One is hard-pressed to call new pistols radical innovations. Most newly developed handguns resemble the meditative development of the same old ideas rather than creating entirely new concepts. However, sometimes, though, a kind of design appears that overthrows all those expectations altogether – the Laugo Arms Alien is one of these phenomena. In a way, it is the outcome of several designers who deliberately decided not to compromise and started the construction of a handgun from the very first principles.
The story of Laugo Arms is that of an ambitious team that wasn’t content with “good enough” after they had mastered the art of compact designs. The founders of the company made the decision to start over after the work that had contributed to various other projects, and they rejected taking the easy route of cutting costs at the expense of performance. It was this refusal to compromise on quality, combined with an unconventional approach, that resulted in the Alien – an energy that is outwardly and internally unlike most of the semi-autos available on the market.
The unique characteristic of the Alien is its extremely low bore axis – almost at the level of the shooter’s grip. The result is unique and immediate: the gun’s recoil is reduced drastically, the follow-up shots can be made at a faster pace, and the felt recoil is almost flat. The barrel has been securely attached to the frame, so it doesn’t move when you fire; the same stability that comes from a rifle is what you get with tight groups and a consistent feel with every shot.
The Alien has taken yet another unorthodox mechanical path. Instead of employing the standard locked-breech timing, the gun is equipped with a gas-delayed blowback system. The slide is not allowed to shift until the bullet escapes the barrel, and the mechanism basically regulates itself in accordance with the cartridge used. The result is a very smooth and controlled recoil that is felt even if the loadings used vary.
The gun features modularity in every aspect of its design. It takes only a second to swap the top assembly, so changing from iron sights to a red dot or a rail-mounted setup does not mean that you have to turn the zero setting every time. One can acclimatize the grip by using different panels and backstraps, while magwell alternatives can allow the shooter to adjust the grip and handling according to their liking. This flexibility has made the Alien an attractive piece to competition shooters, collectors, rs as well as those who appreciate customization.
In most cases, the range outcomes are consistent with what the specs promise and, as such, owners talk about fast follow-ups, little flip, and excellent shot-to-shot consistency. Using a fixed optic mounting keeps red dots stable even when the gun experiences recoil, thus transitions become not only faster but also more intuitive when aiming.
The aftermarket was quick to react, and now it has provided full support to the platform. Hardware manufacturers came up with charging handles made for this particular mode, among other accessories, while holster producers got busy designing rigs that fit the Alien’s unique silhouette. Such a type of ecosystem does not arrive except when a design has captivated the users who want to push it hard and who are thus able to generate a successful niche market.
Laugo not only increased the number of variants in the range but also introduced new models. A smaller version with the design aimed at concealed carry became available with a combination of a shorter barrel, a flush-fit magazine, and a modular grip configuration. It kept most of the performance features of the full-size model while adding convenience characteristics intended for everyday carry users. Being packaged as a high-end product, it caters only to those few buyers who give priority to top-notch engineering over low price.
The fingerprints of the Alien can also be found on the new releases from different pistol manufacturers. New models that have borrowed the idea of low-bore and modular philosophy have been introduced, coupled with experiments with lighter slides, alternate locking mechanisms and integrated electronics. Such moves underscore the idea that one disruptive concept can reverberate through a market that has been complacent with incremental changes.
In a nutshell, Laugo Arms Alien is an example of the amazing things that designers can come up with when factoring in user experience and performance rather than sticking to certain legacy assumptions that have been around for decades. It is not merely a fresh pistol; it is a nudge – sometimes a shove – that makes the industry reconsider the long-held beliefs,
The Alien is gradually getting more and more infland, whether you are a fan or find it excessive, it still remains a significant technical milestone in the field of modern handgun design.
