The Company

In the world of the police and military small arms and accessories, B&T is a well-known and a highly respected manufacturer. For the last twenty three years the company has produced suppressors and weapons for Law Enforcement, Special Forces and internal security. This small but dynamic and highly innovative company is located in Thun, Switzerland. B&T suppressors are used by virtually all major European arms manufacturers and if one of the major OEMs in Europe deliver a weapon with a suppressor it is more likely than not a B&T suppressor. B&T is regarded as the world’s leading suppressor manufacturers with B&T products being used in more countries worldwide than any other.

Though the company started out in 1991 building suppressors, they now also produce weapons for law enforcement and the military. Some of the weapons produced by B&T include the MP9, APC9, SPR300, APR308 sniper rifle and the new APC556 and APC300 carbines chambered and qualified for the .300 Whisper cartridge. There are several more products in the works but that is perhaps for a later time.

Application of the Veterinary Pistol 9mm

The VP9 may have it roots in the Welrod but it has in reality a completely different purpose than its predecessor. The abbreviation VP9 stands for Veterinary Pistol 9mm. The intended purpose of this weapon is the quick and humane dispatch of sick and wounded animals.

The operator’s manual that B&T is preparing with the gun has diagrams of where to aim exactly on certain animals to ensure a swift and painless death. The brain cavity is placed in much different places on different animals, i.e., the point of aim on a horse is different than on a pig, which is different than on a cow. A veterinarian will know this but this weapon may also be used by a law enforcement officer or an animal control officer who may not be familiar with a particular animal’s physiology for a proper and humane euthanasia shot.

Veterinarians often use an injection to euthanize sick animals, but there are many cases where this cannot be done without risk. This is especially true with larger or more dangerous animals. Of course, a normal firearm, in such a case, can be used, but for a vet who is not experienced in dealing with weapons, a single shot and easy to use weapon presents a significant safety advantage. In addition, the integrated silencer is also a safety benefit. It not only prevents hearing damage of those present, but will also ensure that other animals in the area are not panicked. The reduced sound of the gunshot will also greatly aid in communication between the people present. Hearing also will not be encumbered by hearing protection.

Another salient point is the appearance of the weapon. The VP9 looks more like some kind of tool than a weapon. The handle (magazine) disappears completely in the hand and the otherwise characteristic trigger guard is missing. It doesn’t look scary in the mind of the good citizens in the area or other unrelated third parties. The sound of an unsuppressed gunshot could create unwanted attention or anxiety. The low report that is muffled and disguised will alleviate this. Additionally, the lowered velocity of the 9mm FMJ has a much lower risk of doing greater damage if exiting the head of the animal.

The Suppressor

Normally a weapon is constructed and the silencer is then adapted to the weapon itself. In this case with the VP9 it was vice versa. The B&T suppressor designers were able to draw on the wealth of their suppressor experience in the company and the optimal suppressor was designed and constructed first. Only afterward was the appropriate weapon developed to be put behind the suppressor.

The suppressor itself has a diameter of 35 mm and a length of 154 mm. At the rear end, it has a threaded socket for mounting on the barrel. The connector is located in the rear of the suppressor by a 35 mm long expansion chamber, which we can refer to as the second expansion chamber. In front of this there are three further chambers; each chamber being 17 mm long. The chambers are separated from each other by synthetic discs 6 mm thick. These discs are pre-cut in the center crosswise in order to allow a projectile to slip through the suppressor, while the remaining gases are trapped behind. This system works extremely well for sound reduction but what is really interesting is when one opens the action of the VP9 for a follow up second shot there is actually a slight jet sound as the trapped gases escape. This indicates how tight the system is contained and how well it functions in gas retention.

Although the synthetic discs maximize the sound reduction, these have a short service life as the reduction capacity will decrease after about ten shots. One can expect to fire a maximum twenty rounds with the operational field suppressor before changing the discs are required. It makes little sense to train with these types of baffles as one would be forced to change the baffles regularly. To encourage practice, B&T offers a training suppressor system. This baffle system is made of alloy and though is not as dramatic in sound reduction it is still well below the 140 dBA. (dB measures sound pressure levels that are unweighted. dBA levels are “A” weighted according to the weighting curves that approximate the way the human ear hears.) It is virtually maintenance free and can be shot for thousands of times. It is practically identical to the external dimensions of the operational baffles but consists of four different pieces and corresponds to the well-known and widely used Impuls IIA suppressor – the same suppressor that B&T sells to most of Europe’s pistol producers.

