Author’s Introductory Note: I mostly retired from writing more than two years ago, for a number of health reasons. I had several strokes plus a host of other health problems. I used to be able to type 100-to-125 words per minute, but now I can only type 30 words per minute. I was in the hospital several times – at one point, I had blood poisoning, and the ER doctor said I was within a couple of hours of dying. Not a good thing. During another hospital visit, I had uncontrolled internal bleeding and was given 21+ units of blood.
Springfield Armory’s “Kuna” is their latest handgun offering. I’ve tested hundreds of firearms over the years. However, the Kuna has impressed me like no other. The Kuna is listed as a Personal Defense Weapon (PDW). While it is too big for concealed carry, it is now my first choice should I need a firearm to defend my small homestead.
The Kuna is made in Croatia, and it is imported and marketed by Springfield Armory. It weighs in at 5.5 lbs. But it doesn’t feel that heavy, at all. Springfield advertises the Kuna as fully ambidextrous, and it is pretty close to that. However, the charging handle is only on the left side of the gun. All other controls are ambidextrous in design, and they are very much like those controls on an AR-style of rifle. They are very easy to reach and use. The trigger has a flat face design and very easy and comfortable to operate. The two-position safety is also very easy to operate with your thumb.
I love the magazine release, that you can operate with your index finger. This is positioned just like the mag release on an AR-style rifle. If the gun runs dry, after changing magazines you can close the bolt by pressing the bolt release or by pulling back on the charging handle. Speaking of the charging handle, it is easy to chamber a round from a full 30-round magazine. And two magazines are included with the gun – a good start.
There are two QD-attachment holes in the upper rear of the Kuna – they are there for attaching a single-point sling – another nice touch. My Kuna sample was ordered with the arm brace on it. This brace is one of the best of its kind. When the brace is not in use, it folds to the left side of gun – out of the way. When opened, the brace locks up rock solid.
A Picatinny rail is on the top of the gun. I mounted a Vortex Crossfire red dot on it – one of the best of the best. The red dot is extremely bright and sharp. On the Picatinny rail is a front and rear sight – in the down position, they are set for a zero of 25 yards. However, you can raise these sights for longer distance shooting.
After I mounted the Vortex Crossfire red dot scope, I fired three rounds at 20 yards to see where the shots were hitting. I was totally amazed – I don’t shoot this well – all three shots were touching, and the “group” measured slightly over half an inch. This was the best shooting I have ever done with a pistol. The trigger pull was slightly over pounds. Outstanding, to say the least.
One of the unseen benefits of the Kuna is the delayed roller locking action mechanism, similar to most of the HK family of guns. This keeps the gun locked for a brief period – reducing felt recoil. At the end of the hammer forged 6-inch barrel is a muzzle brake and this keeps the barrel from rising much at all. Very effective, to say to least.
There are M-LOK slots on the front end of the gun, for attaching various things. But I didn’t use them. I prefer to keep the gun as “clean” as possible – no lights or lasers on it.
More than 500 rounds of various 9mm ammo were fired through the gun, by me and others. Every shooter fell in love with this gun. My wife was one of them. I was offered more than full retail for the gun, by friends. However, this one isn’t going anywhere.
During my testing, I fired every type of Black Hills Ammunition 9mm through it – as well as some other “random” ammo of unknown quality. I never once had any malfunctions of any kind.
I routinely shoot many handguns at 200 yards or farther and the Kuna was up to the task. Once I knew where the red dot was getting this pistol hitting at 150 to 200 yards, I was nailing everything that I aimed at. Now, before you start firing letters off, saying that the 9mm does not have any knockdown power at 200 yards – keep in mind that you don’t want to get hit with any caliber weapon at that distance.
My late dear friend, Master John McSweeney served in three branches of the military, and he did a lot of research on firearms and combat shooting. He found that the average distance where combat shooting took place was only 80 yards and the Kuna is easily up to that task. Yes, I know, there were engagement distances were farther out in Afghanistan. However, that is not the norm.
I could not find anything I didn’t like about the Kuna – the gun retails for $1,099 with the arm brace on it, and that is a deal, in my opinion.
Here in Oregon, the Kuna and many other guns will soon be outlawed – as well as any magazines over 10 rounds. There will be no grandfather clause. The demand will surely be to turn them in. That is the answer these anti-gunners have. Yeah, I’ll be second in line, behind a lot of my friendly gun owners.
At left, you’ll see a picture of the Springfield Armory Echelon 9mm handgun next to the Kuna, to give you a sense of the Kuna’s size. I have a pair of Echelons, and they are designated for When The Schumer Hits The Fan. I do not have an extensive gun collection – I never have. However, I have certain guns for certain situations, and the Echelon is one handgun I know that I can count on for anything that may come along. Yeah, I’m a Glock-a-holic and wouldn’t hesitate to take one of my Glocks into battle. I rate the Glock line-up of handguns at 99%. However, the Echelon is rated at 100% in my book…I just don’t see my pair of Echeleons failing me – ever!
I wanted to touch on the polymer 30-round magazines that came with the Kuna. These mags are some of the easiest to load that I’ve seen. I have several AR-style 9mm rifles – and I love them – however, both the 32-round Glock pattern magazines and the 32-round Uzi/Colt pattern magazines are a real bear to load. So I use a 9mm mag loader – and even with that in hand, it is tough to load those magazines to full capacity. I have several spare 30-round mags for my Kuna – however, I still want a handful more. The bad news is, Springfield is presently out of stock. However, I check their website often. The good news is these mags are only $25 each – a real bargain if you ask me.
JWR Adds: The Kuna’s magazine is a proprietary design. But at least one company now makes a machined billet alloy replacement Kuna lower that accepts the now fairly commonplace Evo Scorpion magazines. Oh, and another company now makes a fairly expensive binary trigger for the Kuna. Both are worth considering if you buy a Kuna for anything more than just plinking.
I own more AR-style “assault” rifles than any one person should own. However, let me say this, I live in a heavily wooded area of Oregon, and a long shot with these guns would probably be 200 yards, at best. So the Kuna will fill this role easily. Keep in mind that I’m not about to give up any of my ARs in 9mm or .223/5.56. I love them to death. But the Kuna is smaller and lighter to carry and it will get the job done in short order.
The Echelon handguns will also do, in a pinch. Still, I’m not giving up any of my guns. I’m 73 years old, at this writing, and I’m not going to war – too many health problems to contend with. I think I would be well armed with my Kuna, to defend my homestead and family.
I have been seriously thinking about moving to Alaska. Of course, I’d have to get my current digs sold – and that would be a challenge – just getting my wife to consent to that – and to then making a move. A lot just depends on how the anti-gun laws play out in Oregon. The Liberal Democrats run this state – not a good thing. Oregon was not like this when I first moved here in 1979. But things have changed, and not for the better.
Get your hands on the new Kuna – the sooner the better. I had to wait to get my sample, but it was well worth it. Everyone loves it – just that simple.
Read the full article here