KelTec KS7 Review: Will this replace your current home defense shotgun?

KelTec is well known for its odd and innovative designs, and today, we’ll be shooting their bullpup shotgun. No, not the KSG. We have hands-on with the KelTec KS7. Let’s see if innovation equals a good scattergun in this KelTec KS7 review.

I’ve owned the KelTec KS7 for five years now! I can’t believe it’s been that long. This little twelve-gauge helped change my mind about bullpup shotguns, but after five years of experience with shotguns, has my opinion changed? The KS7 still stands alone as one of the few bullpup shotguns that’s American-made.

The KelTec KS7 – Keeping It Simple

I’ve spent a lot of time with shotguns. Piles and piles of shotguns. I’ve used bullpups, military shotguns, semi-autos, single shots, double barrels, and more. I’ve even gotten into NFA shotguns. I like it all, so I strongly agree with the classic scattergun. The KS7 is far from anything we’d describe as classic.

In 2011 KelTec introduced a very odd shotgun. It was a bullpup design with two magazine tubes. This gave the shooters an impressive 14 rounds of 12 gauge ammunition. While neat, it’s big, heavy, cumbersome, and a bit complicated. Admittedly even as a shotgun nerd, it wasn’t for me. A few years later, KelTec released the KS7, a simplified version of the KSG. 

The KS7 retained the bullpup layout but moved from a dual tube format to a simplified single tube magazine design. They made a few other revisions, namely the eye-catching carry handle sight setup. It gives the KS7 a retro space force look to it. That carry handle contains your sight as well as some M-LOK slots. 

A simplified design lowers the weight and the price significantly. At only 5.9 pounds, it’s a very light and handy gun. Additionally, the bullpup layout ensures a short overall length. In fact, it’s only 26.1 inches long. For reference, that’s shorter than a Mossberg Shockwave. The KSG would typically cost close to a thousand bucks, but the KS7 is about half that. 

The KelTec KS7 holds seven rounds of 2.75-inch shells and can chamber 3-inch shells as well. That’s not a bad deal for such a small and lightweight shotgun. The KS7 is a little odd but looks to be a very effective shotgun, or at least it could be. KelTec historically has had some QA problems. 

Will these issues plague the KelTec KS7?

KelTec KS7 Features

1 Bullpup Design

Keeps the firearm very compact but with a legal barrel length

2 M-LOK Carry Handle

I’ve spent a lot of time with shotguns. Piles and piles of shotguns. I’ve used bullpups, military shotguns, semi-autos, single shots, double barrels, and more. I’ve even gotten into NFA shotguns. I like it all, so I strongly agree with the classic scattergun. The KS7 is far from anything we’d describe as classic. Doubles as a sighting solution

3 Fiber Optic Bead Sight

Fast, simple, and effective

4 Magazine Tube Witness Holes

Helps you see your round count

5 Downward Ejection

Pushes the spent shells down and out of the way, good for right or left handed shooters

Models and Variations of the KelTec KS7

There are a few different color variations of the KelTec KS7. Here are 3 variations you may want to consider.

KelTec KS7 Review – Our Take

One thing you must do with the KS7 is toss out most conventional shotgun knowledge. You’ll have to relearn a few things regarding the KS7. The KelTec KS7 still requires you to know how to shoot a shotgun, especially regarding recoil mitigation. You need to exercise a good push/pull technique, or the gun will beat you up!

The KS7 doesn’t do much to absorb recoil. The gun weighs a mere 5.9 pounds, which makes it one of the lightest, pump-action, twelve-gauge shotguns on the market. Weight reduces recoil, so the lighter the gun, the stiffer the recoil. A combination of the lightweight nature of the shotgun and the fact that there isn’t much between you and the explosion happening in the chmaber means you are getting a lot of recoil.

The short length of pull helps and allows you to square your body up behind the target and put your weight behind the gun. You must properly push/pull to keep the gun low and on target. I wish for a vertical grip, maybe just M-LOK slots to add a vertical grip, but that’s not an option.

KelTec did build a hand shield into the gun’s pump to keep your hand from sliding off the pump and in front of the barrel. This is great, but watch your thumb. When you fire the gun, your thumb will get a nice little hit from recoil. It’s not what I’d call comfy. Curl your thumb around the pump, and you’ll be fine.

If you do your part, the gun is easy to control. Its uber-short length means you aren’t swinging the gun around; you’re just transitioning from target to target by moving your body behind it. This makes for rapid, easy target transitions, which is important for a shotgun.

Unlike most bullpups, the KelTec KS7 can be used by both right and left-handed shooters. The shells eject downward, which keeps things comfortable. It’s a clever design. Additionally, the controls are mostly ambidextrous. The safety and pump release are both ambidextrous, which are the two that matter.

