Does the Kel-Tec KSG suck?

grimreefer

grimreefer

Regular
Rating - 100%
50   0   0
Location
Vancouver Island
Seriously thinking about buying one of these...just for fun, and for 3 gun matches where it would work well (ie no stages that required a lot of reloading). I had a gen 1 Sub-2000, and I was seriously not impressed. Super cool concept, but I had to put a lot of parts and time into that gun to be satisfied with it. It felt very cheap. So my hesitation comes from my past experience with Kel-Tec.

How has your first-hand experience been with these?
 
Mine has been good in the two years or so that I've had it. They are a bit fussier to load/reload than a single-tube pump-gun, but once you are loaded up, watch out!! Reliability with decent-quality ammo has been good. Mis-feeds/misfires are no more difficult to clear than with a normal pump-gun. The build quality is good, notwithstanding the KelTec name and (sometimes deserved) reputation for cheap plastics and screws. Nothing feels cheap or weak about the KSG. It cycles with authority if you pump fully and aggressively, failure to do so being the primary cause of stoppages with this firearm. Avoid user-error and the KSG will provide excellent service with overwhelming firepower.


2n8pwf4.jpg

.
 
I had a lemon first gen that came here and was apprehensive to buy another but they intrigued me so much I took a gamble. I have one in OD green and it eat a everything very well. The only thing I won't run in it is challenger target. I've even run the cheapest aluminum lowbrass Winchester I could.

And on a sidenote my gen 2 sub2000 is a keeper as well
 
Bartok5 said:
Mine has been good in the two years or so that I've had it. They are a bit fussier to load/reload than a single-tube pump-gun, but once you are loaded up, watch out!! Reliability with decent-quality ammo has been good. Mis-feeds/misfires are no more difficult to clear than with a normal pump-gun. The build quality is good, notwithstanding the KelTec name and (sometimes deserved) reputation for cheap plastics and screws. Nothing feels cheap or weak about the KSG. It cycles with authority if you pump fully and aggressively, failure to do so being the primary cause of stoppages with this firearm. Avoid user-error and the KSG will provide excellent service with overwhelming firepower.


2n8pwf4.jpg

.
Click to expand...

Which muzzle device is that ?
 
grimreefer said:
Seriously thinking about buying one of these...just for fun, and for 3 gun matches where it would work well (ie no stages that required a lot of reloading). I had a gen 1 Sub-2000, and I was seriously not impressed. Super cool concept, but I had to put a lot of parts and time into that gun to be satisfied with it. It felt very cheap. So my hesitation comes from my past experience with Kel-Tec.

How has your first-hand experience been with these?
Click to expand...

Avoid the KSG for anything other than fun shooting. Many 3 gun stages require you to start with the gun unloaded, and the ksg is not only a pain to load but potentially dangerous as well as often the easiest way to access the mag tubes is to cradle it upside down in your weak arm (muzzle sweeping those behind you if your not extremely conscious of its direction) for best access to the tubes.

As such it is also slow to load, which results in a poor self defense & competition gun for canada. If we could leave it loaded as a bump in the night gun, it would be my choice, but laws prohibit leaving guns loaded obviously.
 
I had an issue where shells would misfeed fairly often. The only way to clear the gun was to remove the stock. That is a deal breaker for me...
 
Bartok5 said:
Mine has been good in the two years or so that I've had it. They are a bit fussier to load/reload than a single-tube pump-gun, but once you are loaded up, watch out!! Reliability with decent-quality ammo has been good. Mis-feeds/misfires are no more difficult to clear than with a normal pump-gun. The build quality is good, notwithstanding the KelTec name and (sometimes deserved) reputation for cheap plastics and screws. Nothing feels cheap or weak about the KSG. It cycles with authority if you pump fully and aggressively, failure to do so being the primary cause of stoppages with this firearm. Avoid user-error and the KSG will provide excellent service with overwhelming firepower.


2n8pwf4.jpg

.
Click to expand...

Nice. Good to hear a positive review.

onetwentyish said:
Avoid the KSG for anything other than fun shooting. Many 3 gun stages require you to start with the gun unloaded, and the ksg is not only a pain to load but potentially dangerous as well as often the easiest way to access the mag tubes is to cradle it upside down in your weak arm (muzzle sweeping those behind you if your not extremely conscious of its direction) for best access to the tubes.
Click to expand...
I get what you're saying and I agree. However I already have another shotgun setup for 3 gun. I would only use the KSG when the large capacity would present an advantage for a particular match.

B said:
I had an issue where shells would misfeed fairly often. The only way to clear the gun was to remove the stock. That is a deal breaker for me...
Click to expand...
Well that sounds awful...can you elaborate on that?
 
I have no trigger time behind one, but I did play with one at my local gun shop. Cool gun... not really a "one-up" from standard tube fed shotgun. As others said loading the thing is awkward. For cool factor and pissing around. A+. Practical use C-.

From what I l've seen/read. I wouldn't say it "sucks".
 
Last edited:
grimreefer said:
Well that sounds awful...can you elaborate on that?
Click to expand...

It been a few years now but I recall that it would double feed occasionally and the only way to clear it was to pop the stock off and pull out the shells. It had nothing to do with short stroking or whatever. I remember finding a lot of guys with the same problem when I researched. I got rid of it instead of keeping something I considered unreliable.
 
timandkimandshea said:
I don't know if it sucks, but the ugly is too much for me.
T
Click to expand...

It looks just what it is - a utilitarian, high-capacity shotgun with military/LEO design cues. For my money, it is not nearly as bulky and box-like as the UTAS-15, which aparently has some serious reliability issues to go along with its fugliness....
 
Bartok5 said:
It looks just what it is - a utilitarian, high-capacity shotgun with military/LEO design cues. For my money, it is not nearly as bulky and box-like as the UTAS-15, which aparently has some serious reliability issues to go along with its fugliness....
Click to expand...

The UTS Gen 4 has NO issues. I can attest to that as I’ve fired hundreds of rounds. All boils down to operator error. You MUST know how to cycle this shotgun properly or yes you will have issues. My buddy owns a KSG and loves it. He hasn’t had any issues to speak of either. So in my opinion, I’d do your research (like you are) and then make a decision weather to buy one or not. I’ve read lots of negative reviews on Turkish made semis.. did my home work, bought one, had issues, did more research & fixed the problem. Love the shotgun now! Just be honest to yourself about what you want to use the shotgun for vs price & praticality.


Cheers!
 
I’ve owned three. First was an early “Gen 2”, and it was okay. Second was a middle “Gen 2” and it was better. Third was a very recent model and it worked great. Fun guns. Totally impractical, but that much ammo is fun.
 
I have one and I absolutely love it, it is rugged it looks cool and once you doll it up a bit it perfect, buy it play with it and if you absolutely hate it then sell it but i betcha it will stay with your collection
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom