Springfield Armory is no stranger to shaking things up in the firearms space, and with the release of the Springfield Armory Kuna 9mm PDW pistol, they’ve added something bold and different to their lineup. Compact, lightweight, and roller-delayed, the Kuna is designed as a pistol-caliber PDW that blends practical features with modern ergonomics — perfect for home defense, a truck gun setup, or range fun.
I picked up the brace-free version for this review, but Springfield offers both configurations. For my setup, I added my own brace and topped it off with the Aimpoint Acro C2 red dot to complete the package.
At the heart of the Kuna is a 6-inch cold radial hammer-forged barrel, Melonite-finished and threaded at 1/2x28 for suppressor or muzzle device compatibility. The included multi-port muzzle brake helps manage muzzle rise effectively, especially during rapid fire.
Internally, the standout feature is the roller-delayed blowback system. This system dramatically reduces felt recoil compared to traditional straight-blowback 9mm designs, resulting in a softer, more controllable shooting experience. Weighing in at just 4 lbs 10 oz, the Kuna stays nimble and balanced even during fast transitions.
Springfield didn’t hold back on user-friendliness. The Kuna features fully ambidextrous controls, including the safety selector, magazine release, and bolt catch. The charging handle is non-reciprocating, reversible, and folds out of the way when not in use — a thoughtful and practical detail.
The monolithic aluminum upper is solid and gives users plenty of M-Lok rail space for lights, lasers, or foregrips. The lower is made from glass-filled polymer, sporting an AR-style grip with Springfield’s adaptive texture — familiar and comfortable in hand.
One of the most surprising features is the trigger. It’s a flat-faced aluminum unit with a crisp break, short audible reset, and an overall refined feel. It’s better than what most expect in a PDW pistol at this price point.
The Kuna ships with hybrid flip-up sights — metal, spring-loaded, and adjustable — but for this setup, I mounted the Aimpoint Acro C2 (2.5 MOA) on a B&T 39mm mount. The Acro is optimized for carbine use, offers 50,000 hours of battery life, and includes night vision compatibility. It’s also lightweight, rugged, and submersible to 15 feet — more than enough durability for practical scenarios.
The Kuna comes with two 30-round translucent magazines featuring metal feed lips. During testing, there were no feeding or cycling issues, and the mags have proven to be durable so far.
The pistol has an MSRP of $999, which feels competitive given the combination of roller-delayed internals, ambi controls, threaded barrel, quality trigger, and overall build. It’s well-positioned alongside other PDW-style pistols like the B&T TP9, HK MP5 clones, CZ Scorpion, and Grand Power Stribog — but with a noticeably different recoil signature and handling profile.
The Springfield Kuna enters a competitive space but brings something new to the table with its roller-delayed system and well-thought-out design. Whether you’re looking to suppress it, keep it compact for transport, or simply want a fun and smooth-shooting pistol-caliber platform, the Kuna is worth a serious look.
Have thoughts on the Kuna or other PDW-style pistols? Let me know in the comments or reach out via my socials. And if you’ve got a suppressor recommendation for this build, I’m all ears.
Follow RazorMP:
Instagram: @razor.mp
X (Twitter): @RazorMP_actual
Rumble: RazorMP
YouTube: @RazorMP_Official
SA Kuna: Click Here!
Aimpoint ACRO P-2: Scottsdale Tactical
