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Kemen KM4

Kemen KM4

By and large modern shotguns are competently designed, capably made and should carry out there duties efficiently – providing you do your part. However there are some guns that far surpass ‘adequate’, and in this new series I will be looking at models that I believe are special, and offer something more than the average. They will include game guns, clay guns, all-rounders, over and unders, side-by-sides, and semi-autos; some will be expensive while others are easily affordable but the common denominator will be that these Top Guns will have qualities and/or capabilities that outshine their competitors.

This month I will be looking at and assessing in depth a Spanish made Kemen KM4 that I have been using for some considerable time now. Indeed, I have put thousands of cartridges through it, using it for both clay and game shooting, and without giving too much of our game away, I believe it to be simply one of the best competition and field guns on the market today in long barrelled 32” form (as reviewed here).

The KM4 is a gun inspired by the Perazzi MX8 of course, as is the Purdey Sporter made in association with Perugini and Visini (ex-Perazzi employees). The only real mechanical difference is the catch for removing the trigger lock, which is incorporated to the rear of the trigger guard bow instead of being part of the safety mechanism. The KM4 design also incorporates key features of the London Woodward over and under (stud pin hinging and bifurcated barrel lumps as since used by Beretta, Perazzi and many others) and Boss type bolting.

Kemens are particularly notable for their good balance and relatively light-for-length, hand-struck, barrels. They are especially pointable. I find them especially easy (and forgiving) to shoot. The test example has been fitted with Teague chokes and the stock, though similar to an original Kemen one – was custom made. Meantime, it might be noted that any Kemen ordered from British importer, Mike Meggison, of Kelbrook Shooting lodge will be made to measure. They are all bespoke.

My gun though came second-hand from Park Street Guns, who, whilst, I am plugging friends, I will mention are one of the friendliest gun shops in the country and well stocked too. I have had two Kemens from them.

A Little History

The Spanish have made a number of Perazzi clones or near clones over the years – Aramberri, Arkrom and Kromson to name three. The father of Kemen’s MD, Juan Cruz Sarigatte was I believe involved in at least one of these. I also know that a Spanish Shooter won the World OT championship in Seoul, South Korea in 1978 with a Perazzi copy, though I am not sure of the make. Continuing our story, about 15 years back, Kemens (first brough into the UK by Tony Kennedy) took the British shooting world by storm. George Digweed and Richard Faulds both used 32” KM4s to tremendous effect – Big George winning the World FITASC with one and Faulds using a Kemen to shoot 100 straight – always a great achievement at sporting (though it has become more common since as standards have improved too). I had an early KM 4 32” in those days too and I probably did better with it than any other gun I have owned, it equalled in ‘shootability’ my Perazzi DG2 32 and my trust Beretta 303 – bringing home the bacon again and again.

The Whole 90 Yards

Indeed, I could do things with that first Kemen that I have not been able to equal since. Memorably, I once used it to win a shoot off by distance at the Colchester Garrison shoot. How well I recall the day. We moved back, and back, and back. So far, in fact, that the two us shooting off couldn’t hit anything! But, we were a very long way out. So, unable to connect, the organisers moved us back in a bit and I managed 4 very long battues out of six and took the prize. There was some muttering behind, and someone paced out the distance – just over 90 yards. Not bad! [For those who might be interested I was using three-quarters and full and an ounce of true 7 shot going through an 18.7mm bore.

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Sadly that gun, like quite a few older Kemens, broke through the grip after I had had it bent to add extra cast (never a good idea with these guns). I glued it up and carried on for a while though. I also took the gun to the factory for choke adjustment. Although they did their best for me, it never shot quite as well again and I parted with it. But, it was the first of three Kemen 32s that I have owned personally – and all have done well for me.

Modified and Improved

The latest guns are slightly modified with a narrower metalwork to retain the drop lock mechanism, this allows for more wood in the potentially weak grip area (a potential issue for most drop lock designs of MX8 style). The bluing process has also been improved. The gun shown in the pictures is of the MK 1 type, though, at the angles shown, you would not be able to distinguish it from the latest MK 2 (only identifiable when you look at the lock work from underneath, and then only if you know what you are looking for – the narrowed box/triggerlock-plate).

