The popularity of NFA items has grown in recent years, with the numbers of suppressors and short-barreled rifles in civilian hands growing by the month. Brugger & Thomet USA added another option to the market with its unique USW-A1 SBR.

The USW-A1 (the USW stands for Universal Service Weapon) has been available in Europe since 2016 and has just now crossed the Atlantic for purchase by US commercial and law-enforcement customers. The company considers the USW-A1 to be a new category of service firearm, aimed at filling the space between police carbines and submachine guns.

The USW features a spring-loaded folding stock that allows for rapid deployment in under 1.5 seconds. When not in use, the stock folds flat along the side of the pistol and can be carried in a custom-made polymer holster that features Level 3 retention. The pistol can be used as a regular sidearm with the stock folded.

Another aspect of the USW is the addition of a custom Aimpoint Nano red-dot sight, which is attached to a fixed-bridge mount on the back of the firearm, designed to keep the optic fixed and stationary while the slide cycles. The company claims that the USW-A1 is capable of 1.6-inch groups at 27 yards, providing patrol officers with a more stable firing platform with improved accuracy and longer range than standard sidearms.

The B&T USW-A1 is compatible with 17-, 19- and 30-round double-stack magazines and is compatible with the company’s Impuls-11A suppressor.

Article first appeared at Shooting Illustrated.

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