KS-23 Carbine / Shotgun (1985)
Though more akin to a combat shotgun by Western standards, the Soviets classified their KS-23 series as a carbine.
At its core, the KS-23 is a manually-actuated, pump-action slide weapon system that, for all intents and purposes, is a "shotgun" classification by Western standards though larger in scale by any respect. The system weighs in at 3.85 kilograms and sports a running length of 1,040mm with a barrel length of 510mm (in her basic form). Her formal caliber is listed as 23mm which becomes 6.27 gauge in American nomenclature while the feed system consists of tubular magazine housed under the barrel. The magazine can only hold 3 x 23mm shells though a fourth round can be chambered "ready-to-fire" and increases total ammunition capacity to four. Iron sights are integrated as standard and the internal firing system concerning the 23mm requires use of a multi-lug locking bolt assembly. The KS-23 has seen various shells developed for its unique design including basic buckshot, solid steel slug, non-lethal rubber slugs, tear gas and flash-bang shells. Militarized versions can add the optional muzzle attachment for firing barrel-launched grenades of various types (primarily tear gas for riot control) as well as grapple hooks and the like for special forces elements.
The KS-23 designation identifies the initial production models and basic security-minded KS-23 form. The type sports a 510mm long barrel assembly which differentiates it from the other KS-23 production marks. The militarized version is the KS-23M "Thrush" production model which does away with the solid wooden shoulder stock of the base offering and is completed with a handier, shorter 410mm length barrel. Some examples of this model have been identified with or without a wire-type stock. In either case, the KS-23M ends up being lighter in weight and easier to handle as a result. The KS-23K is the KS-23 completely rearranged into a "bullpup" configuration (the action now being located aft of the pistol grip and trigger unit) to take advantage of the inherent internal space generated by the required larger shoulder stock . The new arrangement allowed for an internal magazine of up to seven shells as opposed to the three-shell limit of the original production models. The KS-23K appeared in the late 1990s. The KS-23, in its civilian market guise, is known as the TOZ-123 "Drake" but is only available in the tree-shell form and banned in some countries.
The KS-23 series has only seen limited use since its inception - no doubt due to the weapon's very specific nature and ammunition. Nonetheless, she remains one of the most powerful - if not the most powerful - "shotgun" type systems the world over. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
KS-23
Carbine / Shotgun
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: Tulsky Oruzheiny Zavod - Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1985
Overall Length: 1040mm (40.94in)
Barrel Length: 510.00mm (20.08in)
Weight (Empty): 8.49lbs (3.85kg)
Cartridge: 23mm (6.27 gauge)
Action: Manual Pump Action Slide
Feed: 3-round tube magazine
Range: 492ft (150m; 164yds)
Sights: Iron Front and Rear
Variants:
KS-23 - Base Series Designation appearing in 1981; formal use beginning in 1985; fixed wooden stock.
KS-23M "Thrush" - Modernized form of the KS-23; detachable wire stock; shorter barrel for improved portability; appearing in 1991.
KS-23K - Revised design appearing in 1998; bullpup configuration; 7-round box magazine.
TOZ-123 "Drake" - Civilian Market Form; smoothbore barrel; 4-gauge ammunition; 3-shell tubular magazine.
Operators: North Vietnam; Russia; Soviet Union; Vietnam
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