Throwing Lead 

The carry handle on the KS7 houses your sight. It’s a fiber-optic triangle-shaped sight. It’s huge, easy to see, and works well for short-range use. It’s designed around buckshot use, which is fine. Slugs don’t allow for a ton of precision. There is no rear sight to align. At 50 yards, you can make some decent groups, but beyond 50 yards, you’ll be able to hit man-sized targets, but don’t expect headshots.

One of the interesting downsides to this shotgun and the carry handle sight design is height over bore issues at close-range shooting. Shotguns are close-range weapons, but at five yards, the buckshot lands a bit low due to the height of the sights. It’s an interesting problem to deal with. Is it a significant problem? You’re still hitting your target, but it’s not as precise as other guns.

The KS7 works like a champ. I had no reliability issues with 2.75-inch and 3-inch rounds. It does not reliably cycle minishells, so find a different gun.

The M-LOK rails below the sight offer a place to mount a light. That said, somehow, in between shooting the gun and transporting it to the range, the M-LOK slot I had a light attached to broke. Now, my carry handle is broken, likely due to its plastic nature. I plan to replace it with an optics rail now. There is no provision for optics from the factory. 

Outside of that M-LOK rail breaking, I have zero reliability issues.

I’ve heard of short stroking issues with this gun, but that’s on the user. It’s not any easier to short-stroke this shotgun than any other. You just need more practice and training to avoid it. 

Price-wise, it’s a little more expensive than a bare-bones 870 or Mossberg 500. That can be a detraction for some. Both of those guns have decades of proven service and a massive aftermarket to support them. The KS7 does not have that prestige.

I really enjoy shooting the KS7. It’s just so different from other shotguns I own. Add in the fact it’s smaller than most short-barreled shotguns, and you get seven rounds, and that’s just the cherry on top.

KelTec KS7 Pros and Cons 

KelTec KS7 Starter Pack

Shooting a shotgun of any kind is a ton of fun. Here are a few extra things you’ll probably want to pick up–if you don’t have to make it a great experience every time.

• Gun Cleaning Kit: Keep your shotgun clean and ready for duty. We’ve got a whole article dedicated to gun cleaning kits you’ll need to keep your pistol in tip top shape.  
• Eye Protection: This should go without saying, but you need to invest in some quality shooting glasses. One errant piece of brass, and you’re in for a bad day. Check out our recommendations for the best shooting glasses!
• Hearing Protection: Shotguns are loud. Save your ears and get some quality hearing protection. We’ve gathered all of our favorites to help you decide the best hearing protection for you.

KelTec KS7 – FAQs

Does the Keltec come with a muzzle break?

You won’t find a muzzle brake included with the Keltec KS7 straight from the manufacturer. But don’t worry, you can easily find aftermarket options at your local gun store. These muzzle brakes aren’t made by Keltec, but they’re designed to fit the KS7 perfectly. Just keep in mind that they’re produced by other manufacturers.

What types of ammunition are suitable for the KelTec KS7?

For home defense purposes, you may consider using slugs or buckshot ammunition. The recommended ammunition includes Hornady TAP Rifled Slugs and Federal Personal Defense FliteControl 00 Buck.

Is the KelTec KS7 suitable for home defense?

Yes, the KelTec KS7 is a solid choice for home defense applications. Its compact size and maneuverability make it easy to handle in tight spaces, and its capacity for shotgun shells provides reliable firepower. Just make sure you’re comfortable and skilled with the firearm, and always follow safety guidelines when handling it.

Can left-handed shooters comfortably use the KelTec KS7?

Yes, the KelTec KS7 features downward ejection and ambidextrous controls, so whether you’re left-handed or right-handed, it’s designed to accommodate your needs. This means you can expect comfortable and efficient operation, regardless of which hand you typically use.

Upgrades and Accessories for the KelTec KS7

There are many good upgrades and accessories for the KelTec KS7. So many in fact that we wrote an entire article on the subject! Click the button below to read more. 

Best Ammo for Your KelTec KS7

One benefit of shotguns is the flexibility in the type of ammo you can shoot from it. If you are using this shotgun for home defense you should look into slugs and buckshot. We picked out some slugs and buckshot ammunition for you to checkout. 

Other Shotguns of its Class to Check Out

The KelTec KS7 is a really unique shotgun. Here are a few other unique bullpup shotguns we think you might want to check out! 

In fact, if you are a fan of bullpup firearms, we have an entire article discussing our favorites! Click the button below to learn more!

How to Care for Your KelTec KS7

Take a few minutes to learn how to properly take apart and clean your KS7 shotgun. We found this well made video from KelTec on how to take this shotgun apart, do some cleaning, and re-assemble.

Important Links and Manuals for Your KelTec KS7

We have gathered the links below for the manufacturer’s website and operator’s manual.

• KS7 by KelTec
• KelTec KS7 User’s Manual