So I recommended a KSG to a friend yesterday and he bought it. While looking for accessories for it, I ran into this section of the forum and it frankly seems like every KSG out there has a litany of problems. Is that true? Do any of you own a KSG that works? (Not after you fixed it, but works like it should right from the box?)
Do any of you have a KSG that works?
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If you read my post the guy who replied to me said his worked right out of the box, plus others when I read through other posts. BUT, I always prep my rifles or pistols before I go out and shoot them from Kahr's to CZ to FN to Rugers (feed ramps, metal to metal parts, trigger sear, etc), every gun forum will list problems and how to fix them (Glock too)......Works right out of the box, that's no fun.
The post:
http://www.thektog.org/forum/f92/ksg-problems-nope-267117/
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Lets see.... two Ruger Bearcats, one had a transfer bar issue. Walther PPQ-45, a trigger reset issue. Ruger American .45, slide stop issue. Charter Arms Pitbull, had the hammer over run the trigger (like two single action positions). Charter Arms Boomer, timing issue. RRI revolver, pin loose in frame. Serbu Super Shorty, misaligned barrel. Kahr PM45, chewed up front rail.
Non issues.... Colt LE6920, two "parts" AR's, CIA AK, KSG, Ruger Vaquero, RRI compact .45, Smith Governor, Taurus Judge, Smith J frame 357, two Kahr PM9's and another PM45.
And to be honest, I don't count a little burr removal, or an easy chamber polish "an issue". You can see, better and lower quality firearms... last three years worth for me, a mix of issues, some serious. Every one of those issues were corrected by the manufacturer, rapidly, or at least fairly promptly (from a few days, to three weeks). I had no "2nd trips" back to the mother ship, because I was able to explain the issue(s) adequately, and briefly in my "complaint" letter.
The KSG has one real issue, as far as I can see, and its that the chambers are phosphated (Parkerized). A very rough finish is left behind. Getting that to a smooth glossy finish will pretty much eliminate, or highly mitigate all the other issues we see, such as - bent operating rods, broken stock pieces, etc etc. But, a few issues are bound to creep in, so allow KT to fix 'em if they do.
My KSG did get a chamber polish, but it was working before I did that, with an occasional stiff extraction. Once the chamber was smooth as the inside of yer girlfriend's thigh, it extracts "like buttah". Some KSG's are a bit rougher than others I guess.
Non issues.... Colt LE6920, two "parts" AR's, CIA AK, KSG, Ruger Vaquero, RRI compact .45, Smith Governor, Taurus Judge, Smith J frame 357, two Kahr PM9's and another PM45.
And to be honest, I don't count a little burr removal, or an easy chamber polish "an issue". You can see, better and lower quality firearms... last three years worth for me, a mix of issues, some serious. Every one of those issues were corrected by the manufacturer, rapidly, or at least fairly promptly (from a few days, to three weeks). I had no "2nd trips" back to the mother ship, because I was able to explain the issue(s) adequately, and briefly in my "complaint" letter.
The KSG has one real issue, as far as I can see, and its that the chambers are phosphated (Parkerized). A very rough finish is left behind. Getting that to a smooth glossy finish will pretty much eliminate, or highly mitigate all the other issues we see, such as - bent operating rods, broken stock pieces, etc etc. But, a few issues are bound to creep in, so allow KT to fix 'em if they do.
My KSG did get a chamber polish, but it was working before I did that, with an occasional stiff extraction. Once the chamber was smooth as the inside of yer girlfriend's thigh, it extracts "like buttah". Some KSG's are a bit rougher than others I guess.
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*My opinion.*
Only issues i have had were from the brand and quality of slugs. And if i divert from a stock shotgun.
800 some slugs so far. Or roughly twice what i paid for the kSG by its self.
I am happy with it. And i trust it.
I function test it every time i change something and go back. And function test it regularly.
I have stocked up on Ddupleks slugs for just encase i have to GTW. I also have chosen hard plastic rolled ended lead hulls rather the thermal set plastic hulls like the cheap walmarts. Pdx defender buck and ball feed very well and are a good impact force. I suggest buying 1500 rounds of 12ga and stocking up slugs.
