Anyone interested in arming and equipping the "forces" special operations", noticed how much the "special forces" value the personal. Regardless of the presence of an individual (submachine gun, rifle, machine gun, carbine) or group ( light machine gun, grenade launcher) weapons, almost every fighter carries a pistol as an auxiliary weapon. Apparently not satisfied with the “defensive” nature of modern pistols, the US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) announced a program to create an “offensive handgun” in the late 80s.
It must be said that the idea of turning a pistol into the main “weapon of the last throw” is not new. Even during the First World War, the Germans armed assault teams with powerful long-barreled pistols such as the Parabellum Artillery or Parabellum Carbine. The famous military theorist A. Neznamov wrote in the book “Infantry” (1923): “In the future... for a “strike”, it may be more profitable to replace a weapon with a bayonet with a pistol with a dagger (a pistol with 20 rounds in the magazine and a range of up to 200 m)". However, in the military and even in the police field, this task was solved at that time by submachine guns. In the 1980s, the idea of a powerful "assault" pistol was revived again, but this time it was linked to the needs of the troops. special purpose. Bulky models like GA-9, R-95, etc. hit the market. Their appearance, accompanied by noisy advertising, was not accidental.
According to a number of American experts, the 9-mm M9 pistol (Beretta 92, SB-F), adopted for service in 1985 to replace the 11.43-mm M1911A1 Colt, does not fully meet the requirements of close combat in terms of accuracy and effective firing range. With a silencer, the effectiveness of the pistol is noticeably reduced. SOCOM wanted to get a compact melee weapon (up to 25-30 m) that could be carried in a holster. He was supported by the US Army Command. Since combat swimmer teams (SEALS) were to be among the “consumers” of weapons, the basic requirements of the program were presented in October 1990 by the Navy Special Warfare Center. It was planned to receive the first 30 prototypes by March 1992, to test full-scale samples in January 1993, and in December 1993 to receive a batch of 9,000 pieces. In military periodicals, the new project was immediately dubbed “Supergun”.
The main applications considered were: combat on the street and inside buildings, covert entry into a facility with the removal of sentries, the release of hostages, or vice versa - kidnappings of military or political figures.
The “supergun” was considered as a complex that included not only a “family” of cartridges and a self-loading pistol, but also a silent and flameless firing device, plus an “aiming unit”. The modular design allowed for the assembly of two main options: “assault” (pistol + aiming unit) and “stalking” with the addition of a silencer. The weight of the latter was limited to 2.5 kg, length - 400 mm.
The basic requirements for the pistol were as follows: large caliber, magazine capacity of at least 10 rounds, reloading speed, length no more than 250 mm, height no more than 150, width -35 mm, weight without cartridges - up to 1.3 kg, ease of shooting with one or two hands, high reliability in any conditions. A series of 10 bullets should fit into a circle with a diameter of 2.5 inches (63.5 mm) at 25 m. Accuracy had to be ensured by the balance of the weapon, the muzzle device - a compensator and ease of holding. The latter, in the opinion of many, implied a large slope and an almost sporty design of the handle, a bend in the trigger guard to accommodate the finger of the second hand. Two-way controls (safety, slide stop lever, magazine release) accessible to the hand holding the weapon were considered necessary. The trigger mechanism had to allow adjustment of the trigger force: 3.6-6.4 kg with self-cocking and 1.3-2.27 kg with a pre-cocked hammer. Setting the safety both when the hammer is released and when it is cocked. A safety release lever was desirable in case the shot was not needed. Sights would include a replaceable front sight and a rear sight adjustable for height and lateral displacement. For shooting at dusk, the front and rear sights would have luminous dots - a device that has become common in personal weapons.
For the “supergun” they chose the good old 11.43 mm cartridge “.45 ACP”. The reason is the requirement to specifically hit a living target in a minimum time at a maximum distance. The stopping effect of the 9x19 NATO cartridge bullet caused a number of discontent among the military. With a conventional shell bullet, a large caliber, of course, provides more guarantees of defeat with one hit. Even with body armor, the target will be disabled by the dynamic impact of an 11.43 mm bullet. The strong and sharp recoil of such cartridges was not considered significant for physically strong guys from the “special forces”. Three main types of cartridges were called:
With a jacketed bullet of an “improved” type - in terms of improved ballistics and increased penetration, with a bullet of increased lethality - for anti-terrorist operations, a training bullet with an easily destroyed bullet and power sufficient only for automatic operation. In addition, it was considered possible to create a bullet with increased penetration, guaranteed to hit a target protected according to the 3rd (in NATO classification) class at 25 m.
The sighting unit was conceived as a combination of two illuminators - conventional and laser. The usual one, creating a stream of light with a narrow but bright beam, was used to search and identify a target at night or in an enclosed space. The laser operated in two ranges - visible and IR (for working with night goggles like AN/PVS-7 A/B) - and could be used for quick aiming both at night and during the day. Its “spot” should have been clearly projected within the silhouette of a person at a distance of 25 m. The block could be turned on with the index finger of the hand holding the weapon.
