Heckler & Koch VP70
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Heckler & Koch VP70 | |
|---|---|
 VP70Z |
|
| Type | Machine pistol |
| Place of origin |  West Germany |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Germany |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1970 |
| Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch |
| Produced | 1970 – 1989 |
| Variants | VP70Z |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 820 g (28.9 oz) empty |
| Length | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Barrel length | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Height | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
|
|
|
| Cartridge | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Action | Blowback |
| Rate of fire | 2200 rounds/min (3-round burst mode) |
| Feed system | 18rd Box Magazine |
The VP70 is a 9 mm, 18-round, double action only, semi-automatic/three-round burst capable polymer frame pistol manufactured by German arms firm Heckler & Koch GmbH. VP stands for Volkspistole ("The people's pistol" literally "Folk pistol"), and the designation 70 was for the year of the first edition: 1970.
It was the first polymer-framed pistol and predates the Glock 17. The weapon weighed 820 g (28.9 oz) unloaded, lighter than most other metal framed pistols of the time. Although it was the first polymer pistol, the Remington Nylon 66 rifle was the first polymer-framed firearm in production.
One unique feature of this weapon involved the combination stock/holster for the martial version of the VP70. The stock incorporates a selector switch that, when mounted, allows selective fire. Cyclic rounds per minute for three-round burst is an impressive 2200rpm. When not mounted, the stock acts as a holster. The VP70 uses a spring loaded striker like a Glock, instead of a conventional firing pin. It is double action only so the trigger pull is relatively heavy. In lieu of a blade front sight, the VP70 uses a polished ramp with a central notch in the middle to provide the illusion of a dark front post.
The handgun comes in two varieties. The "Z" (Zivil, civilian) variant is a semiautomatic only version, generally with no provision to mount a stock; the "M" (Militär, military) variant is burst capable. The VP70 was produced from 1970 until 1989. Four hundred VP70-Z pistols were made chambered in 9x21mm IMI; these samples were made primarily for the civilian market of Italy, where the use of the 9x19mm Parabellum is a sole privilege of Military and Law Enforcement agencies. Those VP70-Z pistols sold in Italy can mount the stock-holster but are not selective-fire capable.
