By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Gunpowder readers may remember our article on the B&T APC9K. Based in Thun, Switzerland, B&T, formerly known as Brügger und Thomet, was formed in 1991 by Karl Brugger and Heinrich Thomet and was initially a manufacturer of firearms parts and accessories.
B&T produces suppressors for H&K as well as other items for a wide range of weapons. According to their profile, B&T owns more than 500 different types of weapons in order to engineer accessories for them. In 2004, they used their outstanding engineering department and started producing their own weapons, like the MP9 Submachine gun, along with its civilian counterpart, the TP9, the APR Sniper rifle, and a 40mm grenade launcher. B&T has evolved into a manufacturer of some of the world’s finest tactical firearms systems!
B&T has some new High Speed – Low Drag hardware that will make your holidays even more special: the APC308 Rifle and the GHM9 pistol!
APC308 Rifle
This .308 rifle comes in several configurations, a SCAR-looking battle rifle with an 18.9 inch barrel, a 14” carbine version, and a 14” barrel pistol! As usual, B&T has provided ambidextrous controls for the lefties.
The rifle comes equipped with a two-position gas regulator. Gunpowder readers who are fans of the FN FAL know that an adjustable gas regulator is a great feature to have at the range, and perhaps a lifesaver on the battlefield!
SPECIFICATIONS
Caliber: 7.62 NATO
Barrel Length: 18.9”, or 14 inch
Weight: 10.5 pounds
Magazine: 10, 20, & 25
Length 39.5 inch
MSRP: $3,700
GHM9 PISTOL
The GHM9 Gen 2 9mm pistol is equipped with a polymer lower receiver, different length barrel combinations, and a Gearhead Works Tailhook armbrace. B&T engineers designed the pistol with ambidextrous controls, as well as a charging lever that can be moved to either side. The pistol is ready for a suppressor, as the 6.9 inch barrel is threaded and has the HK style 3 lug mount!
The Swiss have a unique sense of humor, as the GHM literally stands for Grasshopper Mouse – a carnivorous mouse that’s known for its high pitched howl at the moon, eating insects, lizards, other mice, and even scorpions! When disassembling the GHM9, you will find a laser etched image of a grasshopper mouse eating a scorpion underneath the stock. As I recall, there is another 9mm pistol being manufactured named The Scorpion. It looks as though B&T is throwing down the gauntlet!
SPECIFICATIONS
Caliber: 9mm
Action: Semi -Automatic, Recoil Operated
Length: 17 inches
Weight” 6 pounds, 4 ounces
Barrel Length: 6.9 inches
Magazine Capacity: 15 or 30 rounds with B&T lower
Sights: Flip up front & Rear Sights with picatinny rail for optics
MSRP $1,549
Another feature of the GHM9 is the polymer lower receiver. It comes in three versions that enable the operator to switch from proprietary 15 or 30 round B&T magazines to a second configuration using Glock magazines, and finally a third version using Sig 320 mags!
As for the upper receiver, if you like rails, B&T has you covered. The GHM9 has a full-length picatinny rail on the receiver, and the handguard comes standard with rails on top, bottom, and both sides.
The price of a GHM9 is about $1,000 lower than the HK SP5. Given that B&T manufactures high-quality products and supplied suppressors to HK, I expect the GHM9 to give HK some stiff competition!
That’s all for now folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article Ideas. And as always – “Let’s be careful out there!”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism, Firearms, First Aid, Active Shooter Response, and Law Enforcement Vehicle Operations in Florida. His writing has appeared in The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Homeland Security Today and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International. Contact him at [email protected].
Photo from https://tarheelstatefirearms.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=459