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Review: Kel-tec KSG

By on October 27, 2011 in Guns, Reviews

The following review and pictures of the KSG shotgun were contributed by Greg Carlson of Carlson Comps.

It all started at the Kel-Tec booth at Shot Show 2011. It was love at first sight. There it was, the KSG, surrounded by a sea of eager shooters of all kinds. Finally after a tedious 10 minute wait, I got my turn to hold and examine it,and, during some discussion, I offered to design a muzzle device for the KSG. Months later, I finally got my test unit X01XX and, with prototype muzzle device in hand, I hit the range with the coveted KSG from Kel-Tec.

The KSG out of the box.

The anticipation for the KSG has built to a fever pitch and the bull pup did not disappoint. I found the shot gun to be extremely maneuverable and easy to manipulate. As with any new firearm, the ability to properly operate the platform is up to the operator to learn, and the ease at which this can be accomplished reflects on the firearm. The KSG is like any other 12 ga. – hard hitting and meant for a specific purpose. However, unlike other shotguns, the bull pup configuration is a very compact package that features dual magazine tubes with a combined capacity of 14+1.

I would like to focus specifically on a couple of key factors in this review. One is the use of a vertical grip and the other is the selection of an optic. The installation of a vertical grip on the fore end seems natural along with the installation of some type of optic on the top rail.

The KSG configured with an Aimpoint H1, Tango Down Stubby Vert Grip, and single point sling.

Vertical Grip Considerations

Let’s discuss the vertical grip option. Carbine shooters will have some adjustments to make when they transition to the KSG with a vertical grip. The KSG requires forward pressure on the fore end at all times while discharging the firearm. This is the opposite of how many shooters train to shoot a carbine with the vertical grip being used to pull the carbine into the shoulder. If the shooter does not keep forward pressure on the KSG’s vertical grip, it can inadvertently cause the shooter to short stroke the gun, causing a round to only partially eject or partially chamber.

I recommend the tried and true push and pull method when learning how to shoot any standard pump shot gun. With this method the KSG becomes increasingly user friendly. The shooter must work out, through training, the quirkiness of pushing forward on the vertical grip and pulling back into your shoulder with the pistol grip. This will greatly enhance the manipulation and controllability of the shot gun. It also forces your arms down, another plus of the grip placement. The purpose and grip discipline on the KSG is quite different than with a carbine. This will absolutely need to be addressed when training with the KSG.

The KSG, and all pump actions, work well with a push/pull technique. Note the short overall length.

Sighting Considerations

I would also like to discuss to the optic and mount for testing. I used an Aimpoint H1 with American Defense low QD mount. Mounts that are designed for use on an AR-15 flat top are too tall for use on the KSG. Cheek weld improves greatly when a lower mount is used. Cheek placement is an important factor when shooting the shotgun. As a rule of thumb, one’s optics prove more useful when mounted as close to the barrel as possible. Simply having the optics mounted slightly lower will increase your mount on the gun and improve your overall ability to operate the weapon.

In the KSG’s current configuration, I found no real use for iron sights. The top rail is so short that sight radius is very limited. The weight and bulk of the iron sights is not necessary on a shotgun when using an Aimpoint. Rather than mounting iron sights, shooters would be better served with a vertical grip, compact weapon light, single point sling, and an optic like an Aimpoint in just about any situation.

The Carlson Comps Enforcer looks right at home on the KSG.

The Carlson Comps Enforcer Muzzle Device for the KSG

The Carlson Comps Enforcer Muzzle Device was made exclusively for the KSG in conjunction with Kel-Tec. My Carlson Comps Enforcer Muzzle Device for the KSG was designed for breaching. It is specifically made with the intent of close quarters work. It features a four slot design and the business end incorporates contoured edges designed to offer a solid hold on the door, yet still allow the operator to shift or reposition the muzzle slightly as needed. The Enforcer is designed to be snag free. The Enforcer has also has proven to reduce recoil and minimize the flash signature of most 12ga. ammo that was tested. The Enforcer will be available through Brownells just prior to the release of retail sale of the KSG.

The KSG comes with a threaded muzzle and cap. The Enforcer can be installed once the cap is removed.

Overall Impressions

Overall, the operation, function, and manipulation was smooth and sensible. I used a variety of ammunition during testing and the weapon performed exceptionally well. Grouping was consistent at close ranges as expected. I tested the KSG out to 25 yards which is within the range of most CQB applications. The following ammunition was used during testing:

  • Winchester 12ga 2 ¾” #7 shot Lot#25X3TJ25
  • Remington 12ga.2 ¾” #8 OOBK Lot#L21SA524
  • Remington 12ga. 2 ¾” #9 OOBK Lot#L26TA525
  • Federal 12ga. 2 ¾” 1OZ. Rifled Slug Lot#117H631
  • Brenneke 12ga.2 ¾” 1OZ. Rifled Slug Lot#36309013

Greg Carlson shows the business end of the KSG.

