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Hinderikus (Henk) Lucas Visser was born in the City of Groningen, the capital of Groningen Province in the northeast of the Netherlands, on 5 August 1923. Henk was very involved in the CETME rifle project, the original HK G3, Stoner’s projects (most notably the Stoner 63A1), Oerlikon, Mauser, and many other historical events that impact on the small arms community today. Smallarmsreview.com is pleased to bring this lengthy and comprehensive interview to our readers from our 2006 issue and will be presented in two parts. – Dan Shea, SAR Editor-in-Chief

SAR: Thanks for joining us, Henk. I guess the readers would like to know what got you started with firearms – what was your first gun?

Visser: My first gun was an old pinfire revolver, which you could buy for about two bucks in those days. I was maybe fifteen years old. Pinfire ammunition was very rare so I just collected these and enjoyed looking at them and I would hide them from my mother who did not approve. My father had died when I was ten years old. Later in life my mother would complain about my gun collecting habits, but I would say, “Mother, it’s your own fault. You never bought me an air rifle.”

SAR: And your interest in military firearms?

Visser: I had wanted to be in the military, so as soon as I could ride my bicycle, I was always around the barracks in Groningen and the nearby airfield. After the German occupation of Holland, May 10, 1940, there wasn’t much hope for me to join the Dutch army. I was still in high school, and was definitely not a Nazi sympathizer. With friends, we harassed the occupying military units, and I was arrested by the Germans but managed to talk my way out of it several times. I was eighteen years old when the SD (German Sicherheitsdienst) finally arrested me.

SAR: What were the charges? And, I suppose, were you actually guilty?

Visser: Guilty as charged. Sabotage, gun possession, those were the main charges. It was May 5th, 1942 when the German SD arrested me. It was in the classroom, in front of all the other kids. (Laughs) It was quite something! On one occasion I had broken into the German barracks and put a match to a wooden building that the Germans were setting up for storing radio transmitters. It was at the airfield next to our town that the Germans had expanded and made into a bigger airfield. They held me, because the last thing I did was to break into the Navy officers’ mess, and I stole a K98, a machine pistol, a pistol, ammo and some of their papers. We had a small group of people that had gotten together to do this, and there was one man who was a traitor, he tried to blackmail me. Anyway, the Dutch police got involved, and I got arrested. Then in July I had a Navy court-martial in the town of Utrecht.

SAR: So, your first machine gun involved getting a Navy court-martial from the Germans while you were in high school?

Visser: (Laughs) Yes, and they condemned me to death and also three years for another break-in in a Dutch Nazi gunsmith shop in town.

SAR: An additional three years?

Visser: With the Germans, you were condemned separately for each crime and punished that way as well. I had a friend in jail, a cadet from the Dutch military academy, who was condemned separately to death three times, plus ten years, and four months. His father was very rich, and he started paying people off, so the Germans took off two of the death sentences and shot him for the third. My uncle, who was a director of the Dutch Philips electronic company, knew one of the German supervisors of the factory and tried to get me off. He told the supervisor, “You have to go and see if you can get the boy pardoned since his mother is a widow and only has one other younger son.” The supervisor went to see Seis Inquart, the German ruler of Holland, who said that this was a job only for the military. He suggested that my uncle should talk to General Christiansen, who was the military commander in Holland…but he also said no, and he said that Dutch high school boys who think that they can make a joke out of the German Army will be shot. So my mother was quite desperate, and she went with our lawyer to see the German Navy commander herself. Just to let you know how these Germans were; he lived in a big villa…my mother and our lawyer passed the guards at the gate, rang the bell, and a Navy sailor opened the door. He took the letter that my mother had brought asking for a pardon, and left my mother and the lawyer standing outside in the rain for half an hour. Then the door opened again and the same sailor gave the letter back to my mother, torn in half.

My mother was very desperate at this point. Her father had a butcher shop in town, and next to that was a vegetable shop…our two families were good friends. One of the children of the vegetable shop owner, Kees Veening, had gone to live in Berlin to be a speech therapist, teaching them how to breathe, etc. Kees Veening had a neighbor, and they became good friends. The neighbor was a historian, a reservist in the German army and was called up for duty in 1938. He had become a general and was responsible for the daily historical facts in Hitler’s headquarters, the “Wolfschanze.” This man had an idea: if he could get a hold of my file from the Dutch prison and keep it, the Germans in Holland would not be able to shoot me. So I sat for three months in the section of the prison where they kept the prisoners who were condemned to die, and oftentimes at 5 in the morning you would hear the Germans with the steel-toed boots coming up to take one or two of us out to be shot. So the question was always, “Who’s next?” I was there for three months.

SAR: On a German death row cellblock for three months, waiting to be shot every day?

Visser: Yes. You had to take all of your clothes off at night, so that if you escaped during the night you’d be naked. One night, there was a tremendous row and shouting and a group of drunken German guards came knocking on my door. I was sleeping on a straw bale, so I got up and ran to the window, stood at attention, reported myself and my punishment. The Germans shouted “Visser, who was condemned to death…You swine, our Führer has pardoned you!” After repeating this several times they threw my door closed, and I thought, “Oh, this is wonderful,” and went back to sleep on my straw bale. The next morning I realized that I had made it, and had gotten 15 years in a German prison instead. Later I learned that the German historian had waited until the Germans were throwing a party for their successes in Russia. They had taken over a million prisoners at that occasion and were celebrating. They were extremely pleased and were drinking champagne in Hitler’s headquarters. As Hitler was sitting at the table, the historian, General Scherff, approached with the letter from my mother and explained the story. Hitler looked up and said, “A friend of yours, eh?” and Hitler himself crossed out “Death Penalty” and wrote “15 years Zuchthaus” instead. When the people at my prison got the telex message from the Wolfschanze, they got drunk and came to my door at 2 or 3 in the morning to tell me that I had made it.

SAR: Well, there’s a project for some of our better connected readers. Somewhere, there is a piece of paper with Adolf Hitler’s handwriting on it that freed Henk Visser from a death sentence.

Visser: Yes, yes, I would pay $10,000 for that piece of paper! I was then transported to prison in Germany, a prison with small factories inside. There I had to work very hard, we had to make little aluminum cylinders. After the war, while taking apart a 20mm shell, I found one of those little cylinders. It was an aluminum detonator. We had to fashion them and drill a hole through them and of course thread them. We would make 5,000 of these per day and if you didn’t make 5,000 then you only got a liter of cabbage soup instead of 1.5 liters. Cabbage soup may not sound very special, but in the prison, an extra 0.5 liter of soup was important! So we made 5,000 per day.

We were in a very old prison called Zuchthaus Reinbach, near Bonn. Then I was moved to another prison called Zuchthaus Siegburg, on the other side of Bonn, and there I also worked for my dinner. I repaired military uniforms, and worked in a tool making shop. We worked about twelve hours a day in shifts, sometimes during the day and sometimes during the night. I must say I was lucky; in a concentration camp I would have died. In these prisons you had a roof over your head. It was a big building with thick walls, and if it was 20 degrees below zero outside it was only just freezing inside, which was cold but you didn’t freeze to death. We had guards who had been guards for all of their lives, they were professionals and so there were not many beatings or much abuse. We had some new guards who came in from the Eastern front missing an arm or something, and since they really couldn’t do a good job they would sometimes beat us to take revenge.

Anyway, I got very ill. I had tuberculosis in my lungs, intestines, on my vocal cords, and on a heart valve. I was dying and my weight was 100 pounds. Still, I was always treated a little differently from the other prisoners.

SAR: You must have had some pull from somewhere.

Visser: They knew I had received a pardon from Hitler himself, and the General Scherff sometimes inquired about how I was doing, so yes, they were careful with me. I was taken to the prison hospital. It was unbelievable, there were 3,000 prisoners with half of them sick and there were only 14 beds in the hospital. I got one of those beds, and I was dying. My uncle, who’s company Philips also owned a lot of factories in Germany, started inquiring about how I was doing. He was told that I was ill, but treated very well, and that I was cared for by nuns and that every day I would get an egg, but my uncle didn’t trust them. He sent someone who talked to the director of the Zuchthaus who reported that I couldn’t talk anymore and that I was dying. So he had his lawyers look over the German law regarding prisoners, and they found an old law that said if you were incarcerated and dying, you could go home to die. All of the judges that condemned me would have to sign off for my release, so my uncle went to see all five of the judges, at that time they were dispersed all over Germany because of fear for an invasion in Holland. When all of them signed I was sent home, but because of my contagious disease, I wasn’t allowed to go back by train. They didn’t want me infecting anybody else. The Phillips people had an ambulance that ran on propane, but since the gas stations were so far apart in Germany, they put the ambulance on top of a truck and trailer which ran on a wood burning gas generator. They came with a nurse to the prison, and through my uncle managed to rescue my hospital cellmate as well, another Dutch student from Groningen. We drove back through Germany and I was very happy to see buildings still on fire from Allied bombings. We got back to Holland and they hid me in a Roman Catholic sanatorium in Bilthoven. I was there for two and a half years, recovering.

SAR: Was that the end of the war?

Visser: On the 18th of May, 1944 I got out of Germany. The liberation of Europe happened while I was convalescing, and at the end of 1946 I went home.

SAR: It must have taken a long time to build your strength back.

Visser: I felt ok, I did what I had to do, and I could even bicycle a little bit. My mother made me go back to high school; she said I needed a high school diploma. (laughs) Of course the military was out of the question for me, because of my weak lungs. I wanted to go to the police academy, but was offered a job as a sales inspector in Java, in the East Indies – formerly the Dutch East Indies – and I accepted. The company had me tested to make sure that my health was alright, it was, and I was approved to go and work in the tropics.

SAR: Was this a firearms related job you were looking for in the tropics?

Visser: No, it was in the tobacco industry. I was in Java for five years where I worked and hunted; wild boar, mostly. I had a German 7mm rifle with a 12 gauge shotgun barrel. My job was inspecting the cigarettes sold by our company in Java. We manufactured the cigarettes, and wanted to make sure that the cigarettes weren’t being sold or bought on the black market. There were many Chinese sales outlets all over Indonesia and the islands that needed to be inspected. I traveled a lot, all over Java, and for a while I lived in Jakarta, Malang and Semarang. There were about five Europeans running the factory, and for a year and a half I was the chief purchasing agent. This was from 1950 until 1955. (Dolf mentions that he was there at the same time, too bad they hadn’t met at that point.) It was a fantastic time; the company was really well run. The Dutch people who were running it were no-nonsense and everything was always ok. Holland had given up Indonesia in December of 1949, and the bad thing was (and I’m very pro-American) that under American pressure, they pushed the Dutch out and threatened to stop the Marshall Plan for Holland. There were millions of dollars going into rebuilding the Netherlands. So you can understand that our government gave in.

SAR: (Dolf) The Americans pushed the Dutch into giving up the country. My father was very bitter about that, too.

