Springfield Armory Kuna 9mm Personal Defense Weapon Review

Many pontificators have claimed the end of the submachine gun (SMG) as a viable weapon class. They point to the SMG’s steady relegation to the sidelines starting at the end of WWII. The first impetuous step along this path occurred with the rise of the assault rifle, which was characterized by controllable select-fire capability with its intermediary round compared to the full-powered main battle rifles of the early 20th Century. The appearance of Personal Defense Weapons (PDWs) in the 1980s seemed to sound the final death knell of the SMG. Stimulated by multiple NATO weapon requests, the PDW is characterized by its compact size, much like an SMG, and is centered around new cartridge designs facilitating body armor penetration to a couple hundred yards. The FN 5.7mm and HK 4.6mm are prominent examples of these new cartridge types.

The Springfield Armory Kuna is poised to remind everyone why SMG designs, created during WWI, are still relevant. Generation labels loosely categorize SMG evolution. Most first- and second-generation submachine guns (MP18, Thompson, MP38/40, Grease Gun, Sten) fire from an open bolt with differentiation by manufacturing methods. The Uzi is widely regarded as a prime example of a third-generation SMG utilizing a telescopic bolt, allowing for a shorter overall length with a magazine fitted into the pistol grip. In comparison, the HK MP5, designed in the 1960s, epitomizes the fourth-generation SMG and fires with a closed roller-delayed bolt. This serves as an ideal segue to our Springfield Armory Kuna.

The Springfield Armory/HS Produkt Croatian 25-year connection continues to bear fruit. Previous well-known collaborations include the XD, Hellcat, and Echelon handguns, along with the Hellion 5.56mm bullpup rifle. This is further expanded with the Kuna 9mm PCC. Similar to the Croatian VHS-2 bullpup, Springfield Armory “Americanized” the Croatian Kuna SMG to create the U.S. Kuna version. 

In a nutshell, the super-portable Kuna is a PDW (Personal Defense Weapon). Its monolithic aluminum upper provides a durable frame that houses its roller-delayed operating system, which greatly reduces felt recoil. The Kuna is a fully ambidextrous 9mm that comes with two 30-round magazines. And it has already received contracts in South America. In Brazil, it outdueled B&T and Steyr competitors. Several high-profile European LE and military entities are also reviewing it for possible use. 

Interestingly, the Brazilian Kuna is chambered in .40 S&W. Rumor has it that the Springfield Armory Kuna will eventually be offered in .40 S&W and 10mm Auto. “Kuna” is Croatian for marten, which is the national animal of Croatia. While martens are undeniably cute and furry, they are also fierce little carnivorous creatures. This seems particularly fitting for an SMG from Croatia.

Many SMGs utilize a blowback recoil operating method in which cartridge pressure overcomes the bolt’s mass while recoil springs return it to battery, stripping a fresh round from the magazine. In contrast, the Springfield Armory Kuna employs a closed roller-delayed bolt, similar to the aforementioned HK MP5. The roller-delayed system functions from a closed bolt, whereas most blowback SMGs operate from an open bolt. The roller-delayed Kuna eliminates the back-and-forth recoil impulses typical in more traditional blowback systems, which enhances accuracy. Consider this: A pound or more of bolt mass slamming back and forth in a blowback SMG’s receiver is not conducive to accuracy compared to merely tripping a sear with the trigger pull in the Kuna.

The roller delayed blowback operating system was featured in the legendary German MG42 machine gun and then downsized/tweaked in the closing stages of WWII in the form of the Mauser STG45 assault rifle. The STG45 was slated to replace the granddaddy of all assault rifles, the STG44, because of its simplicity of manufacture, resulting in lower cost and greater production potential. The roller-delayed STG45 concept was perfected in Spain in the form of CETME courtesy of German engineers who escaped there in the hectic days following WWII. The West German firearm firm Heckler & Koch further refined the roller-delayed operating system with their G3 battle rifle and MP5 SMG.

One last interesting design factoid to share about the Kuna is that a fluted chamber is not employed, as is common with previous roller-delayed weapons. HS Produkt design engineers determined it was not necessary with the Kuna. Even with suppressed full-auto usage over tens of thousands of rounds, there were no issues with stretched cases, ripped case heads, or broken extractors. My quick take on this is that an MG42 firing 8mm Mauser at over 1,100 rounds per minute is a different beast, requiring the fluted chamber compared to the more modern-manufactured Kuna 9mm SMG

The SMG’s most prominent role, indeed its raison d’être stretching back to the WWI trenches, is as a CQB weapon typified by tight quarters and operational use indoors where sound suppression is an important advantage (more on this later). While certainly not comparable to a rifle cartridge, a 115- to 147-grain 9mm (.355 diameter) still inspires more confidence than a 23-grain .22 caliber when having to put down an opponent in close quarters.

