The B&T TP9 started life back in 1989 as the select fire Steyr TMP (tactical machine pistol). Neutered semi-auto versions were later imported to the US as the Steyr SPP (special purpose pistol). Exactly what the “special purpose” is remains a mystery to this day . . .
Steyr only produced the SPP between 1992 and 2001, at which point Swiss gun maker B&T, then known as Brugger & Thomet, purchased the rights to make the SPP. B&T improved on the design, most notably by adding a spot for a folding stock, a suppressor mount, a trigger safety and Picatinny rails across the top, fore grip area and just in front of the ejection port.
B&T’s TP9 isn’t priced for the faint of heart. They go for around $1,800. Extra 30-round magazines run a staggering $80 each. Your hard-earned $1,800 will get a poorly made plastic box, an owners manual (with “hole” spelled “whole”), a cheap sling, the requisite lock, one magazine . . . and a Swiss-made plastic gun in either black, green,or tactical peanut butter.
I bought the tactical peanut butter version because I got an incredible deal. My LGS had a customer abandoned his order and let the gun store sell it on consignment. If I told you what I got it for you wouldn’t believe me.
Reading the owner’s manual resulted in a minor existential crisis. That’s just not something I regularly do. However the TP9’s disassembly process is, well, unique.
After clearing the weapon, you press down on the GLOCK-style forward takedown latch, which releases the bolt’s spring tension. Then you press in another two tabs, one above the barrel and one below the charging handle. Using your third hand, you separate the slide and receiver. At this point the barrel and bolt can be pushed reward and lifted out of the slide.
The internals of the TP9 are unique, too. The trigger mechanism resembles a crab’s pincher.
The barrel has four locking lugs that run almost the entire length of the barrel.
The backup charging handle hole on the bolt is a thoughtful feature. In the event that the bolt gets stuck — requiring more leverage to manipulate than the small rear-pull polymer charging handle can produce — simply insert a 9mm round into the hole and use it as a makeshift charging handle. Ba-bam.
Some people are put off by the TP9’s charging handle. I’ve owned this gun for a few months; I’ve cycled the bolt hundreds of times. I haven’t noticed any wear and have grown to like the charging handle’s flexibility. Just be aware that when the bolt’s retracted, you can twist it dramatically, Gumby-like, without the risk of bending it.
The TP9’s rear peep sight is windage adjustable while the front post sight is fixed. Although this gun is clearly meant for a red dot (B&T shows the TP0 with an Aimpoint T1 micro mounted as on its website), the simple low profile sights allowed for acceptable accuracy.
The trigger pull is heavy and long, but smooth. The tactile reset is also long, which slows follow-up shots. The conveniently located non-ambidextrous safety is of the push button variety. It’s easy to disengage while moving your finger from the straight ready position to the trigger. I rarely use the manual safety; the TP9 has a trigger blade safety a la GLOCK.
The grip has adequate serrations on all sides. The large palm swell fits me perfectly, but small-handed shooter beware: you may not find it as accommodating. The shape of the palm swell naturally keeps the shooter’s hand high on the grip.
On the down side, only one of the three polymer magazines I have for the gun drops free. I normally use my left had to pull empty mags out anyway, but for $1800 I expect my $80 mags to read my mind and know when I want them to jump out of the gun.
All of the 30-round mags easily accommodate a full complement of 9mm round. Caveat loader: the feed lips are unusually sharp. If you stuff the magazine as you would a traditional pistol mag, you’ll cut your finger. Fortunately the mags can be loaded by pressing the rounds straight down into the mags like an AR magazine.
Recoil is minimal — especially for such a lightweight gun. The TP9’s rotating barrel long lock time helps with recoil reduction. As does the fact that the gun’s a bit front heavy, due to the unique barrel locking assembly and suppressor attachment device.
The 25mm tri-lug suppressor mount is unique to the TP9, requiring a proprietary suppressor. The mount isn’t directly attached to the barrel; it locks onto the barrel via a cam pin. It’s all well made and doesn’t require the use of a booster. But the cost of buying a suppressor that you can only use with one firearm is a definite turn-off. Still, I plan on buying one. That long lock time should translate to an extremely quiet firearm when suppressed.
