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KS-23



Overview


KS-23-1

KS-23-1 with fixed stock and short barrel. Note the 23mm shells alongside.
Source: Karden - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Shotgun
Entered service
1985
Status
In service
Development
1971 - early 1980's
Developer
Soviet Union - TsNIITochMash
Production
1985 - present
Producer
Soviet Union - TOZ
Russia - TOZ
Designations
KS-23 / Karabin Spetsialniy 23mm
Russian for "special carbine 23mm"

Description


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.

Variants


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.

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.

Details


Facts KS-23
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Shotgun
Caliber
Caliber
23mm shotgun shells
Magazine
3 round tubular magazine, plus 1 in chamber
Barrel length
510 mm
Rifling
10 grooves, right hand twist
Operation
Action
Pump-action
Fire selector
0 - 1
Rate of fire
Pump-action
Dimensions
Stock type
Fixed
Length
1.040 mm
Weight
3.85 kg empty
Sights
Type
Iron sights

Media


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23mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23

The KS-23 uses barrels that were rejected for use on 23mm autocannon such as the GSh-23L.