Click HERE to learn more about the Alien from Laugo Arms.
It’s tough to find anything truly innovative in the firearms industry these days, but the Alien from Laugo Arms has done it. We published an exclusive review earlier this year of this one-of-a-kind handgun, but now we have our first live look from SHOT Show 2020’s Industry Day at the Range.
“You can see why I called this revolutionary,” said GunsAmerica Editor True Pearce. “It really is. It’s totally different than any handgun on the market.”
The Alien’s unique design allows it to gain a variety of advantages over other handguns. First, it features the lowest bore axis in the world, which helps users control recoil and reduces muzzle flip. It also allows users to attach a suppressor without having to purchase higher iron sights.
Accuracy is enhanced via the handgun’s fixed-barrel design, and the sights remain fixed to the frame while the slide reciprocates below it. This design reduces wear and tear on red dot sights, which are often damaged due to the constant back and forth motion of the slide.
The action operates via a self-adjusting gas-piston system that maintains the same recoil impulse with both hot and subsonic loads.
We found that the Alien performed exactly as advertised.
“That dot is hardly moving. The muzzle isn’t lifting,” Pearce said. “It was hammering that eight-inch plate.”
SEE ALSO: The Laugo Alien Pistol – Completely New Design – GunsAmerica Exclusive
The trigger is light and crisp, and Laugo spokesman Ondrej Podel said it’s been tuned to IPSC Production Class regulations.
Disassembly is easy. Users simply remove a pin located on the muzzle end of the firearm and lift the top of the receiver, much like disassembling an AR-15. Then, the slide and piston can be removed. The barrel is fixed to the receiver and cannot be removed, but users can still access it to clean it.
Laugo Arms plans to make the Alien available to the U.S. market in April through Lancer Systems.
The Alien is innovative, but it isn’t cheap. Retail price is $5,000 via Lancer Systems, and you can secure one of the first 500 units today for a $2,500 deposit.
Click HERE to learn more about the Alien from Laugo Arms.
Just received mine through Lancer Systems LLC and it came in a well designed graphics Pelican case that itself costs more than most handguns. They sold out almost immediately when they took orders early last year. It took almost a year for the US export permit to come through, so they were sold out, but couldn’t get to the US until just a few weeks ago. Their first batch is not the 500 Alien, but a one time Signature Series (Jan Lucansky’s name and signature on gun), limited run of 500. Craftsmanship is amazing and I am very pleased to own this gun. I agree with all the above that price is more toward a Rolex than a Timex, but since this is a specialty small company (like Ferrari is to a Ford), I was happy to invest (especially since I cannot afford a Ferrari or care to buy a Rolex when my iPhone does more than a watch can!
I bought an HK VP-9 from palmetto state armory maybe 3 years ago for $449.00 + $25 ffl fee. It is my favorite, and just as accurate probably as the alien. That company will NEVER sell 500 of those pistols @ $5,000.00 each. I have the money to buy several. I would rather buy a Willys Jeep truck or wagon than waste it on the alien.
I can well afford to order one but will I…..NO! It’s way over priced. I would rather invest the $5000. on a collector’s gun that would increase in value.
Gotta tell ya G.A. that it’s a cool & neat setup, but you guys either need to come back to Working Class America on the planet Earth or go move into the High & Mighty Club and do the Royal Family wrist wave as you pass us grunts. Seriously- that’s strictly for guys at Trumps financial level and up, I’m wondering if you have forgotten what the majority of us workin slobs can actually afford.
What a joke! Who in their right mind is going to pay $5,000 for a stock pistol, no matter how innovative?
The design is relatively a copy of the (great) older S&W .22 pistols wherein the barrel is on the lower level, below the “lug.” Which makes a lot of sense relative to low bore axis. However, it made little perceptible difference in .22 pistols, yet likely provides some rather noticeable differences in recoil direction with more significant centerfire cartridges.