The B&T TP9 just begs to be turned into an SBR. A slot to add a right side-folding stock is built into the rear of the lower receiver. The TP9 would be unusually small for an SBR. With the stock folded the whole package would measure just under 12 inches.
Accuracy testing was done at 15 yards off of bags with a 12x Nikon p308 scope. (Mounting such a large scope on such a small gun definitely attracted some attention at the range.) We tested the TP9 with IMI 115gr, Magtech, Caparms target Match, Sellier & Bellot and Precision Delta ammo.
IMI did pretty well.
Sellier & Belliot was acceptable, too.
With the right ammo the TP9 is impressively accurate. Using Precision Delta we got this five-round group. As will all guns, find the food it likes and stick with it.The other good news: the B&T TP9 was 100 percent reliable. Which, for $1800, is something a buyer has a right to respect.
So is the TP9 worth the money? Only if you love small, quirky, high-quality, pistol-caliber guns that like to run and run. A small market to be sure, but one that’s sure to be satisfied with the TP9.
Specifications: B&T TP9 Pistol
Caliber: 9mm
Overall length: 11.9 inches
Width: 1.96 inches
Height: 9.2 inches (with 30-round magazine)
Barrel length: 5.1 inches
Weight: 3.4 lbs.
MSRP: $1800
Ratings (out of five stars):
Style * * * * *
Clunky, but cool.
Customization * * *
B&T makes a brass catcher and a discreet shooting bag that allows you to fire the pistol in the bag suppressed. 15, 20, 25 and 30 round mags are available. Plenty of rail space to mount whatever you want. And adding that rear stock is easy…once you’re legal You’re stuck with the stock trigger, and I suspect that won’t change. One full star off for that proprietary suppressor mount.
Reliability * * * * *
It’s been dead nuts perfect through well over 500 rounds of everything from steel-cased Russian ammo to high-end match grade rounds.
Accuracy * * *
About two-inch groups at personal defense distance with most 9mm ammo. Mine really likes Precision Delta.
Overall * * * *
The TP9’s extremely expensive — and extremely well made. Add a stock and suppressor and it makes an outstanding personal defense weapon.
This ***hole is a Commie, and can s*** my d*** !!
Nice review, but I’d love it if you were a bit more specific about accuracy. Specifically, group size in inches and distance in yards.
Thanks for the feedback. On my future reviews I will be more specific with group size.
Go on with your bad self, Grandma (says a man who’s a Grandpa 😀 ).
Handled and shot the first gen.
My first thought was, WTF?
What a huge mis design for a pistol. Yeah, the large capacity was nice, but again, WTF?
Since it’s a similar vintage to the AUG, would its drop-in NFA FA trigger group go in that thing?
Insane? No. But anti gun rights advocates know exactly what they’re doing, but they honestly just believe that it’s better to virtue signal and cry to big momma government to preserve their feeling of safety from the suburbs that they live. Which is always far far away from the actual problems are. Ever notice how they’re almost always white middle class children of actual privilege™ that become this kind of mouth breathing virtue signaling SJW a-hole? There’s a reason for that, and ain’t because they’re actually virtuous.
Remember that “insane” is defined as doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. Lots and lots of insane folks in the world.
The desire/compulsion to control the lives and property of others is the ROOT of all evil. Lots and lots of evil people in this world, and not all of them run governments. Makes no difference what else they believe.
Better to lose your sewer worker job than to be carried by six.
This is a real question, who carries with a tac light on their gun? I can understand a laser but not a full sized tac light
I do, in a Crossbreed holster (G19 w/TLR-1 HL). I come from the LE side and find it WAY more indespensable than a laser. I don’t believe you should carry without having some sort of flashlight. I found that on patrol, a brigher flashlight was even more important during the day than at night. You go into a building from bright sunlight, and your vision is heavily restricted for a while when you walk into a dimly lit room.
The weapon-mounted Light is invaluable when trying to open a door with your weapon at the ready. You can do it with a secondary flashlight, but you still have to put the light down to manipulate the door handle. I carry both when out and about (Steamlight ProTac 2L-X clipped to weak-side pocket).
