Springfield Armory Kuna Review: Roller-Delayed Pew Without the Premium Price

Pros

• Outstanding value proposition for roller-delayed performance
• Extremely reliable across 1,000+ rounds of diverse ammunition
• Smooth roller-delayed blowback action with low recoil
• Excellent suppressor host with minimal gas blowback
• Fully ambidextrous controls for left and right-handed shooters
• Quality monolithic aluminum upper receiver construction
• Compact 15.5-inch folded profile for vehicle carry
• Versatile hybrid flip-up metal sights
• AR-pattern pistol grip compatibility
• Surprisingly affordable proprietary magazines at $25 each

Cons

• Proprietary magazines limit sharing with other platforms
• Limited M-Lok slots restrict accessory mounting options
• Stiff safety selectors require firm pressure
• Magazine loading difficulty without aftermarket loader
• No tri-lug barrel for quick-detach suppressors
• Aluminum handguard gets hot during long strings of fire
• Short barrel limits velocity versus longer competitors
• Limited long-term track record as 2025 introduction

HS Produkt in Karlovac, Croatia, produces the Kuna for Springfield Armory. This partnership has delivered some of Springfield’s most successful firearms over two decades, including the XD series, Hellcat, and Hellion bullpup. The Croatian manufacturer earned this relationship through consistent quality and competitive pricing.

The Kuna didn’t start as an American consumer product. HS Produkt designed the large format 9mm pistol for military and law enforcement use, winning a competitive contract with Brazil’s São Paulo Military Police—the largest police force in South America. That victory against European heavyweights like B&T and Steyr validated the design before Springfield brought it to American shooters.

The European pine marten itself serves as Croatia’s national symbol, appearing on currency and military insignias. This small but fierce predator perfectly captures the Kuna PDW’s spirit: compact size paired with outsized capability.

Roller-Delayed Operation: The Real MVP

The roller-delayed blowback action separates the Springfield Armory Kuna from most large format pistol caliber carbine competitors. While typical PCCs use simple blowback—relying on a heavy bolt and stiff spring—the Kuna employs the sophisticated system that made the MP5 legendary.

When you fire, a small roller temporarily locks the bolt in battery, requiring significant force to overcome before rearward travel begins. This mechanical delay allows chamber pressure to drop to safe levels before extraction, converting violent impulse into controlled movement.

The result is dramatically reduced felt recoil and faster follow-up shots compared to straight blowback designs.

During our testing, the roller-delayed operating system produced approximately 30 percent less recoil than comparable blowback AR-9s. The low recoil characteristic makes rapid fire exceptionally controllable—we consistently achieved 0.15-0.18 second splits on steel at 10 yards, competitive with full-size duty pistols. It truly feels great to shoot.

The system also excels as a suppressor host. The roller-delayed action keeps more gas pushing forward through the can rather than blowing back into the ejection port, resulting in cleaner operation and less gas in your face.

Upper Receiver and Construction

The monolithic aluminum upper receiver represents a single piece of forged 7075-T6 aluminum with Type III hardcoat anodizing. This one-piece construction eliminates tolerance stacking while incorporating an integral handguard section with M-Lok slots at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions (two slots each).

The full-length Picatinny top rail provides approximately eight inches of mounting surface—plenty of room for red dots with magnifiers. The rail height allows lower-third co-witness with most micro red dots using standard mounts.

Heat management requires attention during extended shooting. The aluminum handguard becomes noticeably hot after burning through three magazines in quick succession. Gloves help during rapid-fire sessions or shift your support hand grip rearward toward the magazine well.

Ambidextrous Controls Throughout

Springfield Armory designed truly ambidextrous controls rather than simply reversible components. The HK-style safety levers mirror each other on both sides, featuring white-for-safe and red-for-fire color coding.

The throw is approximately 60 degrees—quick to manipulate but admittedly stiff. This isn’t sample-specific; multiple reviewers confirm the characteristic requires firm pressure.

Dual push-button mag release buttons sit perfectly positioned for thumb activation from either side. The bolt release paddles work equally well for right or left-handed shooters.

The non-reciprocating charging handle starts on the left side but reverses in about five minutes using basic tools.

Hybrid Flip Up Sights

The flip-up sights pack a lot of versatility into a factory package. Folded, they offer traditional pistol-style configuration with a white U-notch rear and white dot front—perfect for close-quarters speed.

Deployed, they transform into precision peep sights with hooded ring front post and adjustable rear aperture.

The 11-inch sight radius—substantially longer than most handguns—enabled consistent 4–5-inch groups at 50 yards during our testing.

The iron sights are steel construction and lock positively when deployed, though they lack a secondary detent against accidental folding.

