The Laugo Alien pistol, with its striking design and high-end performance, has garnered attention as the Czech-made competition handgun that is reshaping expectations in the world of precision shooting. Catering to a niche market, the Alien is not your average firearm. With its low barrel design and innovative features, it challenges traditional pistol mechanics and introduces a new level of engineering craftsmanship into the competitive shooting arena.
The Laugo Alien, imported by Lancer Systems in the U.S., is a competition pistol of Czech origin that stands out distinctly from other popular semi-automatic target firearms, especially due to its barrel orientation. Unlike conventional designs where the barrel sits above the frame, the Alien’s barrel is positioned below the top of the frame.
This configuration effectively lowers the bore axis, aligning it more closely with the shooter’s hand and arm. However, the true uniqueness of the Laugo becomes apparent when you witness it in action or, if fortunate, have the opportunity to fire one yourself.
During operation, pulling back the slide reveals a notable feature: the sights and barrel remain stationary, unaffected by the firing of the gun. This is because the barrel is mounted directly to the frame, while the sights are affixed to a rib connected to the frame surrounding the reciprocating slide. This setup ensures perfect alignment and zeroing of the sights and barrel, enhancing shooting precision.
Upon handling the all-steel Laugo, your immediate observation would be its considerable weight – tipping the scales at over 2.5 pounds when unloaded. This weight is quite staggering for a 9mm carry pistol but is entirely in line with expectations for a competition firearm. The logic here is straightforward: the heavier the gun, the less recoil is felt, leading to improved accuracy and faster follow-up shots.
Moving on to the grip, the texture is notably aggressive, likely to cause discomfort unless the shooter’s hands are well-callused or protected by gloves. Additionally, the grip angle mirrors that of a Glock, necessitating a slight forward tilt of the hand during presentation.
Designed with competition in mind, the magazine well is flared to facilitate swift reloads. Furthermore, the magazines themselves boast extended baseplates, increasing capacity by an extra round while also enhancing ease of handling.
The frame incorporates a three-slot Picatinny rail, offering versatility for attaching accessories such as lights, lasers, or weights to mitigate muzzle climb. However, this may pose a challenge when using the provided holster, potentially necessitating a custom solution.
With its remarkably low bore axis, the Laugo Alien ensures that the barrel remains parallel to your wrist and arm, effectively neutralizing any leverage that could induce muzzle flip by keeping the barrel positioned lower than your wrist. This engineering marvel mirrors the approach taken by the Chiappa Rhino revolver, aligning the barrel with the bottom chamber of the cylinder rather than the top one.
Diverging from traditional pistol designs employing a Browning-style tilting barrel mechanism, the Alien features a fixed barrel that remains immobile between shots, further enhancing shooting precision.
The unconventional configuration of the pistol’s components translates into a slightly different operational experience compared to other semi-automatics. Due to the fixed top strap to which the sights are affixed, shooters are unable to grasp the top of the slide for manipulation; instead, they must rely on the pronounced serrations located at the rear of the slide. Nevertheless, generous front slide serrations facilitate easy press checks, ensuring smooth handling despite the unique setup.
Relevant articles:
– Laugo Arms Alien Pistol Review :: Guns.com, Guns.com
– The Laugo Alien Pistol Is the Ferrari F1 of Handguns, Free Range American
– The Laugo Alien: Boldly Going Where No Pistol Has Ever Gone, Calibremag.ca