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Springfield Armory Kuna Review: The Must Have PDW of 2025?
I’m a sucker for firearms that can fill multiple roles, which means I’m a sucker for PDWs (Personal Defense Weapons). However, these days, many of the most popular PDWs come with a rather steep price tag. When I saw the Kuna released at the attractive price of $999 MSRP, it instantly caught my attention.
Do yourself a favor and get the model with the folding brace.
The roller-delayed operating system, ambidextrous controls, and hybrid flip-up sights are just a few of the features that make the Kuna not seem like a “budget” firearm, at least on paper. As with all new guns, though, honest opinions can’t be formed until there is some time behind the trigger. Thankfully, Springfield was kind enough to send this Kuna out to us for review, so we’d like to give a huge thank you to the team over there!
Don’t worry, as with any guns that Springfield ever sends us, there are no stipulations or expectations of how we are to review the gun or what we’re to say. So let’s take a closer look at what the Kuna has to offer, review how it shoots, and help you decide if you should be adding one to your arsenal.
Unboxing
Picking it up out of the box, it has a surprising heft. Not that it’s heavy per se, but you can tell that it’s built well. It has a monolithic aluminum upper receiver and an injection-molded polymer lower, which provide a really nice balance.
The optic was not included.
Aside from the standard paperwork, cable lock, and of course the Kuna itself, you’ll find two 30-round magazines tucked neatly inside the box. This particular Kuna came with the Strike Industries FSA brace installed, but you can order yours without it and save a few bucks. If you have the extra cash, I highly recommend going with the FSA.
Fancy Features
Of course, the major feature to note is the roller-delayed operating system that utilizes a locking roller to delay the bolt, which in turn reduces recoil and delivers a very flat-shooting firearm. Pairing that system with the 6-inch hammer forged barrel and flat trigger, you have a recipe for superior accuracy.
The numbered round indicators are a nice touch.
The 30-round magazines feel extremely solid and have steel-reinforced feed lips for additional durability. Reloads are quick and easy thanks to the flared magwell, which also has a nice contoured area at the front to place your support hand. And despite its compact size, the Kuna is very ergonomic thanks to its AR-style grip and ambidextrous controls.
The grip features the Adaptive Grip Texture that many of Springfield’s pistols have, and once you pair that with the finger groove near the trigger guard, it feels fantastic in the hand. I like the grip so much, in fact, that I’ve already looked to see if I can buy another one separately to put on one of my in-process AR builds.
One of my new favorite grips.
The mag release, bolt release, and safety are all ambidextrous, and you can even swap the charging handle from side to side. Thankfully, the charging handle is non-reciprocating as well, so you don’t have to worry about steering clear of it when shooting.
When not being used, the charging handle folds down.
While the upper receiver is lined with a Picatinny rail up top and features several M-LOK slots, you won’t have to actually worry about mounting anything if you don’t want to. Technically, you don’t even need to add an optic, since there are integrated hybrid flip-up sights. I throw backup sights on all of my builds, so the fact that these are included and fold out of the way so nicely when not in use is a very appreciated feature.
Going Hot
I wasted no time once I received the Kuna and headed straight to my local indoor range the same day. It was a quick range trip to get a feel for the Kuna, but I put a nice mix of target ammo, such as Blazer Brass and Fiocchi Range Dynamics, and defensive ammo from Hornady, all of which zoomed down range without a hiccup.
The Kuna was not picky with ammo.
Now that I’ve had several weeks with the Kuna, I’ve managed to put 600 rounds through it and still have yet to experience any malfunction. It’s been highly accurate, with and without an optic, thanks to the super crisp flat trigger and low recoil.
Easy reloads thanks to the flared magwell.
I have yet to shoot it suppressed, but I have a suppressor on the way from Silencer Central, and since the Kuna has a 1/2×28 threaded barrel, I’ll be putting another few hundred rounds suppressed through it right away. If anything of note comes from it, I’ll be sure to update this article.
Specifications
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Capacity | 30+1 |
| Gas System | Roller-Delayed |
| Barrel Length | 6 Inches |
| Upper Receiver | Monolithic Aluminum |
| Lower Receiver | Injection Molded Glass-Filled Polymer |
| Muzzle Device | Multi-Port Muzzle Brake |
| Length | 15.5 – 24.5 Inches |
| Weight | 5 Pounds 5 Ounces |
| Brace | Strike Industries FSA |
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Reliable roller-delayed operating system
- Low recoil and accurate
- Ambidextrous controls (safety, mag release) and non-reciprocating charging handle
- Flat-faced aluminum trigger
- Ergonomic AR-pattern grip with adaptive grip texture
- Hybrid flip-up sights
- Picatinny rail (top and end plate) and M-LOK slots allow for tons of accessory options
- Threaded barrel
Cons:
- Proprietary magazines (affordable but potentially hard to find in stock)
Final Thoughts
The fact that you can pick up a Kuna brand new for under $1,000 makes it a no-brainer if you’re in the market for a fun and capable PDW. Aside from the proprietary magazines, there’s not much else that I can find to “complain” about. And even there, with them being so affordable, it makes it a smidge less of an issue.
Everything you need in a capable PDW.
If your local range has a Kuna to rent, I say go for it and test one for yourself. The worst case is you have some fun at the range, the best case is you decide to buy one, and your collection grows.
As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.
