B&T APC10 Pro – Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade

in Clay Martin, Gun Reviews
B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
B&T 10mm in all its glory.

B&T has just released the APC10, a version of their extremely popular submachine gun in my personal favorite, 10mm. 10mm, in my eyes, is the absolutely perfect caliber for such a gun, but more on that later. Probably the biggest question we are all asking is, who is B&T, and how did they manage to win an Army PDW contract? Which is a question I asked myself. This company seemed to come out of nowhere, and DOD contracts are notoriously tough competition. How, exactly, did a company that is largely unknown in the US pull it off?

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Included other mans opinion

Well, B&T isn’t exactly new. Originally known as Brügger & Thomet AG, the company was established in 1991. Karl Brügger and Heinrich Thomet founded the company to produce suppressors for the domestic Swiss market. And we can all be jealous at this foundation, as gun shops in Switzerland will think you rather rude if you don’t buy a can to go on your gun. At some point later, Thomet sold his shares to Brügger, and the company was renamed B&T AG in 2011.

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Pro level cleaning kit

B&T is something of a powerhouse in Europe, not only in manufacturing but in distribution. Their trading division represents companies such as Aimpoint and H&K in the law enforcement and military markets, as well as import and export of ammunition and small arms worldwide. That sounds very… Swiss. The manufacturing division is a major supplier of small parts to other gun makers and started producing its own line of complete weapons in 2004. After a few designs running the gambit from a revised Steyr TMP to a 338 Lapua sniper rifle, they released the original APC9 submachine gun in 2011.

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Ambi charging handle

So when the Army went looking for a new Personal Defensive Weapon in 2019, B&T was ready to play. They entered the newly crafted APC9 Pro model and ran the table against players such as SIG, H&K, Noveske, and Colt. That is an impressive field to walk away from victorious. A civilian legal semi-auto version of the APC9 Pro was on the market a few months later. And not a company to rest on their laurels, B&T followed up this year with an APC45 Pro and APC10 Pro.

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Up position
B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Automatically folds flat

How do they compare to the original APC9? I have no idea. The APC9 might’ve been around for a while, but it was in small numbers. Like many of you, I had never heard of B&T before the Army contract. So we will be judging this gun on its merits as a stand-alone item, not as an upgrade.

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Integral sling points

Out of the box, the APC10 Pro is an impressive piece of equipment. It ships in a James Bond case, worthy of the price tag. It includes a cleaning kit in a real zipper case, not a plastic rod jammed in a Ziploc bag. Instruction book and iron sights are in the case, along with a high-quality single point sling. Our test model came not only with a pre-installed Tail Hook “brace”, but a spare rear plate if you want to just run in short configuration. The initial look of the gun is something high quality and Swiss, about as apt a description as a gun can get.

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Included single point sling

Picking up the B&T, you first notice the heft. This is not a light weight princess, for certain. While on the chunkier side, all the mass is centered, which offers good balance. It is a unique feel in sub guns, and not one I dislike. There is a reason for this, which a quick break down shows.

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Lower receiver

The short 8-inch barrel doesn’t have a lot of front weight, nor does the polymer receiver. Our version featured a skeletonized telescoping stock, which might as well weigh nothing. So where is the meat? A quick break down of the gun shows a monstrous bolt, not uncommon in a straight blowback design. Nor would we really expect anything less for the Prophet Jeff Cooper’s own round, Mr. 10mm. Which brings up an immediate question of, how is that reciprocating mass going to feel when we shoot this? And fortunately, B&T has a solution for that too. The APC10 features a hydraulic buffer in the back, to cut that felt recoil down to size.

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Lower top view, with captured take down pins

Then we can take a look at the overall design, which is feature rich. New for this model is the aforementioned Tail Hook telescoping stock, which I have no problem calling best in class. It is pure grip and rip, with no button pressing necessary to deploy it. This is going to make it faster out of a bag or other concealment device, which matters in a defensive gun. The tail hook style end piece is solid aluminum, none of the weird flex of a rubber forearm brace. If you were to accidentally put this in your shoulder, in Minecraft, it would feel exactly like an SBR stock. I hear.

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Upper receiver

The controls are ambi everything, with excellent design. The safety is big enough to use, but not so big as to be in the way. The magazine release is arguably better for righties than lefties, but it is at least present on both sides. And the bolt lock is the same for either hand. It is placed in a spot easy to hit with your trigger finger or support side thumb, shooters preference. And yes, the B&T locks back when empty. The trigger isn’t as crisp as say, an F class rifle. But it is remarkably light and good for a sub-gun, blowing away any other factory option I have seen.

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Monstrous bolt

The APC 10 feeds from Glock 10mm magazines, which is both a blessing and a curse in this caliber. Glock magazines are excellent and ubiquitous, something I think we can all agree on. Rarely these days does a PCC or sub-gun even exist with an optional Glock feed lower. The only downside in 10mm (or 45 APC)  is that Glock doesn’t make an extended factory magazine. And while Glock factory magazines are notoriously reliable, the same cannot be said for the aftermarket options. My gun came with a Glock 15 rounder, which is less than what most of us want in a sub-gun. Especially compared to 33 rounds in 9mm.