Strike Industries FSA Folding Brace

The braced version ships with Strike Industries’ FSA (Folding Stabilizing Arm) featuring all-steel hinge mechanism and aluminum support arm. Deployment takes about two seconds—grab and pull until you hear the positive click. 

The brace folds to the left side, reducing overall length to just 15.5 inches.

With the brace folded, the Kuna easily fits in a standard laptop backpack or small duffel without screaming “gun case.” For vehicle carry, it slides into under-seat storage where 16-inch carbines won’t work. Its compact design allows for easier packing than standard carbines.

The FSA provides a stable third-point contact that significantly improves accuracy versus shooting as a pistol. However, achieving proper cheek weld proves impossible—the brace doesn’t position your eye at the right height.

This platform really wants an SBR conversion and a proper stock for optimal performance.

Proprietary Magazines

The slightly controversial part: the Kuna uses proprietary magazines unique to the platform. They’re translucent smoke-colored polymer with steel feed lips, similar in concept to SIG MPX magazines.

At $25 MSRP, they’re cheaper than Scorpion magazines ($35-40) and substantially less than MPX magazines ($45-50).

The steel feed lips inspire confidence for long-term durability, and translucent construction allows quick visual ammunition confirmation. During testing, magazines proved completely reliable across various ammunition types.

We routinely loaded 31 rounds without affecting function.

The downside: loading 30 rounds is thumb-destroying work. The magazine geometry doesn’t accommodate most universal speed loaders—Maglula’s popular UpLULA won’t fit.

Aftermarket companies like Matata now offer Kuna-specific loaders, but that’s an additional $35 accessory cost.

Springfield Armory provided this test gun (model KN9069B-FSA) for editorial review. Testing spanned three months with over 1,000 rounds across multiple range sessions. We deliberately varied conditions—temperatures from 45-85°F, light rain, and extended shooting without cleaning—to identify potential weaknesses.

Ammunition Used

Range Loads:

• Federal Syntech 115-grain (300 rounds)
• CCI Blazer Brass 124-grain FMJ (250 rounds)
• Remington UMC 115-grain FMJ (150 rounds)
• Federal Syntech Action Pistol 150-grain (100 rounds)

Defensive Ammo:

• Federal HST 147-grain JHP (100 rounds)
• Speer Gold Dot 124-grain JHP (100 rounds)

The gun showed no ammunition sensitivity, digesting everything from 115-grain budget loads to 150-grain subsonic ammunition without complaint. We deliberately mixed ball and hollow point rounds within single magazines—the Kuna cycled these mixed mags flawlessly.

Suppressor Testing

We evaluated performance with SilencerCo’s Omega 36M and  Spectre 9 cans along with a Rugged Obsidian 9 suppressor (approximately 200 rounds each). For readers interested in suppressor selection, Silencer Central offers excellent educational resources and inventory well-suited to the Kuna’s threaded barrel.

The roller-delayed blowback action proved exceptional when suppressed. Unlike straight blowback guns that become violently over-gassed with cans attached, the Kuna maintained normal cycling speed while keeping gas pushed forward. This translates to less blowback and cleaner shooting overall.

Reliability and Performance Results

The Springfield Armory Kuna proved extremely reliable across diverse testing conditions. We experienced exactly three malfunctions in 1,000+ rounds:

Malfunction #1: Failure to extract at round 387, running suppressed with deliberate fouling from previous 386 rounds. Remedied with tap-rack-bang; gun continued for 150 more rounds before cleaning.

Malfunction #2: Failure to feed at round 672 (suppressed). Culprit was out-of-spec Remington cartridge with bullet pushed deeper into case—not the gun’s fault.

Malfunction #3: Light primer strike at round 891 on Federal HST. Round fired on second strike—likely hard primer rather than firing pin issue as next 50 rounds of same lot fired perfectly.

That’s a 0.3% malfunction rate, well below the 1% threshold we consider excellent for semi-automatics. The roller-delayed operating system maintained reliable function across ammunition weights, suppressed and unsuppressed fire, and deliberate neglect conditions.

Accuracy Testing

The Kuna delivered impressive precision for a 6-inch barreled PDW:

• 7 yards: 2-inch 10-shot groups with iron sights; under 1.5 inches with red dot
• 25 yards: 4-5 inches unsupported standing; 3 inches from bag rest with ball ammo; 2.5 inches with Federal HST
• 50 yards: 5-6 inches with peep sights from bench; 4.2 inches with red dot and 147-grain HST

The cold hammer-forged barrel, fixed barrel design, and roller-delayed action all contribute to inherent accuracy. The system’s reduced reciprocating mass means less sight picture disturbance between shots.

