„hen it comes to irearms market it’s hard to come up with something new, innova-

tive but at the same time something that has common sense. In the middle of 2016 Swiss B&T of Thun cause lot of interest on the market thanks to their latest construc-

tion that is very hard to classify. Recently, Frag Out! Magazine crw had the opportunity to check out “S„, heck even its two incarnations.

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“NI”ERSAL SER”ICE „EAPONB&T USWB&T USWB&T USW

STORY: BarTosz szołuCha PHOTO: FraG ouT!, ParE sTuDio, B&T

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Here is one problem with B&T

USW – it’s hard to classify that

weapon. USW means Universal

Service Weapon. In fact it is

strongly “muscled up” 9 mm Para

semi-automatic pisto. By the ap-

pearance and purpose it is sim-

ilar to submachine gun or PDW,

it has stock folded to the side,

micro red dot and weapon light

yet it ires only on single mode. In terminology showed up lately

term of Pistol Carbine and proba-

bly it suits well to USW.

Off course, there were previously available different kits that were looking similar and has similar purpose allowing to turn pistol into carbine for pistol ammuni-tion – examples are Israeli CAA Roni or German HERA Arms Triarii (the most popular are ones are for Glock but there are available for some other popular pistols). „hy the “S„ was designed and what is designated for? Observing constantly growing terrorist threat in Europe, engineers from B&T stared to look for solution that would provide average police-

man bigger chances of effective defense against terrorists armed in rifles (mostly AKs), but at the same time not putting too much weights during everyday duty – because weapon has to be carried

by oficer all the time and pistol is much more comfortable, lighter and handy than submachine gun or rifle. Plus, it does not scream RIFLE for bystanders. And media.

B&T (formerly known as Brugger &Thomet) has great experience in irearms manufacturing – B&T designed for APC SMG/carbine/ri-fles available in 9 mm Parabellum, .223 .300„hisper/Blackout and .308 „in), MP9/TP9 SMG’s (ba-

sically face-lift of Austrian Steyr TMP), .300 „hisper/Blackout SPR integrally suppressed precision rifles, APR sniper rifles and even GL06 40 mm grenade launchers. Lesser known constructions are P26, KH9 and GHM9 submachine guns.

”igilant eye will notice that base of “S„ is... famous Swiss Sphinx SDP pistol known by pre-

cision performance and itted like Helvetian watch, being much wanted clone of Czech CZ 75. And it’s basically true. How is that happened? Because of the an-

nouncement from 30 November of 2015 and inancial failure of Sphinx System AG (being part of KRISS Group, producing sub-

machine guns ”ector SMG) – all spare parts supply and technical documentation was bought by B&T. Production of Sphinx pistols in “SA is continued by KRISS “SA, by this is something totally not relevant in that manner.

B & T engineers began a search for a weapon that would provide the average oficer with a better chance of effectively repelling a terrorist attack armed with a long gun.

The Sphinx logo on the irst draft of the “S„ was deliberately destroyed.

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First “S„’s were even built form

o r i g i n a l Sphinx SDP

parts – what’s interesting logo

on the grip was broken purpose-

fully. Finall versions, “S„-A1 (BT430001) and “S„-A1 Compact (BT-43004), ind in our hands on the shooting range at the end of the July.

USW-A1

Semi-automatic B&T “S„ has precisely made steel slide and metal-polymer frame. “S„ works by short barrel recoil that locks by skewing nose of the cham-

ber in the ejection port. Pistol comes with SA/DA

trigger mechanism and exter-nal hammer (but covered). It has self-locking iring pin blocker and external safety lever that secures cocked hammer, what allows to carry a gun with hammer cocked. An ambidextrous safety lever is on the frame same as magazine re-

lease button near the trigger guard.

In the front of the slide there are vertical grooves that improves the grip during reloading even with wet hand or when wearing gloves. Grooves are also useful for press-check. The only iron sight of “S„ is big front sight post that has trap-

ezoidal shape in hi-visible green color, that fastens aiming by the

b a r -

rel . There is no rear sight in the “S„ as it was replaced by Aimpoint Nano micro red dot sight. “S„ Compact differs from full-size version by three additional cuts on the sides of slide and, of course, dimensions.

Cold forged barrel has 110 mm in length and left-side twist M13.5X1 thread adjusted for twisting the silencer – off course proper sup-

pressors known by their high efi-

ciency and reliability are available from B&T. Pistol came with B&T Impuls-IIA suppressor attached. “S„-A1 Compact has 79 mm non-threaded barrel.