Visser: Yes, yes, the Americans had the idea of instituting liberty and democracy and everything Western, but we were not ready for it! Our Queen Wilhelmina had already said in 1942 that Indonesia would be a free country in the future; the process would have only taken about 15 years to complete.

SAR (Dan): In America we tend to think that there’s a magic wand for those who’ve been under colonial control or subjugation or despotic control, that they can suddenly handle freedom. I don’t want to get too far off the subject, but I’ve seen it too many times in too many places. Often we think we can touch a country and suddenly it’s free. It’s certainly not that simple. Henk, you lived right through the middle of the Jakarta incidents? Is this the point where you started to develop more of an interest in machine guns?

Visser: No, Dan, I have always been crazy about weapons. But going through the war years changed my perception of the world. When the Germans first “arrived,” they acted nice and very friendly. Holland was very wealthy and a rich booty. When it came to food I saw German soldiers go into Dutch shops to buy and eat an entire stick of butter, they hadn’t seen real butter in so long. Other things too, pastries, breads, all sorts of foods, they took them back home to their families. So in the beginning there wasn’t any ill treatment, but as every good Dutchman, I hated them from the very first moment. It wasn’t until later that the Germans showed their real character. They cleaned out the whole country. I actually started my collecting interest with military weapons when I got home from prison and the sanatorium. There was a gun in almost every home, taken from the Germans when they fled. I had friends at the police department, so if they had a really nice machine gun I was able to shoot it or buy it if they didn’t require it.

SAR: This was before your journey to Indonesia? Were you able to pick up many rare guns?

Visser: Yes, this was from 1947 to 1949. My interest in collecting military firearms was very intense, starting then. In those days it was all the common guns, also French guns that the Germans used. For instance, the first French machine gun that I got was a Hotchkiss 1914. It was a great big machine gun with cooling fins and a huge tripod. I was very interested in German sniper rifles at the time. When I went to Indonesia, I had to hide my collection in my mother’s house, since I had no license for these guns.

SAR: Are we seeing a pattern of youthful disregard for gun laws here?

Visser: (laughs) Yes, yes, and they were all cleaned very well before I left, so that when I returned there wasn’t a spot of rust on any of them.

SAR: When did you get involved in arms trading?

Visser: On my way to an appointment I stopped at a gun shop in a small street in Groningen. The guy that owned the shop had also spent some time in a German prison, as well as a concentration camp. In the shop I met a gentleman who was on the board of an ammunition factory in the south of Holland, he invited me to come and see the operation. I went there; it was a small factory that had just received an order for .30 carbine ammo from the Americans. The factory itself was a mess. I was told that the chairman of the board from the factory would like to talk to me; he offered me a job as director. He told me that the founder of the factory had died and that his younger brother wasn’t doing a good job running things. I said no, I didn’t want that job; I wanted to go back to Indonesia.

My boss back in Indonesia was a colonialist. He worked us to death, we never got enough salary, but we still led a wonderful life. He would always say, “Do this and I’ll give you a raise and a promotion.” I learned that even if I got a promotion, there would be no raise for me. He told me to go to Jakarta for a year and if I did a good job there, I would get a raise and a promotion, but when my review came up, I got a good promotion but no raise, as usual. He always had another task for me but I never got a raise. After five years, I got 8 months furlough. Usually when people went on furlough they would go straight home to Holland, but I asked if I could go to America. My boss agreed to pay for it, saying that I wasn’t such a bad guy. I flew to the Cocos Islands, Australia, lots of other small islands, Samoa, and then on to Hawaii, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Boston to visit a friend, and down to Washington D.C.

SAR: That doesn’t explain your start in the arms trade…

Visser: I am getting to it, Dan, patience. Before I went on vacation my boss in Indonesia began to worry about the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, which was getting more and more attention in America. He asked me to see how the American tobacco companies were dealing with it. I went to Philip Morris, and they told me that more and more people were buying mentholated and filtered cigarettes because the public thought that they were not as bad. I wrote back to my boss what the Americans had told me, and he quickly started ordering the machinery to manufacture filtered cigarettes. These of course are more dangerous than unfiltered cigarettes because it allows you to smoke the cigarette all the way to the filter. You end up inhaling far more tar, etc. than you would get from smoking a cigarette without filter.

My boss had told me that upon my return from furlough I would become the Inspector for the Island of Sumatra. And so again I asked him if I would get my raise, he said that we would discuss it when I returned. He was in Holland at the same time, so I traveled to Eindhoven where he was with his family and had dinner with him. I asked him during dinner if I would finally get the position I wanted, with a higher salary and the ability to sign for the company as a representative. (Editor’s note: In Europe, the right to sign documents in the name of the company puts you in a much higher level socially. You generally get a much better salary.) He said that if I did a good job working in Sumatra that I would get the position I wanted. At that moment I realized he was lying, and the next morning I started talking to the people from the ammunition factory again. I asked for what was at that time a fantastic salary, not at all contingent on how the company did at the end of the year. They accepted!

SAR: So your international weapons career started in the ammunition factory in Hertogenbosch in Holland.

Visser: You might say it started when I was making those fuzes in a German prison (Laughs). But, I’ll tell you, my first day as director there, I almost cried. There were two secretaries, and neither one could write or type a letter without mistakes. Everything looked horrible and unprofessional from that office on down to the factory. I had to fight to straighten out that company. When I arrived, there were 63 people working there, and when I left there were over a 1,000.

SAR: Did this job lead to you becoming a member of the 7.62 NATO council?

Visser: After the cigarette factory in Indonesia, I think this was a really big start for me. I got a call one day from an American friend at the Pentagon who said, “Henk, we know you’re working on blanks with a lengthened case so that they feed automatically. We don’t have that, and this morning during a mock battle in Panama the American side had to shout “Poof! Poof!” because they had no blanks that would function automatically in their weapons. The general who was responsible for Panama got mad and demanded immediate delivery of the special blanks.”

I said to my friend that I could get some of my guys and some of our new blanks, cases, powder, tools and the necessary weapons, and fly over to see what we could do. We flew to Washington and went from there to Frankfurt Arsenal, where testing began on our ammo. Whether fired from a gun that had been in a freezer or not, our blanks worked perfectly! The guys from Frankfurt Arsenal wanted to inspect our blanks and see how they could copy them, but they didn’t have the time. The Pentagon wanted 45 million blank rounds in cal. 7.62 NATO, and we would get one-third of the order, which for us was a very, very big order. We were very excited until one day I got a call from them with sad news. They said that Congress refused to release the money needed for that big order and instead specified that only 30 million rounds would be purchased, with the order going to Frankfurt Arsenal, so we lost out. This was a big blow to our company, but there was also good news. They told me that they understood that we wanted to make 20mm aircraft ammo. They offered me a 20mm ammunition factory for free, with new machinery and everything, in St. Louis, that had been used to manufacture .60 caliber ammo and later 20mm aircraft ammo. It had been “mothballed” for use in an emergency.

SAR: The early M39 revolver cannon series, the T161s, were T130E3 .60 caliber machine guns before they were moved into the 20mm range.

Visser: Yes, it was the plant for that ammunition. We went to St. Louis to look at it, and we were flabbergasted. Everything, the machines, the tools, etc. was brand new, and just for us. I went back to Holland to arrange for transport. I came back to the Pentagon (which was very easy to just walk into in those days) to talk to Colonel Moor and a couple of other officials, but they had sad news again. “We cannot give you the plant,” they said. They saw my reaction…and after a long pause continued, “But we can sell you the plant for a $1,000.” We paid the thousand dollars and brought all of the machinery back to Holland. The end result was that once we got operational we supplied every NATO Air Force with the 20mm rounds: the Brits, the Norwegians, the Germans, the Dutch, everybody. Later, when the Vietnam War began, the US Air Force realized that they did not have enough 20mm rounds. They requested an order for 10 million 20mm rounds. Our Holland plant could fill that order so a meeting took place at the pentagon. One of the officials said, “This is crazy! Lake City is not the only ammunition plant we have. Don’t we have one in the South?” Colonel Moor pointed at me and said, “Yes, and HE has that plant.” (Visser laughs) So we used the plant from St. Louis to fill a 23 million dollar order for 10 million rounds.

SAR: Like all good arms dealers, I love a story where you get a plant for surplus and then get to sell the product back to your source (laughter). Henk, that probably would have been 1967 or 1968 and jumps us too far ahead in this story. When did you first get involved with Armalite?

Visser: Ah, patience, Dan, patience. First we must address the CETME (Centro de Estudios Technicales de Materiales Especiales) program. When I started to work in Holland for NWM in 1955, they had an advisor that was a retired Dutch rear admiral who became a very good friend of mine. He had been in Spain recently (he spoke fluent Spanish), where some Spanish and Germans had been working on a new gun made from sheet steel. I knew of some of the developments that had been done in Germany with the Sturmgewehr, and I flew to Madrid. The operations there were very isolated from the outside world. The main operation was on the CETME rifle. They showed me the whole factory, and pointed out some of the small tools and things that they were missing which I could supply, so I told them I’d help out. I became very friendly with them, and pretty soon I had my own CETME rifle to take back with me to Holland. That rifle…that’s a whole other story.

It was made for special ammunition, an aluminum bullet with a copper jacket…a very long bullet with a short case. The man who designed this ammunition was Dr. Voss, and he was the German Air Force ballistician, and he was also the ballistician for the CETME group. He was very knowledgeable about recoil and automatic fire and the physics of holding a gun. During that time, the first German armed forces were the Bundesgrenzschutz who were supposed to guard the German boarders. There were 20,000 soldiers armed with German K98’s and the MG42’s, as well as 100 new 20mm Hispano guns and of course the P38 pistol, and nothing else. The boss was Colonel Naujokat, and he had been in charge of the two flat cars before and behind Hitler’s quarters on his train (during WWII). These open cars had 4-barreled 20mm automatic cannons on them.

The Spanish went to the Colonel and demonstrated for him in Bonn. The Colonel liked the new Sturmgewehr and the ammo very much, but told them they had the wrong caliber. The standard caliber was cal. 7.62, but this new Spanish ammunition was cal. 7.92. So they went back to Spain and changed the gun, the magazine, and, of course, they had to make new ammunition. They also made new firing tables, it took a year. After which they had their new CETME ammunition in cal. 7.62.

SAR: This was not yet 7.62 NATO ammunition, correct?

Visser: Correct. After the Spanish finished their new ammo, they brought it and the guns back to the German Colonel, who turned white and said, “Oh my God. I should have told you that 7.62 also requires a new case: the T65 case.” The Spanish group was beside itself, returned to Madrid and decided that it was all over. The gun was mathematically designed for a low powered cartridge and the 7.62 NATO had much more power, so it needed a totally new gun. But one of the bosses at the Madrid factory pointed out that the factory had good relations with the American military attaché, since they had just received an order to develop caseless rifle ammunition and caseless 20mm. The boss said, “Go and get a barrel and 1,000 7.62 NATO rounds.” Which they got from the U.S. The CETME with that barrel fired 600 7.62 rounds before the gun fell apart. The cartridge was far too powerful, since the gun was designed for a lighter round. The German engineers rebuilt and strengthened the housing as the German army wanted to arm their soldiers with them.

