A Feisty New Sub-Gun From Springfield

Estimated studying time: 9 minutes

Introducing the Springfield Kuna. This new roller-delayed 9mm packs a formidable characteristic listing at a aggressive value. Will that be sufficient to make the Kuna stand out in a market already saturated with sub-guns?

Video

Preface

Final fall, a couple of different writers and I have been invited to Geneseo, Illinois, to tour the Springfield facility and see a few of their new merchandise. As we walked by the 180000 sq. foot facility, I loved seeing how streamlined their course of was. With my background in Industrial upkeep, I loved it a bit an excessive amount of. Earlier than we had completed the primary part, I discovered myself lagging behind the group, attempting to establish what perform every machine served within the manufacturing line. Larry, considered one of their engineers, was form sufficient to quench my intrigue and clarify a number of the processes in additional element.

We talked about the most effective makes use of of EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining), the simplicity of their parkerizing course of, his expertise with the robotic arms they use to use cerakote, and way more. 

After the tour, we drove simply out of city to Springfield’s personal vary. That day, I used to be one of many first to shoot the compact Prodigy fashions, the Echelon 4.0C, and the Kuna. Along with the brand new stuff, we additionally acquired to shoot a wide range of M1As, together with one setup to fireplace rifle grenades. Lobbing these follow grenades down vary was some critical enjoyable.

Even with all of the number of weapons I shot that day, the Kuna was the one I requested to evaluate personally. On the time of writing, I had my loaner Kuna for six weeks and put about 4 hundred rounds by it. This isn’t a full sturdiness check, however I’ve gotten a very good really feel for the pistol’s efficiency. 

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Preliminary Impressions of the Kuna

Actually, my preliminary impression of the Kuna was not nice. Because it was being handed round Springfield’s coaching room, I believed, “The market doesn’t want one other generic sub gun”. Nearly as if they’d heard my thought, the Springfield rep started detailing each characteristic that units the Kuna aside. By the point we completed capturing, my preliminary impression had been turned on its head. 

Normal Overview

Beginning on the muzzle, this pistol comes with a pleasant multi-port brake. The six-inch hammer cast barrel is threaded 1/2X28”. I used to be pleased with the inventory muzzle gadget, however I made a decision to swap it for a single-port ASR brake so I might run my suppressor. 

The barrel is shrouded by a slim M-LOK handguard that stops simply in need of the muzzle. I exploit one of many slots to run my Streamlight ProTac 1L. This gentle is just not probably the most highly effective, however its compact dimension matches this pistol properly. 

On the highest portion of the handguard, you will see that the charging deal with. It’s non-reciprocating and comes closed when not in use to remain out of the best way. Mine was initially on the left facet, however I swapped it to the proper after mounting the sunshine to maintain it away from any obstructions. Shifting it was extremely easy and solely took me a minute. 

Sights and Optics

Nonetheless specializing in the higher portion of the pistol, I wish to spotlight the built-in flip-up sights. Each entrance and rear sights are constructed into the weapon and fold flat out of the best way when not in use. They’re very sturdy and have changes for each windage and elevation. My predominant criticism is that they’re too quick. I’m working an absolute cowitness peak crimson dot, however that sits too excessive to co-witness with the sights. I might low mount a crimson dot, however then I can’t use a magnifier. 

I suppose it will be a good suggestion to mount the optic as little as doable. It will mitigate any height-over-bore points from the low barrel place. 

The Brace

With the Kuna, you’ve got the choice to get it both braced or unbraced. The braced mannequin comes with a Strike Industries FSA brace. That is my first time utilizing an FSA, and I’m a fan. The hinge mechanism is sturdy and gives the correct quantity of resistance to maintain it folded. It folds simply and doesn’t add a lot to the pistol’s width. 

One drawback of the slim design is that it is probably not very comfy to shoot with the brace shouldered. That’s frequent for a lot of braces, however nonetheless value mentioning. Simply you’ll want to speak to your spouse earlier than heading to the vary, “No, that’s not a hickie on my collarbone; I swear it’s from the brace”. 

Curler Delayed

The prime characteristic that units the Kuna other than different pistols in its value vary is its roller-delayed working system. The bolt integrates a spring-loaded curler mechanism that locks with the receiver because the bolt closes. When the spherical is fired, the recoil first unlocks the curler earlier than it acts on the bolt to cycle the motion. Because of this easy but exact mechanical system, the Kuna shows a considerably faster recoil impulse than blowback-operated firearms. 

The curler delay motion additionally improves suppressor effectiveness by decreasing the quantity of ejection port flash and fuel blowback. Apart from a 22 pistol, that is most likely my favourite gun to shoot suppressed.

Kuna Controls

Appreciable thought was put into the design of the controls. The bolt launch, bolt catch, magazine launch, and security are all ambidextrous. And extra than simply ambidexterous, they’re efficient. My set off finger can manipulate the bolt catch, bolt launch, and magazine launch all with out shifting my grip. This makes clearing the pistol, locking the bolt again, and reloading easy and quick. 

The Kuna’s set off is a bit difficult to explain. It breaks reliably at 5 kilos, which isn’t too heavy, but it surely seems like mush. The wall is deep and uneven, with no actual signal of whenever you’ll break by. As I stated, it’s usable, however I want it had a cleaner break.

A Sensible Use Case

Whereas there may be nothing mistaken with shopping for a gun only for enjoyable on the vary, I all the time like to consider what sensible software it fills. Whereas technically compact sufficient to fill the position of a bag gun, I believe that position is healthier crammed by one thing smaller like a FLUX Raider. I’ve carried it in a backpack a couple of occasions, but it surely takes up the complete bag and isn’t so fast to deploy. Plus, there are solely thirty spherical mags obtainable for the Kuna. Possibly after they come out with a extra compact journal, I’ll rethink this place.

I see the Kuna greatest becoming the position of a bedside gun or truck gun. Its small dimension makes it nice for working across the tight areas of a house or car, plus the folding inventory makes it straightforward to retailer out of sight. 

On the Vary With the Kuna

As I already talked about, this gun is a great deal of enjoyable to shoot, particularly suppressed. 9mm remains to be one of many most cost-effective center-fire cartridges, so you may blaze away on the vary or put in a considerable quantity of coaching with out breaking the financial institution. 

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I’ve shot a wide range of ammo, each suppressed and unsuppressed, with out a single malfunction. I’ll attribute this to a well-designed motion but additionally a well-designed journal. I questioned why they determined to make use of a proprietary magazine, and Springfield stated they merely weren’t pleased with the sturdiness/reliability of the obtainable choices. From my restricted expertise, it appears they achieved their objective of manufacturing a dependable journal. The gun has two mags, and I’m instructed spares will run round $25.

Closing Ideas On the Kuna

By now, it must be apparent that I’m a fan of the Kuna, and the worth makes it even higher. After dealing with it for the primary time, I absolutely anticipated an MSRP over $2000. After they stated their objective was to convey the Kuna to market with a brace for below $1200, I used to be a bit not sure if they’d maintain to it. 

Now now we have the ultimate costs, and I’m completely satisfied to say they met their objective. The Kuna, together with the brace, is $1149, and the unbraced model is $999. For these available in the market for a compact sub-gun, the Kuna has confirmed itself to be a really aggressive choice.  Make sure to try the Springfield web site for more information on the Kuna and to study the fascinating origin of its title. 

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has all kinds of abilities and pursuits. His occupation as an engineer within the metal trade falls proper consistent with his hands-on method to his hobbies. Whether or not it’s ham radio, capturing, searching, and so forth., Garrett is all the time completely satisfied when he has a undertaking to work on.