KSG vs 870? Kewl vs Reliable?

Pat Bastid

Pat Bastid

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In regards to a hypothetical homestead "survival situation" shotgun, or living off grid without rule of law, I have been doing a little practical inventory. I have in my safe, one KSG, 2 Remington 870's (Dlask 8.5", and Express Tactical) and a couple cheap chicom 870 clones. Obviously the herd would need to thin before heading out to the land.

My one shooting buddy swears all he would need is his KSG over all else. Which seems to make sense due to small size and large capacity. I have been thinking that as appealing as a bullpup shotgun with a 14 round magazine is, it seems that if it jammed, malfunctioned, or experienced internal damage when NEEDED, would it not be wiser to rely on a more common/compatible manufacture like the 870? This is survival in the Saskatchewan bush, not the streets of Sarajevo. I doubt I would need to "clear many rooms" up north.
:shotgun:

I have had to use needle-nose pliers to clear KSG double feeds at the farm while shooting, while having zero problems with any of my 870's... so even if it WAS a need-to-rely situation, like the KSG was supposed to be designed for, isn't there a reason that Remington is the shotgun of choice for armed forces?

SO what do you think, an easy strip and replace parts with another old reliable 870, or having a fancy bullpup polymer club with non-replaceable parts?

Not looking to sell mine, yet. I'm just spitballing here, and looking for opinions. Maybe you disagree? Maybe other KSG's are more reliable?
 
The 870 has been around since 1951 and 100 years from now it will most likely still be in production and there's a good reason for it...one that needs no explanation.

The KSG will run a very short lifespan and will no longer be in production in as little as 10 years from now because it is simply a novelty gun.

The 870 is the only way to go when the SHTF!!!
 
The 870 is a very proven platform, the KSG might go down in history as a rock solid gun but its not really fair to say yet. When the 870 first came out as a new design it had only one action bar, it has two now.
 
VLT79 said:
The 870 has been around since 1951 and 100 years from now it will most likely still be in production and there's a good reason for it...one that needs no explanation.

The KSG will run a very short lifespan and will no longer be in production in as little as 10 years from now because it is simply a novelty gun.

The 870 is the only way to go when the SHTF!!!
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Well said! Just google how many police forces and for that matter military's use the 870. The KSG has the LCF going for it but IMHO there are too many parts and processes that can go south.
 
xenasdad said:
The 870 is a very proven platform, the KSG might go down in history as a rock solid gun but its not really fair to say yet. When the 870 first came out as a new design it had only one action bar, it has two now.
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You are thinking about the Mossberg 500 series which was based off of Remington's Model 31...which only ever had the one action bar. The Remington 870 was designed from day one with twin action bars.
 
Consider this. Lets say it's The Book of Eli and you're trying to survive. Harsh environment, intense encounters, you need that gun to work right. What are you more likely to find spare parts for when something breaks? Almost every man and his dog has an 870. KSG, not so much.

And coincidentally, guess what kind of shotgun Eli carried. Hint: not a KSG.
 
AK said:
Consider this. Lets say it's The Book of Eli and you're trying to survive. Harsh environment, intense encounters, you need that gun to work right. What are you more likely to find spare parts for when something breaks? Almost every man and his dog has an 870. KSG, not so much.
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exactly.
 
Briefcase_Wanker said:
people aren't trying to sell 870's for 2500+ dollars
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I'll take my KSG all day, looks good, light weight and less bulky than my 870's, just put a choke adapter on it so now it takes remington choke so it wins both ways

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870 with a 2 round extension (7 total) a 6 round side saddle and a sling that holds 20 more rounds is what I'd be taking from my safe. I pondered this same question when I started hunting for a shotgun a while back. The KSG is pretty awesome, but if I'm going to live with and rely on this gun, and only this gun, for a long time the 870 wins. I've watched dozens of KSG videos on YouTube. While not as many as other black shotguns you so still see a double feed or jam here and there. How often do you see an 870 jam?

I've also got a 12.5 mag fed grizz... No way id be taking that. But I figure, for the same money as the KSG I can have a fully loaded 870 AND another rifle a really nice pistol or a pile of other gear. I'd rather go that route than rely on one gun.
 
Ksg holds 15 rounds, throw on the Mesa tactical rail that has 2 shell holders and that's make it 27 rounds you are carrying with an array of assortment. I've had 870's jam as well as failing to feed the last round, I've also had the pump jam so they both can have their ups and downs but I'd still go with my ksg's
 
I wouldn't ever depend on a niche product like the KSG in shtf scenario. If a KSG was beside an 870 in my safe, there's no question the KSG would be left behind. Another major consideration is that the only benefit of the gun is high capacity, and I don't see how or why you'd ever need that in the bush. 6+1 in the gun, 6 in a saddle, and whatever other amount you can carry... away you go.

I only have one shotgun, my Versamax, and I've fired it enough to be comfortable with its 100% reliability.


With all that said, a rifle is superior. Shotgun ammo is just too bulky.
 
knock-knock said:
I wouldn't ever depend on a niche product like the KSG in shtf scenario. If a KSG was beside an 870 in my safe, there's no question the KSG would be left behind. Another major consideration is that the only benefit of the gun is high capacity, and I don't see how or why you'd ever need that in the bush. 6+1 in the gun, 6 in a saddle, and whatever other amount you can carry... away you go.

I only have one shotgun, my Versamax, and I've fired it enough to be comfortable with its 100% reliability.


With all that said, a rifle is superior. Shotgun ammo is just too bulky.
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It's only a "niche" shotgun to the people who don't have one and you said "if" a ksg was in your safe you wouldn't grab it. Until you have owned one you just can't say anything about them really. They are very reliable, compact, light and look better than any other shotgun on the market. But to each is own, if you ever get the chance to shoot one you might change your mind
 
You keep mentioning looks... I really couldn't give less of a damn about the appearance of a tool. It just needs to be functional.

You are right though, I don't own one. But it's still a niche product compared to a simple, reliable pump that has been used by various agencies and people for decades. Im sure its fun to shoot but in the context of this thread, I'm saying I'd pick the simpler gun.
 
Fishingismylife said:
It's only a "niche" shotgun to the people who don't have one and you said "if" a ksg was in your safe you wouldn't grab it. Until you have owned one you just can't say anything about them really. They are very reliable, compact, light and look better than any other shotgun on the market. But to each is own, if you ever get the chance to shoot one you might change your mind
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How many rounds have you put thru your KSG...honestly...not a guesstimate?! Has your KSG been out in the sand, mud, snow, rain, -40 weather...? Reliability goes well beyond taking a clean gun out of a safe and shooting 50 rds thru it on a sunny day. I'm not saying that is what you do but most people who own a gun of that price really hate the thought of the gun being out in the elements.

You keep an honest round count for your KSG and then come back and report how it is holding up after a very reasonable and minimal 10 000rds. My belief is that it will have become a high-priced paperweight long before that number is reached...but I'd love to be proven wrong!
 
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