9mm With Quick Sight System

It’s not every day that a handgun surprises me with something new and innovative, even at a time when firearms manufacturers are putting out some of their best work.

But let’s face it, in a world with every attachment available to enhance shooting performance, few developments in firearms design look back to old solutions and ask if we’ve gotten everything we can out of them before turning to batteries and technology.

That is precisely the question that came to mind while reviewing the Enhanced F 9mm handgun with Quick Sight System from Caracal USA. 

History

Some of you might be asking who Caracal is, and that’s a fair question, as the company’s presence in America is in its relative adolescence. That doesn’t mean Caracal hasn’t been around the block both domestically and abroad, nor does it mean the company hasn’t been producing impressive firearms that have been awarded multiple international military and law enforcement contracts. 

Caracal originally opened its doors in 2002, during a period when the UAE was seeking a new service pistol for its military and Middle Eastern allies. At the time, Arab countries had expressed concerns over conditional sales and restrictions on advanced technology from Western arms importers, beginning a strategic push to develop their own domestic defense industries and increase self-sufficiency through diverse partnerships.

A center for innovation, business, and luxury tourism, characterized by a futuristic blend of modern architecture and traditional culture, the UAE boasts a vigorous economy and serves as a global trade and transport hub; however, it is not known for a robust manufacturing industry, causing Caracal to hire firearms experts from around the globe, including designers, engineers, and machinists.

One such expert is the renowned Austrian firearms designer Wilhelm Bubits, responsible for the Steyr M pistol, to some extent the original Glock 17, and a host of other firearms. Mr. Bubits and I communicated via email, and he shared with me the story of his “Quick Sight System” and how it came to be. He explained that the UAE Armed Forces’ requirements for the handgun included an ambidextrous magazine catch, an 18+1-round capacity, and a low bore axis, bringing the barrel’s centerline as close to the shooter’s hand as possible.

“The leading project manager, a general of UAE Armed Forces, asked me if I have an idea, because during aiming the pistol, he doesn’t see the rear sight clear enough. He was 50 years old! So I made a slide for him with the rear sight placed in front of the ejection window—quick sight was born, because he could aim more accurately and faster.

Afterwards, I did variants with different positions on the slide… What I realized through all tests, a shorter distance between front and rear sights with pistols isn’t a problem for accurate hits. Of course, a quicker aiming is guaranteed with my system,” Bubits explained.

Early Quick Sight System prototypes — photo provided by Wilhelm Bubits.

Early Quick Sight System and compact prototype — photo provided by Wilhelm Bubits.

Caracal USA Enhanced F polymer-frame striker-fired 9mm with Quick Sight System.

In 2006, the Caracal F was subjected to NATO’s AC225/D14, German Federal Police Standards, and German Federal Armed Forces Technical Purchasing Requirements —the most exacting testing standards available. Later that year, Caracal International would be incorporated in Abu Dhabi. The Caracal F was first unveiled at IDEX 2007, and the first 25,000 units were ordered by various military and police forces throughout the region, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Jordan, for use as their new service pistols. 

The first Caracal F pistols imported into the United States in 2009 hit the market in 2010, before the company’s 2011 SHOT Show debut, during which 10,000 pistols were sold to American distributors. But just when everything was looking great for Caracal, life happened in the form of a September 2012 recall due to a drop-safety issue that required replacing two pins in the trigger safety and the trigger bar. If we’re judging a company correctly—not on its ability to be infallible, but on how it handles itself when adversity strikes—I’m going to give Caracal an A+. 

Caracal did not have operations in America at the time, leaving its US presence to Steyr, its importer, which lacked the capacity to repair all the Caracal pistols sold. In response, and in keeping with its commitment to customers, Caracal offered full refunds or credits to anyone who had one of these original units, including for any accessories they had purchased for the gun.