They had contact with the Heckler & Koch people, who were all old Mauser people working in two wooden barracks, making tools for pressings and so forth, and that’s how I came into contact with Heckler & Koch. The Germans at the Weapons Department in Bonn were always making changes in the gun, and it was Heckler & Koch who made the changes on the CETME. I told the CETME people, “You guys have no sales organization….let NWM have the rights to act for you all over the world.” They told me I had to pay for the right, which was no problem for NWM. They gave me the world rights for the CETME rifle, excluding Spain, Portugal and Germany. The rest of the world was ours. They also said that if I wanted to set up production elsewhere, they would help us get started.

In the meantime they were still working on the guns…making a new grip and so on…they had spent millions making the guns and making the changes. I went to the Dutch army, who agreed to test out the gun with all kinds of different ammo, including French steelcased ammo. They fired the steel ammo. When the trigger was pulled, there was a BIG noise, the rate of fire was 1,800 rounds per minute, and about half of the empty steelcases got stuck in the wooden wall. I told the Colonel to stop the test…it was a hopeless case. As it turned out, they never actually manufactured the steel ammo, but it was a hopeless case nonetheless.

To make the gun work, they had added grooves in the chamber, so that some of the gas would press on the exterior of the case to release it. The main fault of the CETME rifle is that as soon as the climate gets moist, firing the gun without immediately cleaning it results in sticky cases. This design of the roller locking system is only good for lightly-powered ammunition. We had a very fortunate thing happen; the Germans had improved the gun enough so that it functioned, but later on I learned that Heckler & Koch had a trick up their sleeves. All of the guns were tested, and they had seven different-sized sets of rollers, so that if there was a problem they would put other rollers on the locking mechanism. They would change the rollers until everything worked properly!

SAR: Very pragmatic from the point of view of a demonstrator. What year was that?

Visser: 1958 as I remember. Because the Germans had changed the rollers and had gotten the first order for 400,000 rifles, the whole world wanted the CETME rifle in the form of the G3. They had to say no to worldwide orders, because they didn’t have the rights to sell outside of Spain, Portugal and Germany, I did! We did have plans to make the rifle outside of Spain, but I stopped those plans because I felt the design was not good. I got a call from Bonn, it was my good friend from the Ministry who said, “Henk, we cannot have this. Here we are, a great nation, and we cannot sell our own rifle. I’ll offer you a deal: I know you want to make 20mm ammo for those thousand Starfighters we have bought.” They were so far back, they bought 1,000 Starfighters and they didn’t know what gun was in it! He said, “You’ll get 33% of all orders for 20mm ammo if you relinquish the rights to sell the CETME rifle.” I said, “OK.” He immediately went and got his secretary to type up a document saying that I would forever get 33% of all the 20mm orders for the Germans. ANY 20mm ammo. It saved our neck. It was one of the best days of my life…I didn’t realize it at the time, but that was the end of our CETME involvement.

SAR: You were the link between CETME and Heckler & Koch?

Visser: Partly, yes. Heckler & Koch were not big shots. Their company wasn’t large enough at that time to make the big deals. They grew because of all these orders that came in from everywhere. Later they designed many important weapon systems. It was really something to see.

SAR: Henk, I would like to come back to the rifle design programs in more depth, later. If you share your experience as a collector with our readers, I am sure they would be interested. This may seem somewhat insensitive, but to obtain your collection must have cost a fortune; far above the income of a young Dutch boy who was on the Nazi death row.

Visser: Yeah, that’s about right. I have been very fortunate in my business decisions and made some very nice commissions. We can come back to that business later.

SAR: So, what was your passion?

Visser: Collecting guns. Well…really the military guns. That was the start, anything military I could get. Later it was the Dutch firearms and I sold my military collection to Bonn, it was the beginning of the museum they have now in Koblenz. 849 of my guns are still there – even my Gatling gun – the beautiful brand-new Gatling gun with the carriage and the ammunition car.

SAR: What was the Gatling, a British one?

Visser: No, an American one. The Colt 1883 model with the jacket around the barrel, and the tripod. One day in a military base, somewhere in America, near Picatinny I believe, a sergeant was cleaning up the attic, and he found this Gatling gun. It was brand new but completely taken apart, no one had ever looked at it. He went to his Colonel who said to get rid of it. And there, magically, was Val! (laughs) And who do you think bought it on the spot?

SAR:(Dolf) Yes, Val would certainly have been there! (We are discussing the late Val Forgette of Navy Arms, another international arms dealer of the good old days.)

Visser: I knew Val very well and he sold the gun to me. Very cheap, I might add. It was really a big affair, and when I left NWM they wanted to take it, but instead I sold it to Bonn, and the Gatling is in their museum today. Two of the magazines disappeared, it is sad that there are always people in museums stealing things. There were many rare guns in the military collection. One that I thought was very rare was a 7.62 NATO Gatling gun from GE. I was the only private guy in the world who had a brand-new one.

SAR: Gatling Gun, you mean an M134 Minigun?

Visser: Yes, I got it out of Vietnam…I had so much stuff there….I was working for Dutch intelligence at the time, so they arranged for a Shell tanker to haul all the stuff I had gotten to Singapore. I had 10 RPG-7 anti-tank launchers, with 200 rounds of HE grenades. The Dutch and the Germans wanted to test them.

SAR: And how about the testing?

Visser: Well, we finally got the shipment and it had to go on the deck of a Dutch destroyer in Singapore. They loaded it from the tanker onto the warship. I had managed to get a lot of interesting items for the collection during my time in Vietnam. With the RPG-7, we had to do some testing for the government. They decided that this test they wanted to run was too big for them and they made a deal with the Germans, who did a tremendously detailed testing. They even tested the glue on the wooden cases, they checked the labels to see where they were made, in Russia or East Germany. I still have one RPG-7 and an inert rocket at home. I was very interested in the American M72 LAW. I once owned six LAWS.

SAR: When did you get into the antique guns?

Visser: Slowly I got more and more interested in the antique guns…I had always hated them, so crazy and ugly they seemed to me…but then, because of my historical interests, I decided to get rid of anything that was non-Dutch. I had the best automatic pistol collection in the world, all the early Mausers, Bittners, Schonbergers, Borschards, Gabbit Fairfaxes, etc, etc. I sold them all in one lot to Dr. Sturgess, a good friend of mine. He came to my place the first time and I opened drawers for him, and he started sweating, he was going crazy. He was…really, I’ve never seen anybody so excited by my collection.

SAR: (Dolf) Even the Maxim automatic pistols came from you? I have them in my latest book.

Visser: Yes, Dolf, the Maxims as well! I was collecting automatic pistols when nobody was interested. I went to every gun shop in Switzerland where they hadn’t had the German occupiers to take everything, and there were a hell of a lot of people saying, “That old gun there, 150 francs and you can take it, with ammo too.” Those days are gone, you know. There was a gunsmith who I was talking about Lugers with, about how the prices of the Lugers had started going up, and he said, “You know, I have Luger serial number 0001, which was presented to my neighbor, an officer, in front of the troops.” It was the first Luger that the Swiss Army officially adopted. I said “That’s interesting, can I see it?” and he brought it to me in the holster. He said, “The normal price for this is 225 francs, but if you give me 275 then it’s yours.” Those were better days, you know? You would go into a gunshop and there would be a Mondragon rifle with special bayonet. It just doesn’t happen like that anymore.

SAR: Basically Henk, all the money you made you put into collecting guns?

Visser: Everything. I had no capital, no shares; I only had substantial commissions from sales. Eventually I sold my pistols and all my special ammo to Geoff Sturgess…but…it’s like a sickness, you know? I was at the Las Vegas Antique Show and there was a very rare Dutch gun there. It looks like a single-shot pistol, but it’s a three-shot pistol with a little channel where the powder goes for the first, second and third shot, and there is a Maastricht mark under the barrel. It was from the Funderburg Collection, a very famous collection. It’s in a catalog. I bought it for a lot of money! It’s crazy!

SAR: You’re preaching to the choir when you talk to Class 3 owners in the United States. You did a series of books on your collection of Dutch guns….

Visser: Yes, they are available commercially, but are out of print at the moment. The set weighs 22 kilos. Now I’m writing more books, one with the names of all of the Dutch gun makers, about 1,400 of them. Another book project that I was working on with two technicians, both specialists with Master’s degrees in History Drs. Martens en Drs. de Vries, was to write the story of Dutch weapons starting at the Napoleonic era. As these books were written in Dutch they will be translated into English and the 3 volumes will be condensed into one. There is another book in English, almost finished, about a very special German – who later became an American – Otto von Lossnitzer, the father of the modern aircraft revolving guns.

Look for a link to the second half of our smallarmsreview.com interview with Henk Visser in an upcoming SAR newsletter when we look at Vietnam, Oerlikon, the changes to the Stoner 63 system and the innovative Mecar rifle grenade programs, as well as Visser’s work to restore Dutch firearms in Russian museums. – Dan Shea

We at Small Arms Defense Journal have always tried to have a bit of reference material in each issue, something you can save for later identification. In this issue, we’re covering Heckler and Koch’s original 5.56x45mm select fire rifle—the HK33 series. It’s comprised of the HK33 rifle, the short-barrel HK33K, the semi-auto HK93, the HK33 SG1 sniper variant, the HK53 “Submachine gun,” and the various HK13 designs.

The weapon system was meant to be the roller locking answer to the 5.56mm M16 system and was successfully sold in many countries.

In 1965-66, HK produced a promotional catalog showing all of its products. At this time, the MP5 was called the HK54. In addition to the, then, unheard of HK25 belt fed .50 BMG which looked like an HK21 with a belt of .50 hanging from it, there were HK32 variants offered in 7.62x39mm and a number of 5.56mm variations: HK33, HK33K, and the HK13. The catalog lists the HK33 with a 20-round magazine, the HK33K with a 40-round magazine, and the HK13 with a 100-round magazine. We’ve never seen this offset “drum” type HK 5.56mm in the wild. Another item of note: the HK13 was a heavy barrel gun, but the original did not have a quick-change feature; the barrels of later HK13s could be changed like the HK21/23 series belt feds.

The HK magazines are of the box shape type, curved to match the taper of the 5.56mm case, and are double column, and present to the bolt from both columns. A magazine such as a Sten (not shown) is double column and feeds from a single central position—both columns must move the rounds to the center. A magazine that feeds from dual presentation, like the HK magazines and the M16 magazine, has less resistance in feeding, and the bolt must be designed to drive the cartridge to the feed ramp from both columns. It’s a successful and reliable design.

A closer look at the original and the 1994 compliant LE markings for U.S. import. 5.56x45mm is engraved along the edge.

