KS-23
The largest-bore shotgun in modern use, originally a Soviet riot-control carbine.
The KS-23, short for *Karabin Spetsialniy-23* (Special Carbine-23), is a pump-action shotgun built by Russia’s Tula Arms Plant. Despite being a shotgun, it carries the official designation of a carbine because its barrel is rifled. Developed in the Soviet Union by TsNIITochMash for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the KS-23 is notable for its unusually large bore. It fires a 23 mm shell, which works out to roughly 6.278 gauge by British and American standards, or about 4 gauge under current European metrics—making it the largest-bore shotgun still in regular use.
The weapon’s history goes back to the 1970s, when TsNIITochMash designed it for the MVD to help control prison riots. The barrels came from a surprising source: rejected components meant for the Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 autocannon, which fires 23×115 mm rounds for Soviet aircraft. These barrels failed quality checks for their original purpose but were considered strong enough for the lower pressures of shotgun slugs and less-lethal rounds. They were cut down in length, which kept production costs low, and a new 23×75 mm shell was developed. Because of this reuse, the KS-23 ended up with a rifled barrel—an unusual feature for a shotgun.
The KS-23 entered service in the mid-1980s with various MVD units, including the Militsiya and Internal Troops. In the 1990s, work began on adapting the design for use in tight indoor spaces. Two prototypes emerged: the KS-23M and KS-23K, though only the M version was actually fielded.
A variety of ammunition types were made for the KS-23. Buckshot rounds include the “Shrapnel-10” (effective to 10 meters) and “Shrapnel-25” (effective to 25 meters). The “Barrikada” round fires a solid steel projectile capable of destroying a car engine block at up to 100 meters. Training and practice use the inert “Volna” cartridge. Less-lethal options include the “Volna-R” with a rubber bullet and the “Strela-3” with a plastic bullet. Tear gas grenades come in two types: “Cheremukha-7” (CN agent) and “Siren-7” (CS agent). There is also a flash-bang round called “Zvezda,” and a blank cartridge, the PV-23, for launching grenades.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Soviet Union
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Service
- 1985–present
- Designer
- TsNIITochMash
- Design Date
- 1971–early 1980s
- Manufacturer
- Tula Arms Plant
- Variants
- KS-23M / KS-23K / TOZ-123
- Mass
- 3.85 kg (KS-23) / 3.5 kg (KS-23M)
- Length
- 1040 mm (KS-23) / 650-875 mm (KS-23M, without/with stock)
- Part Length
- 510 mm (KS-23) / 350 mm (KS-23M)
- Cartridge
- 23×75mmR
- Caliber
- 23 mm(or 6 gauge)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The KS-23 was designed in the 1970s by TsNIITochMash, a key weapons developer in the Soviet Union, as a shotgun for the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) with the purpose of suppressing prison riots. The design implemented barrels produced for the Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23, an autocannon that fires 23×115mm rounds fitted to Soviet military aircraft. These GSh-23 barrels were rejected by quality control due to manufacturing flaws, but were deemed acceptable for the lower stress of firing slugs and less-lethal rounds. The barrels were then cut down in length for the KS-23, reducing production costs, and a 23x75mm shell was developed. As a result of reusing GSh-23 barrels, the KS-23 has the unique features of being a shotgun with a rifled barrel.
The KS-23 began to see use during the mid-1980s by several MVD forces, including the Militsiya and the Internal Troops. During the 1990s, research was made into improving the original design to make it usable in confined indoor areas. Two prototypes were proposed, the KS-23M and KS-23K, although only the M version saw use. The KS-23 was created with the capability to fire several different types of ammunition, including buckshot, solid steel projectiles, less-lethal rubber and plastic bullets, tear gas grenades, flash-bang rounds, and blank grenade-launching cartridges. Later, two add-on muzzle mortars were produced, the 36 mm Nasadka-6 and 82 mm Nasadka-12, bringing with them several new ammunition types.
Reader's Guide
The KS-23 occupies a unique niche as the largest-bore shotgun in modern use, a status derived from its origins in recycled aircraft autocannon barrels. Its development for the Soviet Ministry of Internal Affairs reflects a specific need for a powerful, multi-purpose weapon capable of both lethal and less-lethal roles in prison and riot control. The weapon's significance lies in its unusual design history: repurposing rejected GSh-23 barrels not only reduced costs but also gave the KS-23 a rifled barrel, a feature rare among shotguns. This allowed it to fire specialized ammunition like the 'Barrikada' solid steel projectile, capable of destroying an engine block at up to 100 meters. The KS-23's legacy includes several variants: the short-barreled KS-23-1, the modernized KS-23M 'Drozd' with a detachable wire stock, and the bullpup KS-23K with a seven-round box magazine. A civilian version, the TOZ-123 'Selezen'-4', features a smoothbore barrel and is chambered in standard 4 gauge. The KS-23 has been used by police and security forces in Armenia, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Russia, the Soviet Union, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan, and remains in service with the Russian FSB Border Guard Service.
Did You Know?
- The KS-23 reuses barrels originally made for the Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 aircraft autocannon.
- It fires a 23 mm shell, making it the largest-bore shotgun in modern use.
- The KS-23K variant features a bullpup layout and a seven-round box magazine.
- A civilian version, the TOZ-123 'Selezen'-4', has a smoothbore barrel and is chambered in 4 gauge.
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