It’s not daily {that a} handgun surprises me with one thing new and modern, even at a time when firearms producers are placing out a few of their greatest work.
However let’s face it, in a world with each attachment out there to reinforce capturing efficiency, few developments in firearms design look again to previous options and ask if we’ve gotten the whole lot we are able to out of them earlier than turning to batteries and know-how.
That’s exactly the query that got here to thoughts whereas reviewing the Enhanced F 9mm handgun with Fast Sight System from Caracal USA.
Historical past
A few of you may be asking who Caracal is, and that’s a good query, as the corporate’s presence in America is in its relative adolescence. That doesn’t imply Caracal hasn’t been across the block each domestically and overseas, nor does it imply the corporate hasn’t been producing spectacular firearms which have been awarded a number of worldwide navy and legislation enforcement contracts.
Caracal initially opened its doorways in 2002, throughout a interval when the UAE was looking for a brand new service pistol for its navy and Center Jap allies. On the time, Arab nations had expressed considerations over conditional gross sales and restrictions on superior know-how from Western arms importers, starting a strategic push to develop their very own home protection industries and improve self-sufficiency by means of numerous partnerships.
A middle for innovation, enterprise, and luxurious tourism, characterised by a futuristic mix of contemporary structure and conventional tradition, the UAE boasts a vigorous economic system and serves as a worldwide commerce and transport hub; nonetheless, it isn’t identified for a strong manufacturing business, inflicting Caracal to rent firearms specialists from across the globe, together with designers, engineers, and machinists.
One such professional is the famend Austrian firearms designer Wilhelm Bubits, chargeable for the Steyr M pistol, to some extent the unique Glock 17, and a number of different firearms. Mr. Bubits and I communicated by way of e mail, and he shared with me the story of his “Fast Sight System” and the way it got here to be. He defined that the UAE Armed Forces’ necessities for the handgun included an ambidextrous journal catch, an 18+1-round capability, and a low bore axis, bringing the barrel’s centerline as near the shooter’s hand as attainable.
“The main venture supervisor, a normal of UAE Armed Forces, requested me if I’ve an thought, as a result of throughout aiming the pistol, he doesn’t see the rear sight clear sufficient. He was 50 years previous! So I made a slide for him with the rear sight positioned in entrance of the ejection window—fast sight was born, as a result of he might purpose extra precisely and sooner.
Afterwards, I did variants with completely different positions on the slide… What I spotted by means of all checks, a shorter distance between entrance and rear sights with pistols isn’t an issue for correct hits. In fact, a faster aiming is assured with my system,” Bubits defined.
Early Fast Sight System prototypes — photograph supplied by Wilhelm Bubits.
Early Fast Sight System and compact prototype — photograph supplied by Wilhelm Bubits.
Caracal USA Enhanced F polymer-frame striker-fired 9mm with Fast Sight System.
In 2006, the Caracal F was subjected to NATO’s AC225/D14, German Federal Police Requirements, and German Federal Armed Forces Technical Buying Necessities —probably the most exacting testing requirements out there. Later that 12 months, Caracal Worldwide could be included in Abu Dhabi. The Caracal F was first unveiled at IDEX 2007, and the primary 25,000 models had been ordered by varied navy and police forces all through the area, together with the UAE, Bahrain, and Jordan, to be used as their new service pistols.
The primary Caracal F pistols imported into the US in 2009 hit the market in 2010, earlier than the corporate’s 2011 SHOT Present debut, throughout which 10,000 pistols had been bought to American distributors. However simply when the whole lot was wanting nice for Caracal, life occurred within the type of a September 2012 recall because of a drop-safety problem that required changing two pins within the set off security and the set off bar. If we’re judging an organization accurately—not on its potential to be infallible, however on the way it handles itself when adversity strikes—I’m going to offer Caracal an A+.
Caracal didn’t have operations in America on the time, leaving its US presence to Steyr, its importer, which lacked the capability to restore all of the Caracal pistols bought. In response, and in line with its dedication to clients, Caracal provided full refunds or credit to anybody who had considered one of these unique models, together with for any equipment they’d bought for the gun.