Over the course of 40 years, myself along with William Vallerand, Herbie Woodend, Bob Faris, and others, designed an identification system that we referred to as the “Vallerand Magazine ID System.” There were about 4000 magazines for machine guns and rifles that we photographed and measured, hoping to someday put this into a forensic system. A description of the system is available on www.smallarmsreview.com. Just search the Archives section for “Vallerand” to find a link. If you have input on this, please let us know.

Barrett

MK22

The MK22 defines a new class of long-range rifles by providing even greater capability within the MRAD rifle platform. With unfailing precision and sub-MOA performance, this bolt action sniper rifle adapts to a variety of user needs by converting between 7.62 x 51 NATO, .300NM and .338NM calibers. The aluminum chassis features a folding stock with adjustable length of pull and cheek piece, M-Lok attachment system, 10-mil rail, and suppressor capable muzzle brake. 

• Calibers: .338NM, .300NM, and 7.62×51 NATO
• Barrel Length: .338NM: 27in, .300NM: 26in, and 7.62×51 NATO: 20in
• Twist Rate: .338NM: 1:9.4in, .300NM: 1:8in, and 7.62×51 NATO: 1:8in
• Magazine: 10 Round
• Stock Notes:  Folding
• Finish: Coyote
• Weight (w/empty mag.): .338NM: 15.2lbs, .300NM: 15.2lbs, and 7.62×51 NATO: 13.9lbs
• Overall Length: .338NM: 49.4in, .300NM: 48.4in, and 7.62×51 NATO: 42.4in
• MSRP: $18,300
• barrett.net

Barrett

MRAD SMR

Built with a specific purpose in mind. The MRAD SMR (Single Mission Rifle) is a fixed caliber and stock rifle system that is focused on the task-at-hand with 5-shot sub-MOA performance. The simplified package retains 90 percent parts commonality with the standard MRAD and offers the user a choice between seven dedicated calibers and three Cerakote colors.

• Calibers: .338LM, .338NM, .300NM, .300PRC, .300WM, .308Win, and 6.5CM
• Barrel Length: .338LM: 26in, .338NM: 26in, .300NM: 26in, .300PRC: 26in, .300WM: 26in, .308Win: 17in / 24in, and 6.5CM: 24in
• Twist Rate: .338LM: 1:9.4in, .338NM: 1:9.4in, 300NM: 1:8in, .300PRC: 1:8in, .300WM: 1:8in, .308Win: 1:8in, and 6.5CM: 1:8in
• Magazine: 10 Round
• Stock Notes: Fixed
• Finish: Black, Tungsten Grey, and Flat Dark Earth
• Weight (w/empty mag.): .338LM: 12.3lbs, .338NM: 12.3lbs, .300NM: 12.3lbs, .300PRC: 12.3lbs, .300WM: 12.3lbs, .308Win: 10.6lbs / 12.0lbs, and 6.5CM: 12.0lbs
• Overall Length: .338LM: 48.5in, .338NM: 48.5in, .300NM: 48.5in, .300PRC: 48.5in, .300WM: 48.5in, .308Win: 39.5in / 46.5in, and 6.5CM: 46.5in
• MSRP: $4,995
• barrett.net

Black Rain Ordnance

SSP

The Black Rain Ordnance SSP is part of Black Rain’s Spec+ Series. This series has over 100 different build configurations and 24 different finish options to choose from. If you are looking to add something special to your arsenal without breaking the bank, the BRO-SSP and the Spec+ Series has proven to be a great choice.

• Calibers: 5.56×45 NATO and .300BLK
• Barrel Length: 16in
• Twist Rate: 1:7in
• Barrel Notes: SOCOM Profile 4150V Chromoly Barrel
• Trigger Weight: BRO 3.5lb Drop-in Trigger
• Stock Notes:  Magpul MOE SL stock
• Finish: FDE. Also available in seven other colors/finishes.
• Weight (w/empty mag.): 7lbs 8oz
• Overall Length: 34.5in
• MSRP: $1,399
• blackrainordnance.com

Black Rain Ordnance

SUBATOMIC

The Black Rain Ordnance Subatomic is Black Rain’s elite tactical pistol for the shooter who values the highest quality and craftsmanship. Built on a foundation of 7075 T-6 billet aluminum receivers with nothing but the best options available to build the firearm that you have always dreamed of. If you are looking for top tier quality and a variety of color options, the Black Rain Ordnance Subatomic is the choice for you.

• Calibers: 5.56×45 NATO and .300BLK
• Barrel Length: 10.5in
• Twist Rate: 1:7in
• Barrel Notes: Stainless Steel Barrel
• Trigger Weight: BRO 3.5lb Drop-in Trigger
• Stock Notes: Maxim Defense CQB Pistol Brace
• Finish: Battleworn Smith’s Grey. Also available in eight other colors/finishes.
• Weight (w/empty mag.): 6lbs 14oz
• Overall Length: 27in
• MSRP: $1,959
• blackrainordnance.com

Christensen Arms

Modern Precision Rifle

The Modern Precision Rifle is an ultra-lightweight chassis rifle designed to break tradition. Beyond the folding stock, the complete package is well equipped with a target contour Christensen Arms carbon fiber barrel, carbon fiber comb, free-floating carbon fiber handguard, and 20-MOA rail. The action and stainless-steel side-baffle muzzle brake are finished in black nitride for a sleek look. The Modern Precision Rifle weighs in starting at 6.9 pounds and is backed by the Christensen Arms Sub-MOA Guarantee.

• Calibers: 6CM, 6.5CM, .308WIN, .300WIN, .300PRC, .338LM
• Barrel Length: 16-27in
• Twist Rate: 1:8in, 1:10in
• Barrel Notes: 416R stainless-steel
• Magazine: AICS-compatible detachable magazine
• Trigger Notes: Trigger Tech “Flat” Trigger
• Stock Notes:  Folding stock with locking hinge and Magnelock Technology
• Finish: Action finish: Black nitride with chassis finish options of Black Anodize, Desert Brown Anodize, or Tungsten Anodize
• Weight (w/empty mag.): Starting at 6.9lbs
• Overall Length: 44.75in extended, 34in folded
• MSRP: $2,500
• christensenarms.com

CZ-USA

600 Range

The CZ 600 Range was designed to give the precision shooter every possible opportunity to take full advantage of the accuracy of the platform. The cold hammer forged heavy barrel delivers the best accuracy guarantee ever offered by CZ. Sub ¾-MOA guaranteed at 100 meters, 5-shot group with match-grade factory ammo, verified on every CZ 600 Range.

• Calibers: 6CM, .308WIN
• Barrel Length: 24in
• Twist Rate: 1:7in, 1:10in
• Barrel Notes: Heavy, cold hammer-forged, suppressor ready 5/8×24-threaded
• Magazine: Detachable, locking
• Trigger Weight: 1.3-3lbs end-user adjustable
• Stock Notes: Laminate, Precision
• Finish: Black Nitride
• Weight (w/empty mag.): 10lbs
• Overall Length: 44.9in
• MSRP: $1,199
• cz-usa.com

CZ-USA

457 VPT MTR

Always a favorite in our rimfire line, the Varmint Precision Trainer gets a boost in accuracy with the addition of a barrel borrowed from the Match Target Rifle. With a match chamber and a stiff 16.2-inch heavy barrel, it’s threaded 1/2×28 to allow easy installation of a suppressor or muzzle device. New for 2022, the Manners carbon fiber stock now features an adjustable cheekpiece. The forend is recessed, drilled, and threaded for use with an Arca rail.

• Caliber: .22LR
• Barrel Length: 16.2in
• Twist Rate: 1:16in
• Barrel Notes: Cold Hammer Forged
• Magazine: Detachable
• Trigger Weight: 2.5-5lbs, end-user adjustable
• Stock Notes:  Manners Carbon Fiber
• Finish: Black Nitride
• Weight (w/empty mag.): 7.1lbs
• Overall Length: 33.5in
• MSRP: $1,635
• cz-usa.com

FN

FN SCAR 20S NRCH

Perfectly calibrated for long-range fire, the FN SCAR 20S NRCH (Non-Reciprocating Charging Handle) delivers surgical precision, with an enhanced set of controls to enable any shooting position or optic choice. The rifle features a monolithic upper receiver with full-length MIL-STD-1913 rail for accessories and fully adjustable precision buttstock. The FN SCAR 20S is the benchmark for long-range precision from a gas-driven piston platform, delivering an accurate and proven design for target shooting.

• Calibers: 7.62×51 NATO, 6.5CM
• Barrel Length: 20in
• Twist Rate: 1:10in (7.62×51 NATO), 1:8in (6.5CM)
• Barrel Notes: Heavy-profile, cold hammer-forged and chrome-lined
• Magazine: 10-round SCAR 17S magazine; compatible with 20-round SCAR 17S magazine
• Trigger Weight: 3.5 – 4.5lbs two-stage trigger
• Stock Notes:  Precision rear stock, fully adjustable for LOP and cheek rest height
• Finish: Anodized aluminum, FDE or Black
• Weight (w/empty mag.): 11.6lbs
• Overall Length: 41-42.8in
• MSRP: $4,829
• fnamerica.com

Grey Ghost Precision

GGP MKII Grim 6.5 Creedmoor

After experiencing the accuracy potential of Grey Ghost Precision rifles, several competitive shooters in the precision rifle realm desired a gas gun in a 6.5 caliber with all the advantages of a modern semi-automatic sporting rifle – without compromising accuracy, consistency, and performance. GGP worked hard to produce the GRIM, an extremely accurate 6.5 Creedmoor rifle built on the AR-10 platform that fit specific requests from experienced snipers and precision rifle shooters.

• Caliber: 6.5CM
• Barrel Length: 22in
• Twist Rate: 1:8in
• Barrel Notes: Proof Research Stainless Steel 6.5CM barrel with extended rifle length gas length. Threaded 5/8×24.
• Magazine: Magpul PMAG 20 LR/SR Gen M3 Magazine (also accepts most LR/SR type magazines)
• Trigger Weight: 2lb first stage, 2lb second stage
• Stock Notes:  Magpul PRS Gen 3 Precision Adjustable Stock
• Finish: True Back Type III Mil Spec Hard Coat Anodize
• Weight (w/empty mag.): 10lbs
• Overall Length: 44in
• MSRP: $3,199
• greyghostprecision.com

Grey Ghost Precision

GGP MKII Heavy .308 Win

The first “Heavy” rifle was built at the request from U.S. soldiers operating in Afghanistan who wanted a designated marksman rifle (DMR) that could match the accuracy of bolt action .308 platforms used in combat, while still resembling a 5.56 service rifle. The resulting rifle bolstered troops’ effective range in multiple intermediate range engagements. The GGP Heavy has received glowing evaluations by Special Forces marksmanship instructors, competitive shooters, and hardcore hunters alike.