Nevertheless, I agree wholeheartedly with the above commenter Craig Gardner that such a design is underutilized (unnecessary) on a metal-framed 9mm. A 10mm or a .45acp would likely benefit significantly more.
Barring the current manufacturers investing in the necessary CAD and CNC manufacturing equipment and facilities, the ridiculous price (at $5,000) it’s almost guaranteed these won’t be on the market for very long, if ever.
At that time, hopefully, someone with some business/firearm knowledge will reinvent something similarly designed, (low bore access) hopefully in some larger calibers for somewhat reasonable price points
(+/- $1,000).
Until that time, these will likely be the latest “look what I have” item that will more than likely be purchased by serious competitors and the few individuals that have $5,000 of totally disposable income burning a red hot hole in their pocket.
That is after they’ve all purchased their fill of fully automatic firearms that are available at a comparable prices.
At that price, this article is the only place we are likely to see them, unless we get one at five finger discount… I personally never buy anything from companies I perceive to be trying to rip me off…
In the end, a good marksman with an ordinary gun will shoot better than an ordinary marksman, or in some cases, a lousy marksman, will do with a good gun… There’s nothing unusual about this concept, for it was used over a 100 years ago, in pocket pistols with the barrel under the slide…
It appears there may be spring loaded counterweights under the barrel, which isn’t anything new, for my Walther GSP .32 S & w long has them…
It looks like any other plastic wonder nine to me, and after looking at the website, they are now 2500 dollars, which is still 5 times what they are worth, even with all the plastic accessories included, including the optics, which curiously are not described, which are probably some piece of shit from china that’s probably left unnamed…
In essence there’s nothing new and revolutionary here, just good ideas that work re-packaged with lots of hype and a price in the stratosphere…
Go back and read the fine print on their web site. The 2500 is only the deposit portion of the 5000 total cost. Interesting looking gun, but I’ll pass.
Love the look and concept. I don’t like the price tag or caliber. I would like one in 10MM but under a $1000. And it must have proven reliability. I would also want to make sure the company will stick around so replacement parts can be obtained. I think they will not be in business very long at those prices.
It is a variation of a 9 mm. At that price, it should aim itself, but even if it did, I am not sure a caliber like this was designed for accuracy. It is a mid-powered bullet as well. I know there is no such thing as an ideal gun, one that gives you accuracy with a heavy punch, yet allows a rapid on target second shot.
This is a niche gun, something to have, but for this kind of money, I can purchase several other desirable guns.
The concept is intriguing; but 5 grand? wow
I can’t wait to get one of these. It looks fantastic. $5K, uh, might wait a little while.
What everyone else said.
My Canik runs as well and is 1/10 the cost.. The cost should be around 749 retail to be in the market.
Says nothing about accuracy or reliability. And $5000? Give me a break. I predict they won’t sell many of these.
Call me in a year to make sure the problems are worked out and the price comes down from somebody’s wet dream
The Aliens un( bang, bang bang,…bang) over other handg( bang bang bang bang bang, …bang) wow, First, it features the lowe( bang, bang, bang bag bang ….bang….bang….bang…bang!
Cool pistol. Dont understand why these companies price themselves out of the market right out of the gate.Working stiffs aren’t gonna buy this pistol- kids,car payment,house payment, wife that ain’t gonna play that game. Even a retired drip like me that can afford one wont buy it. With modern manufacturing processes and abundant materials theres no reason for this pistol to cost this much.Except that the manufacturer wants to recoup R&D expenses as quickly as possible. Which makes me suspect that they dont intend to be around long. Get the price in the $800-900 range and I’ll buy one and maybe take them seriously.
BS. Sorry, 5 grand… nahhh I wont play.
$5k buys a lot of other guns, ammo and hunting equipment….I’ll pass
Cool. $5,000 cool though? Nope. Would be a stretch at even half that for a production gun and an unproven design. Good luck, Alien!
It’s neat, but not $5,000 neat.