USAF Purchases B&T APC9K PRO Submachine Guns

by
posted on December 15, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bt-apc9kpro-1.jpg
Brugger & Thomet Inc., a Swiss based company with its U.S. subsidiary located in Tampa, Fla., announced that the United States Air Force has decided to purchase its B&T APC9K PRO submachine gun platform. This compact submachine gun platform, at less than 15" in length, is optimized for discrete carry and deployment. The Small size of the APC9K PRO makes it an idea select-fire personal defense weapon for use in confined spaces.

Chambered in 9 mm, the APC9K PRO is a more compact version of the B&T APC9 PRO line. It uses a hydraulic buffer system to reduced felt recoil and muzzle rise when fired. The design also incorporates dual folding, non-reciprocating, ambidextrous charging handles on both sides of the upper receiver just beneath the top Picatinny rail.  Other features include a bolt catch and release on both sides of the lower receiver, M4 / AR-15 style interchangeable grip and M-LOK compatible slots on the short forend.

The Magazine release and safety selector on the APC9K PRO are also ambidextrous and easy to reach from both sides. There is also a folding stock incorporated into the design for stability that folds right up against the back of the receivers to keep the folded length as short as possible. The APC9K PRO can be equipped to accept either B&T, SIG P320 or Glock compatible 9 mm magazines by swapping out the non-serialized lower receiver group.

The small size of the APC9K PRO is ideal for specialized service in the United States Air Force where room is limited inside the tight confines of aircraft and vehicle crew spaces. The U.S.A.F. is the second branch in the U.S. military to adopt the APC9K PRO, after the U.S. Army adopted it last year. The U.S.A.F. plans to acquire roughly 350 to 1000 of these new compact submachine guns to likely phase out the aging H&K MP5 in use by personal security details. 

Latest

Chiappa Rhino Large Frame 01
Chiappa Rhino Large Frame 01

A Bigger Rhino: The Chiappa 60DS L-Frame In .44 Mag.

The Chiappa Rhino revolver design is "anything but ordinary," and for 2026, the company is upscaling the concept to handle the .44 Magnum cartridge.

Preview: Magpul MOE QD Bipod For M-Lok

Simple, inexpensive and supremely easy to use, the new MOE QD Bipod For M-Lok is Magpul’s fastest-mounting bipod model by far, as it takes only about five seconds for the practiced hand to securely affix it to an M-Lok-clad fore-end.

Gun Of The Week: Henry SPD HUSH

For its first design, Henry Repeating Arms' Special Products Division developed the HUSH, or the Henry Ultimate Suppressor Host. 

The Armed Citizen® Dec. 19, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

TriStar Arms Protégé X: A Pocket-Size Punch

Inspired by successful designs of the past, the TriStar Arms Protégé X is a pocket-size, M1911-style handgun chambered for the popular 9 mm cartridge.

Hornady Family Honored with Legacy Award

In October, the Hornady family was recognized by the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation for its contribution to the city that Hornady calls home.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.