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KS-23
The KS-23 (Karabin Spetsialniy, "Special Carbine") is a Russian shotgun that fires 23mm shells (equivalent to 6.27 gauge or 4 gauge in the metric bore system used in some parts of Europe), making it most powerful shoulder-fired shotgun in use today. The guns themselves are mechanically based on the Winchester Model 1200, and the barrels are made from cut-down rejected 2A7 antiaircraft gun barrels, intended for ZSU-23-4 self-propelled AA guns. Since it uses a rifled AA gun barrel, it is officially designated by the Russian military as a carbine, but in functional terms it is a pump-action shotgun. The KS-23 can fire a variety of loads including shot and slugs, and is also used with a cup adaptor and blanks to fire rifle grenades.
KS-23 was the final result for the appeared in the first half of the 70s request of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs, for a new multifunctional weapon with the possibility of using non-lethal ammunition suitable for suppressing prison riots and freeing hostages. Initially, were tested the gas cartridges for SPSh-44. However, attempts to use a signal pistol for throwing grenades did not give an acceptable result, lengthening the barrel only slightly increased accuracy. Further, were tested the 12 gauge pump-action shotguns (history is silent about which model, but apparently we are talking about one of the models common then). However, the 12 gauge was not recognized as capacious enough for such purposes. As a result of this, it was decided to return to 4 gauge (26mm). The result of this was the experimental smooth-bore pump-action shotgun SSK-26 for the 4 gauge ammunition. SSK-26 used an atypical "forward-back" pumping, and was fed from a detachable box magazine. However, the SSK-26 was not found to be satisfactory, since it did not provide the specified accuracy of fire; at the same time, it was decided to return to the "classic" pump-action shotgun design. It was decided to equip the subsequent weapon with a rifled barrel, which came up with a 23mm one from the ZSU-23. So the KS-23 form factor appeared.
The KS-23 was started to be developed in 1975. The first serial guns were produced in 1981, full development completed in 1983, with set of muzzle nozzles for throwing gas grenades and a full range of ammunition. KS-23 was officially adopted by the Soviet police in 1985. It was largely supplemented in police use with the KS-23M (modernized) in 1990. KS-23M was created as a solution to existing shortcomings, in the form of bulkiness and the difficulty of using it in cramped spaces. The initial upgrade variant also was to equip weapon with an extended magazine tube (this version is referred to as KS-23-2), but in the end it was decided to use the compact version.
In 1995, a new box magazine-fed bullpup version, the KS-23K, was developed for use by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs. The KS-23K is a rather mysterious model; in fact, aside from using the same ammunition, it is technically unrelated to the original KS-23. KS-23K reloading by pump action, by means of a cylindrical forearm with one traction under the barrel. Since this mechanism is poorly visible, this has led to widespread misconceptions that it is supposedly a semi-auto or pump-action with a moving barrel. No further information on the production and use of the KS-23K exists, and it was likely that the KS-23K remained a prototype weapon, and its production was discontinued. Parallel to the KS-23K, the TsKIB SOO developed their own 23mm box magazine fed shotgun, known as the OTs-28. The OTs-28 also did not enter service, because it was more expensive to produce than the KS-23K. The third contender for replacement was AEK-965 (essentially an analogue of KS-23M, but in a more ergonomic design), but it also was not accepted.
A civilian version, the TOZ-123 "Drake-4," was designed by Tulsky Oruzheiny Zavod in 1996. This variant features a smoothbore barrel. Imports of the TOZ-123 to the United States were banned during the Clinton Administration. Demand for Drake-4 was low, and its production was soon discontinued. The Molot Bekas is another civilian verseion of the KS-23, chambered for 12 & 16 gauge.
Specifications
(1981 - present)
- Type: Shotgun
- Caliber: 23mm (6.27 gauge)
- Weight: 8.49 lbs (3.85 kg)
- Length: 41 in (104 cm)
- Barrel length: 20 in (51 cm)
- Capacity: 3+1 (KS-23 & KS-23M), 7 (KS-23K)
- Fire Modes: Pump-Action
The KS-23 and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:
Film
| Title | Actor | Character | Note | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living Target (Zhivaja mishen) | A criminal | KS-23 | 1990 | |
| Sheriff's Star (Zvezda sherifa) | Police | KS-23 | 1992 | |
| Antikiller 2: Antiterror | SOBR personnel | KS-23M, firing tear gas grenades | 2003 |
Video Games
| Game Title | Appears as | Mods | Notation | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.62 High Calibre | KS-23M | 2008 | ||
| Call of Duty: Black Ops | 2010 | |||
| Firearms: Source | 2011 | |||
| Hot Dogs, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades | KS-23 | w/ Soviet dovetail mount | KS-23M | 2016 |
| Survarium | KS-23 & KS-23M | 2017 |