The Suppressor’s Performance

Many times statements made by some producers about the sound reduction of certain products often seem rather ambitious. Suppressor reduction claims always needs to be treated with extreme caution; not to mention the general public is “tainted” by cinema and television in terms of the sound a suppressed weapon will produce. In reality, the method of measuring sound reduction is governed by a Mil-Std (Military Standard). The only serious and scientifically recognized method of conducting this type of testing is governed by Mil-Std-1474 D. When measured according to this test protocol, the actual report of the VP9 is well below 129 dBA when using standard FMJ ammunition. This corresponds to noise of an air rifle. As a matter of fact, the sound of the operator manipulating the action makes more noise than the report the weapon produces.

The Gun

The receiver of the weapon itself and various attachments actually forms different components of the system. The first part of the system is the receiver. It is in cylinder form and produced of standard ordinance grade steel that is 130 mm long and 32 mm in diameter. The barrel is threaded and screwed into the recess of the receiver. The barrel is quite short being 50 mm long and has fifteen holes evenly drilled around the diameter of the barrel. The only part that extends from the receiver is the threaded part of the barrel that is about 10mm in length. This barrel design will ensure that the gas pressure of a standard velocity 9mm projectile is reduced to below 300 meters per second. The reason for this configuration is quite simple: it will ensure that the operator will not be dependent on subsonic ammunition to achieve the maximum results regarding noise.

The locking system is somewhat like a bolt action rifle. It has two locking lugs not unlike a standard Mauser system. The locking lugs each have 30 mm² area. To unlock the system, take the bolt head at the end of the weapon between the thumb and index finger and turn the lock 90 degrees to the left. Then pull the bolt to the rear until the action is open. To load the weapon for the next shot, simply push the bolt closed and turn the bolt head 90 degrees to the right to lock the bolt in battery. A fresh cartridge will be fed from the magazine and chambered as the bolt closes. There is a red line on the top of the bolt and receiver that should be lined up. Repeat the process to eject the spent case and to reload a fresh round.

The magazine functions as the handle grip of the weapon. This feeding device has a molded handgrip applied directly onto the magazine. The extension that the magazine fits into extends 28 mm below the contour of the receiver. This extension could be called the trigger assembly as the trigger feeds into it as well. It also contains the magazine release and safety. The safety is activated by pushing the knob from left to right.

The Magazine

One of the design considerations of the weapon application was that it be as compact as possible. To fill this requirement, B&T has utilized the single-row magazine of the SIG P225; though this magazine has been modified to accept a capacity of only 5 rounds. This plus one in the chamber gives the operator 6 rounds in total. The magazine is further modified by having a polymer grip shroud that functions as a grip. Standard P225 magazines without the shroud cannot be used. The operator can see how many rounds are left in the magazine by observing the holes on the side. Height of the weapon with the magazine inserted is just shy of 114 mm. The height minus the magazine is only 63 mm. The weapon can be fired without the magazine inserted.

The Accessories

It can be expected that the weapon could be used during hours of darkness or at least at twilight. It is for this reason that the VP9 has a NATO Accessory Rail that can be mounted on the tube of the suppressor. This will enable the operator to mount either a light or a laser or combination of both. There is also a rather nice transportation box made of leather which is more like an attaché case. Inside, the foam is cut out for all the accessories. There is another bag that that can be worn over the shoulder or around the waist. There is a flap at the muzzle end so the weapon can be fired while still being in the case. When the weapon is disassembled it fits nicely into the case as well.

On The Range

During the preparation of this report B&T was in the process of conducting firing tests of the VP9 in one of their in-house shooting ranges. In this test there were a total of 500 shots fired from the test weapon to see what potential problem might develop in either accuracy or functioning. Every stoppage was analyzed and logged so that it could be discussed with engineering to see if there was the need for some modifications in the design. Such tests need to be completed during the development phase of the project before it gets turned over to production. This is an important part of the development because despite the entire CAD design process and simulations these experiments provide valuable insights to the actual performance of the product. With a weapon like the VP9 it is not required to do a 20,000 round torture test to see what failures may or may not develop as with a select fire weapon like the APC or MP9.