The use of an SMG for law enforcement or specialized military units, typified by the Kuna, has not lost its relevance. Along these same lines, a civilian concerned with home defense will find no compromise with Springfield Armory Kuna with its high capacity, great handling, and superior range compared to a typical handgun. The muzzle blast differential between a 9mm SMG compared to an obnoxious rifle muzzle signature is further accentuated in confined spaces. Will a rifle hit with more authority than a 9mm? Of course, but mission specifics may dictate when the Kuna is a more practical choice of weaponry.

Many will question the utility of employing a pistol cartridge in a shoulder-fired weapon with the plethora of assault rifle models available. Others will answer that most engagements happen well within a 100-yard range, especially in LE, MOUT, or civilian settings, adding the caveat that handling and reliability play more of a factor in quick, reactive engagements than the specific caliber used.

The Kuna’s recent emergence compared to its 1950-60s SMG brethren is evident by the inclusion of ubiquitous Picatinny rail and M-Lok slots arranged around its handguard. The Kuna weighs 5.5 pounds, with an overall length of 15.5 inches with the pistol brace folded and 24.5 inches with the brace deployed. The Kuna’s barrel measures 6 inches, is threaded, and arrives with a muzzle brake. Two 30-round magazines come with the Kuna. Magazines are proprietary to the gun. Controls are ambidextrous, and the side-mounted charging handle out on the forend is configurable to either side of the weapon. Well-done hybrid iron sights are a distinguishing Kuna feature. They are pistol-like over the top, and spring-loaded metal flip-ups offer superior sighting. With that said, I took advantage of the Picatinny rail by mounting a Sightmark Ultra Shot M-Spec Pro red-dot and XTM 3x magnifier.

The Kuna is a perfect host for a suppressor. The recently introduced BANISH 9K at only 2.7 ounces added negligible weight to the Kuna while effectively mitigating noise and blast. The 3D-printed titanium 9K is 4.1 inches long and has a diameter of just 1.3 inches, making it one of the most compact 9mm suppressors available. Don’t let the compact size alarm you; sound reduction levels with the BANISH 9K are at 132 decibels. For subsonic rounds, BANISH 9K is rated for full-auto fire. 

I had no problem keeping rounds smacking steel due to minimal muzzle climb and muzzle blast. Even though chambered in the 9mm pistol cartridge, the Kuna is a much more potent package than any similarly chambered handgun due to its increased accuracy, effective range, and ammunition capacity. Accuracy is increased because of the multiple points of contact when interfaced with the shooter and having hands spread further apart for more stability compared to handling a handgun.

The Springfield Armory Kuna proved very capable at handling a CQB-style course set up at Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC), where most targets were 10 to 40 yards away, with the stop targets placed 80 yards down range. The transition between the multiple targets was effortless, and the Kuna offered little in terms of recoil. I put the Kuna through its paces with magazine changes, shooting from behind cover and firing from unconventional positions. Strings of fire ranged from single magazines to some drills incorporating up to three magazine changes.

The Sightmark Ultra Shot M-Spec Pro assisted in engaging targets at close distances as the red dot is easy to pick up rapidly. The sight offered the capability to engage multiple targets in rapid sequence compared to open sights, while at the same time providing adequate accuracy out to over 100 yards due to the red dot superimposing an aim point on the target while not obscuring the target. As many shooters can attest, the single-focus plane with a red dot is easier to shoot accurately than coordinating front and rear sights.

The Springfield Armory Kuna is an interesting introduction to the market. The Kuna holds its own and may well represent the revival of the SMG, which many will say never really left the tactical scene to begin with.

• CALIBER: 9mm
• OA LENGTH: 15.5 inches folded,  24.5 inches unfolded
• BARREL: 6 inches
• WEIGHT: 5.5 pounds
• ACTION: Roller-delayed semi-auto
• SIGHTS: Hybrid flip-up with Picatinny rail for optic mounting
• FINISH: Black hard coat anodized
• CAPACITY: 30 rounds
• MSRP: $1,149 with Strike Industries brace/$999 without brace

Load                                Velocity                                     Accuracy 

Federal 124gr HST      1,130                              2.25      

Black Hills 124gr JHP    1,178                                     2.33           

Hornady 147gr XTP     985                                       2.0                

Black Hills 115gr FMJ    1,166                      2.5

Velocity in feet per second (fps) by chronograph and accuracy measured in inches at 50 yards.

H&B’s THE BOTTOM LINE is a rating system combined with useful commentary on the following aspects of the test gun. Each of the seven criteria gets a 1 to 5 score. Max score is 35. >>>>32 is the final score for Springfield Armory Kuna

A real stock rather than a “brace” would have given the Kuna a “5.” However, this is the world we live in here in the U.S.

An opportunity to fire a blowback SMG compared to a roller-delayed design speaks for itself.

Ambidextrous controls and flared mag well made for easy replenishment of ammo. The trigger was slightly “mushy” at break but manageable with a few magazines fired downrange.

Two iron-sighted options and Picatinny rail for easy mounting of a red-dot sight.

The Kuna is the modern rendition of the SMG.

9mm chambering is typical for this type of weapon. Once a 10mm version is announced, this category will move to a “5.”

MSRP of $1,149 with a brace and $999 without, along with $25 magazines, helps further set the KUNA apart from its peers.