Kel-Tec has become famous for its unconventional gun designs, especially the dual-magazine-fed KSG shotgun — check out our detailed analysis of that weapon in “Battle of the Boomsticks” in Issue 30 of our magazine (on sale February 8th). While the KSG can be considered controversial, it also has some appealing characteristics. Compared to a run-of-the-mill Remington 870 or Mossberg 500, its bullpup design results in a dramatically reduced overall length with an 18.5-inch barrel. Also, its dual magazine tubes provide a substantial 12-round capacity.
Top: the KSG. Bottom: the new KS7.
This year at SHOT Show, the company showed off a new twist on the KSG format: the Kel-Tec KS7. This shotgun retains the small footprint of its predecessor, but uses a single 6-round magazine tube to reduce weight and bulk. Specifically, the KS7 is considerably slimmer and a full pound lighter than the KSG (5.9 pounds vs. 6.9).
Another noteworthy change to the KS7 is its removable carry handle, which includes M-LOK slots along each side for lights and other accessories. The carry handle also serves as a channel sight with a triangular green fiber optic bead. The KSG has a BYO-optic bare Picatinny rail setup without iron sights, so we appreciate this addition.
For those who prefer to run an optic instead of the bead sight, Kel-Tec has plans to offer a rail that will replace the carry handle.
The Kel-Tec KS7's pump handle is a new design with hand stops at front and rear. Since our previously-mentioned review of the KSG specifically recommends adding a hand stop or foregrip to the picatinny rail on its fore-end, we're glad to see it's built in on the KS7. The remainder of the gun's controls should be familiar to KSG users, although it obviously lacks a magazine selector lever.
Overall length of the KS7 is 26.1 inches, the same as the KSG, so it should fit into your backpack, truck, or safe with relative ease. MSRP is $495. For more information on the KS7, go to KelTecWeapons.com.
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Written by Patrick McCarthy
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