hen it comes to irearms market it s hard to come up with something new, innovative but at the same time something that has common sense. In the middle of 2016 Swiss B&T of Thun cause lot of interest on the market thanks to their latest construction that is very hard to classify. Recently, Frag Out! Magazine crw had the opportunity to check out S, heck even its two incarnations. www.fragoutmag.com
B&T USW NI ERSAL SER ICE EAPON STORY: BarTosz szołucha PHOTO: FraG out!, ParE studio, B&T IN ACTION
Here is one problem with B&T USW it s hard to classify that weapon. USW means Universal Service Weapon. In fact it is strongly muscled up 9 mm Para semi-automatic pisto. By the appearance and purpose it is similar to submachine gun or PDW, it has stock folded to the side, micro red dot and weapon light yet it ires only on single mode. In terminology showed up lately term of Pistol Carbine and probably it suits well to USW. Off course, there were previously available different kits that were looking similar and has similar purpose allowing to turn pistol into carbine for pistol ammunition examples are Israeli CAA Roni or German HERA Arms Triarii (the most popular are ones are for Glock but there are available for some other popular pistols). hy the S was designed and what is designated for? Observing constantly growing terrorist threat in Europe, engineers from B&T stared to look for solution that would provide average policeman bigger chances of effective defense against terrorists armed in rifles (mostly AKs), but at the same time not putting too much weights during everyday duty because weapon has to be carried by oficer all the time and pistol is much more comfortable, lighter and handy than submachine gun or rifle. Plus, it does not scream RIFLE for bystanders. And media. B&T (formerly known as Brugger &Thomet) has great experience in irearms manufacturing B&T designed for APC SMG/carbine/rifles available in 9 mm Parabellum,.223.300 hisper/blackout and.308 in), MP9/TP9 SMG s (basically face-lift of Austrian Steyr TMP),.300 hisper/blackout SPR integrally suppressed precision rifles, APR sniper rifles and even GL06 40 mm grenade launchers. Lesser known constructions are P26, KH9 and GHM9 submachine guns. igilant eye will notice that base of S is... famous Swiss Sphinx SDP pistol known by precision performance and itted like Helvetian watch, being much wanted clone of Czech CZ 75. And it s basically true. How is that happened? Because of the announcement from 30 November of 2015 and inancial failure of Sphinx System AG (being part of KRISS Group, producing submachine guns ector SMG) all spare parts supply and technical documentation was bought by B&T. Production of Sphinx pistols in SA is continued by KRISS SA, by this is something totally not relevant in that manner. The Sphinx logo on the irst draft of the S was deliberately destroyed. B & T engineers began a search for a weapon that would provide the average oficer with a better chance of effectively repelling a terrorist attack armed with a long gun. www.fragoutmag.com
First S s were even built form original Sphinx SDP parts what s trigger mechanism and external hammer (but covered). It has self-locking iring pin blocker and external safety lever that secures cocked hammer, what allows to carry a gun with hammer cocked. rel. There is no rear sight in the S as it was replaced by Aimpoint Nano micro red dot sight. S Compact differs from fullsize version by three additional cuts on the sides of slide and, of IN ACTION interesting logo An ambidextrous safety lever is on course, dimensions. on the grip was broken purpose- the frame same as magazine re- fully. Finall versions, S -A1 lease button near the trigger guard. Cold forged barrel has 110 mm in (BT430001) and S -A1 length and left-side twist M13.5X1 Compact (BT-43004), ind in our In the front of the slide there are thread adjusted for twisting the hands on the shooting range at vertical grooves that improves the silencer off course proper sup- the end of the July. grip during reloading even with pressors known by their high efi- wet hand or when wearing gloves. ciency and reliability are available Grooves are also useful for press- from B&T. Pistol came with B&T check. The only iron sight of S Impuls-IIA suppressor attached. USW-A1 is big front sight post that has trapezoidal shape in hi-visible S -A1 Compact has 79 mm non-threaded barrel. green color, that fastens Semi-automatic B&T S has aiming precisely made steel slide and by the metal-polymer frame. S works bar- by short barrel recoil that locks by skewing nose of the chamber in the ejection port. Pistol comes with SA/ DA
