Kel-Tec KSG-25 – Because Screw Reloading! ~ VIDEO

U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- If you’re familiar with the original KSG shotgun, the KSG-25 is like someone took that gun, and used Photoshop to stretch the hell out of the front of it – resulting in 12 more inches of barrel and ten additional rounds. This brings the capacity of the KSG-25 up to – you guessed it – 24+1 rounds. In other words, the extendo Kel-tec holds an entire box of shotshells, because… America can!

Yes, this premise seems ludicrous on paper, but in practice, it is awesome, if heavy. But how does the whole thing work? Read on and find out.

Kel-Tec KSG-25 Jim Grant
The KSG-25 is the perfect shotgun for 7-foot-tall shooters who hate reloading. IMG Jim Grant

Kel-Tec KSG-25

Despite its appearance, the KSG-25 is neither semi-automatic nor capable of firing plasma bursts. Instead, Kel-Tec took the venerable pump-action, tube-fed shotgun and rearranged the internals to better fit the average shooter. But unlike the overwhelming majority of pump-action shotguns in existence, the KSG series of shotguns utilize two parallel magazine tubes to increase capacity without needlessly increasing the overall length of the gun. Though obviously, with the KSG-25, this balance is somewhat negated, but given its capacity, is still very useful.

KSG-25 Profile Jim Grant
Ever wanted to hold an entire box of shotshells in a scatter-gun? Kel-Tec has your back with the KSG-25. IMG Jim Grant

Speaking of capacity, the way the KSG-25 delivers all those rounds to the chamber is pretty interesting. It features two independent magazine tubes that don’t automatically toggle over when one is empty. This might seem like a design shortcoming at first glance, but it allows shooters to fill each with different loads and switch between them at will. And while it’s true that each tube holds 12 rounds, this number decreases to 10 shells each when using longer three-inch rounds. But there’s a ton of features on this massive scatter-gun, so let’s delve in and get the full rundown.

KSG-25 Features

Starting at the muzzle, the KSG-25 sports a massive 30-inch cylinder barrel that can accommodate chokes, and there are even aftermarket screw-in choke tubes as well as door-breaching muzzle brakes available! Above the muzzle, the KSG features a folding polymer front sight that is high enough above the muzzle to allow a shooter to get a proper cheek weld when shooting.

KSG-25 pump grip
The KSG doesn’t include a vertical grip, but I would highly recommend one. IMG Jim Grant

Just behind the front sight, the KSG-25 features three sets of M-Lok slots integrated into a heat shield that allows for mounting lights or lasers. Behind and beneath the heat shield, the KSG features a polymer forearm with an integral Picatinny rail for mounting lights, lasers, or a foregrip. Personally, the gun feels wrong without a vertical grip. But be warned – like all full-power manually-operated shotguns, a vertical grip acts at the first point of contact for the recoil impulse, so your support hand will bear the brunt of each shot. When I initially installed an old-school KAC vertical grip the recoil was punishing enough to make shooting 00-buck pretty uncomfortable. So I instead opted for the LaRue Tactical FUG grip (review found here) with a neoprene soft band installed to soak up some of that recoil.

Above the pump, the KSG-25 features a Picatinny rail for mounting optics or the factory rear folding aperture rear sight. I tried a few different optics out and found that holo sights like the EoTech EXPS3 or the Vortex UH-1, make rapid target engagement a breeze since these optics allow a shooter to keep their eye on the target. And over the course of firing a few hundred rounds of ammo, the rail held perfectly and never caused the optic to lose zero.

Odd-Ball Ergos

KSG-25 Loading Gate
To reload the KSG, simply reach under your armpit into a dark alcove and blinding push rounds towards the magazine tubes. IMG Jim Grant

Beneath the optics rail, the KSG-25 is very much a Kel-Tec design. The pistol grip features the iconic molded pattern shared by all Kel-Tec firearms and utilizes a cross-bolt safety easily accessible with the firing hand. One nice thing about its position is that it’s difficult to accidentally engage or disengage and never (at least in my experience) rubbed against my shooting grip even during the potent recoil impulse of full-power buckshot.