The PBS was required to quickly (up to 15 s) attach and remove, and maintain balance. In any case, the installation of the PBS should not displace the STP by more than 50 mm at 25 m. If the pistol has an automatic weapon with a movable barrel, the muffler should not interfere with its operation.
In general, the requirements for “offensive personal weapons” did not imply anything fundamentally new and were based on already achieved parameters. This made it possible to count on the implementation of the program within three years.
At the beginning of 1993, SOCOM actually presented thirty “demonstration” samples. At the same time, the clear leaders were the two largest arms companies, Colt Industries and Heckler und Koch. Over the course of a year, their samples were carefully studied, trying to determine ways for further development.
The Colt Industries sample was generally designed in the style of the M1911 A1 Colt pistols of the Mk-IV - 80 and 90 series with modernized retention elements and a number of improvements in the trigger mechanism and automatic operation. The controls are concentrated at the handle. For use by combat swimmers (on land, of course), all elements of the mechanism are made “waterproof.” The muffler and sighting unit also looked quite traditional.
The Heckler und Koch pistol was based on a new USP model (universal self-loading pistol). The USP was originally designed in nine and ten millimeter versions, but was chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge for the Offensive Handgun program.
USP in the version of “offensive personal weapon” with a silencer from Reda Naytos was presented in October 1993 at an exhibition organized by the Association of the American Army (AUSA). You can note the total weight of the system has been compressed to 2.2 kg, the laconic and convenient design, and the sighting unit literally integrated into the contours of the frame. Its switch is located within the trigger guard. Note that the “demonstration” samples of “Colt” and “Heckler und Koch” had a constant sight, more typical of pistols. The angle of inclination of the handle for both was less than expected. Another significant feature of the samples is the ability to release them to the market for other purposes if the Offensive Handgun program fails.
The selection of the SOCOM sample was expected in 1995. But even then the Offensive Handgun program was causing criticism. A June 1994 editorial in Modern Gun magazine simply called the idea of a large-caliber "offensive" pistol "dumb." Said with passion, but the idea is really controversial.
In fact, is it really necessary to hold on to the 45 caliber and endure the knocking effect of the recoil (the recoil force of the ".45 ACP" is 0.54 kg) and the increase in the weight of the pistol to the level of a submachine gun? The biggest stopping effect is worth nothing if the bullet misses. Maybe it’s better to put two or three bullets into the target with slightly less lethality, but better accuracy? With a total weapon length of 250 mm, the barrel length should not exceed 152 mm or 13.1 caliber, which threatens to reduce the ballistic data. Reducing the caliber would make it possible to increase the relative length of the barrel and improve accuracy. A small submachine gun with a variable firing mode remains a serious competitor to self-loading “offensive personal weapons.” This type of weapon is more versatile and, moreover, has already occupied its niche among close combat weapons.
However, in the fall of 1995, SOCOM still chose the 11.43 mm USP to implement the “third phase of the contract.” The third phase involves the production of Heckler und Koch 1950 pistols and 10,140 magazines for them with the start of deliveries by May 1, 1996. The pistol has already received the official designation Mk 23 “Mod O US SOCOM Pistol”. In total, about 7,500 pistols, 52,500 magazines and 1,950 silencers can be ordered.
Let's take a closer look at the USP device. The pistol barrel is made by cold forging on a mandrel. In combination with polygonal cutting, this gives it high accuracy and survivability. Chamber cutting allows the use of the same type of cartridges from different manufacturers and with different types bullets The installation of a muffler allows for an extended barrel.
Experts expected that Heckler und Koch would use a fixed-barrel design similar to its P-7. However, the USP automatic operates according to the recoil pattern of the barrel with a short stroke and locking with a skewed barrel. Unlike classical schemes, for example, "Browning High Power", here the barrel is lowered not by a rigid pin of the frame, but by a buffer spring installed with a hook at the rear end of the return spring rod placed under the barrel. The presence of a buffer is designed to make the automation work smoother.
The frame of the pistol is made of molded plastic, similar to the Glock and Sigma pistols. The four slide-casing guides are reinforced with steel strips to reduce wear. The magazine latch, trigger, trigger mechanism flag, cover and magazine feeder are also made of reinforced plastic. On the pistol frame itself there are guides for attaching a flashlight or laser pointer. The shutter-casing is manufactured as a single piece, milled from chrome-molybdenum steel. Its surfaces are subjected to nitro gas treatment and blued. Added to all this is a special "NOT" ("aggressive environment") treatment, which allows the gun to withstand immersion in sea water.
