Brügger & Thomet VP9
The Brügger & Thomet VP9 (Veterinary Pistol 9mm) is a manual repeater, magazine fed, integrally-suppressed pistol created by Brügger & Thomet (now B&T) for use as a veterinary pistol for putting down sick and wounded animals. The design is based on the Welrod pistol.
VP9 | |
---|---|
Type | Bolt action suppressed pistol |
Place of origin | Switzerland |
Production history | |
Designer | Brügger & Thomet |
Produced | 2014–[1] |
Specifications | |
Mass | 900 g (32 oz) 920 g (32 oz) (SIX-9) |
Length | 285 mm (11.2 in) |
Barrel length | 50 mm (2.0 in) (Barrel) 80 mm (3.1 in) (SIX-9 Barrel) 154 mm (6.1 in) (Suppressor) |
Height | 114 mm (4.5 in) (VP9) 142 mm (5.6 in) (SIX-9) 63 mm (2.5 in) (VP9 magazine removed) |
Diameter | 35 mm (1.4 in) (Suppressor section) 130 mm (5.1 in) (Barrel section) |
Cartridge | 9×19 Parabellum, .45 ACP (SIX-45 Only) |
Action | Bolt-action |
Effective firing range | approximately 5 meters |
Feed system | 5-round detachable box magazine/pistol grip 8-round detachable magazine (SIX-45 Only)[2] |
Sights | Open iron sights (100 mm length) |
References | [1][3] |
Design
The design is heavily based on the Welrod pistol designed by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) for use in World War II and is mechanically almost identical save for the addition of a grip safety, which needs to be depressed before the bolt can by cycled.[4] Its original purpose was to quickly and humanely put down sick animals without frightening nearby animals or people.[5][1][3][4][6][7] B&T first produced the pistol when approached by a customer requesting 25 bolt-action suppressed pistols. B&T suggested using the Welrod design but adapting it for 9mm which the customer agreed to. Initially only 30 were made, 25 for the customer and 5 for hobby use by B&T employees, but production and sales were expanded when it was realized that there was a market for such a pistol.[5]
Variants
Due to international demand, beginning in 2021[6] Brügger & Thomet began importing a version of the pistol to the United States as the Station SIX-9. To comply with American handgun regulations, the barrel length was increased and the grip was lengthened.[5] The integral suppressor included with the gun is of a wiper-style design while an additional metal-baffle training suppressor available.[8] A second .45 ACP variant called the Station SIX-45 with a further lengthened grip and feeding from 1911 magazines was also announced. [5]
See also
References
- Ferguson, Jonathan. "Swiss VP9 integrally-suppressed pistol – Armament Research Services". Armament Research. Armament Research Services. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
- "RSR Stock #: BANDT-410110 Manufacturer Part #: BT-410110". Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- Zimmerman, Mark (19 September 2014). "VP9 Suppressed Pistol from B&T: The Silent Helper". Small Arms Review. Small Arms Review. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
- McCollum, Ian (15 December 2018). "B&T VP9 Silenced Pistol: A Modern Welrod". Forgotten Weapons. Retrieved 16 December 2018 – via YouTube.
- "B&T Veterinary Pistol VP9". RECOILtv. Recoil Magazine.
- "Preview: Brugger & Thomet Station SIX Suppressed Pistol". American Rifleman. 5 February 2021. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- "The quiet choice in 9mm: VP9". B&T. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- "B&T Station SIX-9 operator manual" (PDF). August 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 January 2022. Retrieved 3 September 2021.