The Kel-Tec KSG is a hugely popular shotgun. Known for its unique design, the Kel-Tec KSG is not a new name to anyone. For the price, the gun is quite good and has a steady fanbase to back it up.
Like most other guns on the planet, this one also has some issues. So, what are the Kel-Tec KSG Problems and how do you fix them? Let’s find out.
Kel-Tec KSG Problems
Here are some problems with the gun that have been shared by many users over the years-
Plastic Materials
The top of the KSG rail is made out of metal and the bottom rail is made out of polymer. While it’s not a poorly made product, plastic is flimsy and can get loose over time. That’s exactly the problem with the gun.
Unfortunately, you cannot fix it. If the gun is under warranty and Kel-Tec agrees to provide you with a repaired unit, I think you should consider it.
Issue with Jamming
Another common problem with this gun is the jamming issue. The gun tends to jam a lot more than I would like to admit. The KSG relies on gravity to feed shells. Occasionally the low brass shells can get caught between the feeding ramp. This can cause jams.
By removing the jammed ammo, you can again use the gun without any issues. Unfortunately, there is no real fix for this either. You will need to just keep in mind that it can happen.
Loading Issue
A lot of KSG owners have complained about running into issues while loading their guns. Seems like this issue is persistent in a lot of other shotguns as well. If you are using the shotgun as a self-defense weapon, you don’t have enough time to spend 5 minutes behind loading.
Too Much Force is Required To Load
Reloading a shotgun is always a forceful task. It requires a lot of energy to load. If you are fit like Mike O’Hearn, then go ahead. You will not have any issues with loading the gun at all.
A brand new Kel-Tec has a break-in period. It will take some time to get used to and make the pulling weight come down by a lot. Unfortunately, there isn’t a solution to this problem. You will need to learn how to pull off this much weight within a short time.
Selector Switch
Very rarely you will find the selector switch to be loose. This causes issues while feeding the gun shells. It’s annoying more than an issue. To fix this, you will need to buy an extended metal switch. This takes care of all the problems and keeps the gun running smoothly and easily.
It’s A Bit Painful To Shoot
The recoil of the gun is not low. It hits like a truck. On top of that, the stock grip of the KSG is not that great. You will end up with bumps and bruises on your palm. To remedy that, you will need a vertical grip and change the pistol grip as well. This will fix all of those problems.
Significant Recoil
As I mentioned above, the gun packs a big punch. The recoil after each shot is heavy. It throws you off from focus. If you are looking for a low-recoil gun, this is not it. Even with a muzzle brake and added grips, the gun will have a ridiculous amount of recoil.
Rear Shell Ejection
The gun ejects its shell towards the back. It doesn’t seem like a big deal but it is. After firing the shell, the ejected shell is quite hot to the touch. It can hurt your hand if you are not careful.
This is why it’s highly recommended to wear gloves while using this gun. Otherwise, you always run the risk of getting bruised.
Bruised Cheek
The KSG has a lot of recoil. It’s enough to leave you bruised if you are not careful handling it. If you want to avoid getting bruised on your cheek, then you should use a KSG cheek pad.
Chambers Are Purged With Phosphate
While it’s a good thing considering the durability of the gun, it’s also a bad thing as it affects the accuracy and speed of the gun. Phosphate coating prevents steel from corrosion. It also reduces the glossy effect of a chrome finish. Which results in a damper barrel that reduces projectile velocity.
Firing Bin Busted
While it seems like a massive issue, it’s not a common issue that is heard among users. Among 100 guns, you might find 1 or 2 users being affected by this. But it’s an issue that seems like more of a quality control issue than a design flaw. If it was a design flaw, all units would have suffered from it.
Issues with Specific Types of KSGs
If you are marketing for a new KSG, these are some things that you should be aware of.
Kel-Tec KSG-25 Problems
The KSG-25 is a high-capacity shotgun made by Kel-Tec. It has gained the reputation of being a good shotgun for the money that doesn’t have that many bad things going on for it.
But it has a couple of flaws that I think you should be wary of. The first one is the gun having low hang-ups while trying to fire several rounds back to back. It’s a frustrating issue and puts you off the mood of shooting down some targets or hunting for that measure.
The good news is, it’s fixable. Well, you just need to make sure the gun tube and your magazine is properly lubricated and the chamber is cycling through the shots smoothly. Fire a couple of rounds to make sure the issue is gone and you got a gun as good as a new one!
Kel-Tec KS7 Problems
The known issue of this gun is regarding shells. Just like other KSG guns, the KS7 often faces stuck shell issues. It’s a bummer and gets annoying when you try to use the gun to shoot back-to-back.
The gun also suffers from high recoil. While you can use a muzzle device and cheek pads to mitigate that recoil a bit, you cannot fix the stuck shell issue. It’s just how the gun chamber is. When that happens, you will need to remove a stuck bullet.
Kel Tec KSG Injury
If we are being honest here, all firearms are dangerous and can cause serious injuries. But when it comes to KSG, there are a couple of types of injury that have happened multiple times already and will happen if you don’t know how to tackle it.
The first injury that happens due to the gun is due to a shell ejecting towards you. While it’s not that big of a deal, the hot shells tend to touch the back of your hands. And that can leave burn marks and bruises on your hand if done repetitively. You can fix this issue by wearing gloves and anticipating the shell coming towards you.
The next issue is due to the recoil and having an uncomfortable front posture. Due to not having a proper front grip, the gun often bruises the shooter’s hand. Use a good vertical grip and you can also prevent yourself from getting injured.
The third issue is the bruised cheeks. Which I mentioned above. The recoil of the gun is dangerously high and it can kick up to your cheek with ease. To make it a softer hit, you should use some sort of cheek pad. Otherwise, you might find yourself bruised more than the animal you are hunting.
Some Key Features Of KSG
Here are some key features of KSG that might still make you want the gun. Honestly, it’s still a good value for a gun. A lot to handle, but it’s decent nonetheless.
Strap Vents
The strap vents on the KSG allow you to easily carry the gun anywhere you want. Adding a strap adds a bit of mobility and will make you look cooler while carrying this gun as well.
Dual Picatinny Rails
The Kel Tec KSG is equipped with two Picatinny rails. One on the bottom and one on the top. The top one allows you to add things like scope, sights, magnifiers, and that sort of thing. While the bottom one allows you to add in flashlights and other accessories that will make your hunting more enjoyable.
Detachable Mag
The last benefit of the Kel Tec in my book is the detachable magazine. While many shotguns have this feature now, KSG is one of the cheapest to have this feature. It’s not a gimmick. You can have multiple different magazines and switch between them on the fly. Running out of bullets is a worry of the past.
Conclusion
Hopefully, that cleared up all of your confusion about the problems with KSG and how to solve them as well. While I know, the problems won’t magically perish and you still might find them very much inconvenient, it’s still a shotgun that does the job it’s supposed to do really well!
With that said, that’s all for now. I hope you are not one of those unfortunate folks that got hurt by KSG and I also hope you avoid that in the future as well. That’s all for now, thanks for reading as usual. Will see you guys on the next one. Till then, take care and have fun.
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Hi, I’m Brent Hansford. A writer turned hunter & now sharing my love for the sport through writing. As I practically breathe weapons, I firmly believe I’m capable of providing you with new knowledge about firearms and hunting. My mission is to help more people get better at hunting & master the weapons. Let me help with unleashing the beast within you!