• Caliber: .308Win
• Barrel Length: 16in
• Twist Rate: 1:10in
• Barrel Notes: 16in Ballistic Advantage AR .308 barrel with mid length gas. Threaded 5/8×24.
• Magazine: Magpul PMAG 20 LR/SR Gen M3 Magazine (also accepts most LR/SR type magazines)
• Trigger Weight: 3-4lbs
• Stock Notes:  Magpul SL-S Adjustable Stock
• Finish: True Back Type III Mil Spec Hard Coat Anodize
• Weight (w/empty mag.): 8.3lbs
• Overall Length: 38in (collapsed stock 35in)
• MSRP: $2,500
• greyghostprecision.com

Heckler & Koch

MR762A1 LRP III

Taking an essentially standard MR762A1 (7.62×51 NATO) semi-automatic rifle, Heckler & Koch USA turns the MR762A1 LRPIII into a more effective precision rifle by an astute addition of the right optics and accessories. A Vortex Viper PSTII 3-15×44 FFP MRAD, HK G28 adjustable cheekpiece buttstock, and LaRue Tactical BRM-S bipod are the primary add-ons that make the MR762A1 Long Rifle Package (LRP) more than a sum of parts.

• Caliber: 7.62×51 NATO
• Barrel Length: 16.5in
• Twist Rate: Right twist, 1:11.02in
• Barrel Notes: 4 lands & grooves, right twist, 1 in 11.02in
• Magazine: 10/20 rounds
• Trigger Weight: 3.5 – 4.5lb two-stage trigger
• Finish: Nitride
• Weight (w/empty mag.): 10.42lb
• Overall Length: Stock extended: 40.50in; Stock retracted: 36.50in.
• MSRP: $7,249
• hk-usa.com

Maxim Defense Industries

MD11

New for 2022 Maxim Defense Industries is launching their Direct Impingement large frame MD-11 series made on the SR-25 cut pattern. This large frame rifle will be available in 6.5 Creedmoor or 308 Winchester utilizing 18-inch Proof Research carbon fiber or stainless-steel barrels allowing them to come in at just 9 pounds. They come with a carbine buffer system and a B5 SOP-MOD stock and utilize the Gisselle SSA-E trigger. They are available in Urban, Arid, and Black.

• Calibers: 6.5CM, .308Win
• Barrel Length: 18in
• Barrel Notes: Stainless Steel or Carbon Fiber
• Trigger Weight: 2.9 – 3.8lbs
• Finish: Urban Grey, ARID
• Weight (w/empty mag.): 9lbs
• Overall Length: 37in
• MSRP: $3,895-4,295
• maximdefense.com

Mossberg

MVP Precision bolt-action rifle

The Mossberg MVP Precision bolt-action rifle, chambered in 6.5CM and 7.62×51 NATO, was built with a purpose in mind – precision. Features include an aluminum chassis and slim-profile hand guard, LUTH-AR MBA-3 adjustable stock, and a Magpul MOE+ grip. And unlike the competition, this bolt-action, with its multi-patented design, will accept both M1A/M14 and AR10/SR25-style magazines. Combining sub-MOA accuracy, superior-handling and Mossberg’s proven bolt-action platform, the MVP Precision takes long-range shooting to a new level.

• Calibers: 6.5CM, 7.62×51 NATO
• Barrel Length: 24in, 20in
• Twist Rate: 1:8in, 1:10in
• Barrel Notes: Medium Bull/Threaded/Protective Cap
• Magazine: 10-Round Magpul PMAG
• Trigger Weight: Adjustable, 3 to 7lbs
• Stock Notes:  LUTH-AR MBA-3 Adjustable Stock; Magpul MOE+ grip
• Finish: Anodized and matte blue metal finishes, black synthetic
• Weight (w/empty mag.): 10lbs; 9.2lbs
• Overall Length: 43.25in; 39.25in 
• MSRP: $1,509
• mossberg.com

Maxim Defense Industries

PDX

Part of Maxim’s MDX line of firearms, the PDX was born from the SOCOM PDW solicitation and designed to fulfill a broad spectrum of needs by today’s law enforcement and military operations. At just 18.75in in overall length, the PDX delivers groundbreaking power and performance. At the heart of the award-winning PDX is Maxim’s SCW system. This patent-pending system dramatically decreases length by integrating interchangeable buffer weights directly into the BCG, giving you maximum performance and versatility without sacrificing form and functionality.

• Model: PDX
• Species: Semi-Automatic or Select Fire
• Caliber: 5.56 NATO, .300 BLK and 7.62x39mm
• Overall Length: 18.75in
• Barrel Lengths Available: 5.5in
• Weight (standard model, empty magazine, no optic or bipod): 5lbs 11oz
• Feed System: Magazine, 20rd
• MSRP:  $2,295.00
• maximdefense.com

Armalite

AR-19

The AR-19 is a lightweight, compact 9mm pistol designed for ultra-maneuverability. It’s supplied with flip-up sights, M-LOK handguard, and an adjustable pistol brace for enhanced stability. Additional features include ambidextrous charging handle and safety selector.

• Action: Semi-Auto
• Caliber: 9X19MM Luger
• Overall Length: 27.5 inches (24.5 inches collapsed)
• Barrel Lengths Available: 8.5 inches
• Weight: 5.2 pounds w/empty mag
• Feed System: Magazine-fed, Glock-pattern
• MSRP: $1,113
• armalite.com

Armalite

M153GN13

Purpose-built for three-gun and practical rifle competition, the M153GN13 is ready to dominate right out of the box. The lightweight MBA-1 buttstock features an adjustable cheek height and length-of-pull adjustments. This rifle is highly customizable, with an adjusting gas block and tunable muzzle brake to give the user the opportunity to tune the rifle for a specific purpose or ammunition.

• Action: Semi-Auto
• Caliber: .223 Wylde
• Overall Length: 35.5 inches
• Barrel Lengths Available: 13.5 inches
• Weight: 6.5 pounds w/empty mag
• Feed System: Magazine-fed, AR-pattern
• MSRP: $1,727
• armalite.com

B&T AG – Switzerland

SPC9 SD PDW

The B&T SPC9 SD PDW is unique as it comes complete with an integrated compact suppressor. The barrel is ported to reduce the velocity of the standard FMJ loads to subsonic velocity, thus not breaking the speed of sound. The PDW can be ordered to accept B&T, Glock, SIG 320, Walther P99, or HKSPF9 magazines. The product exists in semi-automatic only. B&T produces other products with the ability for select fire.

• Action: Semi-Auto
• Caliber: 9X19MM
• Overall Length: 21.25 inches (16.1 inches closed)              
• Barrel Lengths Available: 4.5 inches
• Weight: 6.38 pounds w/empty mag
• Feed System: Lower receiver options for B&T, Glock, SIG 320, Walther P99, or HKSPF9 mags
• MSRP: Contact Dealer
• bt-arms.com

B&T AG – Switzerland

APC9 PRO K

The APC9K was adopted in 2019 by the U.S. Army as its next-generation Subcompact Weapon (SCW). The weapon performed extremely well during the official Picatinny Arsenal trials. It had the most noticeable performance by having only two stoppages over an 18,000-round torture test and accuracy that far exceeded the required 100mm group at 35 meters. The APC9 Pro K can be ordered with a corresponding lower to accept B&T, Glock, SIG 320, Walther P99 or HKSPF9 magazines.

• Action: Select-Fire
• Caliber: 9x19mm, .40 S&W, 10mm, ,45 ACP
• Overall Length: 21.7 inches (14.7 inches closed)        
• Barrel Lengths Available: 5.4 inches
• Weight: 5.94 pounds w/empty mag
• Feed System: Lower receiver options for B&T, Glock, SIG 320, Walther P99, or HKSPF9 mags
• MSRP: Contact Dealer
• bt-arms.com

Beretta USA

PMX

Beretta’s next generation PMX PDW was developed specifically for the demanding needs of defense professionals around the world. The extensive use of polymer materials and light alloy metals allowed the design of a compact, lightweight, yet rugged design, one which is versatile and easy to deploy in combat. The operation of the PMX is based on a blow-back system design with closed-bolt firing mode. Reliability, accuracy, and safety are the highlights of the Beretta PMX.

• Action: Select Fire (Auto and Semi-Automatic)
• Caliber: 9x19mm NATO
• Overall Length: 25.2 inches (16.5 inches folded)
• Barrel Lengths Available: 6.89 inches
• Weight: 5.5 pounds w/empty mag
• Feed System: 30rd box magazine, translucent polymer
• MSRP: LE/MIL only; Price available upon request
• berettadefensetechnologies.com

CMMG

FourSix

The CMMG FourSix is the first-ever AR to hit the civilian market that’s chambered in 4.6x30mm. With an impressive 40-round magazine capacity, light recoil, and great penetration at close distances, CMMG’s FourSix is here to reimagine the personal defense weapon. CMMG’s FourSix is built on the company’s BANSHEE, Mk4 platform which features AR-15 controls and modularity. Best of all, the patented CMMG 40RD 4.6x30mm magazine will seat into a standard AR-15 magwell, which means users can pair their existing AR-15 lower receiver with a CMMG FourSix upper receiver and magazine.

• Action: Semi-Auto
• Caliber: 4.6x30mm
• Overall Length: 26.9 in
• Barrel Lengths Available: 8 in.
• Weight: 5.4 pounds w/empty mag
• Feed System: Proprietary, AR-style magazine
• MSRP: $1,400
• cmmg.com

Heckler & Koch

SP5K-PDW

Who wants a copy when you can own the real thing? The SP5K-PDW is a semi-automatic, civilian-friendly version of the ultimate close quarters weapon – the HK MP5K. It’s loaded with authentic features, like a 4.5-inch barrel with a navy-style threaded tri-lug adaptor, paddle magazine release, and fluted chamber.

• Action: Semi-Auto, roller-delayed blowback
• Caliber: 9x19mm
• Overall Length: 13.8 inches
• Barrel Lengths Available: 5.83 inches
• Weight: 4.2 pounds w/empty mag
• Feed System: Magazine-fed, HK MP5-pattern mags
• MSRP: $2,799
• Hk-usa.com

Mossberg

590S Shockwave

Mossberg 590S-series 12-gauge pump-actions are capable of cycling 1.75, 2.75 and 3-inch shotshells interchangeably without the use of an adaptor. The series includes two full-length stock and two Shockwave versions, the shortest of which is featured here. Key changes include redesigned elevator, bolt slide and an energy-absorbing bumper. This patent-pending platform allows the user to load their choice of shotshell length/type for their specific needs, and in any combination. Use of shorter shell lengths will also increase the overall capacity of the 590S.

• Action: Pump-Action
• Caliber: 12-gauge
• Overall Length: 26.37 inches
• Barrel Lengths Available: 14.375 inches
• Weight: 5.3 pounds w/empty mag
• Feed System: Tubular magazine
• MSRP: $623
• mossberg.com

Q

Honey Badger SD

The OG Honey Badger was developed at AAC by previous owner and Q founder Kevin Brittingham and his R&D team at the request of an elite U.S. Special Operations group looking to replace their MP5-SD’s with an upgraded platform. Requirements included the ability to shoot a rifle caliber round while maintaining low visibility and excellent signature suppression. Developed in conjunction with 300 AAC Blackout, the Honey Badger was born, exceeded expectations, but never made it to the commercial market.

