Brugger and Thomet B&T USW-A1 (Universal Service Weapon) 9mm Parabellum/9x19mm NATO Pistol-Type Semi-Auto PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) with Aimpoint Nano Mini Red Dot Sight Combat Optic and Side-Folding Stock!

David Crane · April 10, 2017

By David Crane
david (at) defensereview (dot) com

Photo(s) Credit: B&T AG

April 10, 2017

Swiss company Brugger & Thomet AG (B&T AG) recently released info on the new B&T Universal Service Weapon (USW-A1) 9mm Parabellum/9x19mm NATO pistol-type semi-auto PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) with side-folding stock, and the gun looks interesting. The last B&T weapons DefenseReview (DR) covered were the B&T AP556 select-fire assault rifle/carbine/SBR Short Barreled Rifle) and semi-auto-only tactical rifle/carbines that we saw at SHOT Show 2015. We were also shown a B&T 9mm subgun (submachine gun), but we never got around to publishing any info on it for it, even though we shot photos and video of it. Oh, well. Perhaps we’ll look for it.

Anyway, in the meantime, we might as well give our readers a heads-up on the B&T USW-A1, as it may turn out to be a good little weapon. the USW-A1, like any PDW, is designed to give the end-user greater range capability than he/she can achieve with just a standard pistol, and even fight a person with an assault rifle or tactical rifle out to about 100 yards, or even a little farther, all in a package one can carry in a holster on one’s hip or leg (or easily concealed under a jacket).

The first thing DR looked for on the USW-A1 is a threaded barrel, which it has, thank God, as that’s a biggie for a PDW. The USW-A1 also sports what appears to be a short MIL-STD-1913 “Picatinny” top rail for mounting an Aimpoint Nano mini red dot sight combat optic, as well as a B&T APL Advanced Pistol Light, which DR would like to see upgraded to a tactical white light/laser aimer/illuminator module, preferably with infrared (IR) laser/illuminator capability for military infantry and SOF (Special Operations Forces) applications. Speaking of SOF applications, we’d also like to see a select fire/full-auto USW-A1 variant developed.

B&T has developed 17, 19 and 30-round mags (magazines) for the USW-A1. It also comes with a duty holster, cleaning kit, sling, manual, and case. We should perhaps note that the side-folding stock looks very simple, yet robust enough for such a small, light weapon.

Defense Review doesn’t yet have any performance data on the B&T USW-A1, but we look forward to obtaining some soon. We’re particularly curious about the quality of the trigger, which we’re hoping is good, and compares favorably with the latest and greatest striker-fired 9mm pistols like the Glock 17/19 (G17/G19), Smith & Wesson (S&W) M&P9, CZ P-10 and CZ P-10 C (Compact), Arsenal Firearms Stryk B, Caracal Enhanced F, etc. We’ll see.

The following information on the B&T USW-A1 comes directly from the B&T AG website:

“B&T Universal Service Weapon – USW-A1, Kal. 9 x 19 mm

In order to react to the quickly changing threats faced by police forces all over Europe, especially those threats presented by Islamic terrorist, law enforcement needs to quickly rethink its armament. The recent terroristic attacks have proven, today’s police side arms are not able to cope with an opponent armed with military assault rifles and bomb vests.

This is the main reason for the development of the Universal Service Weapon (USW). It was to designed to be a weapon which enables the first responder, thus the normal patrol officer, to intervene effectively in the event of a terrorist event. It is also a sidearm that is suitable for every kind of “normal” police work.

The USW will be available in two versions. One with a DA/SA trigger, available in Spring 2017 and one with a preset striker available Winter 2017.

Article-no. BT-430001

Features:

Calibre: 9 x 19 mm
System: Browning system
Operation: Semi automatic
Length min./max.: 255 mm / 470 mm
Width: 43 mm with closed stock
Height: 170 mm
Barrel Length: 110 mm
Weight: 980 g
Stock Pull: 360 mm
Primary Sighting System: Aimpoint NANO
Suppressor connector: M13.5×1 left
NAR Rails: 1
Magazines: 17, 19 and 30 rounds
Handling: Ambidextrous
Shoulder stock: Foldable
Also included: B&T APL Advanced Pistol Light, one each 17, 19 and 30 round magazine, duty holster, cleaning kit, sling, manual, case.”

Check out the two videos below on the USW-A1, neither of which were shot by DR, thank God (just kidding, a little humor):

Company Contact Info:

B&T USA
4532 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Suite 111
Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: 813-653-1200
Email: sales@bt-arms.com
Website: https://www.bt-ag.ch

B&T AG
Tempelstrasse 6, CH-3608 Thun
Switzerland
Phone +41 33 334 67 00
Fax: +41 33 334 67 01
Email Contact Form: https://www.bt-ag.ch/site/eng/kontakt/kontaktformular
Website: https://www.bt-ag.ch

B&T SHOP THUN
Zelglistrasse 10
CH-3608 Thun
Tel +41 33 334 67 30

B&T SHOP ZÜRICH
Widenholzstrasse 1
CH-8304 Wallisellen
Tel +41 43 443 32 00

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