In 2015, the Caracal F and C (full-size and compact) returned to the market with points addressed, however the compact model was later discontinued as focus shifted to fulfilling navy contract necessities for a full-size handgun. Caracal had additionally constructed a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility within the UAE, making each single a part of their firearms in-house, proper right down to the smallest parts. The brand new facility even housed fashionable drop testing gear to make sure that the identical oversight was by no means repeated.
In 2016, Caracal started manufacturing firearms in its joint New Hampshire facility below a brand new partnership with Wilcox Industries, unveiling the primary US-made Enhanced F pistols at SHOT Present 2017 earlier than initiating full validation testing in 2018. On the time, Wilcox was increasing its manufacturing capability because of navy contracts, prompting Caracal USA’s transfer to its personal devoted manufacturing services in Idaho, the place the corporate stays.
In 2020, Caracal exhibited as soon as once more at SHOT Present, simply in time for the whole lot to return to a halt throughout the pandemic. Nevertheless, by 2023, US-made Enhanced F pistols had accomplished pre-production and had handed all NATO AC225/D14 testing, permitting Caracal USA to debut the Enhanced F pistol at SHOT Present 2024, prepared on the market.
Maybe you may be acquainted…
Keep in mind after I stated Caracal needed to import specialists from across the globe after they first opened up store within the UAE? In a forthcoming evaluate, we’ll take a look at the Caracal 816, a short-stroke fuel piston AR-15 rifle designed by Robert Hirt and Chris Sirois, engineers who had been beforehand chargeable for the HK 416 and SIG 516.
Some say this “third era” of the venerable piston-driven platform is the very best but by way of sturdiness and efficiency. We’ll put that to the take a look at within the close to future, and also you gained’t imagine the value comparability!
Caracal Enhanced F Specs
The Caracal Enhanced F is a polymer-frame, striker-fired 9mm handgun with a modular set off module that enables swapping grip frames and slide setups with out affecting the serialized receiver, just like the SIG P320. Whereas Caracal doesn’t presently provide further configurations, we’ve already touched on a earlier compact iteration, so the likelihood for enlargement stays open.
The very first thing I seen concerning the Caracal Enhanced F, other than the amazingly unorthodox Fast Sight System, was the very low bore axis. Borrowing from and exceeding a precept that gave Glock a bonus in pace and manageability, Caracal mixed this enhancement with a deep grip for wonderful management of muzzle flip, and a 111-degree grip angle for a pure pointability just like that of a 1911.
The body is a simple, no-frills expertise, that includes a modest grip texture on the entrance and rear straps, together with a sliver of stippling operating down either side. The Caracal Enhanced F ships with a real ambidextrous journal launch that may be depressed from both aspect, a pair of metal 18-round magazines that drop free on command, and a left aspect slide cease.
Up entrance, the Enhanced F options a regular 1913 accent rail for mounting lights and lasers, adopted by a big, rounded set off guard that enables the gun to be operated whereas sporting gloves.
Apart from a barely extra aggressive grip texture, which I confess to going overboard on every so often, the one different a part of the body I assumed might use some enchancment was the set off. I’ll get this out of the way in which by saying that the Enhanced F’s set off was nice on the vary.
I had zero hang-ups or points getting rounds out rapidly on course. Whereas enhancements to the set off can in the end improve efficiency, any technical feedback I’ve about it gained’t make a major distinction in a sensible capturing setting, so I’m unsure I’d even trouble messing with it.
That being stated, the set off and set off security really feel acquainted in case you’ve spent a lot time behind a Glock. By really feel, I’d say it’s a constant 5-pound break. My solely actual criticisms are that there doesn’t appear to be a discernible wall earlier than the break, and that the reset is sort of lengthy, occurring simply earlier than the set off returns to its pure place. Inspecting this, I assumed I might discover on the vary, however I used to be pleasantly shocked that it didn’t consider in any respect for me.
Lastly, the takedown mechanism is just like a Glock, with the sliding tabs changed by a extra tactile set of wings which can be properly tucked away simply ahead of and above the set off, but straightforward sufficient to interact. Disassembly of the Caracal Enhanced F is just like that of a Glock, however doesn’t require the slide to be pulled again when participating the takedown tabs.
Topside, the Caracal Enhanced F retains issues easy, correctly, with a low-profile slide that jogs my memory of a CZ75. Entrance and rear serrations on both aspect of the slide make it that a lot simpler to cycle the motion, and a intelligent minimize to the highest rear of the slide permits the operator to hook it on a belt or different piece of substances to rack the pistol with one hand.