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”ery interesting element that sig-

niies its otherness is the back of “S„. Polymer frame was extend-

ed in the back part (its looks like extended beavertail) and especial-ly designed bridge was screwed in to the frame. It serves for two purpose: as a mount for Aimpoint Nano and to attach side-folding stock. Slide of the pistol during ir-ing moves inside of the bridge and stays invisible for shooter, same at the hammer. There is short MIL-STD-1913/NATO Accessory Rail at

the front portion of the frame de-

signed for mounting weapon light.

B&T “S„ is fed with dou-

ble-stack steel magazines with orange followers. Full-size ver-

sion comes with 17, 19 and 30 round magazines and Compact comes with 13, 15 and 26 round-

ers (full-size version magazine can be used in Compact version but not vice-versa).

But B&T “S„ is not only a gun but also complete weapon sys-

tem designed with the thought of enhancing the accuracy of shooter in multiple tactical situations. In the set there is Aimpoint Nano micro red sight designed especially for “S„ (it will be available in sales in the middle of 2018) which combined side-folding polymer stock in-

creases effectively chances to hit the targets at medium dis-

tance. In the stress situation

Size comparison

USW and GLOCK 17 Gen 4

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police officer will have greater chances of hitting the target from the weapon with sight that have bright red dot and stock tucked into the arm than with classic iron sights. Another part of set is single CR123 powered B&T Advanced Pistol Lights (OEM version of 400 lumen INFORCE APL Gen 3). It was included in the kit after analy-

sis of firefights which showed that most of the shooting in-

cidents on the streets were in low light or complete darkness. „ML’s enhances detection and

identification of the target and at the same time allows blinding the enemy.

B&T “S„ is delivered in plastic case, with three magazines, sin-

gle point sling, cleaning kit and manual. Optional is multi-func-

tion polymer holster made from plastic with Level II or Level III safety and with three different mounts: belt mount, leg pan-

el and dropped belt mount. Off course holster is fitted to carry “S„ with complete equipment.

BANG! BANG!

Both versions of B&T “S„ are light and handy – in addition “S„ Compact looks better but lacks of suppressor mount. Shame, because shooting from full-size version equipped with suppres-

sor using sub-sonic ammunition is something beautiful. „eapon works practically not affecting the shooter, and one thing that can be

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heard is working mechanism and quiet pop. Like in the movies.

Getting full grip in both models is identical – differences in length of the frames and grips are not rele-

vant, especially that you can use magazines that extends the grip in “S„ Compact. „hat’s important – you have to be very careful of placing supporting hand because it can be accidentally place in the line of bore, what will hurt when we pull the trigger (it concern especially the compact version because short barrel is hidden in

the slide). Getting proper grip re-

quires bit of training but it can be achieved pretty quickly. Polymer stock works well – after unfolding it you can make tight group on the target without no problem, even iring double taps. „eapon with stock is stable, aiming with red dot is so easy and the trigger as well as whole mechanism of the weapon works perfectly. End to an end, it’s Sphinx and those pis-

tols were cherish for smooth trig-

ger work and hi-end mechanism (what unluckily is accompanied by high price tag).

Manipulators are placed ergo-

nomically so if someone has something in common with Sphinx or CZ 75, he’s on the homerun be-

cause operation of the weapon will be intuitive from the irst mo-

ment.

Thanks to using stock recoil and barrel rise can be eliminated al-most to none what easily transfers to high accuracy on the distances that would be hard to achieve for standard pistols, especially when iring quickly. Speaking frankly, pulling the stock with pretty

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aggressive texture on the symbol-ic area a little harder to my shoul-der results in few small bruises, but I think it is because I was ir-ing only wearing t-shirt and pull-ing weapon to my shoulder a little harder (probably unnecessarily).

Shooting from B&T “S„ can be done like from standard pistol, one hand as well as both hands. Folded stock does not interfere operating the weapon, only slightly making reloading dificult. Stock itself un-

folds easily – it can be achieved through rapid pull (force solution) or by pressing locking button that

is placed on the right side of the frame and it can be easily operat-ed by trigger inger. “nfortunately, we didn’t have holster for “S„, but we used a sling. Compact ver-sion worn underneath the shirt is practically invisible and getting weapon ready to ire – with little practice – lightning fast.

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B&T USW TECH SPECS:

Model: USW-A1 USW-A1 COMPACT

Caliber: 9 mm x 19 Parabellum

Trigger mechanism: SA/DA

Overall length: 257/473 mm

Barrel lenth: 110 mm 79 mm

„idth with folded stock:

44 mm

Height: 170 mm

„eight: 1170 g 1020 g

Magazine: 17, 19 & 30 rds 13, 15 & 26 rds

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