DefenseReview.com (DR): An online tactical technology and military defense technology magazine with particular focus on the latest and greatest tactical firearms news (tactical gun news), tactical gear news and tactical shooting news.
by David Crane
david at defensereview.com
This article has been updated with digital photos (JPEG format), as well as a link to the KAC CQB PDW fact sheet/spec sheet. Click on the photos below to view them full-size.
A KAC official actually showed DefenseReview a prototype CQB PDW (6mm) confidentially at SHOT Show 2006 in Las Vegas back in February on the condition that we would not discuss or write about the new weapon. This was tough on us, since this weapon system is hands-down the…
single most interesting and intriguing item DefRev saw and handled at the show. Because of the secrecy involved with the project, I jokingly came up with the code name "The Gadget" (referring to the prototype weapon) while talking with KAC officials at their booth, a nod to the Manhattan Project (atomic bomb project during WWII). By the way, "The Gadget" weighs 4.5 lbs (4 lbs, 8 oz.).
Defense Review was told that the KAC 6x35mm PDW cartridge weighs 65 grains and yields 848 ft.-lbs of muzzle energy at 2425 fps out of the CQB’s 10-inch barrel vs. 5.56x45mm M855 ball’s reported 776 ft.-lbs of energy (unconfirmed/unverified) out of an equivalent-length (10") barreled M4/M4A1 CQB subcarbine/SBR (Short-Barreled Rifle). Even though the muzzle energy generated is higher, KAC claims that the CQB generates 40% less recoil compared to a 5.56mm AR-15/M16 subcarbine/SBR.
To give you an idea of how the KAC CQB PDW/6x35mm cartridge combo stacks up against other PDW/ammo packages, it’s been reported to DefenseReview that the standard FNH SS190 5.7x28mm round creates 390 ft-lbs out of a FNH P90 Submachine Gun/PDW (reported 10.2" barrel), and the standard HK Defense 4.6x30mm round creates 310 ft-lbs out of the HK MP7A1 PDW (7" barrel). When asked about the CQB’s combat/lethality envelope, a KAC official told Defense Review that the CQB/6x35mm package is accurate and lethal out to 300 meters. The CQB will deliver sub-2" MOA.
The KAC CQB PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) utilizes a dual-piston system and is gas-operated. The recoil spring runs the full length of the upper receiver, right up the middle between the two gas pistons. Bolt system is AKM/Kalashnikov style. The CQB utilizes a monolithic upper receiver and full-curve magazine. The barrel has been lightened with a patented dimpling process, which gives the barrel an interesting look. 
It will be interesting to see how the CQB/6x35mm and CBJ-MS/6.5x25mm packages stack up against each other in terms of muzzle energy and terminal ballistics/lethality. Without testing them, the CQB would appear to have the edge, since it’s first PDW we’ve seen that appears to be able to outperform 5.56x45mm short-barreled weapon with an equivalent-length (10") barrel (unconfirmed/unverified) with regard to muzzle energy. If this is the case, and the CQB PDW lives up to the hype, it may constitute revolutionary performance from a PDW weapon/ammo package. We’ll see.
DefRev can’t wait to get this one to the range. It’s a very cool gun.
Right-Click here and then click on "Save Target As" (Microsoft Internet Explorer) or "Save Link As" (Mozilla Firefox) to download and view the KAC CQB PDW fact sheet/spec sheet. (This link was added on May 31, 2006, 7 days after the publication of this article.)
For more information on the Knight’s Armament PDW, contact Knight’s Armament Co. (KAC). Phone: 321-607-9900 Fax: 321-268-1498, Email: info@knightarmco.com.
The purpose of this article is to give our readers a heads-up about the new weapon. As we receive additional information about it (like hi-res JPEG photos, live-fire video footage, etc.), we will publish it. So, stay tuned.