There may be additionally a loaded-chamber window above the ejection port. The double-action striker cocks and releases with the striker protruding from the rear of the slide because the set off is pulled. What’s lacking and maybe a worthy exclusion for this specific mannequin is any provision for an optic.
Whereas the Caracal Enhanced F is obtainable with commonplace iron sight packages like different handguns available on the market, my mannequin contains the Fast Sight System invented by Wilhelm Bubits. When he designed the sighting system for the getting older eyes of the UAE normal, Bubits discovered that by putting the rear sight ahead of the ejection port, his potential to acquire a transparent sight image drastically improved, as each sights now appeared to share a single focal airplane.
Not solely did the brand new system improve the shooter’s potential to acquire a assured sight image, but it surely did so whereas rising the pace at which acquisition was attainable. I’ll attempt to clarify this in layman’s phrases throughout the capturing a part of the evaluate, however even after speaking with Bubits himself, there’s nonetheless a little bit of magic mud behind this method that I don’t perceive —apart from to say it really works exceptionally effectively.
Contained in the Enhanced F, you’ll discover a 4.1-inch chilly hammer solid barrel with a beveled chamber for constant, trouble-free feeding, a heavy-duty flat recoil spring and information rod, and the inner parts of the firing pin, set off, set off security, hammer drop security, and striker security.
It’s noteworthy that the slide rails run the complete size of the set off module, offering wonderful slide-to-frame match and contributing to the rigidity and smoothness of the motion, whereas the ejector is constructed into the rail itself for power and ease. Inside parts are plasma-nitride coated, and the slide is QPQ (Quench Polish Quench) Nitride completed for enhanced corrosion resistance and floor power.
Each Day Carry
The smallest handgun I carry every day is a Glock 19, and I’ve been identified to hide carry full-size handguns when attainable. I’ve by no means gotten used to sub-compacts sufficient to wish to carry one, although I confess they are often very snug to put on all day. I used to be lucky sufficient to hook up with HofTac Industries as a result of I needed to hold the Enhanced F for just a few months to see how I prefer it —and, effectively, there aren’t many holsters for this firearm but.
Hoftac and Caracal USA supplied me with a trio of choices: one outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster made particularly to suit the Enhanced F with Fast Sight System, an Omnicarry OWB holster with belt loops, and an Omnicarry inside-the-waistband (IWB). All three holsters labored very effectively for me throughout this era; nonetheless, I discovered myself utilizing the 2 Omnicarry holsters probably the most.
Since I conceal carry extra usually than open, belt loops stored the holster tight in opposition to my physique for higher concealment below a sweater or jacket, whereas the IWB Omnicarry labored effectively for me in each the appendix and three o’clock positions. The Omnicarry is a cushty common holster that may be adjusted to suit most handguns available on the market, and as soon as arrange accurately, it feels very very similar to a holster designed to your particular firearm.
Carrying the Caracal Enhanced F is a breeze in case you’re accustomed to carrying one thing like a Glock 17. At first, I felt slightly bare and not using a mailbox mounted to my slide, however I rapidly realized to understand the shortage of bulk and never having to wipe the sweat away from my optic after operating round all day on the vary.
The true benefit of carrying this Enhanced F, nonetheless, was realized as I practiced drawing and presenting the firearm, with the pure grip angle, deep grip, and low bore axis all taking part in important roles, whereas the Fast Sight System stepped as much as steal the present.
For the lifetime of me, I can’t bear in mind a single handgun I’ve ever been in a position to attract and current extra naturally and quick with iron sights than the Caracal Enhanced F with Fast Sight System. It’s virtually as if, by some voodoo or magic, the sights are all the time there, lined up completely.
I want to purchase a shot timer; nonetheless, it was clear to me that I might pace up dramatically whereas sustaining accuracy from the holster. This, specifically, is the explanation I selected to hold the Enhanced F. I used to be keen to sacrifice sight radius for pace, as most self-defense instances occur very quick and at shut vary. However what was I sacrificing?
On the vary
It’s established information {that a} longer sight radius typically results in higher accuracy as a result of it permits for extra exact alignment and makes errors within the sight image extra noticeable. I’m not going to argue in opposition to that, however now I’m questioning how a lot of a distinction it makes for sensible handgun use.
