Brugger & Thomet MP9

Brugger & Thomet MP9 History

The Brugger & Thomet MP9, launched in 2004, is an evolution of the Steyr TMP (Tactical Machine Pistol), originally designed by Steyr Mannlicher in Austria and self-launched in 1992. The rights to manufacture the Austrian gun were sold to Brugger & Thomet AG in Switzerland, and minor changes were added to create a more modern and marketable product.

Notable changes include the introduction of a section of Picatinny rail above the receiver (to support tactical accessories such as optics and scopes), an improved trigger safety, and a new side-folding strut-style shoulder rest.

From this design emerged the semi-automatic civilian-marketed form in the "TP9".

At the heart of the MP9 is the use of recoil, a swivel bolt firing action and a short recoil. The cartridge of choice remains the German 9x19mm Parabellum pistol cartridge, which can feed the MP9 from a 15-round, 20-round, 25-round or 30-round detachable magazine.

The rate of fire of the MP9 and TP9 systems is specified at 900 rounds per minute, while another variant - the MP9-N - has a rate of fire of up to 1,100 rounds per minute. The muzzle velocity is 1,315 feet per second, and the effective range is up to 328 feet meters.

Its lightweight body and compact size have made it a popular weapon among law enforcement and special forces, as well as some global militaries. Operators (as of 2015) include Bulgaria, India, Indonesia, Macau, Portugal, Switzerland and Thailand.

For India, the weapon stockpiles Mumbai police and Indian army stocks. Portugal issues this weapon as a secondary weapon for the army. Both the Swiss police and army use MP9s.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes