Archon Type B: Redefining Handgun Design with Innovation and Precision
Archon Type B
The Archon Type B has garnered attention in the firearms world for its unorthodox design and engineering. Developed as an evolution of the Arsenal Firearms Strike One, the Type B is more than just a striker-fired handgun—it’s a firearm built on advanced mechanical principles with a purpose-driven design that addresses the needs of modern shooters. This deep dive explores the Archon Type B’s origins, unique mechanics, and its impact on how handguns are designed and used today.
The Origins of the Archon Type B: From Strike One to Type B
The Archon Type B’s journey began with the Arsenal Firearms Strike One, a pistol introduced in the early 2010s by the Italian-based Arsenal Firearms. The Strike One was revolutionary in its use of a low bore axis and an innovative locking system, both of which were designed to enhance accuracy, control, and speed. The firearm gained a small but loyal following, yet despite its novel design, the Strike One struggled to establish a solid market presence.
As Arsenal Firearms rebranded as Archon Firearms, the company saw potential to build on the Strike One’s foundation and address the limitations that had held it back. Released in 2018, the Archon Type B retained the low bore axis and unique locking mechanism of its predecessor but introduced refinements to improve ergonomics, reliability, and handling. The result was a gun that seamlessly blends cutting-edge mechanics with user-focused design, appealing to both tactical professionals and competition shooters alike.
A Low Bore Axis: The Core of the Type B’s Design Philosophy
One of the defining characteristics of the Archon Type B is its extremely low bore axis, a feature inherited from the Strike One. The bore axis refers to the height of the barrel relative to the shooter’s grip. In most semi-automatic pistols, a higher bore axis increases muzzle rise, making it more challenging to control during rapid firing. By placing the barrel lower in the frame, the Type B achieves reduced muzzle flip, allowing the shooter to stay on target more easily.
In the Type B, this low bore axis is part of a design that emphasizes quick target reacquisition and enhanced control, particularly during rapid fire. This makes the Type B attractive to competitive shooters and tactical professionals who need to manage recoil effectively under high-stakes conditions. The low bore axis, combined with the gun’s other advanced features, contributes to a shooting experience that feels balanced and fast-paced.
AF-Speedlock System: A Radical Departure from Traditional Locking Mechanisms
The Type B’s innovative AF-Speedlock system is one of its most notable technical features. While most modern handguns rely on a Browning tilt-barrel locking mechanism, which allows the barrel to tilt slightly during cycling, the AF-Speedlock keeps the barrel’s motion horizontal. This horizontal movement minimizes sight disruption, allowing for a more stable sight picture and contributing to greater accuracy and consistency with each shot.
The AF-Speedlock system also enhances the Type B’s recoil management by preventing the slight upward shift common in tilting-barrel designs. This innovative locking mechanism works in tandem with the low bore axis, creating a firearm with impressive control and accuracy that performs consistently in a range of shooting scenarios.
Ergonomics Tailored for Control and Comfort
The ergonomics of the Archon Type B were carefully designed with practicality in mind. The grip angle resembles that of the classic 1911, offering a natural point of aim that many shooters find intuitive. This angle, combined with the high beavertail and an undercut trigger guard, allows shooters to achieve a high grip on the firearm, reducing felt recoil and improving control over the pistol.
The Type B’s grip is also heavily textured with Archon’s “Granulate” texture, which enhances traction without becoming uncomfortable during prolonged use. This texturing is coupled with unique frame grooves called “Pressure Pads” that guide the shooter’s fingers into an ideal grip position. Together, these features create a more stable grip, ensuring that the gun remains firmly in hand even under adverse conditions or during rapid firing.
Slide and Barrel: Precision and Reliability
The Archon Type B is equipped with a match-grade polygonal barrel, known for its durability and precision. Polygonal rifling provides a better gas seal and can lead to higher muzzle velocities than traditional rifling, which is a benefit for competitive shooters looking for both accuracy and velocity. This rifling style also reduces fouling, making it easier to maintain barrel integrity over time.
The slide of the Type B has a unique squared profile with angled surfaces, designed to reduce glare and make slide manipulation easier. The deep front and rear serrations provide a solid grip for press checks or slide manipulation, whether the user is bare-handed or wearing gloves. This focus on both aesthetics and functionality highlights the Type B’s practical design approach.
