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UTAS UT9 Mini Review

I was perusing the web one day when I saw the UTAS UT9 advertised for sale for less than $600. This piqued my interest because the pistol is made in the USA and is all metal. 

I like 9 mm PCCs. They are controllable, have large capacity magazines (if you live in a free state), and are usually ergonomically friendly. I like almost every type and shot them plenty, especially when the 9mm was less expensive than the .22LR. With the UTAS UT9 Mini being $600, I consider that a great deal. I define a “great deal” as something worth more than what I paid for it.

This is especially true these days when almost every firearm is still selling just below or double its price a mere two years ago. Yes, the prices of gone down since the initial madness prices but they still have not come down to 2019 prices and likely never will. 

UTAS UT9 Features

The UTAS UT9 Mini controls are similar to most ARs, with the charging handle, magazine release, and bilateral safety selectors being AR-esque. It utilizes a blowback system, so more strength is necessary when pulling on the familiar charging handle. The 9mm stick magazines provided look very similar to Glock‘s 33 round 9mm magazine, which fit and functioned in my UT9.  

At the muzzle is a compensator and a finger stop attached to the lower rails from the factory. It’s a nice touch and likely encouraged by their savvy attorneys to prevent lost fingers during firing. An AR-type grip that is more vertical than the norm is a welcome addition too. At the rear of the receiver is an adapter threaded for an AR-type buffer tube. Again, this is a good move by UTAS so that the end-user does not need to buy or install an adapter. One can add an arm brace if it’s legal to do so in the future or pay the tax for a Form 1. No sights are included nor needed since most end users discard factory-provided sights for their preferences.

UTAS UT9 Mini
The UTAS UT9 Mini comes in a hard case with two mags.

UTAS UT9 Testing

The roller coaster ride that is ammunition prices has been worse than gun prices in the recent past. With 9mm ammunition still twice as much as three years ago, guns that need 500 or even 100 round break-ins before they function reliably are not my preference. The UTAS UT9 Mini needed no break-in to function reliably. 

There were no malfunctions from the first shot to the last, even though I only ran a patch through the barrel twice prior to firing. No cleaning or lubing is required here. 

In fact, as the pictures show, the UTAS UT9 Mini got dealt an unfair hand. All testing was done outdoors sans cover during a typical Texas monsoon. It was over 90° and raining. In short, testing was done in an outdoor sauna, but the UTAS UT9 Mini chugged along without a stoppage.

UTAS UT9 Accuracy

The UT9’s reliability was a surprise because 9mm PCCs at this price point are not known to be very reliable straight from the box. However, the UTAS’ reliability is not only a strong suit. Its reliability can be taken for granted because it’s accuracy and trigger pull were even bigger surprises. The average trigger pull on my specimen was 4 pounds. This is undeniably a contributor to allowing me to achieve this accuracy. 

The first five shots with an unsighted red dot all clumped together within a quarter inch of center at 12 yards while standing on mud in the rain. I also used the least expensive 9 mm I was able to procure; Remington military/law enforcement 115-grain training ammunition. I was so surprised by the accuracy that I pulled a Leopold tactical scope off my REPR, put it in the UTAS, and began to shoot it unsighted at 50 yards. Conditions were less than ideal. The rain had increased to a torrential downpour. The humidity was so high that the safety glasses had to be set aside due to the fogging. The scope fogged, and the shooter was getting bit by Texas mosquitoes that ignored all anti-bug repellents. The mosquitoes got so bad that they appeared to hover above the citronella candles to dry their wings in between stings. 

In short, the only thing that kept operating without complaint was the UT9.

The first five shots with the UTAS UT9 Mini and an unsighted red dot all were within a quarter inch of center at 12 yards while standing.
The first five shots with the UTAS UT9 Mini and an unsighted red dot all were within a quarter inch of center at 12 yards while standing.
At 50 yards the UTAS UT9 Mini grouped 3 1/2 inches at 50 yards.
At 50 yards the UTAS UT9 Mini grouped 3 1/2 inches at 50 yards.

At 50 yards, in miserable conditions, the UT9 Mini grouped a respectable 3 1/2 inches at 50 yards. I believe that this pistol is capable of passing the hostage target requirement at 25 yards. 

In conclusion, the UTAS UT9 Mini is accurate, reliable, and half the price of comparable options. That is the definition of value or a great deal.  I’m glad I bought it. It’s a keeper, and I plan to give it another test under better conditions in the future. I think the results will be even better. 

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