Photos by the writer
I just lately took a mini-break to North Carolina to go to associates and was capable of cease by Trailblazer Firearms (TF) in Fletcher. I wrote an introductory article on this modern firm… search for it right here quickly. I additionally reviewed their fold-up, single-shot .22 pistol, the breath-mint-box-sized LifeCard… once more, search for that overview right here, as nicely.
This third article on TF is a overview of their different product, the Pivot. This can be a really distinctive folding 9mm pistol-caliber carbine (PCC).
Folding Carbines… A Development
I’m no stranger to PCCs, particularly ones that fold. I’ve shot the Kel-Tec (.40 S&W), and I’ve reviewed the Ruger and the S&W folding PCCs in different calibers… the latest of which is right here. These folders are really useful and may simply go in a backpack or truck.
It was with nice anticipation that I ventured to the TF facility, figuring out they not solely made the modern LifeCard but in addition a 9mm carbine with a 16-inch, threaded barrel that takes Glock magazines. This, I needed to see!
I visited with Manufacturing Supervisor Chad throughout my time there, and we ventured to their mini-range close to the constructing. (I dwell within the boonies and actually respect the flexibility to shoot in my yard… these guys can do the identical. As a matter of reality, after we had been headed again into the constructing, an worker who’d clocked out was headed to the vary for some gun enjoyable. Now, THAT’s what I name having job!
We shot a suppressed LifeCard… the suppressor was so long as, or longer than the gun… after which broke out a FDE-finished Pivot with a Holosun purple dot and a GSL suppressor. The corporate has a relationship with GSL, and the supplied suppressor labored very nicely and was not overly massive or heavy.
Again to the Pivot. Earlier than I get additional into the weeds, let’s take a look at some specs and options…
Caliber: 9×19
Motion: Semi-Automated, Journal Fed, Direct Blowback
Size (folded): 20.9″
Min. Firing Size (inventory collapsed): 26.7″
Max. Firing Size (inventory prolonged): 29.7″
Peak: 5.9″
Thickness: 1.15″
Weight: 5 lbs.
Supplies: Aluminum / Metal / Polymer
End: Corrosion Resistant with 5 colour choices
Security: Won’t hearth when closed / Handbook Security
MSRP: $1795 (blem fashions accessible for much less)
Most portability – 20.9″ lengthy (folded)
Full 16″ threaded barrel +extendable inventory
Makes use of Glock-compatible magazines
Additional journal storage in inventory
Constructed-in security options
Made in USA
Guarantee: Restricted Lifetime
The Pivot Ultracompact Folding Rifle was just lately named the 2024 American Rifleman Golden Bullseye “Tactical Gun of the 12 months”.
Utilizing The Pivot – Do The Twist
I’m sufficiently old to recollect when Chubby Checker introduced out that basic oldie, “The Twist”. We had been twistin’ the evening away, again within the early ‘60s. Now, I’m doing a distinct sort of twist… twisting my wrist to flip this rifle open or closed.
This rifle folds… or extra exactly, pivots… by the higher receiver turning 180 levels and locking into the decrease, both open or closed. Most folding PCCs merely have the butt inventory swing over to the aspect and lock in place. This rifle is totally different, and its spinning, folding approach actually permits it to be shorter when folded (pivoted… they named it nicely!) Among the many advantages of the pivoting methodology, when you connect a suppressor (which I’ll), the folded size continues to be quick and simple to move.
Doing The Twist…
They make it simple. Maintain the gun by the grip. Then press the button on the rear of the receiver to unlock it. Flip your wrist, spinning the decrease round. It would twist the higher 180 levels into place, both open or closed. It takes longer to put in writing about it than it takes to do it. That’s intelligent and permits you to get the gun prepared to fireplace right away. My overview pattern is way newer than the one we shot in NC and is stiff, however the wrist twist will work after it’s been Pivot-ed just a few occasions.
As soon as the rifle is flipped, you’ll be able to then prolong the (included) butt inventory. Once more, a fantastic concept… there’s nothing else to purchase.
Different options that support in taking pictures the Pivot embody two quick Picatinny rails on the highest of the receiver and M-LOK slots on the handguard. You couldn’t mount a light-weight or laser beneath the barrel, however you positive may put one on the aspect the place it wouldn’t hit when folded or on the handguard. Simply add a brief Pic rail M-LOK adapter.
With the 2 Pic rails on prime of the receiver, you’ll be able to select the place to put the optic. I had a Bear Creek Arsenal purple/inexperienced dot useful, so I caught that on the rear rail and used my Wheeler bore sighter to get issues shut. I’m inquisitive about including a light-weight to the highest, as nicely… I’ve a few HiLight Tactical weapon lights/lasers that sit fairly low. They’re meant to hold off a pistol’s mud cowl, after all, but when the purple dot clears it, a light-weight or gentle/laser combo on the entrance Pic rail could be an possibility. They’re not designed for this goal, however I have a tendency to make use of what I’ve. Keep tuned…
One other good contact that a few different firms embody of their PCCs is journal storage within the butt inventory. You’ve gotten that right here, as nicely. It’s good to have an additional magazine available. I do know I’ll positive try this. One factor to recollect, although, is that you just gained’t have the ability to absolutely retract the butt inventory when you’ve caught a 33-round magazine within the magazine holder… It’s too lengthy to let the butt inventory slide all the best way ahead. Should you don’t thoughts the inventory protruding a half inch or so, then go for it, but it surely could be higher to place the lengthy magazine within the magazine nicely, and stick the 15-round Glock 19 magazine they ship with the gun within the butt inventory holder. That’s proper – it’s an precise Glock-branded magazine. Spectacular.
