[Charlie Bravo]

this will show just how effective the QD insert is at lowering sling out of POV:

 

[dfariswheel]

Your modification is one of the better changes to the KS7 I've seen.
I'll look into doing one for my gun.

 

[Charlie Bravo]

Thanks dfariswheel

Here is a side by side with a better view of the mods. They are all modular, any 1 or combo can be installed, Left or Right handed. (on right side you can see 2nd mount up front showing that 2 (1 each side) can be installed together. I see that as a was to mount a tape switch on one side and light on other for max flexibility.

These are accessories I had

• IWC QD mount previously covered
• LaserMax Spartan light/laser (laser and red dot redundant so will swap it for just a light)
• Bushnell TRS-25 (might get an open reflex to save weight and improve over the handle visibility)
• 5 mini shells fit perfectly and was the original idea. 2.75" shells work as pictured above, thy don't stick out any more than your hand on pump or light/laser.

All these parts are 3-D printed and I shot #00, mini slugs, etc with no issues.

 

[dfariswheel]

That's a unique accesorization. Looks good and not overly complicated.

The Bushnell TRS-25 and apparently the new TRS-26 are great values for the price.
I bought a -25 some years ago for my Colt M4 and it's going strong.
I put these as a "best buy" in the low end electronic sights.

How did you do the mount for the TRS? It looks like a clean design.

 

[Charlie Bravo]

TRS25 is mounted on a miniaturized AR Handle Scope mount that fits in the handle tunnel and presents a 1913 rail lower than "made for AR handle" mounts do. Makes Red Dot more usable IMO. Has peek through tunnel to use as rear Ghost Sight with front Fiber sight.

Going to start a new thread with all parts, trying to gauge interest, see if there is a market.

 

[TriggerHappy86]

I see you have yet to implement the pump-strap idea you initially started the thread with, why so? I too would like to go that route, as it seems the best option without adding a bunch of weight to the pump. The only concern is with Kel-Tec's thin plastic where the desired mounts would be for the strap. Any ideas of how to beef it up? Maybe some perfectly shaped 3D plastic blocks to fill in the backside gap/front inside gap on the pump for added strength/support?

Going to start a new thread with all parts, trying to gauge interest, see if there is a market.

Definitely interested, ingenious design! Post a link to your new thread here after you create it. Thanks and keep up the ingenuity!

 

[Charlie Bravo]

The KS7 pump is not ideally shaped to screw in a M500 pump strap. The one I bought is ok to attempt it, but I wish it was 1-2” longer for flexibility in how I wrap it around pump. Kit also does not have back side nuts or bolts to add strength so it’s just screw into plastic. Might replace kit screws with bolt/nut. Also need to keep any screw head flush to avoid skin scrapes.

As far as 3D print parts, I don’t think they would add anything a washer or two wouldn’t.

I haven’t done it yet primarily due to my one and only outdoor range day finding the existing pump adequate. Hand didn’t move inside the 2 flare outs.

I will only get 1 real attempt to mount strap so I’m slow rolling it while I brain storm ideas.

Front and rear attachment points are differently shaped (1 is narrower depending on which side you want to attack). Also this would have to be reversible for takedown since pump is 2 parts. I pondered how to attach strap to one side of pump to avoid this issue.

In the end, the strap isn’t a weight bearing feature but more an airbag to seatbelt backup. If (big if) your hand slips, strap needs to just keep hand in that area until random shotgun motion is contained. If that strips a screw then it did it’s job. Just get a wider screw to reattach strap for next oopsie.

More to follow

 

[dfariswheel]

I recently heard of a Mossberg-type forearm strap someone made up that's plenty strong......

He drilled four holes in the forearm, two on each side.
He used screws, washers, and nuts to mount two short 1/2 inch wide nylon straps ACROSS the forearm, one in front, and one in the back.
He then attached a wider nylon strap to the short pieces to forearm a hand strap.

The fiber filled nylon used for the forearm is not as weak as you might think, and this arrangement is very durable.

 

[Charlie Bravo]

That’s an interesting idea to ponder.

I know plastic is plenty strong. I over worry about a “permanent” solution that interferes with once in a lifetime full tear down.

As much as I will “hack” the handle, it’s done knowing I can easily replace it. Pump parts if damaged or deformed will be harder to replace.

But some bracket attached to one side of pump at front and rear allows strap to “slide on to bracket” is interesting. Or maybe install strap only to 1 side of pump.

Interesting ideas forming ….

 

[Charlie Bravo]

front flare out is hollow but rear is single sided.

Ok here is first stab at a different idea for mounting nylon strap:
So next pic shows the M500 strap kit. Length is good for my original idea to just screw strap inside pump flare outs. Someone suggested keeping screws outside to keep from irritating skin during pumping/shooting.
But instead, what about cutting slots in pump flare outs. Red lines are about where I think is a good spot to leave strength in remaining plastic. Then loop nylon strap through slots from in to out and around back down onto itself and sew(?) ends onto itself. This allows pump to be disassembled since strap is not directly attached to plastic.
The back flare out would work easily to have strap go through slot and down to be sewn. Front would need a second slot (see top pic) either in front matching inside slot or maybe it can be doubled or tripled up inside that hollow front flare out and the slot just narrow enough for single strap to slide through. I would then consider cutting slot at bottom of front flare out.

Pic below shows where the matching front slot would need to be to wrap nylon strap from inside to outside and then down back onto itself to be sewn.

My main concern: this would be a "one & down" process where once it is cut, then I would have to live with any screwed up plastic since I am not sure if KT offers replacement parts not listed in KT store. I'm sure everything is available for a price but this is suppose to be a $15 mod. (cost of strap and a few bits of hardware if needed)

 

[dfariswheel]

Slotting would almost certainly work well.
Doing that type of major alteration is something approached with grit teeth.

