Heckler & Koch VP70

Infobox Weapon
name=Heckler & Koch VP70


caption=VP70Z
origin=flagcountry|West Germany
type=Machine pistol
is_ranged=yes
service=
used_by=Germany
designer=
design_date=1970
manufacturer=Heckler & Koch
production_date=1970–1989
number=
variants=VP70Z
weight= convert|820|g|oz|1 empty
length= convert|204|mm|in|1
part_length= convert|116|mm|in|1
height= convert|142|mm|in|1
cartridge=9x19mm Parabellum
action=Blowback
rate= 2200 rounds/min (3-round burst mode)
velocity=
feed=18rd Box Magazine
sights=

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 convert|820|g|oz|1|abbr=on 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.

References

* [http://www.hkpro.com/VP70.htm HKPro.com: Heckler & Koch VP70]
* [http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg84-e.htm Modern Firearms: Heckler und Koch VP 70]
* [http://www.remtek.com/arms/hk/civ/vp/vp70z.htm Heckler & Koch VP 70Z Specifications]