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Good morning everyone and thank you for joining us back here for TFB’s Silencer Saturday. As I hinted last week, we are heading back to the land of pistol caliber carbines with an introduction to Swiss Precision – the B&T TP9-N and the TP9/MP9 submachine gun silencer. Unfortunately, due to the snails pace that is the National Firearms Act (NFA) registration process, this subgun, turned pistol caliber carbine is actually just still a pistol. While the TP9 silencer cleared Form 4 limbo last week, the TP9-N still awaits its stamp of approval.
So how are we looking when it comes to NFA approval timelines? If you believe in the power of positive thinking, there is a definite trend towards lower wait times. According to NFA Tracker, a crowd-sourced data aggregator that helps to visualize approval trends, Form 4 “Transfer” applications are coming back in about 175 days. Form 1 “Making” applications are starting to creeping down to the 100 day approval marker. Any downward trend is good news, even if these forms should actually be processed in just a matter of minutes.
Also, check out that 41F spike from two years ago – it seems like it happened just yesterday.
Credit: NFA Tracker
Credit: NFA Tracker
As a follow-up to last week’s Silencer Saturday episode, I received a lot of feedback publicly and privately from several interested parties around the world. Some of which own and operate their own suppressor manufacturing businesses. Stay tuned for more information and if we are lucky, some new interviews for TFB’s ‘Innovators’ series.
SILENCER SATURDAY #30: Swiss Precision In The USA
Up until late 2017, I had little interest in owning a U.S. version of the classic B&T TP9 SMG. To comply with import laws and NFA regulations, in place of the vertical fore grip (VFG) is an accessory rail – meaning the TP9 could be legally imported as a pistol and later registered as an Any Other Weapon (AOW) with a VFG or as a Short Barreled Rifle (SBR) with the addition of a folding stock. Cool, but I liked that classic MP9 look.
In late 2017, B&T announced the addition of the TP9-N that featured a slick redesign of the imported pistol’s from end that allowed for a seamless attachment of a VFG after completing the NFA process. Boom, I was hooked. However, as you can see from the above header image, I am still awaiting my blessing to make my pistol into the pseudo SMG it should be.
https://www.bt-ag.ch/shop/eng/bt-mp9tp9/bt-tactical-pistol-tp9-n-cal-9-x-19-mm
- System: Recoil/Rotating Barrel Locking System
- Length: 11.92 inches (stock folded)/20.6 inches (stock folded)
- Barrel Length: 5.12 inches
- Weight: 3.75 pounds
- Mount: Three-Lug (25mm)
Because of the proprietary rotating barrel and three lug design, there is only one silencer available that is specifically designed for the TP9/MP9. Even if an adapter is made to allow the use of other manufacturers silencers, it would void the B&T warranty.
https://www.bt-ag.ch/shop/eng/maschinenpistolen/bt-qd-smgpdw-suppressor-cal-9mm
- Length: 8.11 inches
- Diameter: 1.97 inches
- Weight: 1.07 pounds
- Material: Aluminum
- Mount: Three-Lug (25mm)
From B&T: This suppressor is the perfect addition for the MP9/MP14/TP9 submachine gun/PDW. Thanks to its QD-lock it can be mounted/dismounted in a matter of seconds. Due to the NAR/Picatinny rail under the suppressor, additional lights and lasers can easily be attached.
As far as pricing goes, B&T silencers are on the higher end of the scale when compared to U.S. offerings. Because of import laws and restrictions, silencers and silencer parts cannot be imported into the U.S. for civilian sales. Which means everything needs to be manufactured by B&T USA. But to uphold Swiss precision standards, B&T imports the exact same raw materials from the EU used to make their silencers in the EU. The result is a silencer built to the exact standards and specifications in Switzerland, but with a price tag that reflects the additional importation and logistics requirements to manufacture it in the United States. B&T is constantly working on ways to be competitive in the American suppressor market.
As a suppressed pistol, the TP9 is beast of a host combination that makes me want to curse the ATF for their archaic paperwork approval processes (kidding, I love you guys). Still, it is easily controllable, shows little to no blowback, very quiet and most importantly, a lot of fun.
I have yet to experience a single failure to feed or failure to eject (FTF/FTE) when shooting the TP9 both suppressed and unsuppressed and with a variety of ammunition.
Let’s take a look at some meter numbers.
Thanks to Allen Engineering for the continued use of their B&K 2209 decibel meter.
Environment: 82 degrees – 78% humidity
Host/Silencer: B&T TP9-N/TP9
Ammunition: 147gr Ranger JHP
MILSTD – Muzzle
- 130+
- 126.1
- 126.4
- 127.2
- 124.9
- 127.2
- 130+
- 127.1
- 126
- 126.6
- 127.9
- 128
- 127.5 bolt hold open
Right Ear
- 130+
- 136.1
- 133.6
- 135.5
- 134.9
Left Ear
- 127.9
- 126.3
- 125.4
- 125.6
- 126.1
As a way to attempt to isolate the performance of TP9/MP9 silencer, I used a B&T made standard three lug adapter on the APC9. The adapter gives the TP9 silencer the flexibility to be used on a variety of different SMG/PCC platforms.
Host/Silencer: APC9/TP9
Environment: 82 degrees – 78% humidity
Ammunition: 147gr Ranger JHP
Mount: Standard three-lug adapter
From B&T: As the acquisition of a suppressor is usually heavy regulated, it is of avail if a suppressor can be used on multiple weapons. Thanks to the conversion kit for the MP9/MP14/TP9 suppressor, it can be used on all 9 mm weapons with Tri-Lug barrel adapter. This are the B&T weapons APC9 and GHM9-Standard plus the HK MP5 and all its clones. Simply unscrew the original fastening nut and replace it with the new fastening nut with the integrated guidance sleeve.
MILSTD – Muzzle
- 129.8
- 127.6
- 130+
- 127.7
- 130+
- 128.4
- 127.9
- 126.9
- 126.5
- 126.4
- 129.8
- 128.6
Right Ear
- 130+
- 134.7
- 138
- 133.4
- 138.8
- 136.2
Left Ear
- 132.4
- 129.8
- 135.1
- 129.9
- 131.8
- 133.1
The 147gr Ranger JHP ammo can be a little hot, let’s take a look at some other subsonic rounds.
Host/Silencer: TP9-N /TP9
Environment: 86 Degrees F/ 59% Humidity.
Ammunition: Federal 150gr Syntech Action Pistol
MILSTD – Muzzle
- 130+
- 127.1
- 127.3
- 125
- 126.6
- 128.3
- 126.3
- 127
- 127.4 (bolt hold open)
Right Ear
- 130+
- 126.1
- 130+
- 128.9
- 130+
- 128.2
Left Ear
- 125.1
- 121.5
- 124.1
- 123
- 124.5
- 123.6
My standard caveat: my decibel meter numbers are obtained as scientifically as possible, however they are observations and should not be used as a complete replacement for your own research.
With an OD of nearly two inches, I would compare the TP9/MP9 silencer to the Gemtech MK9K subgun suppressor. I’d love to see the two compared side-by-side.
My initial conclusions: The TP9-N and TP9 silencer is a unique, fun, compact and quiet combination that I can’t wait to turn into an SBR. You may see more TP9 dB testing next week with some “accessories”. But first I have to research AOW restrictions to see if I need to wait for my stamp before shooting/metering in this configuration.
TFB’s Silencer Saturday Is sponsored by Sig Sauer
Q&A** Podcast: Pete, The Firearm Blog