The Pivot we shot in NC was suppressed… It’s simple to do, as all Pivots have a threaded barrel for a 9mm-sized can with a ½”x28 thread sample. I’ve a suppressor working its method via the bureaucratic weeds, and an adapter coming. I’ll attempt to replace this report with pictures as quickly as they’re accessible.
Lastly, I get uninterested in having to look out the bolt hold-open system on some weapons. You gained’t have that drawback right here… the working deal with doubles as that system. Simply slide it into the “L” slot on the receiver’s prime, and the bolt is held open.
Images
Let’s take a look at the gun.
Proven with non-compulsory 33-round Glock magazine… a few these, and also you’re set!
The protection is duplicated on the opposite aspect for “regular” right-handers.
The sliding butt inventory is three-position (in, midway, out) and sports activities a magazine provider…
M-LOK slots grace the handguard/forend. Word the quick Pic rail and the charging deal with. A sideways slap of that deal with releases the bolt, and sticking it into its slot locks the bolt. Very useful.
These usually are not mounting slots beneath the M-LOKs, however a little bit of buy on your assist hand. You possibly can’t mount something right here as a result of it folds away.
Proven with a (not included) 33-round journal in place and the included 15-rounder within the butt inventory.
Prepared for journey!
Coming quickly to a threaded barrel close to me… a suppressor. It’s right here, simply ready on the purple tape.
So, How Does It Shoot?
Granted, this can be a private protection weapon and, as such, was not designed to be a tack driver. So, I set some targets up at round 20 yards. Some may contemplate {that a} stretch for a PDW, however I used to be curious.
I grabbed an ammo field of Black Hills 9mm ammo – they supply ammo for my critiques, for which I’m grateful. It’s good things.
I shot a Black Hills 115-grain FMJ load. I figured I may get out all kinds of 9mm ammo for this rifle, but it surely was designed to shoot plain-ol’ FMJ hundreds. It did that nicely, as you’ll be able to see from a conglomeration off-hand goal that I shot round 20 yards. I used a Wheeler bore sighter to get the Bear Creek Arsenal purple/inexperienced dot (that’s what I had useful) near the purpose of intention beforehand.
There are actually two teams right here… these on the higher proper, that had been the very first pictures by me out of this rifle, and people within the center. I attempted a distinct maintain between them. I assume I figured issues out somewhat higher in that second group. I obtained to taking pictures my Caldwell 66%-size metal silhouette goal at 75 yards with it offhand, and related as a rule… The gun is a lot correct sufficient for its meant goal.
What Else Is Out There?
If you’re trying so as to add a PCC to your assortment, you have got some choices. First, you need to resolve in order for you a 16-inch-or-so barrel or one thing shorter, after which, does the rifle must fold? In that case, your selections are a bit restricted. There’s the 16.25-inch-barreled S&W folding PCC in 9mm and now 5.7×28 (hyperlink to overview above).
Additionally, Kel-Tec’s SUB2000 folding PCC is an possibility. It additionally makes use of a 16” barrel. Lastly, Ruger makes a 16-inch folding PCC in 9mm… see it right here.
It doesn’t fold, however my Extar EP-9 is a considerably comparable critter, with a shoulder brace and the flexibility to take Glock mags. That’s an possibility when you don’t desire a 16-inch barrel, folding receiver, or a threaded barrel. That leads me to say that if you need to use a non-folding, shorter-barreled mannequin, that opens issues up, however these are nicely past our scope right here. I simply talked about the EP-9 as a result of I’ve one.
Suffice to say, you may get many various fashions in 9mm, and different calibers comparable to .45 ACP, 10mm, and 5.7×28 are represented, as nicely.
I’m very pleased with the Pivot… it has some distinctive options and appears well-built. The accuracy is a particular plus.
Summing Up
The world of folding pistol-caliber carbines has grown by leaps and bounds over the previous few years. As soon as upon a time, when you needed an extended(er) gun in 9mm, you had been just about restricted to AR-pattern rifles. These didn’t fold, nor had been they notably useful. They’re nonetheless on the market, they usually serve a goal… coaching somebody to make use of an AR is simpler if you can begin them off taking pictures .22LR or 9mm. 5.56 mm can come later.
However in order for you “fast ‘n useful”, then you must take a look at one thing that folds however is fast into motion. With a flip of your wrist, you’ll be able to have greater than 30 rounds, able to go, with one other 30 within the butt inventory. And, these rounds are going to be simpler out of a 16-inch barrel than out of a shorter one in a pistol. Add a suppressor, and you’ve got enjoyable simply ready available. It’s time to do the Twist!
Hyperlinks To Objects Used In This Assessment
Athlon Rangecraft Velocity Professional Radar Chronograph, $500
Bear Creek Arsenal-Branded Crimson/Inexperienced Dot Sight, $80
Birchwood Casey Stuffed Taking pictures Baggage, $40
Birchwood Casey Vary Cleansing Package, $60
Black Hills Ammunition
Caldwell E-Max Low-Profile Listening to Protectors, $33
Caldwell 66% AR500 Metal Silhouette Goal, $127
Caldwell Final Goal Stand, $33
GPS Medium Vary Bag, $150
MTM Case-Gard Excessive-Low Taking pictures Desk, $160
Wheeler Spacesaver Screwdriver Set, $22
Wheeler Crimson Laser Bore Sighter, $193 (accessible in inexperienced, additionally)