The main USP feature is its firing mechanism. At first glance, this is an ordinary hammer-type mechanism with a semi-hidden trigger and a flag placed on the frame in two positions. However, by replacing a special retaining plate, it is possible to switch it to five different operating options. The first is a double-action mechanism: when the flag is in the upper position, it is possible to fire with pre-cocking of the hammer; when in the lower position, only self-cocking is possible, and lowering the flag safely releases the trigger. The second option: when the flag is moved to the top position - “safety”, to the bottom - “double action”, this is exactly the most typical for service weapons. In the third option, it is possible to fire only with preliminary cocking of the hammer, there is no safety, and the flag is used as a lever for safely releasing the hammer. The fourth option is somewhat similar to the third, but shooting is possible only by self-cocking. The fifth and final option specifies the “self-cocking” and “fuse” modes. I would like to add that in each mode the checkbox is located at your discretion - on the right or left. The first and second options best meet the requirements of the American program. Selection can only be made by a qualified technician. The trigger pull with pre-cocking is 2.5 kg, with self-cocking - 5 kg, that is, typical for a service pistol. There is also an automatic safety lock that locks the firing pin until the trigger is fully pressed. There is no magazine safety, so it is possible that a shot will be fired after it is removed; the drawback is small but still unpleasant.
The double-sided magazine release lever is located behind the trigger guard and is protected from accidental pressure. The magazine holds 12 rounds, staggered. In the upper part, the two-row magazine smoothly transitions into a single-row one, which gives it a convenient shape for equipment and improves the operation of the feeding mechanism. A step and recess at the bottom of the handle make magazine changes easy. At the end of shooting, the pistol places the bolt carrier on the bolt stop. Its extended lever is located on the left side of the frame.
The handle and frame are the same. The front side of the handle is covered with checkerboard, and the back side is covered with longitudinal corrugation, the side surfaces are rough. In combination with a thoughtful balance and an angle of inclination of the handle to the axis of the bore of 107 degrees, which makes holding the pistol very comfortable. The trigger guard of the pistol is quite large, which makes it possible to shoot while wearing thick gloves. However, due to this, the front bend on the brace is practically not used - for a rare shooter, when shooting with two hands, the index finger of the second hand will stretch that far.
The 11.43mm USP weighs around 850g and is 200mm long. Accuracy of fire allows you to place five bullets at a distance of 45 m in a circle with a diameter of up to 80 mm. The execution and finishing of each detail corresponds to the degree of its importance. According to Heckler und Koch, the survivability of the barrel is 40,000 shots.
A replaceable rear sight with a rectangular slot and a front sight with a rectangular cross-section are installed on the bolt frame using a dovetail mount. The sights are marked with white plastic inserts or tritium dots.
Heckler und Koch also produces a “universal tactical illuminator” UTL for USP. It operates in the visible light range, has an adjustable beam angle and two switches. The first is a lever protruding inside the trigger guard so that it can be operated with the index finger. The second one, in the form of a pad, is attached with Velcro to the handle and turns on when the palm of your hand tightly grips it. UTL power supply is from two 3-volt batteries.
There is also a new version of a removable muffler. It is still based on an expansion scheme. Expanded and cooled gases are discharged through openings. However, it is now clear that this weapon will undergo more than one modification and will serve the American army for many years.
HK USP pistol with attached tactical light and .45 ACP ammunition
In 1993 by Heckler und Koch was presented and launched in mass production USP pistol (Universal Selbstladen Pistole - universal self-loading pistol), intended for use in the police, army, special forces, as well as ordinary citizens for self-defense and sports shooting. The design of this model began back in 1989. The head of the design work was Helmut Weldle. The purpose of the creation was a pistol that could be successfully used both in the police and army, and for self-defense by ordinary citizens, and could also be adapted to perform various tasks.
The USP was planned to be sold mainly on the American arms market, so it was initially created for the new, rapidly gaining popularity in the United States, and very promising .40 S&W cartridge. The 9 mm pistols were based on the frame of the 40 caliber models and differed from them only in the barrel and magazine. In 1995, after the release of models chambered for .40 S&W and 9mm Parabellum, a version chambered for the American cartridge .45 ACP was introduced. Adapted for use by the Bundeswehr, the 9mm USP was adopted by the German Armed Forces that same year as the P8 (Pistole 8), where it remains in successful use today, earning a reputation as an extremely reliable and durable weapon. The P8 is in service with the famous special forces unit of the German Federal Border Guard - GSG9 (Grenzschutzgruppe 9). The army special forces KSK (Kommando Spezialkräfte) also adopted the P8.
USP pistols were adopted not only in Germany, but also by various law enforcement organizations and intelligence services in other countries of the world. For example, in the USA, USP is used by the Presidential Security Service - Secret Service, Immigration Service - INS, police departments of various states and army special forces. 9mm pistols are the most versatile, as they come in a huge variety of rounds, come in a wide variety of loadouts, and can be found all over the world. However, weapons chambered for .40 S&W provide best combination such qualities as high stopping power of the bullet, acceptable dimensions, weight and recoil force. It should be noted that in Europe traditionally the most popular pistols are 9 mm, and in the USA - chambered for 40 S&W.
A US 7th Army Reserve Command soldier trains with his service P8
The USP 45 caliber is very popular in the USA, where the .45 ACP is preferred due to the highest stopping power of the bullet among the most common pistol cartridges, not even taking into account the significant dimensions and the impossibility of concealed carry under light clothing. The operation of the automation is based on the Browning design with a descending barrel, which enters with its rectangular protrusion, located above the chamber, into the window of the bolt-casing for ejecting spent cartridges, but the reduction itself here is carried out using a special part at the rear end of the return spring rod. This part is a recoil damping device and is equipped with a buffer spring. This solution makes it possible to reduce the recoil impulse and make the operation of the automation more tolerant of differences in the power of the cartridges used.
