General Facts
- TYPE
Shotgun - ORIGIN
USSR - NICKNAMES
- - DESIGNED
1971 - early 1980's - DESIGNER
TsNIITochMash - PRODUCTION
1985 - present - PRODUCERS
Russia - TOZ
USSR - TOZ - QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Very powerful
Good range and accuracy
Wide range of ammunition types
Large and heavy
Limited magazine size
Powerful recoil
Introduction
The KS-23 is a shotgun of Soviet origin. It was developed for law enforcement use in the 1980's. The name KS-23 stands for Karabin Spetsialniy, which is Russian for special carbine. The number 23 refers to the 23mm diameter of the barrel, which makes it one of the most powerful tactical shotguns
Design
The KS-23 has a standard pump-action shotgun design plus some uncommon features. The barrels are derived from rejected 23mm aircraft cannon barrels. The rifling allows for an exceptional range with slugs and cannister ammunition such as tear gas. Below the barrel there is a tubular magazine that doubles as the rails for the polymer pump slider. A fixed wooden stock is fitted.
Firepower
The KS-23 fires its own range of 23mm ammunition that includes buckshot, slugs, tear gas and other special rounds. The magazine capacity is 3 rounds plus 1 in the chamber. Slugs have a maximum range of 100 to 150 meters.
Users
The KS-23 is used by Russian law enforcement and those of former Soviet states. It is being supplemented by more modern 12ga shotguns but remains in active use.
KS-23
The KS-23 is a powerful shotgun that fires 23mm rounds. The standard model was introduced in 1985. It has a long barrel and fixed wooden stock. The KS-23-1 has a shorter barrel of similar length as the KS-23M.
| Type | Shotgun |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 23mm |
| Magazine | 3 round tubular magazine, plus 1 in chamber |
| Operation | Pump-action |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Pump-action |
| Barrel length | 510 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 10 grooves, right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | ? |
| Stock | Fixed |
| Length | 1.040 mm |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | 3.85 kg empty |
| Sights | Iron sights |
| Remarks | - |
| Type | Shotgun |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 23mm |
| Magazine | 3 round tubular magazine, plus 1 in chamber |
| Operation | Pump-action |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Pump-action |
| Barrel length | 410 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 10 grooves, right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | ? |
| Stock | Fixed |
| Length | 0.940 mm |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | ? |
| Sights | Iron sights |
| Remarks | - |
KS-23M
The KS-23M is a more compact variant of the KS-23, introduced in 1991. It was one of several attempts to improve on the KS-23 design. The mechanism remains similar, but a shorter barrel is used, a polymer pistol grip is fitted and a metal wire stock can optionally be fitted.
- Specifications:
- KS-23M
| Type | Shotgun |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 23mm |
| Magazine | 3 round tubular magazine, plus 1 in chamber |
| Operation | Pump-action |
| Fire selector | 0-1 |
| Rate of fire | Pump-action |
| Barrel length | 410 mm |
|---|---|
| Rifling | 10 grooves, right hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity | ? |
| Stock | Detachable |
| Length | 875 mm / 650 mm |
| Width | ? |
| Height | ? |
|---|---|
| Weight | ? |
| Sights | Iron sights |
| Remarks | Detachable metal strut shoulder stock. |
Media
