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What’s Going on at Caracal?

Caracal had a bumpy ride in 2013. In March, Caracal issued a recall on a limited number of C model pistols, and then in September, Caracal issued a complete recall of the C model. No fixes, just a refund.

Caracal made some significant changes to the C and F pistols, both to address the safety issue and to make some enhancements based on consumer feedback, and they are to be reintroduced to the US market this year as the CP660 (full-size), CP661 (compact), and CP662 (sub-compact).

The question is whether or not these new models will be interesting enough to bring buyers back to the brand after so many problems. As we look at what firearms to test in 2014, I would appreciate your feedback as to whether Caracal should be on our list.

Below is a video from Caracal that features Wes Doss, Rob Pincus and David Bahde, who had the opportunity to travel to the UAE a few months ago to check out Caracal’s new pistols and rifles before being introduced to the US market. Additionally, here’s what Rob Pincus had to say about the new Caracal pistols:

I am really anxious to get my hands on a couple of the new Caracal Pistols. The old F Models are great guns and they represented one of the first really new things in the full size defensive handgun market in awhile. The new models are more traditional, but I’m expecting them to be great defensive firearms choices.

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22 Responses to What’s Going on at Caracal?

  1. TK January 23, 2014 at 8:57 am #

    I say yes – the pistols look interesting enough to warrant a look.

  2. william b white January 23, 2014 at 9:33 am #

    I would try it out. Before buying one. It looks really good in shooting the handgun.

  3. Hillbilly Bob January 23, 2014 at 9:38 am #

    I like the rifle, well from the video I would like to shoot one the pistol? meh I would have to shoot a pistol also but my deal is I hate to give a penny to the UAE

  4. dgdimick January 23, 2014 at 9:43 am #

    They look like another Glock knock-off.

    Are you going to drop a review of some other handgun because of limited time to do reviews? I’d like to see a review(s), since I don’t think the US manufactures are coming out with anything exciting right now. The really cool stuff seems to come from outside the US right now; IMI’s Tavor as an example.

    From my quick Google research, Caracal could have ignored the issue, ie: like Remington did with their Mdl 700, and not bothered to issue a recall; the laws in UAE are different then the US, however, any company that’s willing to stand up and say, “we made a handgun that had a design that was so flawed, we need to buy ALL of them back” is worth looking at again.

    I’m more willing to take a second look at a Caracal weapon now, they stood behind their product, and did the right thing.

    • Brandon January 23, 2014 at 9:45 am #

      I’m going to see about getting one in to test, probably the CP661 and compare it to my Glock 19.

  5. Greg N. January 23, 2014 at 9:52 am #

    I bought a C model last year and LOVED it. I actually still have it. As I am overseas and that pistol is with my other firearms in the states, I have not had the chance to send it back for a refund. When I do, I can see giving Caracal “another shot” and “trading” for another C or a subcompact. Also, very interested in the rifle, by my thoughts are it will be out of my price range. Put me down for “test them all”.

  6. Linoge January 23, 2014 at 11:10 am #

    I will be especially interested if they bring back the “quick sights” that were on the original compact models, but I do not see any mention of that on their site yet…

    • Richard January 23, 2014 at 11:43 am #

      I spoke with a Caracal rep at the SHOT Show. He stated the quick sights would be offered once the guns were available in the US. They did not have any on display at the show.

      • Brandon January 23, 2014 at 11:50 am #

        Thanks for the tip Richard!

  7. Richard January 23, 2014 at 11:47 am #

    I don’t know what anyone else experienced at the SHOT Show, but there were very few people hitting the Caracal booth when I was there. I actually had two reps tag-teaming me and brought me a whole shopping bag of stuff (that I later gave away.) I hate to say it, but they seemed a little desperate. I can’t imagine that 2013 was a good year for the brand.

  8. browcs January 23, 2014 at 11:56 am #

    I wish Caracal well in their U.S. market “reintroduction.” The replacement Caracal F I received has been problem free, so far. I find it curious that first runs and/or generations of the Wilhelm Bubits-designed Steyr M-series and now Caracal had teething problems. My Steyr M40 is horribly unreliable; even after one trip to Steyr USA.

  9. Paul Carlson January 23, 2014 at 1:53 pm #

    My “favorite” part of “The Sound of Music” is when the Captain is berating Maria and then overhears his children singing in the background. The change in him is instant and remarkable.

    If the new Caracal can carry a tune and wear lederhosen, I’m all over it. Otherwise, well, I guess I’ll give the gun a few years to prove itself.

    • Brandon January 23, 2014 at 1:57 pm #

      +1 for making a good point, -1 for referencing The Sound of Music.

      • Mike January 23, 2014 at 2:26 pm #

        LOL…

        I want to hate on Caracal for putting out a gun that they couldn’t fix, but as others have said, the designs are interesting enough to me that I would like to see you review one or two of them.

      • Paul Carlson January 23, 2014 at 2:28 pm #

        Fact : TSoM, more fans in 5.11 pants than Caracal.

        • Brandon January 23, 2014 at 2:43 pm #

          LOL

  10. JabbaTheWhat01 January 24, 2014 at 8:35 pm #

    Yes, yes, please review the new Caracals.

  11. Pitt February 12, 2014 at 11:51 pm #

    I would love to see the review of the 661. I had a chance to hold a Caracal C model when they first came out, but I didn’t buy it and I couldn’t ever find another one after that. If the new guns feel as good as the old and they can come in similar to the old price point, I will be very interested in one.

  12. Phil Ruger-Colt February 26, 2014 at 9:52 pm #

    i dont know , Im not convinced of the bs recall , Ive shot evey round there is except hot reloads though my Caracal C , AND THATS 10,000 ROUNDS!!! Not one problem , I find it odd , that there was a recall of a few a (trying to appease the atf , because they diint wait for the license initially) , then all of a sudden there was a full recall , when the atf told them they would deny them permits to sell in the states period, this was merely an attempt to get money extort money from this business , it worked too , they do that to individuals all the time with ffl and silencer permits , but hey , you believe what you want Im keeping my C it s my daily driver!

  13. Gaby March 1, 2014 at 3:53 am #

    Thanks for the article. I can’t wait to see the 660 and 661 in quick sights.

  14. Jammasterjay May 26, 2014 at 11:39 pm #

    I have a Waffen Werks F Model. I have ran every type of cartridge you can imagine thru it and it has run flawlessly. I’m on the fence about returning it for a refund(I never got the option to replace it). Any other Caracal owners out there keeping their pistols?

  15. Steven G November 15, 2014 at 6:21 pm #

    I bought the WAFFEN WERKS F MODEL with quick sites.. paid $589.00 . Its never had a problem and I have no plan to ever get rid of it. I have heard the Waffen Werks are rare and maybe someday It will be worth a little more. They are hard to find and when I do see them they are going for $650.00 or more