HK USP
Heckler & Koch started the development of a new Universal Selbstlade Pistole (Universal Self-loading Pistol, or USP), in 1989. The concept of the new design was to provide a universal weapon for police and military forces, available in a variety of versions and sizes. The target market for this new handguns was apparently the USA, as the first version of the handgun, which appeared in 1993, was chambered for a new American cartridge, the .40 S&W . A 9mm version appeared a little later, and in 1995 the slightly modified 9mm Universal Self-loading Pistol was adopted by the Bundeswehr as its new handguns, under the designation P8 . When Heckler & Koch introduced the gun in 1993, it marked the first time HK chose to incorporate many traditional handgun design elements, such as elements of Browning's M1911 , in one pistol. Two main beliefs guided its development — the first being the use of molded polymer material, and the second being the creation of a "handgun paradigm".
There are nine basic variations of the Universal Self-loading Pistol trigger safety actions as follows:
Variant 1 and 2 - double action/single action, decocking and safety lever
Variants 1 “lever on left” and 2 “lever on right” allow the user to carry the gun in a single-action mode with the manual protection engaged. This equal weapon, without adjustment, can be carried in double-action mode, with or without the manual safety engaged, and with the benefit of a decock lever.
Variants 3 and 4 - double action/single action, decocking lever, but no safety
Variants 3 (lever on left) and 4 (lever on right) provide the user with a frame mounted decocking lever that doesn’t have the "safe" position. This arrangement only allows the hammer to be lowered from DA position to SA position. It does not present the "safe" position to prevent the handgun from firing when the trigger is pulled.
Variants 5 and 6 - double action only, with safety lever
For the double action only user, variants 5 (lever on left), 6 (lever on right), and of the HK USP operate as double action only pistols with a bobbed hammer always returning to the DA position (frontward) after each shot is fired. To fire each shot, the trigger must be pulled through the smooth DA trigger pull. Variants 5 and 6 have a manual safety lever.
Variants 7
Double action only, no control lever
Variants 8 and 9 - double action/single action, safety lever, but no decocking
Variants 8 (lever on left) and 9 (lever on right) allow the shooter to carry the pistol in a single-action mode (cocked and locked) with the manual safety engaged. This same pistol, without modification, can be carried in double-action mode (hammer down), with or without the manual safety engaged. The single action mode offers a second strike/double action capability in case of a misfire. The control lever has no decocking function on variants 8 and 9.
Voting
Viewed: 2848 | Votes: 6 | Rate:
Favorites, suggestions
Add to Favorites:
Comments
No comments yet. Be first!