The Kuna is a brand new private protection weapon (PDW) from Springfield Armory. It’s named after the nationwide animal of Croatia, the European pine marten – nicknamed the kuna. The kuna is named a predator, able to taking out different small animals and credited with controlling the ever-growing grey squirrel inhabitants. Their chew may be very efficient and might be deadly to different small mammals.
Why title a gun after Croatia’s nationwide animal, which is expounded to weasels and minks? Its likeness is even on their Euro coin. Croatia is residence to the producer of lots of Springfield Armory’s (SA) firearms, HS Produkt. The naming is seen as a tribute to the corporate that makes arms for the Croatian navy, amongst others, along with these made for SA. For example, for those who’ve ever purchased a SA XD or different variation of that pistol, you purchased a gun made in Croatia. They don’t attempt to conceal it… It’s molded into the gun’s body.
Springfield Armory Kuna
Springfield Armory sells all types of attention-grabbing weapons… I personal Springfield Armory’s Echelon compact 9mm, their SA-35 Excessive Energy clone, and their XDM Elite 4.5” 10mm and they’re all glorious. I simply reviewed the civilian model of the VHS-K2 5.56mm bullpup rifle made for the Croatian navy. It had a 20” barrel and a bayonet, which pushed it into the “actually attention-grabbing” column. The weapons they make are well-made and dependable. The Kuna is not any exception.
The Kuna
The Kuna is a high-quality instance of what has come to be referred to as a private protection weapon, or PDW. Semi-automatic and chambered in 9mm, the Kuna is technically a pistol with an included arm brace. Its 6-inch barrel would possibly bump velocities of some 9mm ammo, however even when it didn’t, you’d nonetheless have an efficient weapon.
Why A PDW?
Why do I name the Kuna a PDW? Is that each one it’s good for? Does it produce other makes use of?
In fact it does. A PDW is designed to be greater than a pistol however shorter and lighter than a carbine or rifle. I’ve one other “shorty 9mm” in my gun cupboard made by Extar, their EP-9. It jogs my memory a little bit of a submachine gun, as does the Kuna. In fact, that’s solely in the best way they appear… neither of those weapons can fireplace a couple of bullet with one set off pull, actually semi-automatic. They’re made for use for private protection, residence protection, truck gun… no matter use yow will discover for it.
There are a number of makes use of, together with a couple of I most likely haven’t considered. It’s simply that this brief, mild 9mm carries a 30-round journal and comes with a spare journal within the field. It additionally accepts lights, lasers, and purple dots. One accent which may aid you get a grip, actually, on the Kuna is a vertical foregrip. You’ve two M-Lok slots on the underside of the handguard, so it might be a simple mount.
Additionally, the muzzle is threaded and features a respectable brake. You might add a suppressor if desired.
Until you’re experiencing a zombie apocalypse, as in “Night time Of The Dwelling Lifeless”, these options ought to be sufficient to set this gun up for many real-world encounters.
Options
Talking of options, let’s have a look at some along with what I simply talked about.
Motion
First, the motion is roller-delayed blowback, just like the H&Okay MP5. This implies there’s a locking curler hooked up to the bolt that delays the bolt. This permits using a lighter bolt, which interprets right into a bit much less felt recoil. The curler system is pretty widespread amongst producers who make related weapons.
Sights
Sights down (prime two images) and prolonged (subsequent two images)
One other factor I seen after I picked the Kuna up was the sight scenario. You’ve flip-up iron sights which might be adjustable for W&E when of their upright place. However whenever you fold them down, they’re nonetheless helpful. The rear has a white-outlined U-notch, and the entrance sports activities a easy submit. So, if you must use the gun in a rush and haven’t had time to flip the sights up, you’ll be able to nonetheless purpose. That’s a neat trick. I’ve seen that earlier than on different weapons, and it is smart.
Arm Brace
I’ve not had a lot luck capturing AR-type pistols with out an arm brace. I don’t have to try this right here, as a $169 Strike Industries FSA folding brace is included. You will get the Kuna minus the brace for about $150 much less, however the brace affords a steadier shot. You’ve strong help towards your arm or shoulder. Plus, I discussed it folded. You may shoot the gun with the brace folded if desired. Contemplating that you simply’re getting a reduction on the brace for those who purchase it with the Kuna, that’s not a foul deal. In the event you already personal a brace that mounts on a brief Pic rail, then order the gun minus the First Strike brace and set up your personal.
Magazines
I discussed magazines. The 2 included 30-round magazines (once more just like the MP5) are translucent, which is a good suggestion, with markings for 10, 20, and 30 rounds. You may inform at a look what number of rounds you could have left… “solely 3 inches of 9mm left, higher reload!” or phrases to that impact. It helps that the 2 mags included with the gun maintain 30 rounds… It is best to have some capturing time underneath your belt earlier than you must reload the magazine. Plus, in a tense scenario, 30 rounds instances two is an effective place to be. I do have to level out that the magazines are proprietary. This gun is not going to use Glock mags. However, excellent news… You may order 30-round mags from SA for under $25. That’s a superb deal! Third-party pricing from the originating firm. No motive to not replenish.