The author was present during this test and fired the weapon quite a bit and can state that after about 200 rounds one could feel the fact that the grip is not an ergonomic miracle. The fact that the gun is a bolt action pistol, there is no opposing recoil force to mitigate the recoil impulse. However, in training, only about 20-30 rounds would be necessary as distances would be so short and in service, use would only be one or two rounds at a time.

Precision

The barrel length of the VP9 is only 50 mm, of which 16 mm of that is the chamber, so actually the barreled part is only 34 mm. In addition, the bullet must still pass through the 4 polymer discs, so with respect to the precision one cannot expect too much. It isn’t a sporting gun… On the other hand, one must understand that such a weapon will rarely be fired at distances more than 5 meters. We conducted a test by shooting at a target at a distance of 10 meters. The primary concern was to determine the accuracy; a laser aiming module was mounted. There was no Ransom Rest possible. We shot a 5 shot group at 10 meters with both the training suppressor and the field suppressor. The groups were: 37mm with the training suppressor and 48mm with the field suppressor. The difference with the synthetic discs is evident. For a closer distance of say 5 meters the accuracy would be half for a head shot of an immobile yet wounded animal.

Conclusions

The B&T VP9 is a very interesting product that meets a wide variety of applications. In this sense it seems to be more of a tool than a weapon. In conversations with some of the B&T employees they would sometime refer to it as the “Device.” The two weapons used in these tests are pre-production samples, one of which has already been shot more than 500 times. So it is not possible to say anything regarding the surface treatment. In the past however everything that B&T has produced has performed well so there is no reason to expect the production series will not perform as well. Another point that takes a bit of getting used to be that to eject an expended shell and before chambering a second round one must turn the device 90 degrees either to left or right so the round can be ejected. With a little training it goes quite fast but it does take some getting used to.

This is surely is an interesting item and let’s just hope that where such devices are not considered legal, the legislation soon changes. It makes sense in terms of animal welfare and to protect the hearing of users and bystanders.

Every so often there are ideas or products that are introduced in the firearms industry that every observer agrees are quite good but for one reason or another just don’t make it to market or are unsuccessful. It could have been bad timing, bad marketing, a lack of resources or just bad management. The story of the MP9 is an interesting story about how a potentially good product that for all practical purposes was dead and was about to be buried, has now has been reborn for a second chance to serve law enforcement and military the world over.

Those who read the last article can guess the MP9 started life many years ago as the SPP/TMP submachine gun. From a commercial point of view it never really made it in the world market because it was never fully developed and poorly marketed. Another handicap with Steyr was the lack of a decent international network in which to plug in new professional products. The limited number of countries that are using the AUG rifle serves as a testimony to this fact.

In 2001, non-industry investors bought out Steyr. Like any new owner of any acquired company, they reviewed the profit and loss of each product and decided to drop the TMP. They did this because the volume of units sold did not justify keeping it in the product line. The fact that there were ways to revive and re-launch the product was of no interest to businessmen who wanted return on their investment as soon as possible. That is business.

Brügger & Thomet (B&T) had an ongoing relationship with Steyr on some other projects and understood the shortcomings of past TMP marketing and made the Steyr management an offer for all the drawings, licenses, spare parts and current inventory. The Steyr management thought this was a great deal because they were just going to destroy everything; and in late 2001 B&T acquired all the rights to the SPP/TMP worldwide.

Since then B&T has taken their time to improve what was already a pretty good little design. B&T made over 19 different engineering changes and added features to the gun and finally renamed it the MP9 for Machine Pistol 9 millimeter.

Some professional readers might already know of Brügger & Thomet as one of Europe’s best known manufacturers of firearm suppressors and upgrade accessories to many weapon systems mostly to law enforcement, NATO and NATO partner countries. They are also the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) supplier to most of Europe’s weapon manufacturers that include, HK, SIG, Beretta, Swiss Arms, Walther and Glock. In 2002, B&T received an award from HK as being one of its most reliable suppliers. Out of a possible 100 they received 99.6. Germans, by the way, never give 100 to anyone.