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Bolt top view

So I reached out to our friends at GunMagWarehouse for an aftermarket solution. They had on hand SGM brand 30 round magazines, a product I have actually had trouble with in the past in 45 ACP. I couldn’t really fault the B&T if it wouldn’t feed off a non recommended magazine, but I really wanted to try it with a larger capacity. And a bit of research on the internet revealed a common fix. SGM magazines tend to come with VERY strong springs from the factory. The common wisdom is to half load them for a day or so, and then they work fine.

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Hornady Custom and Glock mags

With some trepidation, I shoved them full of Hornady Custom 10mm, and let them sit. And to my extreme joy, they ran like a sewing machine on game day. This offers a ready solution to the problem, at the price of $19.99. I also have it on pretty good authority that another big stick 10mm solution will be on shelves in the next few months.

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Hydraulic buffer with brace attached

It did hurt my heart a little bit to shoot a couple of hundred rounds of Hornady Custom 10mm at paper and steel, but it was what Hornady had available. It was also important that we shoot full power 10mm for this review, to see how the B&T handled it. The Custom XTP is an absolutely excellent 10mm load, with accuracy and performance to spare.

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
Trijicon MRO, an excellent optics choice.

How did the APC10 run? As expected for a price tag of $2599. As in, smooth as butter and without a hiccup. The hydraulic buffer system really does tame the bolt mass, which makes for quick hits on target. The caliber is easily handled enough for any shooter, noob or small of stature. And with how quick it can chuck 10mm downrange, that makes for an “any” problem solver. The B&T is both fun and practical, especially in Saint Cooper’s own caliber. If you are looking for a personal defensive solution that packs a big punch, this one is an absolute winner.

B&T APC10 Pro - Army SMG with a Big Caliber Upgrade
A hard to beat option

APC10 PRO 
MSRP: $2,650
APC10 PRO telescopic brace adapter for Gearhead Works Tailhook brace 
MSRP: $689
Gearhead Works Tailhook Mod 1
MSRP: $100 

Price as configured
MSRP: $3,439

Visit B&T for more information.

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About the author: Clay Martin is a former Marine and Green Beret, retiring out of 3rd Special Forces Group. He is a multi-decade and -service sniper, as well as 3-Gun competitor and Master ranked shooter in USPSA Production. In addition to writing about guns, he is the author of “Last Son of The War God,” a novel about shooting people that deserve it. You can also follow him on twitter, @offthe_res or his website, Off-The-Reservation.com

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  • Mash March 22, 2021, 12:26 am

    I own two sets of the mark23 the a1 and a3
    Also owning bren 10mm lbut I can say since my first bt apc 45 almost 6 years ago it fit a space needed as I still have 2 calico 9mm liberty 100s 1 carbine other smg .
    The later upgraded to the last companies owners tactical kit replacing the 3 tube laser with scope and modern equipment.
    The aps 45 or pro mine has a metal reinforced lower . The reason for the main spring having 2 different end caps is for perfect reassembly one end has a round nipple to fit in slot and to prevent reverse instalation. They are extremely well known in high end last forever markets and even in 2011 had many contracts including alot of parts on your hk.
    Dead accurate a good clean and assembly under 6 minutes . Barrels are fairly easy to swap for another I have one for 450smc 45 super 460 rowland .
    And after a few thousand rounds not one ftf fte or dud . Best advise is use lubricant they suggest never frog lube ….. like hk they use their own special coating while I love the steel coated 30 round mags on the 9 and 45 it works great with the original lower being reinforced . I am disappointed to see them go to a glockenspiel 10mm when sti and eaa
    Make amazing 10mm mags with extension that make 24 rounds extremely compact but rock hard for fast swaps even onto concrete.

  • THẦN TÔNG January 25, 2021, 3:31 pm

    Why does the two end caps on the telescopic brace arm have two sizes installed? What is the length of pull?

  • Paul Lech September 3, 2020, 10:30 am

    Is it just me or are the gun companies in bed with the anti gunners? They are trying to price the guns out of the people’s hand!!!!

  • Thomas August 23, 2020, 1:23 pm

    Have a Mac 10 and mark 23 the 10 is a nice toy ,if I think I might be in serious danger the 23 goes under my belt , the 50 yd accuracy still amazes me and a couple of extra clips in my pocket should suffice in any survivable situation.

  • Scott August 22, 2020, 10:11 am

    Thanks for the review. Appreciate the comments as well. Seems a bit pricey but a good quality weapon.

  • Mongo August 21, 2020, 8:34 am

    First off; B&T makes excellent high quality products in Switzerland. They are expensive, They work as advertised.

    Second; Sub-Machine Guns are obsolete for military and most other uses. For the weight and the size of this weapon, equipped with a shoulder stock and suppressor, 99% of people are going to be better off with a 5.56 carbine with a suppressor. Especially as body armor is so cheap and widely available now.