Enter the Honey Badger SD by Q. At first glance, this Honey Badger appears to be the same as the original. Q focused on taking the iconic Badger to the next level and improved upon every technical aspect of the first-generation design. From the proprietary, under-handguard suppressor, custom gas system, custom AR trigger, and its telescoping stock – HB 2.0 does not disappoint.

Want a Honey Badger, but don’t want to deal with the hassle of a two-stamp gun? Q offers the Honey Badger SBR with a short handguard and no can making it 6 inches shorter, overall, as shown below.

• Action: Semi-Auto
• Caliber: 300 BLK
• Overall Length: 31 inches (26 inches collapsed)
• Barrel Length: 7 inches
• Weight: 5.4 pounds w/empty mag
• Feed System: AR-15 magazines
• MSRP: $3,499 ($2,999 SBR version)
• Liveqordie.com

MOSSBERG 

MMR Pro 

The MMR Pro is a full-featured AR, built for peak performance, beginning with Mossberg’s new JM Pro Match trigger; suppressor-ready SilencerCo ASR 3-port muzzle brake; an 18-inch, button-rifled 416 stainless steel barrel; and highly coveted Magpul MOE+ grip, trigger guard and M-LOK-equipped handguard. At the core is a direct-impingement gas system for smooth, shot-after-shot reliability; 7075 T6 aluminum-forged receiver; free-floating; phosphate and MIL-SPEC hard-coat anodized metal finishes; forward-assist; and ejection-port dust cover. 

• Species: Semiautomatic 
• Price: $1,393 
• Caliber(s): 5.56mm NATO | .224 Valkyrie 
• Overall Length Standard Model: 39in fully extended | 35.75in collapsed 
• Barrel Lengths Available: 18in 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 7lb 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: N/A 
• Feed System: N/A 
• Effective Range: N/A 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): N/A 
• mossberg.com 

MOSSBERG 

MMR Carbine 

The MMR Carbine delivers great performance and is highly customizable. Standard features include a direct-impingement gas system for reliable, smooth operation; free-floating, button-rifled 4140 carbon steel barrel; removable rail-mounted, adjustable target sights; single-stage trigger; and black phosphate/anodized metal finishes for enhanced durability. A flat-top, full-length Picatinny rail provides for alternate sight systems or accessories. Add-ons include 6-position adjustable stock, Magpul MOE+ grip and trigger guard and a 30-round magazine. 

• Species: Semiautomatic 
• Price: $938 
• Caliber(s): 5.56mm NATO 
• Overall Length Standard Model: 36.25in fully extended | 33in collapsed 
• Barrel Lengths Available: 16in 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 7lb 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: N/A 
• Feed System: N/A 
• Effective Range: N/A 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): N/A (per manufacturer) 
• mossberg.com 

ARMALITE 

M-15 3GN 13-inch Competition Rifle 

Purpose-built for 3-Gun and practical rifle competition, the M153GN13’s is ready to dominate, right out of the box. A Timney Triggers 4-pound, single-stage trigger and ergonomic wide grip come standard. The lightweight MBA-1 buttstock features an adjustable cheek piece and length-of-pull. The factory ambidextrous safety and Raptor charging handle provide ease of operation for all types of shooters. This rifle is highly customizable, with an adjustable gasblock and tunable muzzle brake to tune the rifle for specific purpose or ammunition. 

• Species: Semiautomatic 
• Price: $1,699 
• Caliber(s): .223 Wylde | .223 Rem | 5.56x45mm 
• Overall Length Standard Model: 35.5in extended 
• Barrel Lengths Available: 13in, 18in 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 6.9lb 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: N/A 
• Feed System: One 30-Round Magpul PMAG 
• Effective Range: Depends on conditions 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): N/A 
• armalite.com 

ARMALITE 

M-15 16-inch Tactical Rifle 

With its 16-inch barrel at the heart of its design, the M15TAC16 blends rugged durability with exacting precision. The tactical handguard’s slim, octagonal profile sports a full-length MIL-STD 1913 12 o’clock rail for sights and accessories. The adjustable gas block allows the user to tune the rifle for their preferred ammunition and/or suppressor use. Like all tactical series rifles, it comes standard with Magpul MBUS flip-up sights. 

• Species: Semiautomatic 
• Price: $1,599 
• Caliber(s): .223 Rem | 5.56x45mm 
• Overall Length Standard Model: 36.6in extended 
• Barrel Lengths Available: 14in, 16in, 18in 20in 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 7lb 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: N/A 
• Feed System: One 30-Round Magpul PMAG 
• Effective Range: Depends on conditions 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): N/A 
• armalite.com 

DANIEL DEFENSE 

DDM4 PDW 

Compact and easy to transport, the Daniel Defense DDM4 PDW is the kind of pistol you can rely on for home and personal defense, plus it’s a ton of fun to shoot. The 7-inch .300 BLK cold-hammer forged barrel keeps subsonic loads subsonic and provides great ballistics for a shorter barrel. Featuring an overall length of 20.75 inches, the DDM4 PDW easily fits into a backpack for convenient transport. 

• Species: Action 
• Caliber(s): .300 BLK 
• Overall Length: 20.75in 
• Barrel Length: 7in 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: N/A 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: N/A 
• Weight: 5.7lb 
• Feed System: Mag fed 
• Effective Range: N/A (per manufacturer) 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): N/A 
• danieldefense.com 

CMMG INC. 

5.7 AR Conversion Magazine 

CMMG offers a 40-round 5.7x28mm magazine that feeds into a standard AR-15 lower paired with a CMMG 5.7x28mm complete upper. This adds another caliber option to your AR-15 lower. 

• Species: 40rd magazine for 5.7x28mm 
• Weight: 8oz (unloaded) 
• cmmginc.com 

CMMG INC. 

Banshee 300 Series in 10mm 

CMMG Inc. offers AR lovers the hard hitting Banshee 300 10mm in the AR platform. The system runs on a lighter BCG group with less felt recoil using CMMG patent radial delayed blowback. This is the do-it-all firearm for recreational, home defense, truck-gun and bear defense. The 300 series comes in many other calibers as well. 

• Species: Semiautomatic 
• Caliber(s): 10mm 
• Overall Length: 24.3in 
• Barrel Length: 8in 
• Weight: 5lb 9oz 
• Feed System: CMMG patent radial delayed blowback 
• Effective Range: 100yds 
• cmmginc.com 

AERO PRECISION 

AR-10/M5E1 Rifle Platform 

The M5E1 semiautomatic AR-10 rifle platform features .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor barrel options ranging from 16 to 24 inches in length. Standard color options include anodized black or FDE Cerakote. Aero Precision manufactures or sells all the components required to assemble your preferred rifle configuration giving the builder the freedom to customize to his or her liking. Aero Precision also has dedicated resources to answer questions and assist builders in the build process. 

• Species: Semiautomatic 
• Price: $1,700 
• Caliber(s): .308 | 6.5 Creedmoor 
• Overall Length Standard Model: Varies based on configuration 
• Barrel Lengths Available: 16in to 24in 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: Varies based on configuration 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: Varies based on configuration 
• Feed System: Magazine 
• Effective Range: 800 to 1,000yds 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): Sub-MOA guaranteed 
• aeroprecisionusa.com 

AERO PRECISION 

AR-15/M4E1 Rifle Platform 

The M4E1 semiautomatic AR-15 rifle platform features 5.56mm, .300 Blackout or other AR-15-compatible calibers. Barrel options range from 7.5 to 20 inches in length. Standard color options include anodized black or FDE Cerakote. Aero Precision manufactures or sells all the components required to assemble your preferred pistol or rifle configuration giving the builder the freedom to customize. Aero Precision also has dedicated resources to answer questions and assist builders in the build process. 

• Species: Semiautomatic 
• Price: $1,100 
• Caliber(s): .300 BLK | 5.56mm | .223 Wylde | 6.5 Grendel 
• Overall Length Standard Model: Varies based on configuration 
• Barrel Lengths Available: 7.5in to 20in 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: Varies based on configuration 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: Varies based on configuration 
• Feed System: Magazine 
• Effective Range: 250 to 500yds 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): Sub-MOA guaranteed 
• aeroprecisionusa.com 

BLACK RAIN ORDNANCE 

Crypt AR-15 / Ordnance Spec + Series 

Black Rain Ordnance has made a promise to make your firearm exactly that, YOUR firearm. With the addition of the Spec + Series, you have over 100 different build configurations and 21 different finish options to choose from, if you are looking to add something special to your arsenal, without breaking the bank. 

• Species: Semiautomatic 
• Price: $1,229 
• Caliber(s): 5.56mm NATO | .300 BLK 
• Overall Length Standard Model: 34in 
• Barrel Lengths Available: 10.5in | 16in 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 7lb 8oz 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 8lb 9oz 
• Feed System: Direct impingement 
• Effective Range: 300m 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): Sub-MOA 
• blackrainordnance.com 

BLACK RAIN ORDNANCE 

Subatomic AR-15 Pistol / Recon Series 

The Black Rain Ordnance Recon Series is Black Rain’s line of elite tactical AR rifles and pistols for the shooter who values the highest quality and craftsmanship the firearms industry has to offer, built on a foundation of 7075 Billet Receivers. If you’re looking for top tier quality, the Black Rain Ordnance Recon series is the choice for you. Species: Semiautomatic 

• Price: Starting at $1,839 
• Caliber(s): 5.56mm NATO | .300 BLK 
• Overall Length Standard Model: 27in 
• Barrel Lengths Available: 10.5in 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 6lb 6oz 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 7lb 7oz 
• Feed System: Direct impingement 
• Effective Range: 300m 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): Sub-MOA 
• blackrainordnance.com 

SIG SAUER 

SIG MCX VIRTUS 

Conceived for the demands of the Special Operations community, the MCX VIRTUS is engineered for adaptability, accuracy and longevity. Hammer-forged barrels are user-changeable and available in 5.56mm NATO and .300 BLK, offering the utmost in mission-specific flexibility. SIG’s internal recoil system offers reduced recoil and a compact platform. Ambidextrous controls and a folding, adjustable stock enable the MCX VIRTUS to be tailored to any shooter. Built with the highest-quality components, the MCX VIRTUS is the apex predator of the carbine world. 

• Species: Semiautomatic 
• Price: $2,099.99 
• Caliber(s): 5.56mm NATO | .300 BLK 
• Overall Length Standard Model: 35.5in/901mm 
• Barrel Lengths Available: 16in (5.56mm and .300 BLK), 11.5in (5.56mm), 9in (.300 BLK), 6.75in (.300 BLK) 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 7.9lb/3.6kg 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: N/A 
• Feed System: 30-round magazine 
• Effective Range: N/A 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): N/A 
• sigsauer.com 

SIG SAUER 

SIG M400 TREAD Rifle 

The M400 TREAD is an optics-ready, aluminum frame rifle. TREAD features a 16-inch stainless steel barrel with a free-floating M-LOK handguard, a single-stage polished/hard-coat trigger, ambidextrous controls, a Magpul™ SL-K 6 position telescoping stock, a mid-length gas system and is available in 5.56mm NATO. 

