At SHOT 2023’s Industry Day at the Range, Mean Arms unveiled their new Bearing Delayed 9mm carbine.  This new design uses their existing endomags in conjunction with a standard pattern AR-15 lower.  A set of three ball bearings (rather than rollers) are used in order to create a more tuneable delayed blowback firearm.  I had the opportunity to shoot the carbine and speak with Mean Arms about this radically new design.

[SHOT 2023] Mean Arms Bearing Delayed 9mm Carbine

The bolt carrier group fits into an unsuspecting AR-15 pattern upper receiver.  Dimensions are where the similarities end, and where things get very interesting.

At the front of the carrier sit three ball bearings.  One up top and two more on the bottom that delay the blowback once the round is fired.

The front half of the carrier is removable (similar to the bolt in an AR-15 carrier group) exposing a set Y-Shaped set of cams that press forward on the three bearings.

The cam section is removable and different cams were shown to tune the gun for applications like suppressed and unsuppressed use.

Mean Arms didn’t indicate when exactly when this Bearing Delayed 9mm would be coming to market, but they indicated they were looking to release it ASAP.  Five different variants will be available at launch with barrel lengths varying from 4.5 inches to 16 inches.  MSRP starts at $1,420 for the 4.5-inch version and up to $1,500 for the 16-inch version which will include two endomags when shipped.

Special thank you to the Mean Arms staff here at SHOT Show 2023 and stay tuned for more coverage from the show.  Thanks for reading.

TFB and TFBTV’s coverage of SHOT Show 2023 is proudly sponsored by 5.11 Tactical. Click here to check out their new products.

Product Specs

• Variants: 5 Barrel Lengths from 4.5 inches to 16 inches
• MSRP: $1420 – $1500 (Depending on Barrel Length)
• Availability: Coming Soon
• Included: Rifle, Two Endomags