Producing a submachine gun, however, is much different that making a suppressor but B&T has experience with this as well. B&T produced its own version of the MP5. Not just only in one version but in all versions to include the MP5SD. They have dropped this product all together in favor of the MP9.

When one picks up the MP9, the size and weight is what one first notices. It weighs only 1.3kg (2.87 lbs) which makes it the lightest 9mm submachine in the industry. Some may say the Glock 18 (709 grams/1.56 lbs) and the Beretta 93-R (1,170 grams/2.58 lbs) are lighter but these are not really submachine guns but just pistols with full automatic capability and are very difficult to control. The Glock does not even have a shoulder stock, which is necessary if required to fire accurately. For a better comparison, the MP5K for example is a bit over 2 kg (4.41 lbs) and the MP5PDW is 2.78 kg (6.13 lbs). The MP9 is almost half the weight as the MP5PDW. Another point that is a factor here is that the MP9 stays in battery when making a contact shot when the operator places the muzzle of the weapon right up against the target. This point was well illustrated during a presentation to an Asian country’s navy who were responsible for boarding suspect freighters. In the close quarters, the operator chose to use his pistol as opposed to the MP5 for clearing the ship and had to make a contact shot with a pirate with his pistol. The pistol went out of battery and couldn’t fire with the situation quickly becoming a wrestling match until the operator’s partner could shoot the pirate at point blank range.

The size of the MP9 with the stock closed is only 30.5 cm (12.01 in). There are smaller submachine guns in the world like the MAC10/11 and Vz61, but these are obsolete by either firing the 7.65 ACP cartridge or from an open bolt and thus are unsuitable for today’s professional users. An operator can even carry the MP9 comfortably under a normal suit jacket using the B&T carry holster which was designed like an IPSC rig and can be attached to the belt loop attachments made by Safariland, Uncle Mike’s or Blackhawk.

The MP9 also has a nice smooth design with no exposed moving parts to get hung up on clothes or equipment. This makes the weapon’s size and weight ideal for many different applications, including: VIP & close protection teams, military & police special forces, vehicle crews, helicopter & aircraft crews, commanders and officers, police patrol weapon, plain clothes and undercover surveillance teams.

Another big plus with this design is the polymer construction of the MP9. Polymer is impervious to rust which makes it suitable for marine and combat diver operations. To that effect, the entire outer envelope of the pistol is made of a synthetic material. Another thing about polymers that many people often overlook is the potential to mold the weapon in different colors to be mission specific for the operator. The MP9 takes maximum advantage of this feature and is available in Black, Coyote Tan, Green and Red.

The ergonomics (and safety for that matter) are greatly enhanced by the integrated forearm grips of the MP9 that keep the hand of the operator away from the muzzle. When combined with the integrated folding stock, it allows for a very stable firing position. The magazine well is in the handgrip of the MP9 and is a much faster and efficient way of reloading any weapon. This method of operation is known as the “hands-find-hands” design and is so much quicker a typical operator can reload the MP9 in about one-third the time it takes to reload an MP5.

When it comes to training, the MP9 is from the start, “Ready for the real world…” by having an optimized FX Training version available. In the past, there always seemed to be a schism between the industry’s ammunition and firearms manufacturers. This has almost always been the case with FX Training ammunition. Why should a gun producer R&D and produce a version of their weapon that will benefit a single ammunition manufacturer? This is the first time a firearm producer has developed an FX firing version from the very beginning of the development of the weapon. So many special units in the world have adopted the FX for force on force training it is a must to have a compatible system. From the very beginning, B&T cooperated directly with SNC Technologies in Canada so that their MP9FX works as well as any other kit in production. It is a dedicated unit produced in training blue for safety. With a FX unit, units can really train the way they plan to operate. This is impossible with all the other PDWs on the market today.

This brings up a problem with all the new PDWs and calibers that are promoted in the world. These are namely the 5.7mm from FN Herstal and the 4.6mm from Heckler & Koch. When their engineers developed these systems, the concept of force on force training was not addressed. Many units or agencies use Simunition but found they had to forgo their real world scenario training if they adopted the new caliber. This could be a reason why these new calibers have not been nearly as successful as the manufacturers would have liked because of this faux pas.