One final level… don’t attempt to load the mags as you’d a “common” pistol magazine. Cartridges don’t slide in… they “pop” in from the highest, like for those who had been loading your .223 AR magazine.
Specs
Caliber 9mm
Shade Black
Barrel 6″ Chilly Radial Hammer Solid, Melonite®, 1:10
Sights Hybrid Flip-Up
Higher Receiver Monolithic Aluminum, Kind III Hardcoat Anodized
Decrease Receiver Injection Molded Glass-Crammed Polymer
Fuel System Curler-Delayed
Handguard Integral, M-Lok®
Pistol Brace Strike Industries FSA
Set off Flat Aluminum
Muzzle Gadget Multi-Port Muzzle Brake. Threaded barrel accepts suppressors, 1/2×28
Receiver Finish Plate Picatinny
Charging Deal with Reversible, Non-Reciprocating
Security Swap Ambidextrous
Set off Guard Integral to Receiver
Grip AR-Sample w/ Adaptive Grip Texture
Magazines (2) 30-Spherical, proprietary
Weight 5 lbs 5 oz
Size 15.5″ – 24.5″
MSRP $1,149 (accessible w/o the arm brace for $999)
Reside Stock Worth Checker
Random Ideas
I’ve a particular place in my coronary heart for weapons which might be styled just like the Kuna. I discussed the Extar I personal – a pleasant gun for not some huge cash. How do I take advantage of it? We dwell out within the woods, principally, and have a 100-yard vary in our yard, so goal capturing is indicated. We even have chickens in a set coop. I’m all the time having to take care of predators on the lookout for a free hen dinner. I’ve shot possums and raccoons, and have chased juvenile bald eagles, minks, and hawks away (I don’t shoot these). We even had one enormous owl with a 6-foot wingspan get tangled within the roof internet we’ve and hold itself. We needed to name the DNR about that one.
Why do I point out these? As a result of a Kuna-type gun is ideal for Coop Patrol. I’ve mounted a light-weight and a purple dot on the Extar and am prepared for any winged or four-footed predator. We’ve even had a couple of two-legged threats, principally throughout searching season within the fall when the wackos that may’t learn the “non-public property” indicators we posted should be handled. We’ve had no severe points with such people, however it’s good to know that the “PDW” a part of the job description of those weapons means simply that. God prepared, I received’t have to make use of it as such, however I’d fairly have it and never want it than want it and never have it. The Kuna could be good for these roles.
Final, for many who like cool vary toys, this is likely one of the finest. Load each magazines, put some targets up, and let the lead fly. Fairly quickly, you’ll have shooters on you want geese on a June bug. These weapons simply entice shooters.
Let’s face it… In the event you had been on the vary, popping away together with your Glock 19 or no matter, and a shooter pulls out a Kuna and places 30 rounds downrange as quick as she or he may pull the set off, wouldn’t you go over when secure and test it out? I positive would. It’s extra enjoyable being the shooter fairly than the observer on this instance.
Vary TIme
We caught some targets up at 25 yards and gathered some 9mm ammo. The gun ran high-quality, and the set off was eminently usable. Reliability was a given, and the gun was a lot correct for its supposed objective. The sights had been proper on. The arm brace helped regular it, and the included flip-up sights labored high-quality. You just about have the whole lot you want proper out of the field, however I may see including a purple dot and a light-weight on it for these nocturnal guests.
Listed below are a couple of teams:
Conclusion
After I first noticed the Kuna, it jogged my memory of an H&Okay MP5, as I’ve talked about above. Not in operation, simply in seems to be, a obscure resemblance. I believe that’s a part of the attract of those semi-auto 9mm PDWs. I discussed the EP-9… Extar is making them as quick as it will probably and promoting each one. The PDW may be very sizzling proper now, and I’ll wager that SA won’t be able to maintain these in inventory very lengthy. The Kuna is well-built, as are most weapons made by HS Produkt, and it comes with two high-capacity magazines. Add within the Strike Industries FSA brace and also you’ve received a winner.
If you’re available in the market for a brief, mild, arm-braced 9mm, you may want to try the Kuna. Similar to its furry namesake, this Kuna has a troublesome chew!
About Mike Hardesty
With expertise spanning over 45 years, Mike Hardesty has lengthy loved capturing and reloading. An inveterate reloader, he casts bullets and reloads for a various array of firearms, every dealt with with long-practiced precision. Dwelling in rural Indiana, his homestead boasts a private 100-yard vary the place he shares his love for weapons to his 4 sons, their wives, and eleven grandchildren. As a acknowledged writer, his writings have been featured in notable platforms like Sniper Nation, Bear Creek Arsenal Weblog, Pew Pew Tactical, TTAG, Dillon Precision’s Blue Press, and Gun Made, revealing his ongoing ardour for firearms on the age of 72.
