Large-format 9mm pistols are the modern semi-automatic descendants of the classic submachine gun category of firearms. Today’s large-format 9mm pistols don’t have the ability to rock-and-roll like their ancestors did, but their designs still take after their ancestors in many ways, allowing gun owners to buy very similar copies of older guns, but without some of the restricted features found on the originals.
The modern 9mm large format pistol can take on multiple roles, from being purely recreational plinking guns to serving as defensive firearms that are easier to shoot than traditional handguns while still chambering a milder and softer shooting centerfire-pistol cartridge compared to a high-pressure intermediate bottlenecked rifle cartridge like 5.56 NATO.
Springfield Armory Kuna (MSRP: $999)
Springfield Armory’s new Kuna is the newest model featured in this roundup, launched a little over a week ago at the time of this writing. The Kuna large format pistol is based on a delayed-blowback action that uses a camming roller similar in concept to that of the classic HK-pattern action, but different in the actual execution. The Kuna is designed from the ground up to function 100-percent ambidextrously and to accept modern optics and suppressors. “Kuna” is the name of an animal also known as the European pine marten. It’s similar to a wolverine and is also an important symbol to the country of Croatia, where the Kuna large format pistol was designed and developed by HS Produkt.
Heckler & Koch SP5 (MSRP: $2999)
Short of an acquiring an older, more expensive and extremely collectible HK 94, the Heckler & Koch SP5 large format pistol is the closest thing that money can buy in today’s civilian market to a genuine HK MP5. That’s because it is one. It’s built on the same German tooling using many of similar parts including the stamped steel receiver. The HK SP5 is semi-automatic only and doesn’t ship with a stock, as that would make it a short-barreled rifle (SBR). The HK SP5 retains the same look, layout and manual of arms as the original SP5 including its classic roller-lock delayed blowback action and fluted chamber arrangement. Likewise, this large format pistol is also pressed into action via the classic HK-style paddle side-charging handle. Like the original, it does not lock back after the last round has been fired.
Military Armament Corp MAC-5 (MSRP: $1,099)
The Military Armament Corp MAC-5 large format pistol is also derived from the German HK MP5, just like the HK SP5 mentioned above. The MAC-5 is manufactured in Turkey and its retail cost is approximately 50-percent less than that of the HK SP5. That said, MAC-5s are still manufactured on the appropriate tooling and under license in that country. Given Military Armament Corp’s retro styling that the company thematically applies across the entirety of its products, the MAC-5 includes the older thinner style of HK MP5 handguards. This means that the MAC-5 is an affordable way to enjoy a civilian-friendly version of the classic HK MP5 while also being full cross compatible with many HK pattern parts and magazines.
CZ Scorpion 3+ (MSRP: $1,199)
The CZ USA Scorpion 3+ is the latest iteration in CZ’s Scorpion family of large format pistols and is an upgrade to the previous CZ Scorpion Evo 3. Like its ancestors, the new CZ Scorpion is another modern and fully ambidextrous large format pistol made from modern lightweight fiber reinforced polymer materials and like virtually every other CZ firearm, it is outfitted with a cold-hammer-forged barrel. Compared to the previous CZ Scorpion Evo 3, the upper half’s forward portion of the new Scorpion 3+ has been upgraded from polymer to aluminum. It still retains the forward M-Lok accessory mounting slots. The Scorpion 3+ also employs a new style of magazine and pistol grip, but the older Scorpion EVO 3 pattern magazines are still backwards compatible with older models.
SIG Sauer MPX K (MSRP: $2,100)
SIG Sauer’s MPX K is differs from the majority of large format 9mm pistols by virtue of its closed-bolt, gas-operated piston action as opposed to the various blowback mechanisms found in use across this category of pistol caliber firearms. SIG Sauer includes a folding pistol brace with the MPX K, and its overall design and layout is reminiscent of the classic AR-15 pattern. It features a similar safety and selector along with bolt and magazine catches. Granted, as a modern large format pistol, the SIG-Sauer MPX K is also fully ambidextrous. As a “K” model, the MPX K is equipped with a shorter 4.5-inch barrel.
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