Idaho-based Caracal USA recently announced it has started shipping its CMP line of blowback-action, large-format 9mm pistols that accept HK MP5 magazines.

Offered in a 9-inch barreled CMP9 and 6-inch CMP9K format, both models are built on machined 7075-T6 aluminum and include a machined 1913 Picatinny rail mount on the lower receiver for a variety of buttstock (NFA rules apply) and pistol brace options. Both use 1:10-inch twist cold hammer-forged barrels with threaded muzzles and have an M-LOK handguard with accessory slots at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. Other features include a top Picatinny rail for optics, ambidextrous controls and charging handles, and AR/M4-compatible pistol grips.
 

"The CMP9 and CMP9K represent Caracal USA’s ongoing commitment to precision, reliability, and user-focused design,” said Jeffrey Spalding, company president and CEO. “These pistols bring the proven ergonomics and modularity of the AR platform into a 9mm system that’s compact, rugged, and compatible with one of the most trusted magazine types in the world. We’ve built these guns to exceed NATO and U.S. testing protocols for light arms and shoulder-fired weapon systems, and they’re ready to perform in any environment."

Caracal has flirted with pistol-caliber carbines for more than a decade, and the CMP was originally teased back in 2016, so it is nice to see it finally become available.

Both the Caracal CMP9 and CMP9K have an MSRP of $1,833. That makes them a bit more expensive than popular PCCs in the $800-$1,200 range, such as the various CZ Scorpion EVO 3 and Springfield Armory Kuna models, along with similarly priced MP5 clones such as Century's AP5.