Here’s a trio four “tactical” shotguns (which is a fancy way of saying they look nasty, rather than pretty implements with wood trimming) for the James Bond: 007 RPG. These are all relatively new, and I haven’t had a chance to shoot any of these but the Saiga, so the data may be a bit off. We’ll start with the oldest, most tested of the bunch:
IZMASH/SAIGA IZ-107 12 gauge
The Saiga is a 12 gauge version of the Kalashnikov semi-automatic rifle. It usually comes with a 5-round magazine (see below), but can be had with a 10-round stick magazine and there are drum magazines, as well (or questionable reliability.) Fit and finish is a bit rough, but they function with AK fortitude.
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PM: 0 S/R: 2 AMMO: 5/10 DC: H CLOS: 0-10 LONG: 20-50 CON: n/a JAM: 99 DRAW: -3 RL: 2 COST: $800
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KEL-TEC KSG-12
Kel-Tec is a relatively small player in the US firearms market, but they do low-cost, slightly natty-looking, but very, very high quality firearms. The KSG is their attempt to do a combat shotgun and address the perennial issue of small magazine capacity. The shotgun has two tubular magazines, side by side, with a seven round capacity each. The gun is pump action and after seven shots, the user must flip a switch inside the loading/ejection port directly next to the ends of the two magazine tubes. (Thanks, KF!)
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PM: 0 S/R: 2 AMMO: 14 DC: H CLOS: 0-8 LONG: 20-40 CON: n/a JAM: 98+ DRAW: -2 RL: 10 COST: $1100-1500
GM INFORMATION: The KSG requires a Fire Combat test at EF5 to swap the barrels after seven rounds are fired.
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UTAS UTS-15 12 gauge
Similar to the KSG, but much more large and imposing looking, the UTS-15 is made in Turkey and has a decent reputation for usability and reliability. Like the KSG, there are two seven round tube magazines, but the UTS automatically flips between the magazines after each pump action, keeping the weight even and removing the issue of user error.
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PM: 0 S/R: 2 AMMO: 14 DC: H CLOS: 0-10 LONG: 20-50 CON: n/a JAM: 98+ DRAW: -3 RL: 10 COST: $1700
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SRMArms SRM1216
The other semi-auto in the list, the SRM1216 is a new design that uses a quirky four-tube magazine that is rotated after every four shots by the operator. The four tube magazine can then be swapped quickly(ish) for a new magazine; this last action can be a bit difficult in stress conditions.
PM: 0 S/R: 3 AMMO: 12 DC: H CLOS: 0-8 LONG 20-45 CON: n/a JAM: 98+* DRAW: -2 RL: 2 COST: $2500
GM Information: After every for rounds, the magazine must be rotated to continue firing. This requires a Fire Combat EF7 test and the first round on the new tube is 96+ to reflect the operator not properly seating the magazine for use.
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30 November, 2012 at 06:08
I wouldn’t say that Keltec manufactures “very, very high quality firearms” given the amount of fluffing and buffing that is often required by the end user, the number of guns that need to be returned for service, the continuing issues with the RFB (gas system and extraction/ejection issues to name two). That’s sort of like saying Jennings is “good quality”.
Also, the switch to change which tube the KSG feeds from is inside the loading/ejection port directly next to the ends of the two magazine tubes. You manually move it from one side to the other to select the magazine used. The switch extends slightly below the bottom of the weapon.
Kurt
30 November, 2012 at 07:52
You are right about the switch. I’ll blamestorm and find someone to pin my mistake on. (Not really.)
As for the quality, there I will argue with you. I’ve have four Kel-tec guns, three pistols and a carbine. Fit and finish, as I suggested, make them look chintzy — no question. I have never had an issue out of the box with the P-32s, the PF9, nor the SU-16. Most of the younger LEOs I know have a P-3AT as a backup. My firearms trainer from my time as a intel contractor lives out here and he swears by his. Two of my biker buddies carry the P-11; never any trouble.
Ever company builds “Monday morning” guns. Ever PPK knockoff I’ve had has been great; the real thing (2 of “em to learn my lesson) were shit for me. (I was one of the few Bond fans, I’m sure, who didn’t like seeing the antique back in service in the last few movies…) Hell, Ruger builds phenomenal revolver, but I had a Super Blackhawk nearly explode on my when the cylinder pin blew loose. On their autos, you wait for the next wave of any new semi-auto to avoid the inevitable recall.
30 November, 2012 at 07:59
You seem to be one of the lucky ones with regards to Keltec. I’ve seen a couple fail during training classes I’ve both taught and participated in, and have seen numerous accounts of function issues.
Are they a quality gun? Yes, they’re good quality. Are they very, very good quality? I think then it depends what you’re using as a yardstick. Is it a Glock, SigSauer, or Beretta for the handguns, or is it a Colt’s 6920 or Steyr AUG A3 for the rifles?
30 November, 2012 at 08:17
And that’s a very good point — anecdotal evidence gives you a different perspective. I’ll move enough to say my description is based on a lot of people that react to the look of their products, rather than how they function. As for the fluff and buff — this is one of the reasons I avoid a lot of handguns. If I have to “break it in”, the manufacturer didn’t finish it. If I need it that night after I first took it to the range, it had better bloody work. Kimbers and a lot of the 1911 builders are especially bad about this. Tight tolerances for accuracy are great, until they make the thing jam up. (Had this issue with a Heckler & Koch P9S — unparalleled accuracy, but the damned thing kept locking up on a spent shell in the chamber.)
On par with a Glock? Nope. Sig Sauer? Depends, they got really sloppy with a few of their modular guns; I wouldn’t take one of those as a gift. Beretta — the Maryland or the Brescia plant? If the latter, excellent; if the former, adequate. (Got a Brescia gun as a replacement for a failed MAryland gun in the army…it was wonderful!) The Steyr has to be one of the most overrated rifles I’ve fired. I liked the ergonomics, but the mag release on the butt is a disaster (still better than the British Enfield.) The Colt 6920 is a fine weapon — I’m not an AR hater, I’ve just found they never fit me well. (It’s the reason I prefer the weaker PS90. I just shoot better with it.)
30 November, 2012 at 08:46
Ideally, the AUG would have a mag release reachable by the firing hand, like the AR pattern rifles, but I don’t see this as a real negative, but rather a training issue. I see people running the AR drop the mag without retaining it (putting it in a dump bag) and those who run an AK or AUG retaining them. This may be different in the military (and appears to be from some video I’ve seen), but I like to train as if I’m not on a square range and I find the AUG helps condition me to that reality.
As for the 1911, I won’t even think of defending that comment and agree; if a gun truly *needs* breaking in (as many to most 1911s do), I don’t want it. I helped teach a Utah CCW class a few years back and there were six or seven 1911s present, and all but one had issues.
For me, I’ll stick with my basic black, plain looking Glock!
30 November, 2012 at 09:31
If the Glocks fit me well, I’d still have my Glock 20 10mm. The grip angle is just off for me. I’m a bit fan of the FN57, which is my usual carry, but I’ve found myself carrying the new Walther PPQ more and more — it’s an improvement over the P99, which I really liked, although I still prefer to have an active safety I can flick on.