Issues are not always the gun. But! Its easy for the operator to blame the weapon then admit or address a flaw they bring to it.
I always say 95% of the action (slide) is ejecting the round. 5% is reloading. Don't short change the 5%. You have to be consistent and swift to eject. And strong and purposeful to reload. Cause everything happens at that last 1/4" of the throwback.
Feed jams can be from the hull gate. Due to the Spector switch not applying enough pressure to the non selected tube. I have found this with every aftermarket selector switch i have bough so far.
Other then that. I haven't seen a lot of issues that are from the gun rather then operator. A small drop of lock-tight on the bolts and keep them snug but not too tight. And i suggest shooting slugs not folded over bird shot or buck. A 1oz steel slug at 1,600 ft/second is not ignored by anything.
And finally. Its not a 870 or 590 or duck gun. Its also not a semi auto AR15. I don't see guys having to ever fire 15 rounds in 2seconds at anything. Slower and accurate is faster. Otherwise buy a mini gun and 100,000 rounds cause you cant shoot for **** or you are just trigger happy.
Anyways. Its my opinion based upon my experience with the KSG. 15rounds. Or a 8round with the worlds fastest 7round reload. Click, switch, pump, bang! 3seconds. And if you do it slow and keep track (ie count and reload as you go) its always ready.
My personal feeling is the KSG is a good mid to close combat shotgun. 0-75yrds its a 1,000 mph mini tank round (steel slugs).
100-150 your pushing it. Anything else pull up your BR with 7.62/308 or your .50BMG
"There are no guarantees in life. Other then you are born and live, and death will eventually find you. So. If you risk the death more then the life. You guarantee that eventually you lose the life."
Only issues i have had were from the brand and quality of slugs. And if i divert from a stock shotgun.
800 some slugs so far. Or roughly twice what i paid for the kSG by its self.
I am happy with it. And i trust it.
I function test it every time i change something and go back. And function test it regularly.
I have stocked up on Ddupleks slugs for just encase i have to GTW. I also have chosen hard plastic rolled ended lead hulls rather the thermal set plastic hulls like the cheap walmarts. Pdx defender buck and ball feed very well and are a good impact force. I suggest buying 1500 rounds of 12ga and stocking up slugs.
Issues are not always the gun. But! Its easy for the operator to blame the weapon then admit or address a flaw they bring to it.
I always say 95% of the action (slide) is ejecting the round. 5% is reloading. Don't short change the 5%. You have to be consistent and swift to eject. And strong and purposeful to reload. Cause everything happens at that last 1/4" of the throwback.
Feed jams can be from the hull gate. Due to the Spector switch not applying enough pressure to the non selected tube. I have found this with every aftermarket selector switch i have bough so far.
Other then that. I haven't seen a lot of issues that are from the gun rather then operator. A small drop of lock-tight on the bolts and keep them snug but not too tight. And i suggest shooting slugs not folded over bird shot or buck. A 1oz steel slug at 1,600 ft/second is not ignored by anything.
And finally. Its not a 870 or 590 or duck gun. Its also not a semi auto AR15. I don't see guys having to ever fire 15 rounds in 2seconds at anything. Slower and accurate is faster. Otherwise buy a mini gun and 100,000 rounds cause you cant shoot for **** or you are just trigger happy.
Anyways. Its my opinion based upon my experience with the KSG. 15rounds. Or a 8round with the worlds fastest 7round reload. Click, switch, pump, bang! 3seconds. And if you do it slow and keep track (ie count and reload as you go) its always ready.
My personal feeling is the KSG is a good mid to close combat shotgun. 0-75yrds its a 1,000 mph mini tank round (steel slugs).
100-150 your pushing it. Anything else pull up your BR with 7.62/308 or your .50BMG
"There are no guarantees in life. Other then you are born and live, and death will eventually find you. So. If you risk the death more then the life. You guarantee that eventually you lose the life."