The barrel, made by cold forging on a rim, has a bore with polygonal rifling. Such a barrel has a long service life and minimizes the breakthrough of powder gases. The shutter-casing, made of chrome-molybdenum steel, is subjected to nitro gas treatment. Its coating is extremely resistant to corrosion. The frame is made of reinforced polymer and reinforced with steel inserts. The front part of the frame has grooves for attaching a tactical flashlight or laser designator. The trigger, magazine latch and safety levers, cover and magazine feeder are also made of polymer. The trigger mechanism is hammer-type, double-action, with safety cocking. The trigger force in single action mode is 2.5 kg, in self-cocking mode - 5 kg.
By replacing the locking plate, the trigger can operate in five different versions: double action - SA/DA (the upper position of the safety lever is blocking, the lower position is fire), while the safety lever in different versions can also serve as a safe release of the trigger when turning on the fuse or working only as a fuse; single action or only self-cocking - SA and DAO (the upper position of the lever is single action, the lower position is only self-cocking, while moving the lever to the lower position safely releases the trigger); single action - SA (the lever serves only to safely release the trigger); self-cocking only - DAO (without safety catch); Self-cocking only with safety catch. The lever, used for various purposes and operating modes of the trigger, can be located on either the left or right side of the frame. The weapon is equipped with an automatic firing pin safety, which prevents the firing pin from striking the cartridge primer until the trigger is fully pulled by the shooter.
The bolt stop lever is located on the left side of the frame. A double-sided magazine release is located at the base of the trigger guard. To release the magazine, the shooter only needs to press the lever down with a natural movement of his thumb. The military P8's double-stack magazines are made of clear plastic to make it easier to control ammunition consumption. Sighting devices consisting of a front sight and rear sight fixed in grooves of the " dovetail» with the ability to make lateral corrections, are equipped with white inserts to speed up aiming in the dark or in low light. Pistols can also be equipped with an adjustable micrometric rear sight for sport shooting.
Warranty life - 25,000 shots. The resource, according to the experience of the owners, is about 110,000 shots. 9 mm pistols have a very long service life; they can withstand long-term shooting with particularly powerful hand-loaded cartridges and +P+, due to the fact that they are based on the variant chambered for the .40 S&W cartridge. After the USP pistols gained widespread popularity on both sides of the Atlantic, Heckler und Koch began producing various variants of the basic model, adapted for various highly specialized purposes, such as practical IPSC shooting or use in conjunction with a suppressor.
The pistol's few disadvantages include a manually controlled safety lever, which complicates the handling of the weapon, because an inexperienced or insufficiently trained owner may forget to turn it off in a critical situation. And the automatic firing pin safety function more than perfectly copes with the function of protecting against an accidental shot when the weapon is dropped. German pistols USPs have extremely high reliability in harsh operating conditions and when using cartridges with a wide variety of equipment options, high service life and durability, excellent corrosion resistance, shooting accuracy, and very high quality materials and workmanship.
HK USP Compact pistol chambered for 40 S&W
HK USP Compact pistol chambered for .357 SIG and USP Compact 45 caliber
Introduced in 1997, the USP Compact has smoother contours of the bolt casing and frame, and has a reduced length and slightly modified trigger guard. These changes, combined with smaller dimensions and weight, make it possible to carry weapons concealed. The main change in the design is the absence of a buffer spring. However, to mitigate the impact of recoil, a plastic shock absorber bushing with a lifespan of 25,000 rounds is installed at the end of the return spring rod, which has a rectangular cross-section. The changes also affected the trigger mechanism. The trigger pull when firing with a pre-cocked hammer is 1.9 kg, with self-cocking - 4.3 kg. Trigger travel in single action mode has been reduced to 5.1 mm. In 1997, the USP Compact was adopted by the German police under the designation P10 (Pistole 10).
Owners about their USP Compact: “The impressions are good. The pistol is made very well, clearly with the army and police in mind. It fits in the hand very tightly, it seems like it was made for it, the sighting devices are clearly visible. At the same time, I must note that it is certainly easier to carry a Glock, although this may just be out of habit. Externally, USP Compact gives a more bulky impression. Very high accuracy when firing doublets.” “Very durable and amazingly reliable pistol. Made in the best German traditions for these qualities. But, unfortunately, it is complex in design, which is again typical of the German weapons school. Thousands of rounds fired and not a single delay. Works stably with different brands of cartridges, including cheap Wolf ones. Excellent accuracy. A friend didn’t like the handle, but for me it’s quite comfortable. Not everyone likes the design because of its angularity and massive bolt casing, but there is no arguing about tastes. The quality is excellent."