Around the trigger guard, the Kel-Tec features an ambidextrous pump release that in testing was very easy to use when needed, and like the safety never got in the way of running the shotgun.

So what about the KSG-25’s ergonomics was awkward?

Reloading

Like nearly all bullpups, proficiently reloading the KSG requires practice and training. But, since the KSG’s magazine tubes must be loaded individually and under the shooter’s armpit (and in one of two parallel loading ports) while the gun is much more front-heavy than the original KSG, doing so is tricky at best. In fact, it would be a nightmare to load this firearm under stress in low-light conditions without hours of practice.

The good news is that with a capacity of 25 rounds, you won’t need to reload under stress. Since no threat on planet Earth short of a Japanese BANZAI charge or velociraptor ambush would require more than 25-rounds of 00 buck to stop. Wink, wink.

Verdict

KSG-25 Grip
The KSG-25 features a grip that is unmistakable Kel-Tec. It also features a nice cross-bolt safety and ambidextrous pump release. IMG Jim Grant

So, is the massive Kel-Tec KSG-25 worth a buy?

As a very cool novelty, range toy, or ultimate point defense weapon – yes.

As a first gun or home defense weapon? ehhhh maybe… I guess?

OK, it’s a great firearm that in my testing encountered no malfunctions across 300 rounds fired. The ergonomics are mostly solid, and the mechanics of the gun a very good. But it’s just so damn big! Maybe I’m just a manlet at a whopping 5’9″, but the Kel-Tec KSG is just a little too hefty for me to comfortably shoot for long durations. But I will 100 percent give Kel-Tec props for making such an out-of-this-world design. It’s very cool, but if I need a bullpup shotgun for home defense, I’ll stick to the original KSG for now.

Buy Now Gun Deals


About Jim Grant

Jim is one of the elite editors for AmmoLand.com, who in addition to his mastery of prose, can wield a camera with expert finesse. He loves anything and everything guns but holds firearms from the Cold War in a special place in his heart.

When he’s not reviewing guns or shooting for fun and competition, Jim can be found hiking and hunting with his wife Kimberly, and their dog Peanut in the South Carolina low country.

Jim Grant

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, Ammoland will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
9 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
JDC

Wonder if it handles mini-shells without an adapter?

My son-in-law has a KSG. (He was in a squadron with one of the owner’s sons). Guess I’ll have to try it and see.

I Haz A Question

While I encourage innovation, I’m not a fan of this design. I had an opportunity to shoot a KSG, and the ergonomics were the worst of any shotgun I’ve ever held. The straight architecture of the stock (e.g., no drop at the comb), requires the shooter to tilt his head to gain proper sighting along the gun, assuming the heel is properly seated at the shooter’s body.

This is a big “no way Jose” for me.

Big George

…”requires the shooter to tilt his head to gain proper sighting” HUH?!…you point a shotgun in the general direction of the target and it will do the rest!

FL-GA

Not a lot of them for sale, and at $1800.00 or so, I don’t expect a lot of people to rush out and purchase them if they do get plentiful.

Bill

Does it feed the 1 /2” shells?

Big George

1/2″?…no…however my KSG handles the Aguila 1-3/4″ minishells fine.

Docduracoat

Props to Keltec for being the most innovative gun company around.
First folding guns, now high capacity bull pup shotguns.
Nobody’s doing what Keltec is doing

Rock

Never got into most of the Keltec guns, my son has the small 9mm pistol, better chance of a hit by throwing the pistol at the target. Way too much plastic for me, fragile front sights. Great for a limited budget or those who are into their style/design. I actually won a Sub2000 at a gun bash, after looking it over and seeing a clamp on plastic front sight and plastic pivot points, I passed and upgraded to a Micro9 Kimber stainless. But hey, that’s me… YOU may love them. For “innovation” I’d have to give it to Ruger, the… Read more »

swmft

bought the tavor more practical and load as you shoot, simi auto 15 rounds

Last edited 2 years ago by swmft