IMHO the PROBABILITY of getting a 100 percent reliable gun out of the box is less than a Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Winchester 1300.
The KSG obviously is not subjected to the tight QC that the others are. Please...allowing thousands of guns out the door with a rough parkeried chamber. Then there is the learning curve, these are temperamental guns that demand to be vigorously pumped with a precision that other pump guns do not, exacerbated by its shortness. They also do better with high brass, you can practice with the bulk cheap low brass crap but expect hiccups. Really not a big deal it's foolish to use that kind of ammo for serious business anyway.
IMPE once you sort out the QC warts that a larger percentage of these guns are plagued with and practice enough to adapt to its temperamental operating demands you may find that you have a specimen you trust.
The short: This is not the gun for the casual shotgunner. Its pretty temperamental especially for a pump action. It demands proper ammo and to be kept insanely clean compared to other pump shotguns. It also is very unforgiving of ANY failure of technique as far as pumping the action. What it brings is an extremely compact shotgun with 15 rounds of full power 12 gauge, two ammo choices at the flick of a switch, that are immediately available. It will dispense those 15 quickly and accurately IF.....IF ...IF...you do your part.
Most folks are far better off with a plain Jane 870 for half the money. The KSG is not junk and brings a lot to the table but there is a price to pay. You must practice with it and keep your skill set sharp. Load her up and put her in the closet just n case. Something goes bump in the night five years down the road and you short stroke her.......you'll be wishing it was a 870 in your hands. Get familiar and stay familiar with the KSG that bump n the night could be four armed prison escapees that will wish they picked another point of refuge........
The KSG obviously is not subjected to the tight QC that the others are. Please...allowing thousands of guns out the door with a rough parkeried chamber. Then there is the learning curve, these are temperamental guns that demand to be vigorously pumped with a precision that other pump guns do not, exacerbated by its shortness. They also do better with high brass, you can practice with the bulk cheap low brass crap but expect hiccups. Really not a big deal it's foolish to use that kind of ammo for serious business anyway.
IMPE once you sort out the QC warts that a larger percentage of these guns are plagued with and practice enough to adapt to its temperamental operating demands you may find that you have a specimen you trust.
The short: This is not the gun for the casual shotgunner. Its pretty temperamental especially for a pump action. It demands proper ammo and to be kept insanely clean compared to other pump shotguns. It also is very unforgiving of ANY failure of technique as far as pumping the action. What it brings is an extremely compact shotgun with 15 rounds of full power 12 gauge, two ammo choices at the flick of a switch, that are immediately available. It will dispense those 15 quickly and accurately IF.....IF ...IF...you do your part.
Most folks are far better off with a plain Jane 870 for half the money. The KSG is not junk and brings a lot to the table but there is a price to pay. You must practice with it and keep your skill set sharp. Load her up and put her in the closet just n case. Something goes bump in the night five years down the road and you short stroke her.......you'll be wishing it was a 870 in your hands. Get familiar and stay familiar with the KSG that bump n the night could be four armed prison escapees that will wish they picked another point of refuge........
Man... That's a long road just to say "it's a hobbiest's gun"... Okay, if one works, it's an anomaly, I get it...
The adhd answer. It is the opposite of a hobbyist gun. It requires time and patience to utilize to its potential. Most are better served with a tried and true conventional pump.
Okay, if one works, it's an anomaly, I get it...
To me, a hobbyist's gun is one where you have to constantly tweak it, practice with it, keep it ridiculously clean, "fluff and buff" it, etc...
A working gun is a Mossberg M590A1 or a Ithaca 37 or an 870 are "working" guns, that don't have to be in their best form to pick up, use and expect it to work.
Guess it also depends on how you brand a hobbyist as well...
Interesting thread.
I've had my KSG for just about a year now. I took it to the range immediately after I purchased it and put 50 rounds through it with no issues.
Since then I've put hundreds of rounds of buckshot, slugs, birdshot, and target loads through it without any problems. My 16 year old son and my neighbor have used it while shooting clays without issues either.
