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Trigger Talks - Kiltec KSG Edition

Trigger Talks - Kiltec KSG Edition

Sam Wood
October 11, 2025

Tip of the Day

Treat your shotgun like a precision tool — pattern it. At 25 yards, fire a 5–shot group from a solid rest with the choke and ammo you’ll carry. Mark the center, measure pellet spread, and try a different load or choke if the pattern is uneven. Knowing where your pellets cluster saves lives and ammunition, and helps you choose the right ammo for home defense, birds, or slugs. Clean the bore after each range session, keep action lubricated, and practice reloads and clearances slowly until they’re smooth. Respect the muzzle and wear eye and ear protection.

Trivia Question❓

Shotgun gauges are delightfully backward — the gauge number equals how many solid lead balls of the bore’s diameter add up to one pound. So, in a friendly brain-teaser: between a 12-gauge and a 20-gauge shotgun, which one has the larger bore, and roughly how wide is a 12-gauge bore in inches and millimeters (to the nearest hundredth)?

_{Answer at the bottom of the newsletter}

"Compact Power: The Kel-Tec KSG Redefines Tactical Shotguns"

Andy Rutledge’s Sep 22, 2016 review of the Kel-Tec KSG praises the bullpup, dual-magazine 12-gauge pump for its compact CQB design, high capacity, and ambidextrous features. He notes an 18.5″ barrel, 6.9 lb weight, and 6+6+1 (3″) capacity, plus top and bottom Picatinny rails for optics and grips. After testing varied loads he experienced smooth feeding and manageable recoil comparable to a Mossberg 500. Loading can be fiddly and the safety/controls feel awkward, but ergonomics, shootability, and modularity earn top marks. Rutledge concludes the KSG is an innovative, highly effective tactical/home-defense shotgun. He recommends trying one at a range before buying.

Interesting Facts

Gauge is backward by design — the number tells how many lead balls the bore diameter would take to weigh one pound, so a 12-gauge is larger than a 20-gauge; and .410 is actually a caliber (.410 inches), not a gauge.
A shotgun’s spread is a feature you can tune: the choke (muzzle constriction) and even the shot cup/wad dramatically change pellet pattern and effective range — swapping chokes can turn a waterfowl scatter into a tight skeet punch.
Modern plastic wads/sabots (20th century) revolutionized shotguns — they protect pellets, improve patterns at higher velocity, and enabled accurate sabot slugs, giving shotguns near-rifle performance with the right setup.

"Innovation Meets Imperfection: The Real Story of the Kel-Tec KSG"

Dave Chesson’s June 11, 2025 Gun University review examines the Kel-Tec KSG, a compact bullpup 12-gauge notable for its dual-tube magazine and high capacity. The author praises its short overall length, ambidextrous design, and home-defense utility but criticizes build quality—pointing to cheap plastics, a stiff action, and a problematic downward ejection that can strike a shooter’s wrist. Chesson notes solid patterning and shootability yet warns of occasional reliability hitches and the common need for aftermarket fixes (recoil pads, deflectors). His verdict: innovative and fun, yet ergonomically flawed out of the box, priced reasonably but eclipsed by newer bullpup shotguns today.

Quote of the Day

"A shotgun’s best qualities are humility and truth — practice the fundamentals, respect the muzzle, and let your pattern do the talking."

Joke of the Day

Why did the shotgun go to therapy?
Because it had too many “triggering” relationships and couldn’t keep its barrels together!

Secret Little Hack

Train with a single “index shell” — slip one reduced-profile shell into a short elastic loop or slim side-saddle mounted on the stock (primer away from your cheek), so during a malfunction or single-shell reload you can grab and chamber it instinctively with one hand; pair this with dry-fire/snap-cap practice until the motion is reflex — faster, safer, and far more useful than fumbling for loose shells.

💡Answer to the Trivia Question:

The 12-gauge has the larger bore; a 12-gauge bore is about 0.73 inches (≈ 18.50 mm).

A Newsletter Dedicated to Responsible Gun Ownership, Education, and Tactical Operations.

Brought To You By:

Austin Warfield - Owner of C.O.P.S. Gun Shop - as a retired police officer, Austin has been involved in numerous community events over the years. His firm beliefs in the 2nd Amendment and the fundamentals that all citizens have the right to bear arms to not only hunt to provide for their family, but for defense either against their property and lives, but be able to prevent the overreach of government within our rights. he wants to share his joy of gun ownership with all safely and responsibly.

Chris Pine - Chris is a dedicated father and husband who also serves in the Oklahoma National Guard. He understands the sacrifices that 1st responders and the military make to protect our communities and rights for the greater good. He has a long-time love of firearms and competitive shooting. He is always looking for ways to share his knowledge with both new and experienced firearm enthusiasts.

Sam Wood: More Than Just a Writer

In the heart of a small, close-knit community where every face was familiar, Sam Wood learned life's most valuable lessons. His upbringing wasn't easy; he faced his share of hardships and adversities that tested his resolve. Yet, it was these very challenges that shaped his tenacity and belief in the power of perseverance. Sam often shares stories of the mentors and community figures who saw potential in him when he couldn't see it in himself, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community that raised him.

Sam's entrepreneurial spirit was kindled in his early twenties, leading him from a daring venture into a thriving business. His success as a business owner is a testament to his grit, but Sam is quick to point out that his journey was peppered with failures as much as triumphs. It's in discussing these moments of vulnerability that Sam truly connects with his readers, reminding them that every setback is just a setup for a comeback.

Though guns and advocacy have been his mainstay, Sam's life is rich with passions that paint the full picture of who he is. An avid outdoorsman, he finds peace and solace in the wilderness, often sharing tales of his expeditions hunting, fishing, and exploring. These adventures are more than hobbies; they're a return to his roots and a way to connect with the earth and himself.

Sam's commitment to making a positive impact is evident in his volunteer work, especially in educating young people about gun safety and responsible ownership. He believes in empowerment through knowledge, a value instilled in him by the mentors of his youth.

Family and friendships anchor Sam's world. He speaks fondly of family dinners that could easily pass for debates, where lively discussions on politics, history, and philosophy were the norm. These gatherings not only deepened his understanding of the world but also his convictions about gun ownership and personal freedom.

Sam's friends describe him as a man of integrity, grounded by the core values of freedom, responsibility, and respect. Yet, they're quick to point out his lighter side—his quick wit, love for practical jokes, and an uncanny ability to find humor in the mundane. It's this blend of depth and light-heartedness that makes his writing so compelling.

Despite not following a traditional educational path, Sam's knowledge and insights command respect. His writing, marked by a first-person conversational tone, wit, and humor, makes complex gun issues accessible and engaging. But more than that, it's a reflection of the man himself—complex, nuanced, and profoundly human.

Sam Wood may have started as a small-town boy, but through his resilience, he's become a beacon of inspiration and a voice for responsible gun ownership. Residing now in Comfort, Texas, he continues to advocate, educate, and connect with people through his stories and experiences. In every piece he writes, Sam aims not just to inform but to remind us of our shared humanity and the values that unite us.