Matador Arms MAT9, a 9mm braced pistol inspired by great classics

Based in San Antonio, Texas, Matador Arms is a gun and accessories company that was founded by Marine Corps veterans and entrepreneurs with extensive experience in the arms industry. Like many small and medium-sized American companies in the sector, Matador relies above all on ideas, and in its online catalog we find a series of rifles, pistols, upper and lower receivers that at first glance might seem to be the same as those offered by many other companies, but in this case there is something more that makes them particularly interesting with an original development.

The MAT9 pistol is the flagship product of Matador Arms and looks like a classic "civilised" sub-machine gun, i.e. only capable of firing in semi-automatic mode, chambered in 9mm Luger. The operating system of the MAT9 is extremely simple, based on a blowback action that does not require the classic buffer tube of AR15 platforms. This makes it possible to mount a whole range of fixed or folding stocks on the MAT9, greatly extending the gun's versatility. One of the most outstanding features of the MAT9, which has the two sections of the receiver made of aluminum with an anodised finish, is in fact its great modularity and the possibility of interchanging upper and lower receivers, obviously where permitted by current laws. The MAT9 is offered in a wide choice of variants, also and above all to comply with the different legal cataloguing criteria in force in the USA. There are models without stock, with folding brace and feeding systems compatible with Glock, Colt or Heckler & Koch MP5 magazines.

Another very appreciable feature is the non-reciprocating charging handle (i.e., during the firing cycle it stays in place) and easily reversible from one side of the upper receiver to the other. The bolt is composed of two parts: the main one with a square cross-section within which the firing pin with its recoil spring slides, and an appendage, connected by a joint, which extends above the barrel when the rifle is closed. In this way, part of the bolt assembly mass is shifted forward, which makes the entire gun more compact. If this reminds you of anything, you are right: it is a system we have seen on several machine guns such as the Walther MPK and the Franchi LF57. The gun comes with a hold open that catches the bolt once the last round in the magazine has been fired. The trigger assembly has Mil-Spec features and has been fine-tuned to ensure a clean and safe release. The barrel of the Matador MAT9 is available in two sizes: 5.5 inches (corresponding to 140 millimetres) or 8 inches (203 millimetres) with a threaded muzzle to facilitate the mounting of a silencer (where permitted) or a muzzle brake. The handguard is an ERS (Extended Rail System) type with full-length Picatinny rail at 12 o'clock and M-Lok slots on the sides. The MAT9 is marketed without sights and it is up to the user to decide whether to mount a set of mechanical sights or a red dot. The pistol grip with its proprietary design is almost vertical and has a pronounced flare, which allows for a firm swing. Among the most curious options of the MAT9 is that you can order your gun with upper receiver and lower receiver in three different colors (black, grey and FDE), combining them as you like.

The curious Stizon variant of the Matador MAT9

The most intriguing version from an oplological point of view is the MAT9 Stizon, fed from 55-round helical magazines made by Stuff & Things Inc and inspired by those of the Russian PP-19 "Bizon" sub-machine gun. Unlike traditional box magazines, the Bizon actually uses a magazine positioned under the barrel, with a helical mechanism to feed the cartridges. We had already seen something similar in the 1980s in the American Calico rifle. This design allows a high capacity and a more balanced weight distribution, improving the firearm's handling. Although the original Bizon's magazine had some reliability problems over time, it appears that the US-made version by Stuff & Things is extremely reliable.

In conclusion, the question arises: will we ever see the Matador MAT9 in Europe? In theory, there is nothing to prevent some local distributor from importing them. The retail price is relatively low, at least in the USA, and ranges from $999 for the version with a short barrel and no stock to $1,199 for those with an 8" barrel and stock. So it could come to our market at an acceptable price, even considering import duties, local taxes and various expenses.

Matador Arms MAT9 technical specifications and price