The idea of converting pistols and revolvers into carbines is not new and was encountered even in the 19th century. In the XXI century, the idea of creating pistols-carbines has not yet been abandoned. At the same time, modern technologies and industrial development make it possible to produce a special "body kit" for popular models of pistols, which quite easily turns them into carbines if necessary. Of course, this does not happen with one movement of the hand, but such an alteration does not cause difficulties for a trained person.
A novelty of 2018 was the KPOS Scout kit from the engineers of the Israeli company FAB Defense, which is designed to easily convert the globally popular Glock 17/19 pistols into a carbine. This set features an updated hybrid stock design, which has significantly reduced the total weight of the weapon after transformation. It is worth noting that the Israeli company FAB Defense is today a world-famous manufacturer of tuning for small arms, while the company's products can also be purchased in the Russian Federation. So, the KPOS Scout kit for converting Glock pistols into a carbine will cost the Russians 33,150 rubles.
It should be noted that in the West, various models for converting pistols into carbines are very widespread. And the phrase Pistol to Carbine Conversion Kit entered the circulation of people who are fond of or are familiar with modern small arms and the industry that produces various types of "attachments" for popular barrels all over the world. In the past few years, such sets have become firmly established in the fashion of weapons, including in Russia. Izhevsk gunsmiths also presented their developments in this area. At the same time, the manufacturers of such sets from Israel are currently the most famous and widespread. It is in this country that such manufacturers of weapons and tactical accessories as Tactical, CAA, IWI and FAB Defense are located.
KPOS Scout converter pistol - carbine for Glock pistol 17/19, photo fab-defense.pro
Many of the specialists of the listed companies are themselves former servicemen of the Israel Defense Forces or members of special units of the Israeli police with real combat experience. This fact alone allows us to say that such types of body kit for pistols are not intended at all to demonstrate the "coolness" of the owner. Such devices, designed for alteration of short-barreled weapons, are in high demand. Thanks to the buttstock and the increased weight, the toss of the pistol when firing is reduced, and the accuracy of firing increases. At the same time, such weapon transformation kits are especially advantageous in cases where there is a need to install a number of additional accessories on the pistol, for example, a collimator sight. Conventional pistols in most cases have extremely limited capabilities for installing additional devices, while a pistol converted into a carbine immediately removes all issues due to the possibility of using several Picatinny rails.
As experts note, the realities of today make us increasingly reckon with the growing risk of various terrorist attacks. At the same time, the first who appears on the scene of terrorist attacks, it is necessary to repulse the terrorists or try to contain them before the arrival of reinforcements or special units. The first on the spot are usually, at best, ordinary patrol officers or security personnel and guards. Usually armed only with pistols and revolvers, such weapons give the defenders almost no chance against criminals who will be armed with long-barreled automatic weapons.
Most likely, this is the reason that in the past few years gunsmiths in many countries have again turned to the rather old idea of equipping pistols with a butt and forend, offering their own conversion kits that transform pistols into carbines. In addition to the stock, which provides the shooter with stability and more reliable holding of the pistol when firing, such kits increase the length of the sighting line and allow you to install various types of attachments from collimator sights to tactical lights and target designators in various combinations.
KPOS Scout converter pistol - carbine for Glock pistol 17/19, photo fab-defense.pro
Ordinary pistols, which are presented on the international market today, due to their dimensional restrictions on the installation of mounting plates and the presence of a movable shutter casing, do not have such freedom to install the body kit. At the same time, an already prepared pistol-carbine can be easily carried on a belt and the weapon will be constantly ready for use. It is also important that such conversion kits do not fall under the restrictions imposed by the weapons legislation of many countries and are not themselves weapons from a legal point of view.
It is no coincidence that such kits are so popular in Israel, which faces terrorist threats every day. After the famous Uzi submachine gun was discontinued in 1993, which was specially created for security services and security agencies that were in dire need of compact small arms with a high magazine capacity, a certain vacuum appeared in this area. It is this vacant niche that Israeli manufacturers tried to fill with the help of various kits for converting pistols into carbines, including representatives of the FAB Defense company.
The previous similar kit from FAB Defense called KPOS G2 was designed to convert pistols of the Glock, Jericho 941, FN 5.7, SIG 226 and 2022, CZ Duty, Springfield XD and Beretta XP4 series pistols and had a body that was completely milled from a blank. made of 6061 T6 aluminum alloy. A new kit called KPOS Scout, which appeared in the Israeli company's line in 2018, will form the basis for a whole family of conversion kits. Unlike all previous FAB Defense models, it received a hybrid hull design that combines an upper aluminum guide made of the same 6061 T6 alloy (analogous to the domestic AD33 alloy) and a lightweight lower part made of an impact-resistant composite material reinforced with reinforcement. Such an engineering solution made it possible to create a fairly compact and lightweight pistol-carbine system while maintaining the high strength of the product. The weight in comparison with the previous conversion kits was reduced by almost 300 grams, that is, by about 30 percent. This had a beneficial effect on the cost of the kit itself.
KPOS Scout converter pistol - carbine for Glock pistol 17/19, photo fab-defense.pro
The new kit for converting a pistol into a carbine KPOS Scout ("Scout" is a good name for a lightweight and compact model) received a folding L-shaped shoulder rest with a rubberized recoil pad, as well as a T-shaped reloading handle in the style of M4 rifles (two-sided) and a folding front handle. A Picatinny rail was integrated with the upper part of the body for the entire length of the kit, a short bar was installed on the lower part, two more side rails with integrated thumb rests were removable. At the same time, the pistol locking mechanism in the created device has only one button, which provides not only easy and fast, but also reliable locking of the pistol. Mounting a pistol in KPOS Scout takes literally five seconds. Models are available for purchase in the following colors: black, olive, sand and gray.
Features of the KPOS Scout Kit:
- this kit for Glock 17 and 19 pistols differs in small dimensions and weight, which are important qualities when carrying and transporting;
- easy installation without the use of special tools, modification and modification of weapons or the product itself. The pistol locking mechanism is presented with just one button for quick assembly / disassembly of the kit. After removal, the pistol does not acquire any changes, it can be worn again in a holster;
- the reload handle was made on the model of the popular AR-class rifles and allows you to load the pistol with either hand, it is also equipped with a safety stopper;
- delivery set includes an additional body kit from FAB Defense: FGGK-S folding tactical fire control handle, SLS swivel, Bunge single-point belt, folding mechanical rear sight and front sight RBS and FBS, carrying bag;
- compact, foldable, streamlined buttstock does not cling to clothing, and the rubber butt pad guarantees ease of use;
- the cost of the kit is less than that of analogs made entirely of metal.
KPOS Scout converter pistol - carbine for Glock pistol 17/19, photo fab-defense.pro
The performance characteristics of KPOS Scout (according to FAB Defense):
Weight - 720 g.
Length - 542 or 326 mm (with stock folded).
Height - 170 mm.
Width - 60 or 73 mm (with stock folded).
Compatibility - Glock 17 and 19 pistols without any modifications.