Looking at the test gun in detail, it impresses in all departments. The plain black action has always been to my taste, with light gold letters and numbering. The gun is still tight and shows little wear in spite of hard use. I use it for teaching as well as personal shooting. The monobloc barrels, made from special steel with uniquely elastic qualities, are nicely presented (though perhaps not quite as perfect as a Perazzi because most of the work, including the striking up – is still hand done. The test gun has an excellent, vented, 11 to 7mm taper rib, but there are other options including a 7mm parallel design which I had on one of my other Kemens and it was excellent too (and helps to keep barrel weight down). The internal and external finish is competent. The barrels on the test KM4 – like most of this marque - are relatively light at 1575 grams. I have found that these guns seem to work best with barrels in the range 1530-80 grams. You can have whatever you want within reason though. The bore is quite wide at 18.7mm and better for it (though you will find most Kemens coming through around 18.5 or 6 now, arguably better if you use felt wads, but my preference remains for 18.7).

The action has split hinge pins and boss-style draws and wedges – is well put together too and has a central cocking bar. Engineering is good all round, with perfect function on the safety, top-lever etc. The gun is still tight after having been used significantly. The trigger pulls, like all the Kemens I have tested, were very good. Tumblers (hammers) are powered by traditional V springs which means there need be no compromise on sear angles (something that usually happens on helical springed guns by necessity). Good trigger pulls are equally important – more than good gun fit in a competition gun in my opinion. You can adapt to a gun that does not fit, but it is very hard to adapt to a gun that has poor pulls.

Stockwork

As far as the stock was concerned, this was something of a project for me. As noted, all Kemen’s are bespoke and when I got this one it had dimensions unsuited to me. I could have got another stock from Kemen who make very good stocks with good shapes. This is one area where they stole the march on Perazzi with regard to designs suitable for sporting shooting (though this has since been addressed by the famous Italian maker).

I had my friend Manuel Ricardo (who I believe is probably the best competition stock maker working in the world today) make my ideal stock with a Browning inspired grip shape. It has a length of pull of 15”, very slight off-set for a right hander and drop dimensions of 1 5/16” at the nose of the comb and 2 1/16” at heel.

Shooting Impressions

The Kemens always were great handling guns, and this one is no exception. It balances just ahead of the hinge pin (to get a 32 to balance on the hinge pin, even with lightweight barrels you have to weight the stock too much and they do not feel right). It hits the scales at 8lbs 2oz. which I would say is ideal for a clay gun and not too heavy for a high bird gun either. It is an effortless gun to shoot, and one through which one may comfortably put shells all day without fatigue or punishment. This one is chambered at 2 3/4” (70mm) but one may specify 3” (76mm) chambers if required. Personally speaking I prefer a dedicated chamber to squeeze every last ounce of performance from the gun ballistically.

The Kemens always were great handling guns, and this one is no exception. It balances just ahead of the hinge pin (to get a 32 to balance on the hinge pin, even with lightweight barrels you have to weight the stock too much and they do not feel right). It hits the scales at 8lbs 2oz. which I would say is ideal for a clay gun and not too heavy for a high bird gun either. It is an effortless gun to shoot, and one through which one may comfortably put shells all day without fatigue or punishment. This one is chambered at 2 3/4” (70mm) but one may specify 3” (76mm) chambers if required. Personally speaking I prefer a dedicated chamber to squeeze every last ounce of performance from the gun ballistically.

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gun
features

  • Model: Kemen KM4
  • Action: Detachable trigger lock with Boss bolting
  • Type: O/U
  • Bore: 12
  • Chamber: 2 3/4” (with 3” option)
  • Barrel: 32” (other lengths available)
  • Rib: 11-7mm taper (7mm parallel and other options)
  • Weight: 8lbs 2oz.
  • Delivery: 12-16 weeks
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