B&T also came up with a clever idea when it comes to training with the MP9 by producing a red, non-firing manipulation gun called the MP9R. This is a non-gun and, like the MP9FX, cannot be made to fire live ammunition. The MP9R is ideal for rehearsals, immediate action drills, weapon retention, defensive tactics training or any one of a number of ways when an instructor or an operator has to point the weapon perhaps in the direction of other persons, like when explaining a firing stance. Simply put, no one has ever been shot or killed with a red non-gun.

The magazines are translucent in color so the operator can visual cue how many rounds are remaining in the magazine. This could be critical under stress when making tactical reloads. Most operators, if they are honest with themselves, would find if difficult to count how many they have fired, especially when firing full automatic bursts. If for some reason the operator does not want these clear magazines, black ones are available. The extremely durable plastic material lends itself to many years of tough use. It can be easily disassembled for cleaning and is impervious to chemical and any cleaning fluids. The MP9 comes with two magazines: one 15-round magazine, and another 30-round magazine as standard. Other magazines are also available in 20 and 25-round capacities. Custom size magazines are available as well as magazines in unique colors; for example blue when using Simunition FX or CQT ammunition

The MP9 employs a rather ingenious delayed blowback, short recoil operation featuring a rotating barrel. At the moment of firing, the barrel is solidly locked to the telescoping bolt via eight locking lugs with both parts moving rearward for a short distance. The barrel is then suddenly stopped and rotated free of the bolt, after a brief delay caused by resistance from the opposing torque of the bullet’s rotation. The bolt continues its rearward travel alone, completing the cycle of extracting and ejecting the fired casing, recocking the internal hammer and disengaging the sear. At this point the bolt is stopped and then begins to move forward under pressure from the recoil spring, chambering a round from the magazine. As it slams shut, the bolt forces the barrel to rotate into the locked position, ready for the next shot. This helps to limit the recoil impulse, and to reduce the cyclic rate, which is 800-900 rounds/min. This firing system, while not requiring a gas system, is very reliable and will continue firing even while the weapon is fouled. The Mean Rounds Between Failure (MRBF) of the MP9 is over 5,000 whereas all the other submachine guns on the market are much lower. As a result of this method of operation, the MP9’s perceived recoil is much reduced as compared to other 9mm submachine guns. Thus, it is capable of delivering greater accuracy in automatic fire than other submachine guns. At five meters (16.40 ft) distance, a good operator using a good stance can fire a 30-round burst and keep all 30 rounds in a 5 cm (1.97 in) group.

The cocking handle of the MP9 is quite similar in design to that of the Colt M4 and is located at the rear of the upper receiver. This is another nice safety feature as it will keep the hands of the operator away from the muzzle; especially critical when under stress.

The MP9 has a round post for a front sight that is adjustable for elevation by turning it with a screwdriver. There is no need to have a special sight adjustment tool that no one seems to have when it comes time to adjusting the point of impact. The top of the upper receiver has a molded M1913 Picatinny rail that allows the mounting of a variety of optical sights. Other submachine guns on the market require a special mounting system for what is becoming a must these days. The MP9’s open sights, however, were found to be quite adequate for most of the uses that this gun is bound to encounter. These are a ghost ring type design but the ghost ring sights are backup sights. B&T believes that subguns need to have an optic and approached Aimpoint some four years ago with a proposal for a very small optic and an open purchase order for what was recently introduced as the Aimpoint Micro T-1. After much R&D, Aimpoint developed what was considered an ideal match for the MP9. The trigger mechanism gets overall high marks for safety and simplicity. All the operator needs to do is pull the trigger back to fire. This system is not too unlike the Glock trigger design. This trigger incorporates an automatic safety that prevents the hammer from falling unless the trigger is actually pulled and thus acts as a drop safety. For the TP9, there is also a manually activated cross bolt trigger safety that any left or right handed operator can fire.

Suppressor are important for a weapon like this for a variety of reasons such as command and control, firing at night with or without night vision devices because it effectively masks muzzle flash, which also masks the location of the operator. A suppressor will reduce recoil and adds ease and safety to training, enhances friend or foe recognition and even increases accuracy. Many readers saw the suppressors used in Afghanistan when clearing the caves near Tora Bora. If an operator fired his weapon without a suppressor in any enclosed area he will not be able to hear what orders were being given by the team leader.

A PDW Competitor?

