By David Crane
david (at) defensereview (dot) com
May 2, 2019
On the last day of SHOT Show 2019, DefenseReview (DR) stopped by the B&T (formerly Brugger & Thomet) booth to check out their latest and greatest combat/tactical weapons, and B&T’s Jon Scott was kind enough to take us through a few of them, starting with the previously-reported-on B&T USW-A1 (Universal Service Weapon-A1), and the brand-spanking-new USW-G17 for Glock 17 (G17) and Glock 19 (G19) pistols, which both look pretty slick, i.e., well-designed. The USW-A1 is a dedicated pistol-type 9mm Parabellum/9x19mm NATO PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) that takes a 17, 19 or 30-round CZ-75 mag (magazine), while the USW-G17/G19 is essentially a conversion kit/housing that turns your G17 or G19 pistol into a PDW weapons platform very similar to the USW-A1 in terms of looks and capability/performance. So, the latter takes any appropriate Glock pistol mag, including the Glock 33-round Glock 18 mag, of course.
Both the USW-A1 and USW-G17 utilizes a proprietary quick-deploy B&T folding stock and Aimpoint Nano mini red dot combat optic/weapon sight, which is “exclusive to B&T only”, according to Scott.
The B&T USW-A1 charges like a traditional pistol, using the front cocking serrations on the slide, while the USW-G17 features a handy, ergonomic side charging handle (the sample we saw and handled was a left-side charging handle). Both weapon systems allow the shooter to effectively engage targets up to about 50-60 yards out, and possibly even further, depending on the shooter, and the ammunition being used. And, you can obviously go suppressed with either package.
The B&T USW-G17 is, again, a brand new product for B&T, and should be available, as of this writing. It of course goes without saying that Defense Review would very much like to get a USW-G17 conversion kit into DR writer/contributor and chief new-product tester Jeff Gurwitch’s very capable hands at some point, so he can wring it out at the range. In the meantime, enjoy DR’s video below.
The following information and data on the USW-A1 and USW-G17 come directly from the B&T website (corrected for spelling):
“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 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.
Article-no. BT-430001
[Price on Request]
Features:
Calibre: 9 x 19 mm
System: Browning system
Operation: Semi automaticLength min./max.: 257 mm / 473 mm
Width: 44 mm with closed stock
Height: 170 mm
Barrel Length: 110 mm (thread), 138 mm (3-Lug)
Weight: 1170 g
Stock Pull: 368 mm
Primary Sighting System: Aimpoint NANO
Suppressor connector: M13.5 x 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.
Options:
BT-430032 B&T magazine for USW 17 rounds, cal. 9 x 19 mm 34.50
BT-430033 B&T magazine for USW 19 rounds, cal. 9 x 19 mm 37.50
BT-430103 B&T magazine for USW 30 rounds, cal. 9 x 19 mm 44.50
B&T USW-G17 Conversion Kit for Glock 17 and 19
The USW-G17 conversion kit is the ultimate add on for the Glock 17 and 19. It offers the operator the choice of using the pistol in the traditional way as well as with the built in folding stock, while the transition only requires less than a mere second. Due to its elaborated design, the operator can use the optionally available red dot sight and the original open sights as back up.
The USW-G17 conversion kit fits all Glock pistols with a standard rail (Gen. 3 – 5) in calibers 9 x 19 mm, .40 S&W and .357 SIG. Red dot sight (MOS) may not be mounted.
Article-no. BT-430200
391.50 CHF
Features:
Delivery: Foldable charging handle, slide cover plate with adapter for charging handel, instruction manual, sling loop, NAR/Picatinny adapter
Length min./max.: 271 mm / 516 mm
Width: 61 mm
Height: 72 mm
Weight: 420 g
Material: Alumnium, Polymer
Color: black
Primary Sighting System: Aimpoint ACRO P-1 (optional)
Secondary Sighting System: Glock Original Sights
NAR Rails: 1 + 1
Remarks: Available March 2019
Side (r/l): Universal
Surface treatment: anodized”
Company Contact Info:
B&T USA
4532 W. Kennedy BLVD.
Suite 111
Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: +1 813 653 1200
Email: sales@bt-arms.com
Website: https://bt-arms.com
B&T AG
Tempelstrasse 6
CH-3608 Thun
Tel: +41 33 334 67 00
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
© Copyright 2019 DefenseReview.com (DR). All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without receiving permission and providing proper credit and appropriate links. If you are reading this article anywhere other than DefenseReview.com, please email us the website address/URL (where the unauthorized DR article reprint is located) at defrev (at) gmail (dot) com. Thank you.
All embedded DefenseReview.com (DR) photos and videos were shot with an Apple iPhone 6s Plus smartphone still/video camera.
Related Articles:
FERFRANS Ultra-Concealable Piston-Driven 6-inch AR Subcarbine/SBR (Video!)
KAC 6x35mm PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) Gets Test-Fired at the Range
KAC 6x35mm PDW Photos in from NDIA Small Arms Symposium 2006
ST Kinetics CPW (Compact Personal Weapon) Submachine Gun/PDW
HK MP7A1 PDW/Gemtech ‘Brick’ Silencer/Sound Suppressor Combo at NDIA