ery interesting element that signiies its otherness is the back of S. Polymer frame was extended in the back part (its looks like extended beavertail) and especially designed bridge was screwed in to the frame. It serves for two purpose: as a mount for Aimpoint Nano and to attach side-folding stock. Slide of the pistol during iring moves inside of the bridge and stays invisible for shooter, same at the hammer. There is short MIL- STD-1913/NATO Accessory Rail at the front portion of the frame designed for mounting weapon light. B&T S is fed with double-stack steel magazines with orange followers. Full-size version comes with 17, 19 and 30 round magazines and Compact comes with 13, 15 and 26 rounders (full-size version magazine can be used in Compact version but not vice-versa). But B&T S is not only a gun but also complete weapon system designed with the thought of enhancing the accuracy of shooter in multiple tactical situations. In the set there is Aimpoint Nano micro red sight designed especially for S (it will be available in sales in the middle of 2018) which combined side-folding polymer stock increases effectively chances to hit the targets at medium distance. In the stress situation Size comparison USW and GLOCK 17 Gen 4 www.fragoutmag.com
IN ACTION police officer will have greater chances of hitting the target from the weapon with sight that have bright red dot and stock tucked into the arm than with classic iron sights. Another part of set is single CR123 powered B&T Advanced Pistol Lights (OEM version of 400 lumen INFORCE APL Gen 3). It was included in the kit after analysis of firefights which showed that most of the shooting incidents on the streets were in low light or complete darkness. ML s enhances detection and identification of the target and at the same time allows blinding the enemy. B&T S is delivered in plastic case, with three magazines, single point sling, cleaning kit and manual. Optional is multi-function polymer holster made from plastic with Level II or Level III safety and with three different mounts: belt mount, leg panel and dropped belt mount. Off course holster is fitted to carry S with complete equipment. BANG! BANG! Both versions of B&T S are light and handy in addition S Compact looks better but lacks of suppressor mount. Shame, because shooting from full-size version equipped with suppressor using sub-sonic ammunition is something beautiful. eapon works practically not affecting the shooter, and one thing that can be
heard is working mechanism and quiet pop. Like in the movies. Getting full grip in both models is identical differences in length of the frames and grips are not relevant, especially that you can use magazines that extends the grip in S Compact. hat s important you have to be very careful of placing supporting hand because it can be accidentally place in the line of bore, what will hurt when we pull the trigger (it concern especially the compact version because short barrel is hidden in the slide). Getting proper grip requires bit of training but it can be achieved pretty quickly. Polymer stock works well after unfolding it you can make tight group on the target without no problem, even iring double taps. eapon with stock is stable, aiming with red dot is so easy and the trigger as well as whole mechanism of the weapon works perfectly. End to an end, it s Sphinx and those pistols were cherish for smooth trigger work and hi-end mechanism (what unluckily is accompanied by high price tag). Manipulators are placed ergonomically so if someone has something in common with Sphinx or CZ 75, he s on the homerun because operation of the weapon will be intuitive from the irst moment. Thanks to using stock recoil and barrel rise can be eliminated almost to none what easily transfers to high accuracy on the distances that would be hard to achieve for standard pistols, especially when iring quickly. Speaking frankly, pulling the stock with pretty www.fragoutmag.com
IN ACTION aggressive texture on the symbolic area a little harder to my shoulder results in few small bruises, but I think it is because I was iring only wearing t-shirt and pulling weapon to my shoulder a little harder (probably unnecessarily). Shooting from B&T S can be done like from standard pistol, one hand as well as both hands. Folded stock does not interfere operating the weapon, only slightly making reloading dificult. Stock itself unfolds easily it can be achieved through rapid pull (force solution) or by pressing locking button that is placed on the right side of the frame and it can be easily operated by trigger inger. nfortunately, we didn t have holster for S, but we used a sling. Compact version worn underneath the shirt is practically invisible and getting weapon ready to ire with little practice lightning fast.
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B&T USW TECH SPECS: Model: USW-A1 USW-A1 COMPACT Caliber: 9 mm x 19 Parabellum Trigger mechanism: SA/DA Overall length: 257/473 mm Barrel lenth: 110 mm 79 mm idth with folded stock: 44 mm Height: 170 mm eight: 1170 g 1020 g IN ACTION Magazine: 17, 19 & 30 rds 13, 15 & 26 rds