The USP 45 CT pistol was developed for use in US special forces as a highly effective compact weapon with the ability to mount a PBS. CT is short for Compact Tactical. Unlike the regular USP Compact, this pistol is equipped with a barrel with a protruding muzzle, threaded, as well as large and high sights, which are necessary when using a weapon in conjunction with a silencer. The weapon comes with two magazines, a set of tools and cleaning equipment. Length: 196 mm; barrel length: 113 mm; height: 146 mm; width: 29 mm; weight: 780 g; Magazine capacity: 8 rounds.
According to the impressions of the owners, as well as people who have experience with the USP 45 CT model, the pistol “fits” perfectly in the hand, the holding is very comfortable, the “grip” is tight and stable. The weapon is also comfortable for people with large hands thanks to the magazine cover with a front lip. The large bolt casing, safety levers and bolt stop are easy to manipulate without any problems. However, with thick gloves it can be somewhat difficult to work with the magazine release levers due to their small dimensions, but it should be clarified that this is a problem with most combat pistols, and not just this model. After shooting, the 45 CT leaves only positive impressions.
Firstly, when firing there is no strong recoil, which is perceived here as smooth, without sharpness, with a slight bounce of the barrel. Secondly, a comfortable grip significantly reduces the impact of recoil and greatly helps control the pistol during high-speed shooting. Aimed shooting at a short distance is comparable to the results of a standard USP of the same caliber, which is facilitated by an elongated barrel, again a comfortable handle shape and a smooth, not long trigger stroke. The weapon is certainly well suited for high-speed burst shooting and “instinctive” offhand shooting. Reliability as always for pistols of this type model range Heckler und Koch company is beyond praise. It’s not even worth mentioning the high resistance of the coating to corrosion and abrasion, as well as stability of operation under harsh operating conditions.
The pistol fires without delay with cartridges of a wide variety of equipment and from any manufacturer, even the cheapest. As for wearing, not everything is clear. Although the model is called Compact, the pistol is actually quite large, but not particularly wide. 45 CT, designed for concealed carry, however, it will unmask itself under light clothing and in countries with warm climates it is recommended to be carried in a special belt bag. If you wear it under a sweater, light jacket or other loose clothing, there will be no problems with concealment. The gun is comfortable to carry, does not cling to anything when removing it and does not become a burden when performing usual work. Overall, the USP 45 CT is an excellent choice for a person who wants to have a pistol that is effective in shooting and influencing the enemy, more than accurate enough in shooting, extremely reliable, does not require very careful and long-term maintenance, is comfortable to carry and is simply pleasant to use. fire.
Characteristics of the HK USP pistol
- Caliber: 9mm Parabellum / .357 SIG / .40 S&W / .45 ACP
- Weapon length: 194 / 194 / 200 mm
- Barrel length: 108 / 108 / 112 mm
- Weapon height: 136 / 136 / 141 mm
- Weapon width: 38 / 38 / 38 mm
- Weight without cartridges: 770 / 830 / 890 g
- Magazine capacity: 15 / 13 / 13 / 12 rounds
Performance characteristics of the HP USP Compact pistol
- Caliber: 9mm Parabellum / .40 S&W / .45 ACP
- Weapon length: 173 / 173 / 179 mm
- Barrel length: 91 / 91 / 95 mm
- Weapon height: 128 / 128 / 129 mm
- Weapon width: 34 / 34 / 34 mm (30 mm excluding safety)
- Weight without cartridges: 727 / 777 / 802 g
- Magazine capacity: 13 / 12 / 8 rounds
The Heckler&Koch company is still a fairly young weapons manufacturer, but almost every one of its developments became widely known and spread throughout the world. The G3 automatic rifle was produced in Mexico and Iran. The MP5 submachine gun surpassed its competitors so much that it became a kind of “standard” for such weapons. But H&K pistols, despite their high quality and unusual design, could not achieve world fame for some time.
The situation changed in the 1990s. Universelle Selbstladepistole, a USP, entered the scene and proved that Heckler & Koch can achieve leadership in this area as well.
History of creation
The Heckler and Koch company was founded after the Second World War by former engineers from the Mauser plant. Using the equipment that they managed to salvage from the destroyed workshops, they opened their own workshop.
Heckler & Koch began developing and producing weapons in the 50s, and the first pistol, designated P4, appeared in 1967. It was a small pocket pistol, similar in design to the pre-war Mauser HSc. His interesting feature it was possible to easily change the caliber (to one of four) by replacing the barrel and magazine.
In the seventies, H&K released the original VP70 pistol with a polymer frame and the ability to fire automatically.
It was followed by the H&KP7, designed specifically for police and adopted in a dozen countries. But the real popularity of Heckler & Koch personal weapons came from the USP that appeared in the nineties.
It is not surprising that the “universal self-loading” weapon should become such a famous weapon. Unlike its ancestors, H&K created it specifically for the American market.
This weapon, first of all, had to satisfy the desires of the huge mass of US civilian shooters. For the same reason, options were immediately developed not only for the standard 9x19 mm cartridge for Europe, but also for the traditional American .45 ACP, and the new (and promising at that time) .40 S&W.
