Brugger & Thomet APC9 (series)

Modular Personal Defense Weapon (PWD)

Switzerland | 2011

"The Brugger and Thomet APC9K series Personal Defense Weapon has been taken on in limited numbers by the U.S. Army and Air Force services."

Image from official Brugger and Thomet marketing materials.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/07/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The APC9 is a Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) offered by Swiss-based Brugger & Thomet. It lands within the gap of pistol and submachine gun / machine pistol, offering operators a compact, yet potent, Close Quarters Battle (CQB) solution at the right price. The base weapon variant weighs just 5.5lb, features a barrel assembly 4.3 inches long, and has modularity as one of its high-profile selling points.

The weapon is finished in Type III Hard Coat Anodized and constructed of aluminum. Internally, it primarily fires the proven 9mm pistol cartridge from a straight, spring-loaded transparent magazine or 20-, 25-, and 30-round counts (staggered columns being utilized) from the no-frills "blowback" system-of-operation. Both semi- and full-automatic fire modes are available. Other supported chamberings (model dependent) include the .40 S&W, 10mm Auto, and .45 ACP cartridge types. Additionally, carbine, integrated suppressor, and sport shooting forms are offered by the company to satisfy most any shooter requirement.

The dimensions of the weapon are such that it can be issued to security elements as well as vehicle / aircraft crews as a short-ranged survival weapon.

The gun's base design is conventional with an angled pistol grip at rear and a magazine well featured ahead of the trigger unit. The trigger is curved in the usual way and set within a reinforced ring while being of oblong shape to better accept a gloved hand. The receiver is largely rectangular in shape, houses non-reciprocating charging handles, and has the fire selector and magazine release levers located within easy reach. The frame has a full-length section of Picatinny rail over it as well as short sections at the 9-, 3-, and 6-o'clock positions for the mounting of tactical accessories. The shoulder support at the rear of the frame is collapsible onto the gun to preserve compactness when in transport. Overall length (stock collapsed) is 12.7 inches (20.9 inches otherwise). The lower receiver can be switched out with one offered by both Glock (APC9G) and SIG-Sauer if need be.

With modularity at the heart of its design, the APC9 can affix various shoulder supports, muzzle components, and tactical accessories onto its frame. This includes suppressors, aimers, flashlights, magnifiers, and solid or skeletal stocks. At any rate, this provides the customer with exceptional customizability for the product.

The United States Army secured a limited stock of the gun numbering no more than 350 units - a key consideration being that the weapon be chambered for 9mm, sport very-compact dimensions, and prove itself reliable under combat conditions. The Brugger & Thomet offering beat out proposals from competitors SIG-Sauer, HK, and CZ. The United States Air Force followed suit in 2020 with an undisclosed number as well.

To date (2023), the weapon is used in the Argentina Army, Brazilian city police, Slovakian police and guard units, and U.S. military and police departments.

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Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Brugger & Thomet APC9 (series). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

330 ft
100.6 m | 110.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range

Physical
The physical qualities of the Brugger & Thomet APC9 (series). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

322 mm
12.68 in
O/A Length

109 mm
4.29 in
Barrel Length

5.51 lb
2.50 kg
Weight

Straight Blowback, Closed-Bolt
Action

9x19mm; .40 S&W; 10mm Auto; .45 ACP
Caliber(s)

15-, 20-, 25-, or 30-round detachable box magazines.
Feed

Various Over-Receiver Optics.
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Brugger & Thomet APC9 (series) Modular Personal Defense Weapon (PWD) family line.

APC9 - Base Series Designation.

APC9G - Glock-compatible lower receiver model.

APC9K (Kurz) - Shortened variant.

APC9-SD - Silenced variant with integrated suppressor.

APC9 Carbine - Civilian market version; semi-auto fire only.

APC9-P Carbine - Law enforcement model; lengthened barrel assembly and handguard.

APC9 Sports Carbine - Sport shooting variant; lengthened barrel assembly and handguard.

APC40 - Chambered for .40 S&W.

APC45 - Chambered for .45 ACP.

APC45-SD - Silenced variant of ACP45 with integrated suppressor.

APC10 - Chambered for 10mm Auto.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Brugger & Thomet APC9 (series). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Brugger and Thomet - Switzerland

[ Argentina; Brazil; Slovakia; Switzerland; United States ]

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Image of the Brugger & Thomet APC9 (series)

Image from official Brugger and Thomet marketing materials.

Going Further...
The Brugger & Thomet APC9 (series) Modular Personal Defense Weapon (PWD) appears in the following collections:

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