If you’re in the market for a home-defense shotgun that stands out from the crowd, look no further than the KelTec KSG410 pump shotgun. I’ve been waiting since seeing the sample at KelTec’s NRA convention booth in April and recently had the chance to test fire this unique firearm. It left me impressed.
Tale of the Tape: KSG vs. KSG410
The overall design of the KSG410 is not new. The KSG410 shares its lineage with the KelTec KSG series but introduces a novel dimension with its .410 bore. A side-by-side comparison reveals subtle yet impactful differences in dimensions and capacities:
| Dimensions and Capacities | KSG | KSG410 |
| Gauge/caliber | 12 gauge 3-inch | .410 bore |
| Weight unloaded | 6.9 pounds | 5.4 pounds |
| Magazine capacity | 14 rounds total in two magazine tubes, plus one in the chamber | 10 rounds total in two magazine tubes, plus one in the chamber |
| Overall length | 26.1 inches | 26.1 inches |
| Barrel length | 18.5 inches | 18.5 inches |
| Length of pull | N/A | 13 inches |
Though the dimensions appear very similar in all aspects aside from the 1.5-pound weight variance, these differences result in a major improvement in feel, dictated, in this case, by the bore sizes. The bullpup design sets the KSG410 apart is its bullpup design. Unlike conventional designs, the KSG410’s action and feeding mechanism are situated in the buttstock, allowing for a compact yet powerful configuration.
Operation, Sights and Handling
One of the standout features of the KSG410 is its true ambidextrous operation. Like most bullpups, the action and feeding mechanism are located in the buttstock, right about alongside the shooter’s cheek. But unlike many bullpup designs which eject from the side, this KelTec shotgun features bottom ejections and loading. One port handles all the operational functions, and there is no need to reverse anything to accommodate left-handed shooters. The dual slide release levers are located at the front of the trigger guard and can be easily accessed by the index fingers without shifting the grip.
The manual safety is a crossbolt type and can be operated by the thumb and index finger. Its unique design utilizes a red “F” for the fire position on the right side of the frame and a white “S” for safe on the left side. Both letters are only visible from the rear of the gun. The KSG410 departs from the traditional crossbolt safety operation in that it moves from safe to fire by being pushed left to right.
The KSG410 comes with a nice carry handle, reminiscent of the original M16A1 handle, but this particular carry handle runs forward for the full length of the barrel. Inside the carry handle trough at the front is a Hi-Viz lime green triangular front sight. At the opposite end of the sight handle trough is a small, squared post, which serves as a hasty rear sight reference. There is no way to mount a red dot sight on the handle; however, it can be removed and a replaced with a rail kit from Kel-Tec for $42.
A selector lever controls magazine tube access for loading and firing. Though orange would be easier for visibility of loading and safety checks, the followers of each of the twin magazine tubes are white. They sit side-by-side below the barrel. Each tube holds 5 rounds, allowing a full 11-round capacity with one round in the chamber.
During the firing sequence, the KSG410 feeds from a selected tube. Once that tube is empty, the operator must move the selector to allow feeding from the other tube. The trigger pull of the KSG410 was more than reasonable at 7 pounds, 0.1 ounces and just a short amount of takeup.
Firing the KelTec KSG410
I tested the shotgun with American Tactical’s 2.5-inch BBB “Buckshot” ammo with 12 pellets per shell, which have velocity of 1,450 feet per second and a muzzle energy of 448 foot-pounds as well as the .410 rifled slugs from American Tactical with a velocity of 1,550 feet per second and 582 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. This .410 shotgun is capable of serious self-defense.
Loading takes a bit of practice to do it smoothly, and I imagine the standard 12-gauge KSG would be easier to load due to its much larger shell size. I applied a bit of lubrication the KSG410 prior to firing as it appeared to be rather dry. The KSG410’s forend is extremely well-shaped with a stop molded in at the rear that naturally engages the palm in the area of the pinky for better control and smoother cycling and ejection.
With almost non-existent recoil from the .410 shogun shell, the KSG410 was quite literally a blast to shoot. The sighting system is simple but excellent. Both loads were dead on at 25 feet. My very first shot dropped five pellets into the X-ring of the B27E silhouette target I was using, while the other seven pellets landed in the 10-ring outside the X. The empties ejected straight down. There were no malfunctions. I really like the BBB load as a close-range self-defense load. Rifled slug loads would give extended range and deeper penetration. It would be worth testing a couple of self-defense loads on clay blocks.
Should You Buy a KSG410 Shotgun?
Not only is the KSG410 fun to shoot, it has a myriad of other uses: training new or timid shooters in shotgun shooting; as a utility gun while tent camping, RVing, boating, backpacking or kayaking; home and property defense; and pest control. Throw a tactical light on it, and you are ready to go … or just leave it alone. After all, we managed to have shotguns without lights on them for hundreds of years.
Kel-Tec makes great firearms that are reasonably priced due to computerized manufacturing and design. They are ingenious, sometimes groundbreaking, and reliable. The MSRP of the KSG410 is $495. A single-point carry sling is included. There is no reason that I can see not to own one.
Sources>
KelTec: KelTecWeapons.com
