Brugger & Thomet APC9 (series)

Modular Personal Defense Weapon (PWD) [ 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.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/07/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from official Brugger and Thomet marketing materials.

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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.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

2011

Origin

Switzerland

Classification

Modular Personal Defense Weapon (PWD)

Brugger and Thomet - Switzerland

(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)

Argentina; Brazil; Slovakia; Switzerland; United States

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Pistol / Sidearm
Compact design for close-quarters work or general self-defense.

✓ Special Forces
Qualities of this weapon have shown its value to Special Forces elements requiring a versatile, reliable solution for the rigors of special assignments.

✓ Silenced
This weapon is either inherently silent/suppressed or can be made so through special assembly added at the muzzle, specialized subsonic ammunition or a combination of both.

✓ Special Purpose
Special purpose weapon for a specially defined battlefield role.

COMPACT NATURE

Compact nature allows for relatively easy concealment.

MAN-PORTABLE

Despite its size / weight, the product can be transported by foot infantry.

SILENCED FUNCTION

Supports silenced / suppressed actions - by way of silencer, suppressor, or subsonic ammunition - for clandestine operations.

SEMI-AUTO FIRE

Internal action allows release of single round per trigger pull, actuating a semi-automatic loading mechanism for successive shots.

FULL-AUTO FIRE

Internal action allows release of multiple rounds with a trigger pull in quick succession.

REPEAT-FIRE CAPABLE

An automatic, or pseudo-automatic, function is built into the system, allowing for repeat firing to be achieved.

SCOPE-CAPABLE / SIGHTING ASSIST

Supports mounting of optics (scopes) to aid in accuracy for ranged fire.

CUSTOMIZEABLE

Design allows for user adjustability of certain components for customization.

ADAPTABLE

Design offers mounting points for external, after-market hardware including laser aimers, flashlights, scopes, and grips.

Overall Length

322 mm
12.68 in

Barrel Length

109 mm
4.29 in

Empty Wgt

5.51 lb
2.50 kg

Sights

Various Over-Receiver Optics.

Action

Straight Blowback, Closed-Bolt

Blowback Operation
Gas pressure from the rearward movement of the ignited cartridge case provides the needed bolt movement, ejecting the spent case and stripping a fresh case from the magazine.

(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)

Caliber(s)*

9x19mm; .40 S&W; 10mm Auto; .45 ACP

Sample Visuals**

Graphical image of a 9mm pistol cartridge

Graphical image of a .40 S&W (Smith & Wesson) pistol cartridge

Rounds / Feed

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

*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.

Max Eff.Range

330 ft
(101 m | 110 yd)

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.