TFB HANDS ON: The B&T TP380
Originally unveiled at IWA in 2016, the B&T TP380 is coming to the U.S. very soon. This scaled-down version of the larger TP9 or MP9 is incredibly light and feeds from magazines varying in size from 15 to 30 rounds. I had a chance to look over and shoot this gun while in Switzerland visiting B&T AG headquarters.
B&T @ TFB:
TFB HANDS ON: The B&T TP380
The TP380 we were able to shoot features some similarities and slight departures from the larger TP9.
There’s no longer a front nub where a vertical foregrip can be added. Instead, there’s a front Picatinny rail section that gives the end user customization up front.
The model we were shown was in the Short Barreled Rifle (SBR) configuration with a side folding stock just like the MP9/TP9. Unlike the MP9/TP9, the TP380 features a 1/2×28 threaded muzzle for easy suppressor attachment.
The TP380 features an alloy upper receiver and top-mounted charging handle. Just top right of the trigger is the push button style safety, and above that is an easy-to-use bolt release.
Weighing in at just 33oz, the TP380 was showcased with a 30-round or a much smaller almost flush-fit 15-round magazine. Both of these magazines are a proprietary double stack single feed design.
While I didn’t have a measuring tape handy, I thought it best to use a piece of U.S. currency to demonstrate just how small the TP380 is with the stock folded. It’s hammer fired and uses blowback operation to cycle. In addition to the cross-bolt safety, there’s a firing pin safety as well.
The TP380 is scheduled to be released later this year and will have a price tag of roughly ~$1,200 (ACRO not included). B&T AG indicated 500 had been built for the initial release, and I’d imagine these will sell out rather quickly. These will be imported as pistols, and users will have the choice if they’d like to file a Form1 to register the gun as an SBR.
If you’d like to know more about the TP380, check out the video below. TFBtv’s James Reeves had a chance to sit down with Karl Brugger and talk about the TP380 while we were in Switzerland. Thanks for reading!
The author is a military contractor who enjoys conducting independent firearms research and reloading. Article inquiries and suggestions are welcome at austinjrex at gmail.com
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Very interesting "pistol". After buying and heavily modifying a RUGER PC chassis carbine (16" barrel) I really dove deep into studying PCC types of actions.
IMHO simple blowback actions are the most reliable and have the least parts. B&T's recoil-dampening hydraulic system is the best for the least number of parts.
My RUGER PC is HEAVY and that in itself absorbs a lot of the 9 mm recoil even with +P+ ammo. Then I installed in a stiffer recoil spring and a better bolt buffer as well. With a HOLOSUN AEMS circle/dot sight and many other upgrades it's ready for Steel Challenge competition. Wish I was too.
All that said I'd still rather have a B&T carbine (not "pistol") than my much-massaged RUGER PC carbine. I can see why the US Army chose B&T for their new sub gun.
With the TP380 having such a nice trigger reset, I wonder if this will lead to improved trigger options for the TP series (specifically improvements to the TP9 trigger)...