Old Meets New: The Springfield Armory Kuna Tri-Lug and .40 S&W Models

Jeremiah Knupp

posted on September 7, 2026

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SA Kuna Trilug 01 — Image courtesy of Springfield Armory.

The two most iconic submachine muzzle profiles would have to be the Cutts Compensator on the Thompson submachine guns and the tri-lug mount of the Heckler & Koch MP5. It is the latter that Springfield Armory is incorporating into its popular and award-winning Kuna large-format pistol.

Springfield Armory has taken its award-winning Kuna pistol and added a model with a tri-lug mount barrel. Image courtesy of Springfield Armory.

The MP5 was born in an era when the use of suppressors was becoming more common among military and law enforcement users, and the tri-lug mount allowed a suppressor to quickly be attached or removed. Designed by HS Produkt as a submachine gun for military and law enforcement, the original Kuna used a tri-lug mount on its barrel. This means it has three integrally machined lugs at the muzzle of its 6.6-inch cold hammer-forged barrel. Compatible suppressors mount with a simple push-and-twist motion without tools.

While purpose-built tri-lug mount suppressors are less common on the market, adapters like this HUB-compatible model from Yankee Hill Machine allow many suppressors on the market to be used with the system. Image courtesy of Yankee Hill Machine.

The tri-lug Kuna is available with or without a Strike Industries FSA folding stabilizing arm brace. Image courtesy of Springfield Armory.

While purpose-built tri-lug suppressors are less common on the market, tri-lug adapters, from companies like SilencerCo and Yankee Hill Machine, allow any HUB-compatible suppressors to be used. The tri-lug mount also allows for the use of the numerous muzzle devices and brakes designed for the MP5.

The addition of a tri-lug mount option brings the Springfield Armory Kuna large-format pistol closer to the submachine gun (pictured) that it is derived from. Image courtesy of HS Produkt.

Adding the tri-lug option gives the Kuna a classic look and offers a version closer to what is sold to military and law enforcement users. The rest of the pistol’s specifications are the same as the original, from its 9 mm Luger chambering to its roller-delayed blowback action. The tri-lug Kuna is available in its standard format, with 10-round magazines for restricted localities, or with a factory-installed Strike Industries FSA folding stabilizing arm brace.

The tri-lug Kuna is also available with 10-round magazines for restricted locales. Image courtesy of Springfield Armory.

Last month, Springfield quietly introduced the .40 S&W chambering in the Kuna. Having gotten its start as a submachine gun intended for a Brazilian federal police contract (which it won), the original Kuna was designed around the .40 S&W cartridge. Besides the chambering, all other features match that of the 9 mm Luger Kuna. The .40 S&W Kuna is available with or without a stabilizing arm brace, and its muzzle is threaded 9/16x24 TPI and fitted with Springfield’s multi-port muzzle brake. It feeds from proprietary 30-round magazines. The result is a rare .40 S&W-chambered, PDW-style handgun.

Springfield also recently released the Kuna chambered in .40 S&W, the cartridge for which the platform was originally designed. Image courtesy of Springfield Armory.

All Kuna models, including the new tri-lug and .40 S&W versions, have an MSRP of $1,179 for standard versions and $1,330 for version with a folding brace. For more information on Springfield’s Kuna line-up, see the company’s website.