New for 2022, Brugger & Thomet USA announced the release of its compact SPC9 Special Purpose Carbine. Chambered for 9 mm Luger, the SPC9 is a pistol-caliber carbine that combines the features and characteristics found on B&T's APC9, H&K's MP5 and AR-15 designs. The SPC9 was specifically developed at the request of a European police agency that sought a platform similar to the AR-15, but chambered for the less powerful 9 mm cartridge instead of 5.56x45 mm NATO.
Internally, the SPC9 has a unique action design as well. Instead of using a traditional direct-blowback action, as is typically the case with many pistol-caliber carbines in 9 mm, the SCP9 uses a delayed blowback action cushioned by a hydraulic buffer system, with is housed within an AR-15 style buffer tube. This buffer is meant to tame down felt recoil and increase performance while suppressed. The buffer tube includes six position stops for telescoping stocks, and will accept any AR-style ,mil-spec folding stock.
Also like an AR-15, the SPC9 is comprised of an upper and lower receiver group. The upper receiver group is made of aluminum, and includes a Picatinny rail running across the top. The upper is fitted with an aluminum free-floating hand-guard, which has Picatinny segments on the top and bottom, while M-Lok compatible slots are machined into the side.
A diagram showing and listing many of the features of B&T USA's new SPC9 Special Purpose Carbine.
The Lower receiver group is made from polymer, and attached to the upper receiver via two takedown pins in AR-15 fashion. Its design is largely borrowed from the APC9, with aspects of the AR-15 platform thrown in, like the ability to accept AR-style aftermarket grips. Three versions of the lower will be offered, with one accepting standard B&T magazines, along with two other options that are compatible with either Glock or SIG Sauer P320/M17 magazines.
For controls, the lower receiver has bilateral safety and bolt catch levers, with a non-binary magazine release located just ahead of the trigger on the right side. The safety can be activated with the hammer forward, unlike the AR platform, adding a layer of safety. On the upper receiver, the SPC9 features not one, but two charging handle locations. Both are bilateral, with one being of the traditional AR-style at the rear, along with a side mounted one in the upper-middle of the fore-end. This gives the user a choice on how to set up their manual-of-arms.
Initially, five versional od the B&T USA SPC9 will be available. This includes a 4.5" barreled PDW, an integrally suppressed PDW-SD model, a 9" standard, an integrally suppressed 9" Standard SD and a 16" carbine version which is expected to be released later this year. To learn more about the Brugger and Thomet USA SPC9 Special Purpose Carbine line, along with B&T USA's other products, visit bt-usa.com.
