For several years, now, the Czech-based FK Brno company has been developing a weapon system that revolves around a proprietary caliber (the 7,5 FK) and a single action, tilting barrel semi-automatic pistol design with a proprietary recoil attenuating system.

We reported about the FK Brno Standard Field Pistol and Combat Sport Pistol in 2016; and new for this year, at the 2017 edition of the IWA OutdoorClassics expo in Nuremberg (Germany), the company showcased a shorter version of the design, named the FK Brno SS "Short Slide" pistol.

The FK Brno pistol platform has been designed primarily to be used in long-range competitions, silhouette shooting, hunting, and any pistol shooting activity and tasks that requires the ability to engage targets at longer ranges, especially when further stablilized through the use of its proprietary folding stock.

But the FK Brno pistol IS NOT just another one pistol in the market. It is not another one industrial, production series pistol. Therefore and simply, you cannot compare it with SIG Sauer, Beretta, Glock or STI pistols. Because the FK Brno pistol has not been created to compete with these obviously very good, but commercial products.

Due to the project itself, its design, style, high tech material used and the quality of the finishes, the FK Brno pistol is first of all a beautiful, serious toy for people who appreciate exclusive objects. We would say: intended for the same kind of collectors who would buy exclusive watches. Ballistic performances apart, this is what you perceive when you handle a FK Brno pistol.

Given the low recoil, long range, high accuracy and particularly high stopping power, the FK Brno pistol system can find a niche as a service weapon for military and law enforcement personnel engaged in duties such as PSD (personal security detail) and tactical operations in urban or suburban terrain, as well as within aircrews and armoured vehicle crews.

The new model showcased at IWA is the "SS", which stands for Short Slide. The FK Brno SS pistol is a slightly more compact version of the Combat Sport and Standard Field pistol models, roughly the size of a standard full-size semi-automatic pistol – that's a significant reduction if compared to the behemoth size of the previous variants.

At the core of the system is still the 7,5 FK caliber, a proprietary cartridge loaded in a 27mm case that develops muzzle velocities up to 2.000 fps (610 m/s) and a muzzle energy level of roughly 880 ft/lbs (1200 J). At 100 meters the 7,5 FK cartridge retains the same stopping power of a .44 Magnum, offering a staggering high level of accuracy at a range exceeding the capability of any other combat pistol – that's 1.5" groups at 100 meters.

The FK Brno pistol will be sold on the civilian markets Europe-wide (and possibly worldwide) in the near future. Given the level of technology and workmanship involver, though, the FK Brno Combat Sport, Standard Field and Short Slide pistols will come at a cost that will make it available only to a very selected pool of customers.