Editor’s Note: This Springfield Armory Kuna Tri-Lug article is based on the hands on testing conducted with the pistol provided to the author by the company. All opinions are based on the author’s experiences with that firearm.
The Springfield Armory Kuna is a state-of-the-art, big-boned 9mm handgun with quite literally all the bells and whistles. Offering unparalleled reliability, perfect ergonomics and a svelte chassis that will just set your heart aflutter, the Kuna represents the cutting-edge of modern defensive firearms. The newest version of the Kuna also features a classic tri-lug suppressor mount that makes this already great gun even greater.
A New/Old Direction?
The roller-delayed blowback Kuna 9mm is accurate, reliable, and smooth all in comparable measure. The latest Kuna also sports a classic tri-lug barrel for the attachment of accessories. More on that in a moment.
The Kuna is 5.3 pounds of pure concentrated awesome. With ambidextrous controls, a monolithic aluminum upper receiver, a readily reversible charging system and optimized everything, the Kuna is a 9mm pistol that identifies as a PDW. In my opinion, the Kuna is the most effective close-quarters defense tool you can get.
The gun can be had with a nifty Strike Industries folding brace, and it comes with a superlative set of hybrid flip-up sights. The flat-faced trigger has a divine comportment, and the gun comes with a spare 30-round mag. The charging handle is readily reversible without tools. There’s plenty of M-Lok space for accessories, and the full-length Picatinny rail up top was born for a nice piece of tactical glass.
The Beating Heart
What separates the Kuna from lesser guns is its roller-delayed blowback action. The basic concept orbits around a roller bearing that cams into a corresponding groove in the breech face. Upon firing, this bearing pivots clear and allows the chamber pressure to drop to safe levels before effecting extraction and ejection. The end result is smoother and milder than simple unlocked blowback guns.
The Kuna’s manual of arms is fairly stupid-proof. If you can tie your own shoes without the aid of books or pictures, you are lyrically overqualified to run this awesome little weapon. Just be forewarned, don’t hit the range with a Kuna unless you have a little blasting ammo in tow. Once you start ringing steel, it can be tough to stop.
The New Muzzle
The characteristic tri-lug attachment mount debuted back in the 1960s. This consisted of a precisely machined three-lug fitting cut as part of the barrel production process. The original intent of the tri-lug mount was to allow the quick and easy attachment of blank adaptors, flash suppressors and grenade launchers. Sound suppressors weren’t as common then as they are now.
In 1988, a sound suppressor mount was patented that would interface with the standard tri-lug. It employed a spring-loaded collar that locked the suppressor rigidly in place and offered both repeatability and convenience.
One of the challenges associated with mounting a muzzle suppressor to a tactical firearm involves the tendency of the can to “walk off” during rapid fire. This phenomenon is more pronounced the coarser the threads. The MAC 10 submachine gun is just the worst in this regard.
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Back when dinosaurs roamed the plains, I ponied up the transfer tax, did the forms, and endured the interminable wait to land a nice suppressor for my 9mm MAC10 SMG. I bought that fat MAC back in 1987 before the prices got insane. Imagine my enthusiasm when first I hit the range looking like Snake Plissken from Escape from New York.
I discovered two things in fairly short order. The first was that the can got super-hot super-fast. The second was that the suppressor would gradually unscrew itself if not held tightly in place. I had my first baffle strike on my second trip to the range. Fortunately, the suppressor company had superlative customer service.
Suppressors are expensive and prone to damage if used improperly. Fine threads minimize the chances of a can’s loosening under hard use. However, a tri-lug mount drops that risk significantly.
The Snuffer
SilencerCo is a powerhouse in modern sound suppressor design. Their offerings span the spectrum from tiny rimfire cans up through massive beastly things that will run on heavy centerfire rifles and even 12-gauge shotguns. Arguably the handiest of the lot is the Spectre 9 sealed 9mm suppressor.
The Spectre 9 comes in two flavors. The standard version is less than 5” long and weighs just under 4 oz. The stubbier Spectre 9K is a mere 3.69” and tips the scales at 3.17 oz. These fully welded titanium suppressors are rated for both 9x19mm Parabellum and 300 BLK.
The Spectre 9 strikes a handy balance. Larger cans are quieter. However, the Spectre 9 will quite effectively excise the bark from your favorite 9mm firearm with a trivial mass and length burden.
The suppressor accepts scads of mounts to include the tri-lug and traditional LID (Linear Inertial Decoupler) pistons. This allows reliable operation on all manner of semi-automatic handguns and carbines. The resulting package is not silent, per-se. However, if the objective is to be a more neighborly shooter or to retain the capacity to communicate with terrified family members or responding law enforcement in a crisis, the Spectre 9 is the perfect solution.
Tactical Synergy
Mounting up the Spectre 9 on the Springfield Armory Kuna takes less effort to do than to describe. This is a maintenance-free sound suppressor. Wipe it off from time to time, and it will outlive your great grandchildren.
The Kuna is already one of the smoothest 9mm firearms contrived by man. Adding a Spectre 9 onto the snout makes it all the more so. In my experience, the Kuna will feed any 9mm fodder reliably. Stoke the gun with heavy 147-gr. subsonic ammo, and it is maximally stealthy. Subsonic 9mm is spendier than cheap blasting ball. However, I sucked it up and bought a case that has lasted me for years.
In addition to the suppressor, I outfitted my Kuna with a Meprolight M22 Pro self-illuminating reflex sight and a Streamlight TLR-8G combination white light and green laser. Setting this gun up for action is utterly simple. Once configured, the end result is shockingly maneuverable, pinpoint accurate, and as reliable as a mother’s love.
The Spectre 9 completes the Kuna’s already sultry lines. The stubby little can makes the gun just the right length to resonate with the intrinsic human sense of taste and style. I shouldn’t care about such banal esoteric stuff, but I do. This is one seriously cool-looking smoke pole.
What’s It Really Good For?
In addition to looking sweet, the tricked-out Kuna with its new tri-lug barrel is the ideal home defense or truck gun. The 9mm collapses down to about nothing yet deploys in an instant to become the perfect close quarters defensive tool. The gun is functionally recoilless and carries a full 30+1 onboard.
Curiously, MP5 blank adaptors are not expensive online and fit the Tri-Lug Kuna seamlessly. BRPGuns.com sells Canadian-surplus 9mm blank ammo by the case relatively cheap. Burning blanks through my Kuna in my rural backyard was more fun than a barrel of monkeys. I found the blank-adapted Kuna to be quite reliable.
The Kuna Tri-Lug is a winner in my book. With its modern lines and features, along with the charm and ease-of-use of the classic tri-lug muzzle, picking up one of these is a no-brainer. MSRP for the non-braced model is $1,179, and the one with the brace comes in at $1,330. Check it out. I’m sure glad I did!
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