Introducing the Springfield Kuna. This new roller-delayed 9mm packs an impressive feature list at a competitive price. Will that be enough to make the Kuna stand out in a market already saturated with sub-guns?
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Preface
Last fall, a few other writers and I were invited to Geneseo, Illinois, to tour the Springfield facility and see some of their new products. As we walked through the 180000 square foot facility, I enjoyed seeing how streamlined their process was. With my background in Industrial maintenance, I enjoyed it a bit too much. Before we had finished the first section, I found myself lagging behind the group, trying to identify what function each machine served in the production line. Larry, one of their engineers, was kind enough to quench my intrigue and explain some of the processes in more detail.
We talked about the best uses of EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining), the simplicity of their parkerizing process, his experience with the robotic arms they use to apply cerakote, and much more.
After the tour, we drove just out of town to Springfield’s private range. That day, I was one of the first to shoot the compact Prodigy models, the Echelon 4.0C, and the Kuna. In addition to the new stuff, we also got to shoot a variety of M1As, including one setup to fire rifle grenades. Lobbing those practice grenades down range was some serious fun.
Even with all the variety of guns I shot that day, the Kuna was the one I requested to review personally. At the time of writing, I had my loaner Kuna for six weeks and put about four hundred rounds through it. This is not a full durability test, but I have gotten a good feel for the pistol’s performance.
Initial Impressions of the Kuna
Honestly, my initial impression of the Kuna was not great. As it was being passed around Springfield’s training room, I thought, “The market does not need another generic sub gun”. Almost as if they had heard my thought, the Springfield rep began detailing every feature that sets the Kuna apart. By the time we finished shooting, my initial impression had been turned on its head.
General Overview
Starting at the muzzle, this pistol comes with a nice multi-port brake. The six-inch hammer forged barrel is threaded 1/2X28”. I was happy with the stock muzzle device, but I decided to swap it for a single-port ASR brake so I could run my suppressor.
The barrel is shrouded by a slim M-LOK handguard that stops just short of the muzzle. I use one of the slots to run my Streamlight ProTac 1L. This light is not the most powerful, but its compact size fits this pistol well.
On the top portion of the handguard, you will find the charging handle. It is non-reciprocating and springs closed when not in use to stay out of the way. Mine was originally on the left side, but I swapped it to the right after mounting the light to keep it clear of any obstructions. Moving it was incredibly simple and only took me a minute.
Sights and Optics
Still focusing on the upper portion of the pistol, I would like to highlight the integrated flip-up sights. Both front and rear sights are built into the weapon and fold flat out of the way when not in use. They are very sturdy and feature adjustments for both windage and elevation. My main complaint is that they are too short. I am running an absolute cowitness height red dot, but that sits too high to co-witness with the sights. I could low mount a red dot, but then I can’t use a magnifier.
I suppose it would be a good idea to mount the optic as low as possible. This will mitigate any height-over-bore issues from the low barrel position.
The Brace
With the Kuna, you have the option to get it either braced or unbraced. The braced model comes with a Strike Industries FSA brace. This is my first time using an FSA, and I am a fan. The hinge mechanism is sturdy and offers the right amount of resistance to keep it folded. It folds easily and does not add much to the pistol’s width.
One disadvantage of the slim design is that it may not be very comfortable to shoot with the brace shouldered. That’s common for many braces, but still worth mentioning. Just be sure to talk to your wife before heading to the range, “No, that’s not a hickie on my collarbone; I swear it’s from the brace”.
Roller Delayed
The prime feature that sets the Kuna apart from other pistols in its price range is its roller-delayed operating system. The bolt integrates a spring-loaded roller mechanism that locks with the receiver as the bolt closes. When the round is fired, the recoil first unlocks the roller before it acts on the bolt to cycle the action. Thanks to this simple yet precise mechanical system, the Kuna displays a significantly quicker recoil impulse than blowback-operated firearms.
The roller delay action also improves suppressor effectiveness by reducing the amount of ejection port flash and gas blowback. Other than a 22 pistol, this is probably my favorite gun to shoot suppressed.
Kuna Controls
Considerable thought was put into the design of the controls. The bolt release, bolt catch, mag release, and safety are all ambidextrous. And more than just ambidexterous, they are effective. My trigger finger can manipulate the bolt catch, bolt release, and mag release all without shifting my grip. This makes clearing the pistol, locking the bolt back, and reloading smooth and fast.
The Kuna’s trigger is a bit tricky to describe. It breaks reliably at five pounds, which isn’t too heavy, but it feels like mush. The wall is deep and uneven, with no real sign of when you’ll break through. As I said, it’s usable, but I wish it had a cleaner break.
A Practical Use Case
While there is nothing wrong with buying a gun just for fun at the range, I always like to think about what practical application it fills. While technically compact enough to fill the role of a bag gun, I think that role is better filled by something smaller like a FLUX Raider. I have carried it in a backpack a few times, but it takes up the entire bag and isn’t so quick to deploy. Plus, there are only thirty round mags available for the Kuna. Maybe when they come out with a more compact magazine, I will reconsider this position.
I see the Kuna best fitting the role of a bedside gun or truck gun. Its small size makes it great for working around the tight spaces of a home or vehicle, plus the folding stock makes it easy to store out of sight.
At the Range With the Kuna
As I already mentioned, this gun is loads of fun to shoot, especially suppressed. 9mm is still one of the cheapest center-fire cartridges, so you can blaze away at the range or put in a substantial amount of training without breaking the bank.
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I have shot a variety of ammo, both suppressed and unsuppressed, without a single malfunction. I’ll attribute this to a well-designed action but also a well-designed magazine. I questioned why they decided to use a proprietary mag, and Springfield said they simply weren’t happy with the durability/reliability of the available options. From my limited experience, it seems they achieved their goal of producing a reliable magazine. The gun has two mags, and I’m told spares will run around $25.
Final Thoughts On the Kuna
By now, it should be obvious that I am a fan of the Kuna, and the price makes it even better. After handling it for the first time, I fully expected an MSRP over $2000. When they said their goal was to bring the Kuna to market with a brace for under $1200, I was a bit unsure if they would hold to it.
Now we have the final prices, and I am happy to say they met their goal. The Kuna, including the brace, is $1149, and the unbraced version is $999. For those in the market for a compact sub-gun, the Kuna has proven itself to be a very competitive option. Be sure to check out the Springfield website for more info on the Kuna and to learn the interesting origin of its name.
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