Knight’s Armament KS-1: Premium Rifle, Average Performance?

Published on May 13, 2026
Duration: 5:26

This review of the Knight's Armament KS-1 rifle details its performance with various ammunition types. The rifle features a 13.7-inch cold hammer-forged 4132 chromoly vanadium barrel with a 5.56 NATO chamber and a 1:7 twist rate. Testing involved 30-shot groups at 100 yards to assess accuracy and heat effects, with results varying significantly by ammunition, indicating potential compatibility issues.

Quick Summary

The Knight's Armament KS-1 rifle features a 13.7-inch cold hammer-forged 4132 chromoly vanadium barrel with a 5.56 NATO chamber and 1:7 twist. Accuracy tests showed 1.81 MOA with Sierra 69gr, 2.327 MOA with Federal 77gr, but significantly larger groups with Hornady 73gr (4.063 MOA) and PMC 62gr (5.384 MOA).

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction to the Knight's Armament KS-1
  2. 00:07KS-1 Barrel Specifications
  3. 00:16Barrel Interior Inspection (Chamber, Throat, Rifling)
  4. 00:46Gas Port and Crown Inspection
  5. 00:59Accuracy Testing Methodology
  6. 01:25Group 1: Sierra 69 Grain MatchKing
  7. 01:44Sierra 69 Grain Results & Analysis
  8. 02:18Group 2: Federal Gold Medal 77 Grain Sierra MatchKing
  9. 02:50Federal 77 Grain Results & Analysis
  10. 03:24Group 3: Hornady 73 Grain ELD Match
  11. 04:00Hornady 73 Grain Results & Analysis
  12. 04:23Group 4: PMC X-Tac 62 Grain M855
  13. 04:57PMC X-Tac 62 Grain Results & Analysis
  14. 05:17Overall Performance Summary & Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key technical specifications of the Knight's Armament KS-1 rifle's barrel?

The Knight's Armament KS-1 features a 13.7-inch cold hammer-forged barrel made from 4132 chromoly vanadium. It has a 5.56 NATO chamber and a 1:7 twist rate, with indications of a forged chamber and throat.

How did the Knight's Armament KS-1 perform with different ammunition types during accuracy testing?

The KS-1 showed varied performance. It achieved 1.81 MOA with Sierra 69 grain MatchKing, 2.327 MOA with Federal 77 grain Sierra MatchKing, but struggled significantly with Hornady 73 grain ELD Match (4.063 MOA) and PMC X-Tac 62 grain M855 (5.384 MOA).

What methodology was used to test the accuracy of the Knight's Armament KS-1 rifle?

The testing involved firing 30-shot groups at 100 yards to create a substantial sample size and simulate heat buildup. A Mantis X was used to monitor shot deviations, and a Garmin chronograph recorded muzzle velocities.

What was the average muzzle velocity and standard deviation for the tested ammunition in the KS-1?

Velocities varied: Sierra 69gr averaged 2,484 ft/s (SD 30), Federal 77gr averaged 2,259 ft/s (SD 18), Hornady 73gr averaged 2,368 ft/s (SD 27), and PMC 62gr averaged 2,784 ft/s (SD 25).

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