In 2015, the Caracal F and C (full-size and compact) returned to the market with issues addressed, but the compact version was later discontinued as focus shifted to fulfilling military contract requirements for a full-size handgun. Caracal had also built a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the UAE, making every single part of their firearms in-house, right down to the smallest components. The new facility even housed modern drop testing equipment to ensure that the same oversight was never repeated. 

In 2016, Caracal began manufacturing firearms in its joint New Hampshire facility under a new partnership with Wilcox Industries, unveiling the first US-made Enhanced F pistols at SHOT Show 2017 before initiating full validation testing in 2018. At the time, Wilcox was expanding its manufacturing capacity due to military contracts, prompting Caracal USA’s move to its own dedicated manufacturing facilities in Idaho, where the company remains. 

In 2020, Caracal exhibited once again at SHOT Show, just in time for everything to come to a halt during the pandemic. However, by 2023, US-made Enhanced F pistols had completed pre-production and had passed all NATO AC225/D14 testing, allowing Caracal USA to debut the Enhanced F pistol at SHOT Show 2024, ready for sale. 

Perhaps you might be familiar…

Remember when I said Caracal had to import experts from around the globe when they first opened up shop in the UAE? In a forthcoming review, we’ll look at the Caracal 816, a short-stroke gas piston AR-15 rifle designed by Robert Hirt and Chris Sirois, engineers who were previously responsible for the HK 416 and SIG 516.

Some say this “3rd generation” of the venerable piston-driven platform is the best yet in terms of durability and performance. We’ll put that to the test in the near future, and you won’t believe the price comparison!

Caracal Enhanced F Specifications

The Caracal Enhanced F is a polymer-frame, striker-fired 9mm handgun with a modular trigger module that allows swapping grip frames and slide setups without affecting the serialized receiver, similar to the SIG P320. While Caracal does not currently offer additional configurations, we’ve already touched on a previous compact iteration, so the possibility for expansion remains open. 

The first thing I noticed about the Caracal Enhanced F, aside from the amazingly unorthodox Quick Sight System, was the very low bore axis. Borrowing from and exceeding a principle that gave Glock an advantage in speed and manageability, Caracal combined this enhancement with a deep grip for excellent control of muzzle flip, and a 111-degree grip angle for a natural pointability similar to that of a 1911.  

The frame is a straightforward, no-frills experience, featuring a modest grip texture on the front and rear straps, along with a sliver of stippling running down each side. The Caracal Enhanced F ships with a true ambidextrous magazine release that can be depressed from either side, a pair of steel 18-round magazines that drop free on command, and a left side slide stop.

Up front, the Enhanced F features a standard 1913 accessory rail for mounting lights and lasers, followed by a large, rounded trigger guard that allows the gun to be operated while wearing gloves.

Aside from a slightly more aggressive grip texture, which I confess to going overboard on from time to time, the only other part of the frame I thought could use some improvement was the trigger. I’ll get this out of the way by saying that the Enhanced F’s trigger was great on the range.

I had zero hang-ups or issues getting rounds out quickly on target. While improvements to the trigger can ultimately increase performance, any technical comments I have about it won’t make a significant difference in a practical shooting environment, so I’m not sure I’d even bother messing with it.  

That being said, the trigger and trigger safety feel familiar if you’ve spent much time behind a Glock. By feel, I’d say it is a consistent 5-pound break. My only real criticisms are that there does not seem to be a discernible wall before the break, and that the reset is quite long, occurring just before the trigger returns to its natural position. Examining this, I thought I would notice on the range, but I was pleasantly surprised that it did not factor in at all for me. 

Lastly, the takedown mechanism is similar to a Glock, with the sliding tabs replaced by a more tactile set of wings that are nicely tucked away just forward of and above the trigger, yet easy enough to engage. Disassembly of the Caracal Enhanced F is similar to that of a Glock, but does not require the slide to be pulled back when engaging the takedown tabs. 