Operating the magazine selector efficiently took some getting used to, but once I developed a rhythm it became second nature. I found the action to be short, smooth and positive. The KSG balanced well, and I found loading and unloading to be convenient and similar to that of other pump shotguns. The trigger was crisp and better than average for a shotgun. The safety was easy to read and to operate. Recoil was a little tough but tolerable. The KSG employs an 18.5 cylinder bore barrel, which is externally threaded and sits atop twin 7 round capacity magazine tubes. The KSG has an overall length of 26.1” and weighs 6.9 pounds (empty). I would also like to point out that the KSG is rated for steel shot and rifled slugs and that it can accept 2 ¾” or 3” shells. Breakdown and reassembly of the KSG was simple and easy with the removal of two push pins. The KSG fits the intended niche and satisfies every need I would have in owning a shot gun in this configuration.

I would like to thank Brownells for their continued support in providing accessories for testing.

Check out the KSG on Kel-Tec’s website.

– Greg Carlson USDOJ Special Operations/Breacher (Ret.), Owner Carlson Comps

 

EDC Cooper Tactical Pack

By on October 26, 2011 in EDC, Survival, Tactical Gear

I have always liked the concept of making your knife sheath into a compact survival kit. This idea has been taken to its functional extreme by products like the ESEE Pack Kit which is actually a pack with a sheath inside rather than the more traditional sheath with a pack on the outside. I think it is a really slick concept and I am happy to see a new option from Cooper Tactical Gear.

The EDC Cooper Tactical Pack is different take on the knife based survival kit. It is similar to the ESEE Pack Kit in its function but different in its form. It is a pack that can be carried a variety of different ways and can be used to carry everything from a knife, to flashlights, to fire starting tools, and whatever else you can fit.

It features a ton of really well thought out organization features. There are internal and external slip pouches, elastic loops galore, and internal and external hook and loop fields for customizable organization potential. I especially like the card carrier that can be affixed to the outside of the pouch. It would be perfect for carrying reference cards like those from ESEE.

The pack is constructed from 1000D nylon and features Lenzip zippers that are made in the USA. Zulu Nylon Gear constructs the pack for Cooper Tactical Gear so you know it will be bomb proof.

I haven’t even scratched the surface of all the features of this pack. You will definitely want to check out the EDC Cooper Tactical Pack on the Cooper Tactical Gear website.

Review: Benchmade Safety Cutters

By on October 25, 2011 in EDC, Knives, Reviews, Survival, Tactical Gear

Hopefully, most of you reading this blog right now are in the habit of carrying a first aid kit when you are shooting and, hopefully, you have at least some training on its use. If you do carry a first aid kit with some regularity, you are likely familiar with the ubiquitous medical shears that are a part of so many kits. These shears are, with few exceptions, cheaply made but passable for clearing obstructions like clothing and gear from a wound site. Those shears have been used for years, but, as with most pieces of gear, eventually someone gives us something better. The someone is Benchmade and the something is their Safety Cutters.

The 8 Hook sheath is on the left and the 7 Hook sheath is on the right.

Removing the Safety Cutter from the sheath is easy. Just lift the flap and pull out the cutter.

Some Background

To really appreciate the Benchmade Safety Hooks, you have to first understand what they replace (or at least supplement). Shears, medical shears, EMT shears, or whatever else they might be called are both a blessing and curse. On one hand, their design allows them to cut through some incredibly durable materials. This is often demonstrated by cutting a penny in half. However, their cheap construction can render them useless in a matter of minutes. They often dull very quickly – even after cutting just one pair of pants. They can flex and bend. They aren’t comfortable to use for strenuous work and can fatigue your hand very quickly. They can also take quite a long time to cut through some material or to make long cuts like in the case of a pant leg. In spite of all of that, you will still find a pair in any serious first aid kit because they work, at least for a while.

A Better Way

Benchmade Safety Hooks represent a better way to do many of the tasks that you would traditionally complete with shears. They are easier to carry, easier to use, faster, and they last nearly indefinitely.