I feel lasers are way more gimicky (not that they don’t have their place). You NEED a light to be able to positively identify your target.
I am surprised that the bullet apparently went “stem to stern” on that hog, given:
— low (for caliber) advertised muzzle velocity
— from a revolver with a short-ish barrel
— a somewhat light-for-caliber bullet
— an expanding bullet
If I ever go hog hunting, I am taking a .44 Magnum revolver with at least a 6.5 inch barrel and 240 grain jacketed softpoint bullets with a muzzle velocity of at least 1350 fps.
Regardless, I cannot argue with success!
I watched it so you don’t have to. Donations for bourbon to my PayPal, please,
#5 Colt SAA
#4 Winchester 1873
#3 S&W Model 3 revolver
#2 “Vest pocket pistols.”
#1 Double barreled SxS shotty.
Question for David. Does the picatany rail use the rear sight holes or did you have to drill into the top strap? Also who makes the rail? Thanks
They can have the TV, cash, car and stereo. I won’t go to the trouble of the law for that. I could not let someone steal a firearm from me, due to the fact it may be used to murder. To save lives I would shoot them, and feel justified as I went through the hell of fighting the courts
Wow, this is horrible advice. Like literally the exact opposite of what a new shooter should buy, especially someone of smaller of stature.
A S&W Shield is basically perfect, there are other options that are a bit smaller, or larger, but a 6-7 round single stack is great, like a Goldilocks gun. If recoil is a bit much, get low recoil ammo, still better than 380, marginally, but with an option to go up to some of the hotter Underwood type stuff. Practice ammo is plentiful (now) and cheap.
If the woman is completely new to shooting, I think it’s best to start with a 22 LR target pistol to learn the basics. The hand fit isn’t super important, because there is no recoil to disrupt the grip. Many of us shooters have one around already. After enough practice, then she can start renting and/or borrowing to find a center fire handgun that fits her hand and is small enough to carry.
Excellent advice! And in the best of all possible worlds, that’s what would happen. Here in the real world, a woman walks into a gun store and says “I want a gun for self-protection.”
If someone comes in and says, “I need a gun for self-defense today.” There needs to be a real conversation with that person about who/what specifically that they’re afraid of. Not just pointing over to a particular section of the display counter.
My Ex wanted a pistol. I recommended several medium sized .380’s and 9’s. She chose a Ruger LCP .380 over my objections (with explanations why). We went to the range and tried it out. On the third shot she put her left thumb over her right and got slide bit. She never fired it again. Long story short, I have a Ruger LCP. I hate firing it with self defense loads. IT HURTS! I carry it every day in every place that I can legally carry. That little stinger is so convenient. A MECO hip pocket holster is the way I carry.
Still hate practice.
ARX in mouse guns…….
I’m sure the next Floridian shoved face down and cuffed because his shirt rode up will understand Florida Carry’s adherence to their ideals in opposing this bill.
Hmmm, it seems more reasonable to assert that the “negligent entrustment” falls squarely on the shoulders of the parents who handed their children over to the state for indoctrination. That the state failed to protect them or even allow for the opportunity of armed defense… well I suppose that’s not what they want to hear.
Does “insane” mean their “conclusions” say one thing, while their evidence demonstrates something else? They, yes, they are insane.
There are hundreds, if not thousands of distinct and different “cultures” in America. Nobody has the “right” to judge any of them except the people who live them. Every culture includes aggression, often as a high point of pride.
And nobody has any legitimate “authority” to change or control anyone’s culture, except their own, as individuals.
And the foolishness of this claim is made clear by the idea that “guns” are the center of any culture, let alone the cause of violence.
Ever watch two and three year old children fight? They sure don’t need guns and they have not yet seen much in the way of TV or video games. Conflict is a part of human nature. It is in our own best interest to understand and direct this toward voluntary cooperation and productivity in our children and ourselves. Nobody can do it for us.
For $1800, I’d rather buy a Tavor X95
I see one of these in my near future. The smallest lightest SBR out there should be fun to run and gun with.