When B&T came out with the MP9 the idea was to make a submachine gun for a niche market of close protection, law enforcement and special military use. One of the surprises to B&T was how several NATO countries requested samples of the MP9 to evaluate as a possible PDW in lieu of a weapon chambered for any of the new calibers such as 5.7mm and 4.6mm. It seems that more than a few countries are not convinced that the new calibers are the wave of the future. This seems to be based on lack of proven terminal ballistics, readily available 9mm ammunition (to include new high performance armor piercing 9mm) or probably, and most likely, the logistical problems with introducing a totally new caliber into the organization.

Another point is that the enemy has changed when the original requirement for an armor piercing capable PDW was written in the late 1980s. In those days, the cold war was still going strong and NATO planners were concerned about in the event of war with the Warsaw Pact armies disrupting NATO command and control, logistics and communications centers using Spetsnaz Commando or what the Soviets called “Diversionary” troops. These special operators would wear body armor that consisted of many layers of a textile ballistic material and even titanium plates. On April 1, 1991 the Warsaw Pact alliance officially disbanded and many former members applied for membership into NATO and the EU. For ten years planners vacillated trying to predict when and where the next war will be. September 11 answered that question and the current profile reveals that the present enemy does not wear a bullet proof vest but a bomb vest. If the bad guys do not wear body armor then the operator does not need armor piercing ammunition. If the operator does need armor piercing capability then there is 9mm AP rounds that can defeat 3A body armor at 50 meters. If you are going to engage a target beyond that distance the operator is much better off using a short barrel assault rifle. The sizes of assault rifles have come down. For example, an HK G36C, when in the folder position,is exactly 500mm (19.69 in) long. The length of the FN P90 is exactly 500mm long. There is no need for an operator to compromise on the terminal ballistics. If size is an issue, the MP9 is a good choice. If range is an issue then a short rifle is a good choice and the need for a PDW as we have come to believe it must be reevaluated.

Available in politically correct SF version
(TP9 US BATF classified as pistol)

For those readers who are unaware, the US firearms market is the “Holy Grail” for most of Europe’s manufacturers. It is a huge, single and dynamic market that represents the potential to make any manufacturer or product a household word if successful. It is safe to say that if Glock was not as successful as it was in the US their world position would be much different than it is today. Many of the well known manufacturers have wholly owned manufacturing facilities in the US. SIG, FN Herstal and Berretta are making weapons in the US and now HK has announced its plans to build a facility in South Carolina. Americans don’t seem to have prejudice for ‘Made in the USA’ over European made products in the firearms industry. Even the US military is using almost exclusively European designed or produced products. The Beretta 92 is called the M9, The FN MINIMI is called the M249 SAW, the MAG is called the M240B, the SIG 228 is called the M11 and even the current M16 is made by the FN Herstal factory in Columbia, SC. Colt, however, still has the M4 contract but FN won the SCAR contract for the US Special Operations Command.

The B&T/DSA Connection

In 2005, B&T entered into a relationship with DS Arms (maker of the SA-58 rifle, the only US made FAL) to develop a BATF approved tactical pistol version of the MP-9. DS Arms and B&T have worked together for the last 10 years, and B&T was able to create a BATF approved pistol version of the MP-9 that is legal for importation into the US. The new pistol was designated TP-9, short for Tactical Pistol, and was introduced at Shot Show 2007.

Based on the design, available ammunition, ergonomics, training possibilities and flexibility, any professional user would be well served by taking a closer look at this weapon. It is not for everyone, but depending on the mission it could be a good tool in completing the mission and keeping people safe in what is becoming a more and more unsafe world.

DS Arms is the exclusive US importer for B&T products and the TP-9 pistol. DSA carries most of the items in the B&T product line, and stocks B&T rail systems and tactical accessories. For a list of available products and pricing, as well as more info on the new TP-9 pistol, check out DSA’s website at www.dsarms.com. DSA also carries a host of B&T accessory items for the TP-9 pistol. DS Arms celebrated its 20th year anniversary in 2007.

If you are interested in purchasing a TP-9 pistol or accessory items, please have your dealer contact the following distributors: Ellett Brothers, RSR Group, Sports South, and Zanders Sporting Goods. Law Enforcement or agency sales inquiries should be made directly to DSA at (847) 277-7258.