In the late 80s, a version of the pistol took part in a competition to create a new weapon for American special operations forces. This project eventually gave rise to the famous Mk 23 for special forces, but the experience gained was also useful in fine-tuning the USP. It went into production in .40 caliber in 1993, followed by a nine-millimeter version. Finally, in 1995, the USP 45 model went on sale.
Gun device
Previous USP Heckler & Koch pistols were distinguished by the use of various unconventional design solutions. For example, the P9 used a semi-blowback action, a system similar to that used in the design of the G3 rifle. But the “Heckler&Koch” USP is basically a fairly traditional design, almost like the Browning M1911 and Hi-Power. Automation uses the recoil of the barrel during its short stroke. The trigger mechanism is double action. And here we cannot do without innovations.
A remarkable feature of the USM is the variety of its operating modes.
In a workshop, you can change the position of the safety (or remove it altogether), add or eliminate a safe trigger release, or make the mechanism self-cocking only. The recoil spring buffer mechanism is built into the recoil spring assembly. According to the developers, it reduces perceived recoil by 30%.
At the bottom of the frame there is a device for mounting flashlights or laser designators. However, this is not a universal Picatinny rail mount, and therefore the USP cannot be equipped with every additional equipment. Thus, only InsightIndustries flashlights distributed through the Heckler & Koch dealer network are allowed. To get around this inconvenience, some companies have launched the production of adapters that allow you to install a standard Picatinny rail.
Options
A wide variety of USP models are available - from compact ones for concealed carry to long-barreled target ones:
- CustomSport is a target modification for sports and practical shooting.
- Compact is a variant with a smaller frame and a different recoil mitigation system. Only this pistol is available in .357 SIG caliber.
- USP Tactical is a pistol equipped with a silencer and an adjustable sight. A kind of “poor man's Mk 23”.
- Compact Tactical is a small-sized model of a “tactical pistol”. Unlike the full-size one, it is available in only one caliber – .45 ACP.
- Expert is a pistol similar to a “tactical” one, but is not intended for use with a silencer. But it has an elongated frame and can use increased-capacity magazines.
- Match is a competition version that uses a special weight to reduce barrel bounce. Currently not produced.
- USP Elite is the “ultimate” version of the target pistol with a barrel extended to 153 mm.
Characteristics in comparison with analogues from other manufacturers
To compare the characteristics, let's take the USP 45 in standard version and European pistols of the same caliber, which appeared around the same time.
In terms of weight and dimensions, the pistol in question is generally similar to its competitors, reducing the decisive factor of choice to a matter of personal preference. For example, someone may think that the ammunition of the Swiss SIG-Sauer is insufficient. But Glock does not produce long-barreled models in .45ACP caliber. It is worth mentioning that although the production of the P220 series began in the seventies, the production of the large-caliber P227 started only in 2014.
It is interesting that American gunsmiths mainly concentrated on producing revolvers and variations on the classic M1911, rarely pampering the market with new designs.
Application and trace in popular culture
In 1994, the USP nine-millimeter pistol was adopted by the Bundeswehr (under the name P8). USP Compact (also 9mm caliber) became a weapon of the German police, receiving the designation P10. The spread was not limited to this - it was subsequently adopted by the military and police of various countries.
It can be found all over the world - in Serbia and Spain, Thailand and Singapore, Australia and South Africa.
In most cases, nine-millimeter versions were adopted, much less often - .45 caliber. Only the US Immigration Service and the US Air Marshals expressed the need to have .40 caliber weapons.
USP has gained significant popularity in the media. With its help, gamers destroyed terrorists in games of the Rainbow 6 series, survived the zombie apocalypse in Resident Evil, and shot back at mutants in STALKER. A “tactical” model with a silencer was present in the arsenal of the most popular online shooter of its time - Counter-Strike.
On the big screen, Heckler and Koch pistols were wielded by vampires from the Underworld film series, Blade played by Wesley Snipes, Jason Bourne and Lara Croft from 2001. On television, USP received a significant role in the series “24”.
The USP pistol turned out to be a successful example, combining proven traditional solutions with innovative proposals.
High reliability and a variety of options have allowed us to firmly establish ourselves in the market and earn popularity. The USP pistol can hardly be called the “best” type of weapon.
The Mk 23 weapon remains unsurpassed in its combat performance. Among the Heckler & Koch products there are also newer pistols (HK45, VP9). But the “universal self-loading” remains in production, and its popularity has no intention of decreasing. The USP model not only brought H&K pistols to the world level - it allows you to hold on to it.
Video
The official version says that the Heckler Koch company owes its birth to... the French army, which destroyed the Mauser arms factory in the town of Oberndorf am Neckar in 1945. Three talented weapons engineers, upset by this fact, Edmund Heckler, Theodor Koch and Alex Sidel, “rescued what they could from the rubble and laid the foundation for a new weapons company...” Probably, the official history was written by the French in order to at least sideways, but get closer to the success of the most prolific enterprise of our time producing small arms. Buy Heckler Koch weapons in the online store>
However, despite the fact that the company Heckler und Koch (um... probably “und” was the nickname of Mr. A. Sidel) was registered already in 1949, it initially produced peaceful products. For development and release small arms Messrs. Heckler und Koch returned only in 1956, when the newly created German Army needed to arm itself. Using previous developments from Mauser times, the company very quickly produces the Heckler Koch G3 automatic rifle with a semi-blowback. The weapon turned out to be extremely successful - it remained in service with the Bundeswehr for almost 40 years.