The flat-faced aluminum trigger breaks cleanly at 6.5 pounds on average with approximately one-third inch take-up before a definite wall. The reset is both tactile and audible, you can feel and hear the sear re-engage.

It’s not a match trigger, but it’s perfectly adequate for defensive and recreational use, and the spacous trigger guard leaves plenty of room for even the heaftiest trigger finger.

Noticeably better than stock CZ Scorpion triggers, roughly equivalent to decent AR-15 mil-spec triggers, and not quite as refined as the SIG MPX go pedal.

HK SP5 ($2,800-$3,200)

Both use roller-delayed systems, but the SP5 costs nearly three times the Kuna’s price. The extra $2,000 buys German manufacturing, authentic MP5 aesthetics, and name cachet. Practically? Both shoot soft, both are extremely reliable, and both excel as suppressor hosts.

The Kuna counters with modern features: full Picatinny rail for easy optics mounting, M-Lok slots, ambidextrous controls, and AR grip compatibility. Choose the SP5 if you’re an HK purist with deep pockets; choose the Kuna for 90% of performance at 35% of cost.

SIG MPX ($1,900-$2,100)

The MPX’s piston system runs cleaner than the Kuna’s roller-delayed action, though the Kuna produces less felt recoil. The MPX offers better out-of-box ergonomics and an excellent trigger, but costs $800-$1,000 more. The MPX is the more refined package in absolute terms, but the Kuna delivers superior value.

CZ Scorpion ($900-$1,100)

The Scorpion’s straight blowback action feels noticeably sharper with more pronounced muzzle flip. The trigger is substantially worse, and controls require adaptation. However, the Scorpion’s enormous aftermarket allows extensive customization.

If you value maximum customization and don’t mind rougher shooting, the Scorpion offers excellent value. For superior out-of-box performance and smoother shooting, spend the extra $150-$200 on the Kuna.

Beretta PMXs ($900-$1,200)

The closed bolt and blowback operated Beretta PMXs borrows from the now-classic Swiss B&T P26. Running about the same price as the Kuna and Italian-made, the two European 9mms are also very close in size.

While the Beretta is reliable and accurate, the Kuna gets the nod when it comes to softer shooting over the choppier PMXs. Plus, even though both guns incorporate lots of polymer to keep the weight down, the Kuna does so without coming across as cheap.

Home Defense Use

With 30+1 rounds on tap, the Kuna eliminates capacity concerns during critical incidents. The 9mm cartridge balances stopping power with reduced over-penetration risk versus rifle rounds. At 24.5 inches deployed or 15.5 inches folded, it navigates tight spaces more easily than 16-inch carbines.

Mount a weapon light (Streamlight ProTac or SureFire M640DFT) and red dot sight for optimal home defense configuration. The low recoil makes it manageable even for shooters with limited upper body strength.

As a Vehicle/Truck Gun

The folded profile truly shines here. We successfully stored the Kuna in laptop backpacks, messenger bags, and vehicle safes designed for handguns. The compact dimensions don’t scream “gun bag” to casual observers.

Deployment from folded takes about two seconds with practice. For professionals spending significant time in vehicles, the Kuna offers substantially more firepower than concealed carry pistols without traditional truck gun bulk.

Range and Training

As a fun gun that also looks really cool, the Kuna delivers exceptional value. The smooth roller-delayed action makes it a pleasure to shoot, and 9mm costs substantially less than centerfire rifle ammunition. The AR-pattern pistol grip and similar manual of arms to modern rifles means skills transfer reasonably well.

For Steel Challenge or local PCC competitions, the Kuna is viable but not optimal. The 6-inch barrel limits velocity compared to 16-inch competitors, potentially affecting steel knockdown at distance.

The Springfield Armory Kuna delivers genuine roller-delayed performance at a price that fundamentally disrupts the premium pistol caliber carbine market. Springfield Armory and HS Produkt created more than an MP5 clone—they studied what modern shooters want and delivered a great platform with features expensive alternatives lack.

The Kuna proved extremely reliable throughout testing, with only three malfunctions across 1,000+ rounds. The roller-delayed operating system provides smooth shooting with felt recoil significantly below blowback competitors. The monolithic aluminum upper receiver, fully ambidextrous controls, and versatile iron sights demonstrate attention to detail throughout.

At street prices around $1,050-$1,100 for the braced model, the Springfield Armory Kuna represents tremendous value. If you’re shopping for the $1,000-$1,500 PDW segment and want HK-style refinement without luxury pricing, put the Kuna at the top of your test-fire list.

The European pine marten’s reputation as a fierce predator despite compact size perfectly captures this platform’s spirit. The Springfield Kuna delivers outsized capability in a surprisingly affordable (and very fun) package.