• Species: Semiautomatic 
• Price: $879.99 
• Caliber(s): 5.56mm 
• Overall Length Standard Model: 30.8in/782mm 
• Barrel Lengths Available: 16in, 11.5in 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 7lb/3.2kg 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: N/A 
• Feed System: 30-round magazine 
• Effective Range: N/A 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): N/A 
• sigsauer.com 

ROCK RIVER ARMS 

BT-3 20-inch Select Target Rifle 

The RRA BT-3 20-inch Select Target Rifle features a cryogenically treated, 20-inch fluted stainless steel heavy barrel chambered in .308 Win with a 1:10 twist and A2 flash hider. The rifle includes a billet upper and lower platform, RRA two-stage trigger, Hogue® rubber grip, Magpul PRS® GEN3 Precision-Adjustable Rifle Stock and RRA’s 17-inch lightweight, free-float rail–M-LOK® compatible. 

• Species: Semiautomatic 
• Price: $1,800 
• Caliber(s): .308 / 7.62x51mm NATO chamber 
• Overall Length Standard Model: 42in 
• Barrel Lengths Available: 20-inch fluted stainless steel heavy, 1:10 twist, cryogenically treated 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 8.6lb 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 9.6lb 
• Feed System: 20-round magazine 
• Effective Range: 1,000yds 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): 1 MOA 
• rockriverarms.com 

ROCK RIVER ARMS 

BT92152 4.5-inch Pistol with SBA3 Arm Brace 

Based on RRA’s billet aluminum lower receiver with a GLOCK® magazine-compatible flared magazine well, the 4.5-inch BT92152 features a 4.5-inch chrome moly, 1:10 twist barrel with a Smith Enterprise Vortex flash suppressor (1/2-36 threads). The BT92152 pistol includes an SB Tactical SBA3™ pistol brace (with five-position LOP adjustment) for an ultra-compact AR-platform, a Hogue® pistol grip, a two-stage trigger, winter-style trigger guard and RRA’s 4.25-inch pistol-length, lightweight, free-float M-LOK-compatible handguard. 

• Species: Semiautomatic 
• Price: $1,350 
• Caliber(s): 9x19mm 
• Overall Length Standard Model: 23.5in extended 
• Barrel Lengths Available: Chrome-lined 4.5in chrome moly, 1:10 twist 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 5lb 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 6lb 
• Feed System: 17-round mag 
• Effective Range: 100yds 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): N/A 
• rockriverarms.com 

HECKLER & KOCH 

MR762A1 

Based on the famous HK417 rifle, HK’s MR762A1 has piston-driven reliability, superior accuracy and combined German and American quality manufacturing. 

• Species: Semiautomatic 
• Price: $4,129 
• Caliber(s): 7.62mm 
• Overall Length Standard Model: 35.94in 
• Barrel Lengths Available: 16.5in 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 9.84lb 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: N/A 
• Feed System: Gas piston operating system 
• Effective Range: N/A 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): N/A 
• hk-usa.com 

HECKLER & KOCH 

MR556A1 

Based on the famous HK416 carbine, HK’s MR556A1 has piston-driven reliability, superior accuracy combined with German and American quality manufacturing. 

• Species: Semiautomatic 
• Price: Starting at $3,499 
• Caliber(s): 5.56mm 
• Overall Length Standard Model: 33.90in 
• Barrel Lengths Available: 16.5in 
• Weight, Standard Model, Empty Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: 8lb 6oz 
• Weight, Standard Model, Full Magazine, No Optic or Bipod: N/A 
• Feed System: Gas piston operating system 
• Effective Range: N/A 
• Mfg Accuracy Tests (MOA): N/A 
• hk-usa.com 

Manufacturers Show Off Their Latest & Greatest in Las Vegas

FOREWARD

A good number of manufacturers offered a brace-equipped pistol version of their rifles at this year’s SHOT Show held January 23–26 in Las Vegas. Having the Hearing Protection Act waiting in the wings, there were a number of suppressors and related products, with the LMT suppressor being an interesting new design. Also prominent were the number of 1-x variable magnification scopes from various manufacturers.

NIGHTFORCE

Nightforce introduced two 1-8x scopes with daylight-bright illumination and true 1x: ATACR and NX8 1-8 x 24 F1. The NX8 has a wider field of view (FOV) than ATACR (35.3m vs. 32.0m) at 100m, while both have the same 4.4m FOV at 8x. In reciprocal, the ATACR has a larger 11.3mm exit pupil at 1x in contrast to the 7.9mm of the NX8. Indeed, the author found the ATACR easier to mount during brief handling at the show.

The ATACR has a 34mm tube and weighs more at 21 ounces in comparison to the NX8 with 30mm tube and 17 ounces. ATACR features capped turrets while the NX8 utilizes exposed turrets. Optically, the ATACR utilizes ED glass while the NX8 shares the same elements as the NXS line. The illumination utilizes diffractive grid technology and is powered by a CR2032 battery that lasts about 130 hours. As of writing, the ATACR is on schedule to ship early spring.

DOUBLESTAR

In addition to their staple line-up of AR-15 parts, upper receivers and complete firearms, DoubleStar introduced the Strongarm pistol brace that fits an AR-15 buffer tube and retails under $100. The arm loop is ambidextrous, and the provided sling stud can be mounted on either side.

LEWIS MACHINE & TOOL

LMT is releasing a short, 7-inch barrel, 40mm grenade launcher with an option for a pistol-grip-only for breeching. This allows users to keep their rifles as light as possible. Its breech is long enough to accommodate the largest of 40mm ammunition.

In addition, the partnership with Laurence Livermore Laboratory bore fruit in the form of an innovative flow-through suppressor. Screwed into standard threads, the muzzle design compresses gases exiting the bore to form a “virtual baffle.” This redirects most of the gases around a longer alternate path to prevent them from “chasing” the projectile. This continuous flow of gases reduces back pressure so that cyclic rate remains constant. Company representatives quoted that this design rapidly vents back to ambient pressure, greatly reducing heat transfer from gas to suppressor body. As such, this design is machine-gun rated and is expected to last the lifetime of a barrel. As part of the testing, LMT subjected the suppressor to a continuous 1,000-round belt from a MK48 with no problems. Lastly, LMT representatives indicated the large exit diameter is designed to mitigate muzzle flash. LMT’s suppressors range from a mere 8 ounces (titanium Confined Space Weapon integral suppressor) to 34 ounces (for 7.62 belt-fed machine guns). Dimensions range from 1.5 to 2.1 inches in diameter and 6.5 to 8.6 inches in length. Most of the suppressors are an over-the-barrel design which minimizes the added length when mounted.

SAMSON

Samson is bringing pistol products to market for the first time in 2018, offering the Pocket Comp, Compact Magwell and Carry Contour +1 Magazine Extension for the Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield. Pocket Comp, machined from 7075 aluminium, blends with the slide profile to reduce felt recoil. It threads onto a ½ x 28-inch threaded barrel, and the set screws are tightened against a muzzle adaptor to prevent damaging the threads. It functions with the factory recoil spring. While 124gr or heavier projectiles are recommended, 115gr ammunition may work depending on environmental condition and load specification. The patent-pending Compact Magwell requires no gunsmith to install and allows a full firing grip on the M&P9 Shield. It also allows the expended magazine to drop free without shifting one’s grip. Lastly, the Carry Contour Magazine Extension adds one more round to the factory 7- and 8-round magazines while utilizing factory magazine springs. The leading edge forms a finger grove to give additional purchase during one-handed reloads or malfunction clearance.

GEMTECH

Gemtech is bringing back the wipe-based pistol caliber Aurora with a new design. Measuring only 3.4 inches long, 1.125 inches wide and weighing 3.5 ounces, the suppressor features 13.5mm x 1 left-hand threads on one end, with ½ x 28 inch threads on the other end to accommodate many different pistols. The light weight obviates the need for a Nielson device. The polyurethane wipes are optimized for a service life of 30 to 40 rounds of FMJ only, after which the package must be sent back to the manufacturer to “repack” the wipes. The small, light-weight and cost-effective suppressor allows one to protect hearing on a nightstand or duty firearm.

The company is also releasing a rifle caliber Trek II with the same baffles designed to reduce backpressure. This suppressor features an improved mounting surface to reduce weight by roughly 1 ounce while including a pre-drilled hole for permanent attachment to barrel. This relieves the need for an SBR tax stamp if the combination measures over 16 inches long. The Trek II also utilizes a new weldless design that is serviceable at the factory while retaining the iconic Gemtech front cap with 3/8-inch drive socket.

HECKLER & KOCH

In addition to offering new colors for VP9 frames and Crimson Trace modules for both VP9 and VP9SK, HK continues to expand their US manufacturing spaces and staff in Georgia. The company is expected to begin US manufacture of MR556 rifles and HK45 pistols. Continuing the long-standing relationship between HK and B&T, the two companies partnered to launch an HK line of suppressors for the American market. Lastly, HK joined Hogue in releasing a family of knives: 3.25-inch partially serrated Exemplar Folder, 3.375-inch Hadron Automatic and 3.75-inch Karma Response Tool with glass breaker and strap cutter in addition to the partially serrated edge.

FIGHTLITE

For 2018, FightLite offers compact models of their SCR rifle and MCR belt-fed machine gun in both 5.56 NATO and 300 Blackout. The new Raider pistol is a compact pistol version of the SCR, while the MCR Micro has a shortened barrel. Aside from the shortened gas system and handguard, the Micro shares parts with the full-sized MCR. The company has also indicated that an MCR belt hold pawl is in prototype stages.

SCHMIDT & BENDER

Following up on the 1-8 x 24 CC scope, the 1-8 x 24 CC Dual model features an illuminated first focal plane reticle and a daylight-bright dot in the second focal plane. The version for use with Bundeswehr G28 Patrol rifles has a BDC elevation turret and extra 0.2 mil adjustments at either ends of the travel for CQB use. Customers can also opt for turrets with no over-travel and marked in mils only. The scope also features “more tactile clicks” where the “click” takes more effort every 1 mil and at zero windage for low light use.

The aforementioned diffractive grid technology replaces the split-beam prism for FlashDot illumination. The illumination passes through a grid and forms constructive and destructive interference patterns in order to achieve peak amplitude at the eye. This technology is currently featured in the 1-8 x 24 CC Dual, Polar Second Focal Plane reticles and LR reticles.
In the veins of incremental improvement, S&B now offers a magnification throw lever that is compatible with some current scopes and all new models. Future PM models and current 3-20 x 50 Ultra Short plus 5-25 x 56 High Power scopes feature a locking windage turret with a protruding nub to indicate dialing left. The nub is retracted when dialing right. Also on display is a 3-21 x 50 prototype for hunting and competition use with both First and Second Focal Plane options as well as locking turrets.