A Precision Trigger Built for Speed and Accuracy
The Archon Type B’s trigger design is another feature that sets it apart from other striker-fired pistols. Engineered to offer a short travel with a crisp break, the Type B’s trigger is highly responsive, allowing for quick and accurate follow-up shots. The reset is short and tactile, which lets shooters maintain high rates of fire without losing control, a valuable feature in both competitive and tactical applications.
This precision trigger is designed with competitive and defensive shooters in mind, offering a feel that’s closer to a custom or high-performance trigger than a standard striker-fired one. This short, predictable pull is a marked improvement over many striker-fired triggers, which often have more take-up and a less defined break, providing shooters with greater control over shot placement.
Capacity and Magazine Design: Practicality in Every Round
The Type B is outfitted with double-stack magazines that hold 15 rounds of 9mm, offering a substantial capacity for a full-size handgun. This capacity is in line with industry standards for duty pistols, making the Type B suitable for defensive and competitive use where ample ammunition and quick reloading are essential.
The magazines feature extended base plates that make them easy to load and extract, streamlining the reload process. This design is particularly advantageous in competitive settings or self-defense scenarios where fast reloads are critical. Archon’s attention to magazine ergonomics and efficiency is just one more example of how the Type B is tailored to real-world applications.
Sleek, Minimalist Aesthetics with a Purposeful Edge
The Archon Type B has an understated yet tactical look, with flat surfaces and a squared-off slide that lend a futuristic feel to the firearm. Unlike many handguns that emphasize aesthetics over practicality, the Type B’s design focuses on clean lines and functionality. The minimalist aesthetic, free from excessive branding or ornamental details, reflects the firearm’s purpose-driven approach.
This streamlined appearance appeals to shooters who prefer a no-nonsense firearm that prioritizes performance over style. The subdued aesthetic also helps it stand out in a market where pistols often feature aggressive styling or embellishments that don’t necessarily contribute to function.
Practical Applications: From Tactical to Competitive Shooting
The Archon Type B has found a place in various shooting communities, from tactical professionals and law enforcement to competitive shooters and enthusiasts. Its low bore axis and AF-Speedlock system make it a strong choice for applications that demand accuracy and recoil control, such as law enforcement and personal defense. These features also make it a reliable option for competitive shooting disciplines that emphasize speed and accuracy.
Recreational shooters, too, find the Type B appealing due to its unique mechanics and high performance. For those interested in experiencing an advanced firearm design that departs from conventional striker-fired pistols, the Type B offers a rewarding shooting experience with features that support improved control and precision.
Maintenance and Durability: Engineered for Longevity
The Archon Type B is built with durability in mind, featuring a polymer frame and a nitride-coated slide that resist wear and corrosion. The AF-Speedlock system’s design minimizes mechanical stress, reducing the wear on internal components and extending the pistol’s lifespan. Archon designed the Type B for easy maintenance, and field-stripping is straightforward, allowing for quick cleaning and maintenance even in demanding environments.
For professionals who need a dependable sidearm in adverse conditions, the Type B’s robust construction and simplified maintenance make it a suitable option for consistent, long-term use. The nitride finish provides an extra layer of protection against the elements, ensuring that the Type B remains reliable in diverse settings.
A New Standard for Striker-Fired Pistols
Since its release, the Archon Type B has generated strong interest among firearms enthusiasts for its innovative approach to handgun design. Its impact is visible in the growing popularity of low bore axis designs and alternative locking mechanisms, proving that the Type B has influenced perceptions of striker-fired pistols.
By introducing advanced features such as the AF-Speedlock system, the Type B has challenged the idea of what a striker-fired pistol can achieve, blending tradition with modern engineering in a way that appeals to both new and experienced shooters.
Conclusion
The Archon Type B is a testament to innovation in the firearms industry, blending novel mechanical features with a commitment to user-focused design. Its low bore axis, unique locking system, precision trigger, and ergonomic enhancements provide a blend of control, accuracy, and speed that appeals to tactical professionals, competitive shooters, and serious enthusiasts alike.
As a pistol that embodies forward-thinking design principles, the Type B has set a new standard for what a modern striker-fired handgun can offer, proving that creative engineering can redefine the expectations of what a handgun can achieve.