An even more successful example was the Heckler Koch MP5 submachine gun developed on the basis of the G3. The semi-blowback bolt used in it in combination with the 9x19 cartridge and firing from the front sear (closed bolt) provided the new PP with very good accuracy at a high rate of fire. The compact, lightweight, convenient MP5 is used by the police, border guards and counter-terrorism units of the Federal Republic of Germany. PP is available in a large number of modifications, incl. in the version with an awkward Heckler Koch MP5 K PDW stock, and is still in service not only with police and special forces in more than forty countries around the world, but also with a large army of airsoft players. Pneumatic MP5 are produced by UMAREX under the Umarex Heckler Koch brand. Buy Heckler Koch weapons in the Okhotnik online store>
In the 60s, the company began a truly revolutionary project - the development of a promising caseless rifle system, the Heckler Koch G11. It is both a new rifle and a completely new cartridge that places the bullet directly into a solid, fully-burning propellant charge. For what? And in order to gain in cartridge case weight and increase the ammunition carried by a fighter five times compared to the 7.62x51 cartridge, and two times compared to the 5.56x45. A huge number of radical innovative developments were used in the rifle itself - a bullpup design, the arrangement of cartridges in the magazine perpendicular to the axis of the barrel bore, a breech chamber rotating 90 degrees, into which the next cartridge was fed before firing... The rifle could fire in series of 3 shots in the mode recoil accumulation - the movable barrel-box-magazine-trigger system came to the rear position only after the third bullet left the barrel, which ensured accuracy of fire unattainable for other assault rifles and submachine guns. But... caseless ammunition itself has given rise to a considerable number of qualitatively new problems. In the end, after military tests a batch of 1000 rifles, the G11 program was curtailed, the company itself changed owners, and the Heckler Koch G36 automatic rifles began to arrive in the Bundeswehr to replace the G3.
In its new automatic rifle chambered for a low-pulse cartridge, the company has moved away from the proprietary semi-blowback design; the G36 has a gas-operated automatic system with the bolt locked by rotating 7 lugs. Today, this rifle is in service in more than forty countries around the world and is available in various modifications, including the Heckler Koch SL8 sports and hunting version. Here it must be said that all the main products of the H&K company are for military purposes, but some samples, nevertheless, are quite successfully used in sports shooting and as hunting semi-automatic carbines. The latter include Heckler Koch MR308 and Heckler Koch MR223 - “civilian” versions assault rifle Heckler Koch 416, also sold in Russia. From my " older sister» semi-automatic MR carbines differ only in the absence of an automatic fire mode and standard army sights.
The Heckler Koch SLB 2000 semi-automatic carbine is a “purely hunting” model. It was developed “from scratch” and is not a clone of any military model. The gas release mechanism is located under the barrel, and the Heckler Koch SLB 2000 carbine itself is made according to a modular design and is available in various calibers. This weapon appeared in Russia relatively recently, there is little information on it. One of the clear advantages of the SLB over other semi-automatic carbines is the ability to be equipped with a 10-place double-row magazine, which in itself is a rarity for hunting carbines.
Heckler Koch's weapons are not limited to machine guns alone - the company also successfully produces machine guns and, what is more interesting to us, pistols. One of the most famous models was the Heckler Koch P30, launched in 2006. Today, many consider this pistol to be one of the best combat pistols in the world. It is produced in two calibers - 9x19 and .40 S&W, and its main “zest” besides large quantity Lightweight polymer parts include replaceable grip pads, allowing the P30 to fit the hand of any shooter. Due to its low muzzle flip, low recoil and safety to carry, the P30 pistol is very popular not only among law enforcement units, but also among IPSC athletes, incl. Russian. The pneumatic version of the Umarex Heckler Koch P30 is also in wide demand due to its “omnivorous” nature - it works reliably with both balls and lead bullets.
But that’s not all. The prolific company Heckler Koch produces not only firearms, but also bladed weapons. And not just any, but including one of the best “tactical” knives of our time, Heckler Koch 14205: very comfortable both in the hand and when worn, with excellent balance and blade shape, this knife was developed with the direct participation of the famous knifemaker Alex Sidel . In general, no matter what direction Heckler Koch works in, it always tries to attract the best specialists and use the best practices that already exist.
Second G11 prototype (circa early 1970s) (HKpro.com)
HK G11 rifle chambered for caseless cartridges, pre-production version (1989)
The rifle is distinguished by the ability to mount two spare magazines on the sides of the main one, above the barrel.
HK G11 rifle chambered for a caseless cartridge, pre-production version (1989). Incomplete disassembly.
HK G11 rifle chambered for a caseless cartridge, a version tested in the USA in 1990 as part of the ACR program
HK G11 rifle chambered for caseless cartridges, ACR variant; view of the partially open mechanisms of the weapon.