Within the case of the Caracal Enhanced F with Fast Sight System, I didn’t discover that the shorter radius hindered my potential to place rounds on course, particularly inside 15 yards —the gap I set my goal at for this evaluate and effectively inside most self-defense engagements. To reply my earlier query, then, I wasn’t sacrificing a lot of something in any respect, however I used to be selecting up pace, and the truth that my sight image was good on each draw impressed all the arrogance I’d want to hold this the Enhanced F every day.
The Caracal Enhanced F feels wonderful within the hand, with a slick profile that lacks sharp edges —a beautiful function that helps keep away from snags and protects naked arms when manipulating the motion in a rush. Simply be careful for the rear minimize that lets you rack the slide one-handed off your belt or gear. That’s the solely piece with a small edge, which Caracal recessed barely, permitting your hand to cross over it simply with out incident. So far as ergonomics are involved, the Enhanced F charges excessive.
Taking pictures the Enhanced F was a pleasure. On the threat of sounding like a damaged file, I can’t stress how a lot of a distinction the low bore axis, deep grip, and pure grip angle, mixed with the low-mass slide, produce a recoil impulse that ends in virtually no muzzle flip, permitting sooner follow-up photographs on course.
For ammunition, I ran HOP Munitions 147gr Poly, which has change into my favourite observe spherical on the vary. I additionally ran a few of my go-to protection ammo, Black Hills 115gr JHP EXP and 124gr JHP+P. I used to be purposely seeking to gauge my potential to place rounds on course freehand, so I didn’t use a relaxation when capturing teams. Under are my greatest teams of the day earlier than heading off to have some enjoyable on metal.
The Caracal Enhanced F carried out with all three sorts of ammunition, with none failures or hangups raining on my parade. The gun is nice to shoot, even with Plus-P ammunition, and quick, each on the draw and within the splits.
The Enhanced F did so effectively that I wish to see Caracal construct on the platform, with future grip modules and slide setups offering competitors and concealed-carry-specific configurations. Because it sits, this full-size Enhanced F has made it into my everlasting hid carry rotation. How’s that for an endorsement?
The Caracal Enhanced F with Fast Sight System is obtainable in black, tan, or OD inexperienced frames, with all fashions that includes a black slide. You can even select between a regular entrance sight dot, with an MSRP of $549, or an evening sight model, priced at $629. These costs additionally apply to each the non-Fast Sight and 10-round-compliant variations of the Enhanced F.
Closing ideas
The Caracal Enhanced F provides me that overbuilt vibe, one which conjures up confidence on the vary and leaves me with a heat and fuzzy feeling whereas carrying it. Spending time with the Enhanced F makes me respect the tremendous particulars, and capturing it validates these emotions —from the pace of the Fast Sight System to the flat-shooting simplicity of this handgun. Within the months that I’ve carried and shot the Caracal Enhanced F, it has not given me a single hiccup or headache, and it has given me a recent new perspective on pistol iron sights.
It might be nice to see this handgun out there in numerous configurations, together with compact, optics-ready, and competitors fashions, and I do know that Caracal already has a threaded-barrel model able to go. Don’t overlook that it is a modular handgun, which implies you don’t have to purchase a brand new gun each time, however you should have the choice to swap grip frames and slide configurations as you please when Caracal decides to develop the road, and I hope they do.
Aside from a must see further variants, if I’ve to nitpick, I’d say there may be room for slightly extra texture within the grip, although I confess that may be a very subjective problem. Maybe extra consideration to the set off pull and reset for many who desire extra refinement, although that may be simply as subjective, and the manufacturing unit set off ended up working nice for me on the vary. Personally, I’d depart it the way in which it’s.
What are your ideas on the Caracal Enhanced F with Fast Sight System? In the event you’re curious concerning the Fast Sight System, I extremely suggest you strive it out. If the Enhanced F appeals to you, however you’re extra within the model with conventional irons or a future configuration, tell us within the feedback beneath what you’d wish to get your arms on. As all the time, thanks for studying, and tell us your ideas within the feedback beneath.
For extra data on the Caracal Enhanced F and all Caracal Merchandise, please go to caracalusa.com.
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