compact
Versatile
Instinctively pointable
Customizable
Lightweight
Simple to operate
Cons
Unconventional
Different technique to load
Noticeable kick
Intended for close-range encounters
Non-competitive gun
CONCLUSION
This is a shotgun for anyone interested in fun shooting and is excellent for self-defense. It is simple in operation and design, making it intuitive to point and shoot. At just over 2 feet long, it is the perfect auto/truck defense gun.
The 6-pound weight makes it nice to carry while hiking in backcountry and other places where big firepower in a small package is a benefit. It is surprisingly affordable. Seven rounds of 12-gauge buckshot will get the job done in most situations! I like this gun and recommend it for that defensive niche that it fills well.