    If you simply “Must Have” a SMG for your “Gucci Super Secret Unit”, the U.S. military should have chosen the B&T MP9-N SMG with suppressor, as this locked breech (Not Blow Back) SMG is lighter, smaller and has less recoil than the B&T APC9/10 seires.

    The chambering of 10mm is just stupid, as it can’t do anything that 5.56 can do and arguably, same can be said for 9mm in a sub-gun. Yeah on paper it is better, but against humans, in combat, the difference isn’t there. A SMG burst to the body or head, isn’t going to have a different result than result whether its 9mm or 10mm.

    Lastly, “Does it take Glock Mags” tells me we are entering “Amateur Hour”. Single column pistol mags are inferior to double column rifle or SMG mags. Last time I looked, the Glock 10mm pistols are not an issue item in the U.S. military and even if they where, a Glock mag fed SMG would be a bad choice.

    This weapon will get purchased, used a few times and then stored in the armory, just like the stupid H&K Mk 23 “Offensive” Handgun, which never saw any real use. Guys opted to use SIG Mk25, Glock 19 or even Beretta M9’s over this over-engineered and expensive “Boat Anchor”.

    Now if the APC10 was procured simply to repeal Alien Attack Groups in the Secret Space Fleet orbiting Uranus, then I fully support the purchase as those little grey guys are a pain to put down in combat. For anything on Earth, 9mm and/or 5.56 are a much better choice for 99.9% of soldiers.

  • stan92166 August 21, 2020, 7:32 am

    I bought the CMMG Banshee in 10mm put a Eotech on it Magpul back up sights and a Franklin armory Binary trigger in it. Runs like a sewing machine. Did it all for less than that cost. It also eats any 10mm I put in it.

  • Jaque August 17, 2020, 9:53 pm

    The profit has to be near 75%. No expensive alloys. The buffer is not rocket science. I wonder how many rounds before is leaks oil over ones wrist. Fire control group is basic. I assume its a closed bolt smg. So whats so special about this design ? Are Taxpayers are getting fleeced ? We dont know yet what Uncle Sam is paying.

  • Steve in Detroit August 17, 2020, 6:37 pm

    Nice presentation Clay. A little over my budget, but I still think B&T has some nice products.

  • JT August 17, 2020, 12:32 pm

    Come on Clay, one needn’t look past the MP5 if one needs a submachine gun, including the spendthrift US Army. First they needed to spend over HALF-a-BILLION dollars on a new handgun and now they need to spend $2600 each on a new submachine gun. Seriously? Nothing has improved so much in the last 40 or so years that would make me looks past the MP5. If you want to spend that much money buy the classic that worked so well for decades and continues to do so across the planet.

    • Terry August 17, 2020, 9:41 pm

      Huh, didn’t know the MP5 came in anything other than 9mm…

      • Mongo August 21, 2020, 8:39 am

        The H&K MP5 was offered in 40 S&W and 10mm. Neither sold well.

      • JT August 22, 2020, 11:32 am

        Yeah, I wasn’t referring to the MP5 in .40 cal or 10mm. I was referring to the original classic in 9mm and making the point that I don’t believe any submachine gun in any caliber does anything better than the original MP5 in 9mm. Reasonable minds can differ on that point, of course. Clay has tons of experience that 98% of the rest of us don’t have, so other than offer that point of view I wouldn’t argue with him. It would, however, be an interesting and educational discussion to have, preferably over several beers.

    • El Mac December 17, 2020, 9:40 pm

      You have no idea really how much big Army paid for these.

  • El Mac August 17, 2020, 10:20 am

    Nice. Except the price makes it useless. I’ll wait for the SIG MPX/10.

  • Mike August 17, 2020, 10:02 am

    I just picked up a CMMG 10mm AR10 for $1000 less and a few pounds lighter that works as well or better.

  • Jeffry August 17, 2020, 9:32 am

    I have one of these in 45 ACP with integral suppressor. It’s the B&T APC 45 SD. I think the barrel length is 7 inches+ so I get pretty good ballistics with a suppressed 45. As much as I would love the 10 mm, It’s much harder to suppress them the 45 which is more than capable of subduing any threat.

  • Kaniksu Kidd August 17, 2020, 8:00 am

    I recall that Col. Cooper promoted the idea of a SMG in 10mm Auto as you allude to in your article. Seems that finally there is a weapon that he would find worthy. Great article as usual Clay but I have a questions: How is it that you get to play with all of these magnificent tools?

    • El Mac August 17, 2020, 10:22 am

      There always has been a SMG worthy if the cartridge. It’s called the Mp5/10. Sadly, the retarded HK company didn’t support and when the batch they made for the FBI wore out, they let it die. But it was a SUPERB weapon. The 10 really came alive in that weapon.

  • Boss August 17, 2020, 7:14 am

    Stupid expensive!

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