Topside, the Caracal Enhanced F keeps things simple, as it should be, with a low-profile slide that reminds me of a CZ75. Front and rear serrations on either side of the slide make it that much easier to cycle the action, and a clever cut to the top rear of the slide allows the operator to hook it on a belt or other piece of gear to rack the pistol with one hand.

There is also a loaded-chamber window above the ejection port. The double-action striker cocks and releases with the striker protruding from the rear of the slide as the trigger is pulled. What is missing and perhaps a worthy exclusion for this particular model is any provision for an optic. 

While the Caracal Enhanced F is available with standard iron sight packages like other handguns on the market, my model includes the Quick Sight System invented by Wilhelm Bubits. When he designed the sighting system for the aging eyes of the UAE general, Bubits found that by placing the rear sight forward of the ejection port, his ability to obtain a clear sight picture drastically improved, as both sights now seemed to share a single focal plane.

Not only did the new system increase the shooter’s ability to obtain a confident sight picture, but it did so while increasing the speed at which acquisition was possible. I will try to explain this in layman’s terms during the shooting part of the review, but even after communicating with Bubits himself, there’s still a bit of magic dust behind this system that I don’t understand —other than to say it works exceptionally well. 

Inside the Enhanced F, you’ll find a 4.1-inch cold hammer forged barrel with a beveled chamber for consistent, trouble-free feeding, a heavy-duty flat recoil spring and guide rod, and the internal components of the firing pin, trigger, trigger safety, hammer drop safety, and striker safety.

It is noteworthy that the slide rails run the full length of the trigger module, providing excellent slide-to-frame fit and contributing to the rigidity and smoothness of the action, while the ejector is built into the rail itself for strength and simplicity. Internal components are plasma-nitride coated, and the slide is QPQ (Quench Polish Quench) Nitride finished for enhanced corrosion resistance and surface strength.

Every Day Carry

The smallest handgun I carry daily is a Glock 19, and I’ve been known to conceal carry full-size handguns when possible. I’ve never gotten used to sub-compacts enough to want to carry one, though I confess they can be very comfortable to wear all day. I was fortunate enough to hook up with HofTac Industries because I wanted to carry the Enhanced F for a few months to see how I like it —and, well, there aren’t many holsters for this firearm yet. 

Hoftac and Caracal USA provided me with a trio of options: one outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster made specifically to fit the Enhanced F with Quick Sight System, an Omnicarry OWB holster with belt loops, and an Omnicarry inside-the-waistband (IWB). All three holsters worked very well for me during this period; however, I found myself using the two Omnicarry holsters the most.

Since I conceal carry more often than open, belt loops kept the holster tight against my body for better concealment under a sweater or jacket, while the IWB Omnicarry worked well for me in both the appendix and 3 o’clock positions. The Omnicarry is a comfortable universal holster that can be adjusted to fit most handguns on the market, and once set up correctly, it feels very much like a holster designed for your specific firearm.

Carrying the Caracal Enhanced F is a breeze if you’re accustomed to carrying something like a Glock 17. At first, I felt a little naked without a mailbox mounted to my slide, but I quickly learned to appreciate the lack of bulk and not having to wipe the sweat away from my optic after running around all day on the range.

The real advantage of carrying this Enhanced F, however, was realized as I practiced drawing and presenting the firearm, with the natural grip angle, deep grip, and low bore axis all playing significant roles, while the Quick Sight System stepped up to steal the show.

For the life of me, I can’t remember a single handgun I’ve ever been able to draw and present more naturally and fast with iron sights than the Caracal Enhanced F with Quick Sight System. It’s almost as if, by some voodoo or magic, the sights are always there, lined up perfectly.

I need to buy a shot timer; however, it was clear to me that I could speed up dramatically while maintaining accuracy from the holster. This, in particular, is the reason I chose to carry the Enhanced F. I was willing to sacrifice sight radius for speed, as most self-defense cases happen very fast and at close range. But what was I sacrificing?