The ONLY time I had a problem was with a mini shell that tumbled a bit when I charged it. Because of that I only use mini shells at the range.
I'm either the exception to the rule, or the majority of KSG owners don't come to the forum to tell the world that their gun performs as expected.
I've had my KSG for just about a year now. I took it to the range immediately after I purchased it and put 50 rounds through it with no issues.
Since then I've put hundreds of rounds of buckshot, slugs, birdshot, and target loads through it without any problems. My 16 year old son and my neighbor have used it while shooting clays without issues either.
The ONLY time I had a problem was with a mini shell that tumbled a bit when I charged it. Because of that I only use mini shells at the range.
I'm either the exception to the rule, or the majority of KSG owners don't come to the forum to tell the world that their gun performs as expected.
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The problem with forums is people come to them asking how to fix stuff most of the time, not to drop in and say hey my gun works fine. So it looks all doom and gloom because you are only getting a tiny bit of the picture.
I took mine out today for the first time and it ran great. I didn't touch anything on it. Put in shells, shoot, repeat.
I took mine out today for the first time and it ran great. I didn't touch anything on it. Put in shells, shoot, repeat.
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You are absolutely correct!
+1
"Put in shells, shoot, repeat."
Mine runs flawlessly too.
I wish there was a way to rally the troops of great working KSG's and "post-bomb" a thread like this
.Satisfied customers just don't post often
.Attachments
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I disagree. I have not taken my KSG down and cleaned it too grand in the time i have owned it. A air blow gun to the breech. Oil on slides and a snake down the barrel with a bit of cleaner and oil.
I haven't seen any issues yet. To cause me to go crazy cleaning it.
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(No offense). But.....
Thats a fantasy. In stress. You wont know. Just which tube is which.
Just pick one type or blend it. But dont have this fantasy of lethal and non. Or slugs and buck. You're just not going to have that part of your brain for complex thought. Thats why the switch should be as small but easy to get too. Cause your going to fu-ck up and jam rounds trying to switch back and forth.
Its 15 rounds. Pre-loaded. 8 to go. 7 in reserve. Worlds fastest 7 round reload. None of this 870 one round combat reload crap. I've seen guys spitting shells into the breech with their mouth calling that a combat reload.
Shotgun courses. Guys with 7round shotguns saying what crap the KSG is spending 30seconds to a minuet reloading 7 rounds.
3seconds. With the KSG for 7 more slugs. (Click. Switch. Pump. Bang!) 8 if i grab one from my rig and drop it into the breech.
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Thats what i like to read. Keep shooting. I Figure. At 1.4-2.00 a slug. Thats pop i don't drink. Or gum i don't buy. I don't smoke or drink beer everyday either. So. I figure buying Ammo is my Daily Vice.
Truly try all kinds of ammo. I suggest staying away from bird and buck.
Look into DDupleks. http://www.DDupleks-defence.com/files/pdf/bf530bec573ff6762bf3bc8278b4887d.pdf
The ATF put a import ban on them because they'll punch thru AR500. They do not deform like lead. They fly better thru obstructions. I have shot thru cars, dumpsters, brush piles, 1-3/4" class B bullet proof or resistant glass. Blocks and junk. I am a firm believer. If the government bans it. Buy every last drop of it.
I hope someone starts producing them in the USA with even more powder grain. I want to see 1,900 fps out of a sleet slug like these.
Your argument kinda reminds me of the resistance in the military to adapting detachable box magazines. The experts at the time felt that the common GI would be accidentally dumping mags in the heat of battle and losing them in the field.......Nothing a little training didn't deal with, to great advantage I might add
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100 percent true, I'm on several forums from guns to bikes and cars. Forums are to dicuss encountered problems, do it yourselfers, upgrades and improvments not how good the product is, it's like the news. When was the last time you heard of an hour of only good news?You are absolutely correct!
+1
"Put in shells, shoot, repeat."
Mine runs flawlessly too. View attachment 27120
I wish there was a way to rally the troops of great working KSG's and "post-bomb" a thread like this
Satisfied customers just don't post often
Why did you suggest that?
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