I own a few KelTec firearms, and the 12-gauge KS7 bullpup pump-action shotgun is one of my favorites. It is lightweight, compact, and reliable. Although now I own mostly semi-auto shotguns, my first shotgun was a pump action.
Guns.com sent me a new 12-gauge bullpup semi-auto shotgun, the Tokarev TBP, to evaluate. Could it be as reliable as a pump? What are its advantages? Join me for a head-to-head shooting evaluation of both guns.
These two shotguns are worlds apart, but they share a common goal: to provide firepower in a compact package.
KelTec firearms, founded by George Kellgren in 1991, makes innovative firearms that are fun to shoot. Its guns rely on polymer frames to cut weight, and they also use folding receivers or a bullpup design to reduce size and increase storage options.
Originally a handgun designer founded in 1930 by Fedor Tokarev, Tokarev USA now makes modern shotguns that are functional, rugged, and customizable for competition or home defense. These guns are so affordable that their low price causes me to wonder if reliability is also low? I intend to find out!
KELTEC KS7
This is my personal gun that I use for home defense and limited competition. I like its light weight, simple action, and short overall length.
I have added MCarbo custom grips and a trigger kit to reduce pull from 6 to 4 pounds. The soft cheek piece is also a nice touch to reduced felt recoil. Missouri Tactical makes a great recoil-absorbing pad that I have also installed.
The KS7 loads and ejects from the bottom rear of the receiver. Its slide release is forward of the trigger guard, and the safety is a cross-bolt design engaged from the left. The gun’s short length of pull of 13 inches causes increased kick but also shortens overall length.
The green glow sight is mounted on a raised rail like that of an AR-15. This can be replaced by a Picatinny rail as an add-on feature from KelTec.
TOKAREV TBP
This design is unique and unfamiliar to me. It combines many features of other firearms to create something different. Its primary similarity to the KS7 is its short bullpup length; however, its action is semi-automatic, side-ejecting, and magazine-fed. These features open possibilities of unrestricted round counts and high rates of fire.
The TBP uses a steel factory magazine that holds five 2.75 or 3-inch 12-gauge shotshells. Tokarev also can provide a 10-round magazine, and I have seen a 20-round drum made for this type of shotgun.
Empty shells are ejected from a port on the right side. Safety and magazine release are identical to those found on an AR-15 rifle platform.
Folding sights are provided on the Picatinny rail and are intuitive. When folded, the sights will allow any red dot sight or scope to be installed. The lower receiver is also Pic rail equipped, thus allowing a vertical grip or bipod to be added.
Although a pump-action shotgun can be manipulated quickly by an experienced shooter, the semi-auto TBP requires no manipulation other than pulling the trigger. This is the big advantage of the TBP. In a stressful situation it is possible to short-stroke a pump shotgun, causing it to jam – not so with a semi-auto. This has big advantages for competition and self-defense.
SHOOTING TIME
Area 51 in Arizona is primed and ready for shotgun action. Many 2-liter root beer bottles are set at 7 yards, along with two steel targets for pattern testing. I have a variety of shotshell ammo. Winchester 00 buckshot 2.75-inch shells and Federal 3-inch Magnum bismuth No. 4 shot MeatEater ammo will test each gun’s ability to function.
The Tokarev TBP is up first. Notice how fast a five-round magazine can be loaded. Draw the bolt handle back and release to chamber a round. Safety selector to fire position, and I am ready to shoot. Three root beer bottles explode without a jam in quick order. A patterning shot on steel shows a tight group of pellets with the improved cylinder choke tube.
The ample 12-inch length of pull reduces felt recoil and aids in sight picture. A final pattern shot with a 3-inch bismuth Magnum shows tight patterning. The final magazine of buckshot fired rapidly functions well. Notice that the last round fired caused the bolt to hold open. No jams were experienced.
My KelTec KS7 is next. With the action closed, load one shell at a time by inserting it through the ejection port. Each round must be pushed in at an angle prior to insertion. It is slow and time-consuming to load. The magazine holds seven rounds maximum, thus the name KS7. As with any pump shotgun, it is difficult to check how many rounds are remaining in the gun.
Shots fired at the root beer bottles indicate a high point of impact as I take the top off one. Patterning on the steel target also indicates a high impact point. Recoil is noticeably heavier than the TBP – there is no recoil spring here to absorb shock. Functioning of the pump action is smooth, and all empty hulls are ejected straight down. My final shot on the steel target knocks it down with a 3-inch Magnum. It appears to have a tight pattern despite the lack of a choke tube.
WHICH SHOTGUN IS BETTER?
Here are the highlights:
KelTec KS7
Lighter weight, shorter overall
Seven-round capacity
Best modified trigger
Reliable, Accurate
Tokarev TBP
Faster to reload
Faster to shoot
Reliable, Accurate
Kicks less
Low price
Better customizable
Accepts choke tubes
Higher magazine capacity possible
Sights are superior and can add red dot sight more easily
MY THOUGHTS
Although both guns have their strong points, I think the gun’s intended use will help you to decide which is best.
Self-defense: KelTec KS7 is my choice. Any defective round can quickly be pumped and ejected to make room for the next round.
Competition/hunting: Tokarev TBP is my choice. It is more customizable to accept various sights, lights, lasers, and bipods. Choke tubes are accepted. Also, its round count can be vastly increased with higher-capacity magazines.
Cannot decide? Buy one of each and have fun shooting!