The Kuna is a delayed-blowback 9mm pistol/PCC/submachine gun developed by HS Produkt in Croatia and marketed int he US by Springfield Armory. Development on it began in 2020 as a commercial project, but probably also with an eye to military and law enforcement sales. The Croatian police are currently using quite old MP5 submachine guns that will need to be replaced soon, and having a domestic option seems like an obvious play for HS Produkt. The did win a trial for SMGs from the São Paulo police in Brazil, so it is off to a good start.
The Kuna (a type of marmot, as well as the name of Croatia’s pre-Euro currency) was developed in .40 S&W, with a 9x19mm following. It uses a delayed blowback system similar to the HK roller-delay and the Stribog A3 system, and has completely ambidextrous controls. The US version has a 6″ threaded barrel, pica tinny rear stock adapter with a folding arm brace, MP&-like backup iron sights, and proprietary magazines. The submachine gun version in Croatia uses a full-size folding stock, has a select-fire trigger (obviously), and also offers a 6.5″ barrel with a trilug suppressor mount. Plans apparently exist for versions in .45ACP and 10mm Auto, as well as 12″ carbines (and probably a 16″ US carbine model).
Disclosure: This example was provided free of charge by Springfield Armory.
Not only did they copy the Stribog A3 conceptually, but they even followed GP in getting the BCG mass distribution backwards.
if you go to the awesome Zagreb technical museum, you will be surprised at all the clever things the came up with.
“Springfield Kuna(…)”
Springfield itself https://www.springfield-armory.com/kuna-series-pistols/kuna-pistols/kuna-9mm-pistol-strike-industries-fsa/ claims it has hybrid flip-up sights. What it means that sights are hybrid? Are such sights unique to KUNA or it was used in other fire-arms types, if latter which one?
Kuna as animal name is not a marmot, but a MARTEN !
Idk what to say about the name…
It could, albeit falsely, remind of car “exotic tribal names trend” vibes
U.S. firearm consumer to HS Produkt: “proprietary magazines…” doesn’t strike me as a particularly good idea. I mean–absent any tariffs of course–Turkish MKE-mfr. MP5s are available for less than the real deal über-teuer HK produkte. There are the Czech CZ Scorpion Evos, and the B&T, and Beretta. Stiff competition has led Ruger to make a pistol-caliber carbine that takes Glock magazines, as had Smith and Wesson. S&W has even configured a new magazine well suited to SIG magazines. Having commonality with pistol and carbine magazines makes sense for U.S. civilian consumers of course, but I’d wager it is also a good idea for potential law enforcement contracts…although most U.S. police seem to revile pistol-caliber carbines and insist on AR rifles as so-called “patrol rifles.”
If I were to design a 9mm, I’d probably opt for one or another near-ubiquitous pistol magazine, such as Ruger’s recent entry into the Glock manufacture with Magpul, or I’d opt for a proven magazine, even if it is no longer made, like say, the 36-rd. Swedish kp/45 magazine. For marketing internationally, I’d wager having the same magazines as HK MP5s or perhaps the FN/Israeli Uzi SMG might make sense.
From legal standpoint, I would like to know is it dangerous for a company to use another companys magazines, maybe they could be sued ? Maybe thats a fact we overlooked
Hooray for a reasonably priced, delayed-blowback, PCC option. I’ll be watching for followups on this one.
If US tariffs against EU came into motion, price will be increased…
So…scrap tariffs because it inconveniences you getting your next ‘gotta have’ range toy?