I own several of the 7 Hook/Safety Cutters and 1 of the 8 Hook/Safety Cutters. They weigh about the same as a set of shears but are much more compact and easy to carry. Benchmade Safety Hooks come with a sheath and in the case of the 7 and 8 Hooks, they come with a MOLLE compatible sheath. The sheath is simple and effective. It retains the Safety Cutter with a hook and loop secured flap and a secondary elastic band. In the event that the flap catches on something and is pulled loose, the elastic band can retain prevent the Safety Hook from being lost. The sheaths even come with the MALICE clip that is necessary to mount it.

The sheath mounts easily with a provided MALICE clip.

Even if the flap is accidentally released, the elastic loop serves as secondary retention.

Using a Benchmade Safety Hook is easy. “Grip it and rip it” has never been a more appropriate phrase. As soon as you have one in hand, you know how to use it. You hold the grip area in your hand and hook whatever you wish to cut with the hooked end of the cutter. Then it is simply a matter of pulling the hook through the material. The hooks are so sharp, that this takes very little strength and effort.

I stated above that the Safety Cutters are faster than shears and you may be wondering how much faster. I compared a brand new set of shears that had never cut anything with a brand new 7 Hook/Safety Cutter by using each to cut from cuff to waist on an old pair of BDU pants. The shears did the job in a respectable 46 seconds while the 7 Hook zipped through in less than 4 seconds. Not only was it faster, but it was considerably easier. 4 seconds is a lot faster than 46 seconds.

The 7 Hook made it through these BDU pants 42 seconds faster than brand new shears.

Benchmade has tested their Safety Hooks for hundreds of cuts and while they do eventually get harder to cut with due to dulling, they will last many more cuts than a pair of shears. The 440C Safety Cutters are hardened to 58-60 Rockwell and the edges are refined to a high polish. It is amazing how long the edge lasts. If it does start to dull, you can simply return it to Benchmade with a small fee to cover return shipping and they will bring it back to life for you. You can also maintain it yourself if you are handy with strop compound. I use compound loaded into a thin leather strap to keep the hooks sharp. Harsher abrasives like ceramics or diamonds should not be used.

What Will They Cut?

I have used the Safety Hooks to cut all of the mundane stuff like tubular webbing, first aid tape, pant legs, para-cord, and heavier rope. However, what is most impressive is how they cut more difficult items like multiple layers of 1000D nylon in a chest rig and even a leather work boot.

This chest rig opened with an 8 Hook like it had a zipper. The straps were also cut easily so the rig would fall away completely.

If you need to access a chest wound, the Safety Hook can be used to strip away clothing and even gear. It zipped through no less than 3 layers of 1000D nylon and a layer of MOLLE webbing in one pull when I tested it on an old chest rig that I had laying around. Searching for buckles is wasted time when you have a tool like the Benchmade Safety Cutters.

Even tough leather work boots are no match for the 7 Hook.

If you need to clear a boot, don’t waste time trying to untie the laces, loosen the boot, and then remove it. Simply pull the cutter straight down from ankle to sole and then forward toward the toe and the boot falls away (you don’t need to cut both sides). It only takes a few seconds and it is amazingly easy to pull the hook through multiple layers of leather and fabric.

Even thicker items like climbing rope can be cut with these Safety Cutters. You simply start the cut with a small rocking motion to get into the inner layers and then pull. It’s easy.

Conclusion

Both the 7 Hook and 8 Hook Safety Cutters are excellent. The 7 Hook is more compact and its foam rubber grip is more comfortable and easier to use with gloves. I think it is the better all around choice, but some users may prefer the more nimble feeling and slightly longer reach of the 8 Hook. There is also a newer version of the 8 Hook that integrates a carbide glass breaker which really adds to an already excellent tool.

These Benchmade Safety Cutters outclass every similar product that I have ever tried. They represent a huge improvement over shears for first aid tasks. They are so reasonably priced (especially considering the sheath and MALICE clip) that it makes sense to own at least two of them so you can be sure to have one even if the other is sent out for sharpening. They work so well and are so easy to carry that there is almost no excuse not to add one to your kit today. I consider them among my most important pieces of first aid gear.

You can check out the 7 Hook and the 8 Hook along with all of the other Safety Cutter models on Benchmade’s website.

Elzetta Lights Are No One Hit Wonder

By on October 24, 2011 in EDC, Flashlights, Tactical Gear

Elzetta recently impressed us with a demonstration of just how water resistant their lights really are. Well, Elzetta isn’t done proving the durability of their lights. Check out this amazing demonstration of impact resistance.

If an Elzetta light will stand up to driving thousands of nails, then I suspect it will survive just about any drop, fall, or accidental impact you can throw at it.

You can read more about the entire line of Elzetta lights and mounts on their website.

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