How you cut the slots will be critical to a good job. Run a power tool too fast or too hard and the plastic melts.

A less risky method would be Charlie Bravo's screw attachment as shown above.
The only difference I might suggest is attaching the strap to the outside ends of the handle and use dome-head bolts on the inside with the lock nuts on the outside.
Dome head screws shouldn't be uncomfortable under recoil.

I wouldn't put too much thought into extra steps needed to remove a strap before disassembling the forearm assembly.
You'd need to do that very rarely, to almost never.

 

[TriggerHappy86]

What about utilizing the pump's direct MLOK large mount to mount an adjustable strap going across the underside of the pump (left to right), as opposed to running the length under the grip (forward to back)? Pro: easily to install/remove Con: traps your hand...depending on adjusted tightness. Thoughts?

 

[Charlie Bravo]

Now THAT is "outside the box" geometry. Con for me is I already have a M500 pump length strap which would be way too short to do that. I do have cinch down straps to experiment with that idea. I am also thinking the strap can be secured just off center one side of seam. It would still in line and hold hand in place, just really hard to find spots to secure strap and not be inside where hand might hit screw head.

 

[Hapyjack]

I’m very interested in your 3-D printed shell holder, been wrestling with to carry extra shells and I think you hit a home run.

 

[Charlie Bravo]

I’m on Vaca. I’m the ideas guy and the “print” guy has finalized parts and setting up site for orders as we speak. More to follow shortly in new thread.

 

[Charlie Bravo]

Not ignoring this. Back home and 3D print parts now made with infused carbon fiber. Reworking final touches. Parts are very strong and awesome.

On a related note: KEL-TEC selling handle for $20! So for those regretting installing a rail and throwing away a $50 handle, you can buy 1 on the cheap.

 

[ARA]

Not ignoring this. Back home and 3D print parts now made with infused carbon fiber. Reworking final touches. Parts are very strong and awesome.

On a related note: KEL-TEC selling handle for $20! So for those regretting installing a rail and throwing away a $50 handle, you can buy 1 on the cheap.

PICTURES!!!

 

[Charlie Bravo]

Pictures? I already posted a few earlier on this thread. But keep reading:

My 3D printer friend is a Navy Vet and super detailed when it comes to 3D stuff. I would have been satisfied a few versions ago but he continues to improve the print quality. I have shot my KS7 with earlier prototypes and had 0 issues. Newer versions are even better.

As someone requested, once everything is final and up for sale, I will start a new post with link and lots of product pics. (Hopefully not breaking any forum rules?!?)

But here are a few pics to show what amazing benefits these products bring to the KS7 platform. As this thread has alluded to from the beginning, I love the handle but wish Kel-Tec had thought through how gun modders like to ... mod. MLOK slots are fine but poorly placed. Any light/laser/sling mounted up there is either hard to activate or in the line of sight for aiming. The pics below (Grey non Carbon Fiber version) shows 2 different overlapping pics:

• Top half shows how far pump hand has to move from "ready" on pump to handle MLOK slots. Arrows show how much the wrist & arm must swing to get thumb up there. I wear size L gloves so average reach...
• Bottom half shows wrist & arm stay put as only thumb needs to move. This lets pump hand stay mostly ready to cycle next round as you activate light laser on/off.
• Benefit is you can use momentary on/off and still be sweeping/aiming and not be caught with pump hand in wrong spot. Or just activate constant On/Off while still at the ready. Even if that isn't enough reason, it is just plain easier to reach the lower mounted light/laser. I employ a pistol light/laser that as mounted (see earlier pic from Jun 1) the toggles move up/down so it is very easy to touch paddles. It does not have momentary feature but I can toggle it on/off quickly.

Below is another combo pic that shows exact same thumb reach issue. Note the little movement in bottom 2 and the arrow shows how far the hand has to pivot as it tracks the same knuckle. Light installed for size comparo. Also shows how much lower the new mount is.

Now let us talk about that huge void under the handle. It screams for utilization: Below shows the Carbon Fiber Matte Black version of the lowered 1913 rail mount & ammo saddle.

• 1913 rail is ambidextrous, as depicted below, can be mounted in any of the 6 slots (3 each side). If so desired, you can mount something on each side. I could see a light on one side and it's tape switch on other side (wire would have to be contained but, hey, options are good).
• The ammo saddle is contoured to fix exactly under the handle. It was originally envisioned to hold 1.75" minis but I have 2.75" full size shells in mine. Since it is below aiming POV, any length shell stays out of way.

The ammo saddle is hardware free and installs just by tabs clicking into the rear 2 slots.

The Sight Mount can be seen at the "grab area" and provides low profile 3 slot 1913 rail for Red Dot/Small Scope or anything you want to mount up there. It is hollow and provides a see through tunnel for use as a rear "ghost sight" to help aim if Red Dot fails or if just desiring to use "iron sights". You could install just the Sight Mount and just use it as a rear sight.

So there it is. Cat's out the bag. Let me know what you think...

 

[ARA]

Excellent!
If the ammo saddle will work with an otherwise unmodified handle, I'd like to purchase one.

 

[Charlie Bravo]

All the parts are independent and work without any modifications to handle. They can be installed solo, as a pair, or triplets! Each part is designed to utilize MLOK slots or existing holes. No drilling. No hacksaw. Good to go.

The ammo saddle is my favorite accessory due to the “obvious” dead space under the handle. I like it way more than the vertical shells on side of buttstock or pump and especially more than vertical shells on handle slots. Shells below keeps your field of view as clear as possible. And it’s ambidextrous to boot. Shells can go in either way to present brass for lefty or righty.

The handle does have to be removed to insert the saddle but that is 2 hex screws which is very easy. I’ve removed my handle 10-15 times testing parts.