B&T VP9
B&T AG (Brügger & Thomet) · Pistol · In Production · 2014
Also known as: Veterinary Pistole 9, VP9 Welrod successor, Station SIX-9 (US)
Overview
The B&T VP9 is a Swiss integrally-suppressed bolt-action 9mm pistol heavily based on the British World War II-era Welrod assassination pistol. It retains the Welrod's signature design: a tubular receiver with an integral suppressor extending its full length, a manually operated rotating bolt with a circular knob at the rear, and a removable magazine that doubles as the grip. The barrel is internally ported to bleed gas and slow standard 9mm ball ammunition to subsonic velocities, producing a measured sound signature as low as 129 dB with 124-grain NATO ammunition. The pistol disassembles into compact components for concealed transport. The 'V' was originally said to stand for 'Veterinary' (it was marketed for putting down sick or wounded animals), though the design has obvious additional applications.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 900 g (31.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 285 mm (11.22") |
| Barrel Length | 50 mm (1.97") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 290 m/s (951 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 295 J (218 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 250 mm (9.84") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Magazine Safety
- Features: Integrally Suppressed, Ported Barrel, Subsonic Velocity Design, Takedown For Concealment, Training Suppressor Included, Field Suppressor Replaceable Baffles, Magazine Grip Style, Rotating Bolt Knob
Variants
- B&T Station SIX-9 — Us Civilian
- B&T Station SIX-45 (.45 ACP) — Caliber Variant
Service history
Operators
- Veterinary services (original market) · adopted 2014 · as VP9 (Veterinary Pistole 9)
- Various special operations forces (export)
Production
Production years: 2014-present
Restricted-export specialty product; production numbers not publicly disclosed
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: Brügger & Thomet (B&T) design team
Notes
Two suppressors are supplied with each pistol: an aluminum suppressor for training (lighter, lower lifespan) and a steel field suppressor with user-replaceable baffles. A .45 ACP variant exists. The U.S. civilian version, introduced in 2021, was renamed the Station SIX-9 / Station SIX-45 to comply with U.S. NFA marketing conventions and uses standard 1911-pattern magazines.
Background
The B&T VP9's 'V' officially stands for 'Veterinary' - B&T sold the pistol as a humane animal-euthanasia tool to skirt export controls - but the gun is a near-direct revival of the British SOE's WWII Welrod assassination pistol, and almost every customer outside actual veterinarians is a special-operations or intelligence agency.