Due to the complexity of the device, this rifle received the informal nickname “rapid-firing cuckoo clock.”
Caseless cartridges - early development on the left, final version of the DM11 cartridge on the right (sectional view)
The development of the G11 rifle was started by Heckler and Koch (Germany) at the very end of the 1960s, when the German government decided to create a new, more effective rifle to replace the G3 rifles.
Based on the results of the research, it was decided that the Bundeswehr needed a light, small-caliber rifle with high shooting accuracy. To ensure reliable destruction of the enemy, it was necessary to ensure that several bullets hit the target, so the decision was made to create a rifle chambered for a caseless cartridge of 4.3 mm caliber (later switched to 4.7 mm caliber) with the ability to fire in single, long bursts and with a cut-off bursts of 3 shots. The Heckler-Koch company was supposed to create such a rifle, with the participation of the Dynamite-Nobel company, responsible for the development of a new caseless cartridge.
G11 design.
The rifle's automation operates using the energy of powder gases removed from the barrel. The cartridges are placed in the magazine above the barrel with the bullets facing down. The G11 rifle has a unique rotating breech chamber into which the cartridge is fed vertically downward before firing. Then, the chamber rotates 90 degrees, and when the cartridge aligns with the barrel line, a shot occurs, but the cartridge itself is not fed into the barrel. Since the cartridge is caseless (with a combustible primer), the automatic operation cycle is simplified by eliminating the extraction of the spent cartridge case. In the event of a misfire, the faulty cartridge is pushed down when the next cartridge is fed. The mechanism is cocked using a rotary handle on the left side of the weapon. When shooting, this handle remains motionless.
The barrel, firing mechanism (except for the safety/translator and trigger), rotating breech with mechanics and magazine are mounted on a single base that can move back and forth inside the rifle body. When firing in single or long bursts, the entire mechanism performs a full recoil-recoil cycle after each shot, which ensures reduced recoil (similar to artillery systems). When firing in bursts of three shots, the cartridge is fed and fired immediately after the previous one, at a rate of up to 2000 rounds per minute. In this case, the entire mobile system comes to the extremely rear position already AFTER the third shot, while the recoil begins to affect the weapon and the shooter again after the end of the burst, which ensures extremely high accuracy of fire (a similar solution was used in the Russian AN-94 “Abakan” assault rifle ).
Early G11 prototypes were equipped with a fixed 1X optical sight. The magazines had a capacity of 50 rounds and could be loaded from special clips.
Initially, cartridges for the G11 were a block of compressed special gunpowder, with a primer composition sprayed on it and a glued bullet, coated with a burnable varnish to protect it from damage and moisture. The final version of the cartridge, designated DM11 4.7x33 mm, had a telescopic design in which the bullet was completely recessed into the powder charge block. Development of the DM11 was completed by the mid-1980s, more or less successfully solving the problem of self-ignition of cartridges in the chamber under intense fire that had plagued early prototypes.
The DM11 cartridge accelerated a bullet weighing 3.25 grams to a speed of 930-960 m/s at the muzzle.
In 1988, the first G11 samples were sent to the Bundeswehr for testing. Based on the testing results, a number of changes were made to the G11 design, in particular: the sight was made removable, with the possibility of replacing it with other types of sights; The magazine capacity was reduced from 50 to 45 rounds, but it became possible to attach two spare magazines to the rifle on both sides of the barrel; a mount for a bayonet or bipod appeared under the barrel. A new version of the rifle, designated G11K2, was provided to the German military for testing at the end of 1989. Based on the test results, a decision was made to put the G11 into service with the Bundeswehr in 1990, but deliveries were limited to a batch of only a few dozen units, after which the program was closed by decision of the German authorities. The main reasons for the closure of this seemingly technically successful program are most likely, firstly, a lack of money in connection with the unification of the two Germanys, and, secondly, NATO requirements for the unification of ammunition, which resulted in the adoption of the rifle by the Bundeswehr G36.
But in fact, sleeveless systems have several inherent defects that have not been overcome to this day. One of the main problems is the fragility of the propellant block, which is not protected by a sleeve, making the cartridge much less resistant to rough handling and mechanical damage. This, in turn, can give rise to a variety of problems when operating weapons with damaged cartridges.
In 1990, the G11 was also tested in the United States as part of the ACR (Advanced Cobat Rifle) program. The purpose of this program was to test new concepts (caseless ammunition, arrow-shaped sabot bullets, etc.) for further analysis and development of requirements for a potential successor for the M16A2 rifle. During these tests, the G11 proved to be a relatively reliable and easy-to-handle weapon, with good firing accuracy in all modes. However, neither the G11 rifle nor its competitors managed to achieve the target hit probability characteristics set in the ACR program.
By the end of the 1990s it became completely clear that in existing form the G11 rifle has no prospects. Attempts by the Americans to revive developments in caseless ammunition within the framework of the LSAT program also led to the conclusion that at present systems for caseless cartridges do not have serious prospects in army weapons.