At the range

It is established knowledge that a longer sight radius generally leads to better accuracy because it allows for more precise alignment and makes errors in the sight picture more noticeable. I’m not going to argue against that, but now I’m questioning how much of a difference it makes for practical handgun use.

In the case of the Caracal Enhanced F with Quick Sight System, I didn’t find that the shorter radius hindered my ability to put rounds on target, especially within 15 yards —the distance I set my target at for this review and well within most self-defense engagements. To answer my previous question, then, I wasn’t sacrificing much of anything at all, but I was picking up speed, and the fact that my sight picture was perfect on every draw inspired all the confidence I’d need to carry this the Enhanced F daily. 

The Caracal Enhanced F feels excellent in the hand, with a slick profile that lacks sharp edges —an attractive feature that helps avoid snags and protects bare hands when manipulating the action in a hurry. Just watch out for the rear cut that enables you to rack the slide one-handed off your belt or gear. That is the only piece with a small edge, which Caracal recessed slightly, allowing your hand to pass over it easily without incident. As far as ergonomics are concerned, the Enhanced F rates high. 

Shooting the Enhanced F was a pleasure. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I can’t stress how much of a difference the low bore axis, deep grip, and natural grip angle, combined with the low-mass slide, produce a recoil impulse that results in almost no muzzle flip, allowing faster follow-up shots on target.

For ammunition, I ran HOP Munitions 147gr Poly, which has become my favorite practice round on the range. I also ran some of my go-to defense ammo, Black Hills 115gr JHP EXP and 124gr JHP+P. I was purposely looking to gauge my ability to put rounds on target freehand, so I did not use a rest when shooting groups. Below are my best groups of the day before heading off to have some fun on steel.  

The Caracal Enhanced F performed with all three types of ammunition, without any failures or hangups raining on my parade. The gun is pleasant to shoot, even with Plus-P ammunition, and fast, both on the draw and in the splits.

The Enhanced F did so well that I want to see Caracal build on the platform, with future grip modules and slide setups providing competition and concealed-carry-specific configurations. As it sits, this full-size Enhanced F has made it into my permanent concealed carry rotation. How’s that for an endorsement?

The Caracal Enhanced F with Quick Sight System is available in black, tan, or OD green frames, with all models featuring a black slide. You can also choose between a standard front sight dot, with an MSRP of $549, or a night sight version, priced at $629. These prices also apply to both the non-Quick Sight and 10-round-compliant versions of the Enhanced F. 

Final thoughts

The Caracal Enhanced F gives me that overbuilt vibe, one that inspires confidence on the range and leaves me with a warm and fuzzy feeling while carrying it. Spending time with the Enhanced F makes me appreciate the fine details, and shooting it validates those feelings —from the speed of the Quick Sight System to the flat-shooting simplicity of this handgun. In the months that I have carried and shot the Caracal Enhanced F, it has not given me a single hiccup or headache, and it has given me a fresh new perspective on pistol iron sights.  

It would be great to see this handgun available in different configurations, including compact, optics-ready, and competition models, and I know that Caracal already has a threaded-barrel version ready to go. Don’t forget that this is a modular handgun, which means you don’t have to buy a new gun every time, but you will have the option to swap grip frames and slide configurations as you please when Caracal decides to expand the line, and I hope they do. 

Other than a need to see additional variants, if I have to nitpick, I’d say there is room for a little more texture in the grip, though I confess that is a very subjective issue. Perhaps more attention to the trigger pull and reset for those who prefer more refinement, though that can be just as subjective, and the factory trigger ended up working great for me on the range. Personally, I’d leave it the way it is. 

What are your thoughts on the Caracal Enhanced F with Quick Sight System? If you’re curious about the Quick Sight System, I highly recommend you try it out. If the Enhanced F appeals to you, but you’re more interested in the version with traditional irons or a future configuration, let us know in the comments below what you’d like to get your hands on. As always, thank you for reading, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 

For more information on the Caracal Enhanced F and all Caracal Products, please visit caracalusa.com.

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