USAF Purchases B&T APC9K PRO Submachine Guns

by
posted on December 15, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bt-apc9kpro-1.jpg
Brugger & Thomet Inc., a Swiss based company with its U.S. subsidiary located in Tampa, Fla., announced that the United States Air Force has decided to purchase its B&T APC9K PRO submachine gun platform. This compact submachine gun platform, at less than 15" in length, is optimized for discrete carry and deployment. The Small size of the APC9K PRO makes it an idea select-fire personal defense weapon for use in confined spaces.

Chambered in 9 mm, the APC9K PRO is a more compact version of the B&T APC9 PRO line. It uses a hydraulic buffer system to reduced felt recoil and muzzle rise when fired. The design also incorporates dual folding, non-reciprocating, ambidextrous charging handles on both sides of the upper receiver just beneath the top Picatinny rail.  Other features include a bolt catch and release on both sides of the lower receiver, M4 / AR-15 style interchangeable grip and M-LOK compatible slots on the short forend.

The Magazine release and safety selector on the APC9K PRO are also ambidextrous and easy to reach from both sides. There is also a folding stock incorporated into the design for stability that folds right up against the back of the receivers to keep the folded length as short as possible. The APC9K PRO can be equipped to accept either B&T, SIG P320 or Glock compatible 9 mm magazines by swapping out the non-serialized lower receiver group.

The small size of the APC9K PRO is ideal for specialized service in the United States Air Force where room is limited inside the tight confines of aircraft and vehicle crew spaces. The U.S.A.F. is the second branch in the U.S. military to adopt the APC9K PRO, after the U.S. Army adopted it last year. The U.S.A.F. plans to acquire roughly 350 to 1000 of these new compact submachine guns to likely phase out the aging H&K MP5 in use by personal security details. 

Latest

Ruger 10/22 Carbon Fiber
Ruger 10/22 Carbon Fiber

Review: Ruger 10/22 Carbon Fiber

Ruger recently released a variant of its popular 10/22 made with modern materials and incorporating performance-minded engineering: the 10/22 Carbon Fiber.

Winchester Celebrates USA 250th With Commemorative Ammo Line

Winchester Ammunition's special line of commemorative ammunition honors the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding, with unique packaging that honors the American heritage.

BANISH Suppressors Introduces BANISH 556

BANISH Suppressors introduced its BANISH 556, a full-auto rated suppressor with controlled-flow technology that the company claims is the "most advanced 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem. suppressor on the market."

The Keefe Report: The Incomparable, Inimitable Phil Schreier—1962-2025

Philip Schreier, director of the NRA Museums, passed away on Dec. 29, 2025, after battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

America 250: The Tradition Of The Armed Citizen Lives On

The Declaration of Independence reaffirmed the right to self-determination—and the uniquely American practice of keeping and bearing arms allowed a new nation to thrive.

The Armed Citizen® Jan. 5, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.