AIMPOINT

The recently released CompM5 continues to be in the spotlight. The sight has the same 2MOA dot and overall size of the Micro T-2 but utilizes an AAA battery mounted in the same fashion as the CompM4, as well as changing body material to 7075 aluminium. The original Micro T-1 was made of 6061 Aluminium with a 6-in-lb torque spec; the steel screw could strip the threads if misused. The Micro T-2 incorporated a steel Heli-Coil thread insert in the 6061 body to give roughly three repair attempts if the 12-in-lb torque specification were exceeded. The CompM5 changed materials to 7075 Aluminium to maintain the 12-in-lb specification without the need for a Heli-Coil. In addition to the new product, Aimpoint is releasing a limited-run of Micro T-2 sights in Flat Dark Earth.

VORTEX OPTICS

1-6 x 24 Razor Gen II-E reduced weight by about ¼ pound while maintaining the same durability and optical performance of its successful older brother. Different material and lightening cuts in the turret assembly gave the weight savings. Vortex is adding 4-24 x 50 and 3-18 x 44 variants to the Strike Eagle entry-level scope line-up. The new Crossfire Red Dot sight is very reasonably priced and includes a skeletonized mount with two height options. Lastly, Vortex is expanding their target observation portfolio with the Viper HD spotting scopes and Kaibab HD binoculars.

TRIJICON

Released earlier, company representatives indicated that the RMR Type 2 continues to be a strong seller. Optimizing for pistol use, Trijicon strengthened the electronics and battery contact in the Type 2 to sate the fast-growing demand of optics-equipped pistols. In addition, the new 4-16 x 50mm Accupoint bolstered the portfolio of tube scopes with dual fibre optic / tritium illumination.

SIG SAUER

The trend of releasing rifles in pistol form continues with the SIG MCX Rattler, which has a 16-inch overall length when folded and is available in both 5.56 NATO and 300 Blackout. The low profile design features a shaved shell deflector and the more vertically angled pistol grip. The two-position gas regulator can handle suppressor back pressure while the upper can be installed on a standard AR-15 lower with the assistance of a conversion kit.

SIG also debuted the P365 micro-compact pistol featuring a 10+1 capacity and standard night sights. The pistol ships with one flush and one extended magazine, along with modular grips. In addition, a commercial version of the M17 is anticipated for release in the second quarter of 2018.

PATRIOT ORDNANCE FACTORY

Following up the success of their Revolution rifles, POF is releasing the G series Gentlemen’s Slide for Glock 17, 19 and 34 with cutouts to fit the Trijicon RMR. A Glock 43 slide without RMR cutout is soon to be released. Made of 17-4 billet stainless steel and H900 heat treated, it is finished in nitride for protection and durability.

SPYDERCO

Spyderco debuted several new edged tools for 2018. The Warrior Hawk features a faceted front, a spike and a pry tip. It is made of D2 tool steel with a G10 handle. The US-made Shaman folder utilizes a thick CPM S30V blade with a plain or serrated edge option and secures with Spyderco’s patented Compression Lock. The 2.5-inch blade Lil’ Native, employing either a back or Compression Lock, was developed with urban-friendly carry in mind. Lastly, the Sliverax flipper folder has an S30V blade and a carbon fiber / G10 laminate handle.

COMBINED SYSTEMS

The less-lethal-focused company offers grenade launchers and four munitions: aerosol, chemical, impact and flashbang. While the company is best known for its flashbang, it also has the highest injury potential from overpressure and heat in close proximity. The company takes safety seriously and requires customer agencies to have staffs that were trained within the past four years before selling flashbangs. In 2018, Combined System is looking to expand their breeching portfolio, to potentially include 40mm in addition to current 12ga munitions.

KNS PRECISION

Adapting to the increasingly common use of suppressors and red dot sights on pistols, KNS partnered with Dead Air Armaments to develop the Switch Sight. When flipped down to standard height, it remains compatible with standard holsters while completely clearing red dot sight (e.g., Trijicon RMR) view windows. When rotated 90 degrees to increase height, it clears the top of most suppressors while acting as a backup-sight for red dots. This product is currently in prototype phase.

The adjustable AK piston system on display is already in production. Two versions (one or two vent holes) allow users to fine tune for 5.45 x 39mm or 7.62 x 39mm rifles with a rotating sleeve to control gas venting. It is noteworthy that the KNS piston does not require the difficult process of changing gas block. Company representatives indicated that the adjustable piston slows down the rate of fire to achieve better control and reduces “piston pop” to decrease noise by 5 to 8dB when used in conjunction with a suppressor.

TEAM WENDY

Team Wendy is debuting a lower profile EXFIL Ballistic SL helmet that is rated to NIJ Level IIIA. The helmet is lighter by 15% and sports a new rail mount with 1913 rails forward for light, camera, etc. The new EXFIL Ballistic Visor (featuring lens made by ESS, part of Oakley) and Ear Covers (compatible with in-ear communication and hearing protection) guard against fragments and are ready for sale along with the helmet in March.

OHIO ORDNANCE

New from Ohio Ordnance in 2018 is the M249 drop-in Select-Fire trigger group. It follows the same vane as their patented M240 Select-Fire trigger group while boasting multiple patents itself. Also new is the OOW240 Patrol that reduces weight from 28 pounds to under 21 pounds with lightened parts, dimpled short barrel and M4 collapsible buttstock. The bipod was moved from the gas block to an underside rail that can accommodate a foregrip and other equipment. Lastly, the HCAR is being made available as a pistol as well.

AERO PRECISION

Launched at the show is the new R1 Rail. The company representative also mentioned that a serviceable, 30-caliber suppressor to be fully made of titanium is in the prototype stage. While the direct thread version is anticipated first, the end goal is to develop a QD mount compatible with the VG6 line of muzzle brakes.

DANIEL DEFENSE

Adding upon the previously released MK18 pistol, the 10.3-inch barrelled DDM4V7 is now available in pistol form chambered in either 5.56 NATO or 300 Blackout. Equipped with the SB Tactical SOB brace, users can also choose to add a Law Tactical adaptor for a 20.75-inch folded length.

Building upon its Aimpoint Micro mount, Daniel Defense is introducing a 30mm single-ring mount for the likes of Aimpoint Comp M3 and PRO as well as a cantilever mount made from 6061 Aluminium for 30mm and 1-inch scopes. The bottom half of the ring is integral to the mount with torque specifications engraved to remind users.

LEUPOLD

Two Mark 5 HD scopes are new for 2018: 3.6-18 x 44mm and 5-25 x 56mm using 35mm tubes. The series feature a three-revolution elevation turret with 10 mils per revolution, along with physical indicators to prevent users from “being lost in the dial.” In the first revolution, the zero lock protrudes while the pin is flush. The second revolution retracts the zero lock while the pin is still flush. The third revolution keeps the zero lock retracted while protruding the pin. When running the elevation dial across the zero stop, the lock automatically secures the turret at “0.” An extra 1 mil adjustment is included below the zero stop to accommodate point-of-impact shift from suppressor or clip-on night vision. The throw lever gives quick and smooth zoom adjustments and is placed to avoid blocking the rifle bolt handle at maximum magnification.

The new VX Freedom series provide entry level 1-inch scopes, with the 2-7x and 3-9x models being rimfire-specific. Also of note is the new rubber armoured RX2800. The 2800-yard-capable range finder continuously ranges as long as the button is held down.

KINETICS RESEARCH GROUP

Against the backdrop of $1000USD precision rifle chassis, KRG is offering the $350, 2.9-pound Bravo Chassis for short- and long-action Remington 700 as well as Tikka T3. Although the price and specifications differ slightly amongst versions, all feature tool-less adjustable check piece and ship with three spacers for length of pull fitment. The bottom of the stock can be smooth or hooked (for rear bag) by undoing a screw to remove a cover. For bedding, the chassis utilizes an aluminium backbone that runs to the tip of the forend. For feeding, it utilizes the ubiquitous Accuracy International magazines. For now, the chassis is only available for right-handed rifles.

FN AMERICA

Newly available to US law enforcement and military, the SCAR SC is a select-fire 5.56 x 45mm subcompact carbine with non-reciprocating charging handle and telescoping buttstock. Sporting a 7.5-inch barrel, the overall length can be collapsed to 21.1 inches. In addition to the PDW type stock, other options available through FN Herstal for international customers include a helmet version meant to accommodate face shields as well as a standard SCAR stock. FN representative indicated there are no current plans for a commercial semi-auto version or additional stock options for the US market at this time.

On the commercial side, FN is offering an AR pistol version of their popular FN15 chambered in 5.56 x 45mm and 300 Blackout, with a brace available as an accessory for a one-stop-shop. The company is also offering California- and Maryland-compliant versions of the FN15. Lastly, there is a limited run of dual tone FDE & Black for pistols, FN15 Tactical II and M249S.

QUANTICO TACTICAL

The newly available Hunter Data Board builds on the Sniper Data Board (already in operational use) with the addition of a bubble level in the mounting arm. Attaching to the top Picatinny rail of a rifle, it reduces rifle cant and folds out to provide quick Data on Previous Engagement (DOPE) reference while maintaining cheek weld. The company representative described this product as “by snipers, for snipers;” inspiration stemmed from a target escaping while the sniper changed body position to reference his sleeve mounted DOPE card. With the Hunter/Sniper Data Board, the card is inserted into a water resistant holder which velcros to a 6061 Aluminium assembly. This US-made product provides a ready reference while increasing awareness. The Sniper Data Board can be retrofitted with the Hunter arm. The Hunter/Sniper Data Board will be available soon through Quantico Tactical’s extensive GSA Schedule.

GORILLA AMMO

The company offers ammunition with a polymer body and metallic case head to achieve 30% weight reduction in 5.56 x 45mm, 7.62 x 51mm and other popular calibers. The company representative related the enhanced accuracy and reduced chamber temperature. As the polymer case does not transfer as much heat to the chamber walls, the heat is expelled with the gases instead.

BERETTA

Beretta acquired Victrix Armaments and is now offering the 50BMG Corvus as a new addition to their precision rifle line. The rifles are made in-house in Italy with barrels sourced from Benchmark in the US and coated with PVD so as to not require oil. Although the rifles are fixed caliber (e.g., no swap kits to go from 7.62 x 51mm to 6.5 Creedmore), the Victrix line-up covers a variety of calibers such as short-action 7.62 x 51mm, long-action 338 Lapua Magnum, 408 Cheytac and the venerable 50BMG.

MEOPTA

The storied Czech optics manufacturer debuted a new line of tactical red dot and magnified sights. MeoRED T Mini has a more square shaped lens while the T2 Mini has a tube body similar to the Aimpoint T2. The T2 offers three reticles: single dot, two dots for hold-over and a circle-dot reticle. Scheduled for release in May, the MeoRED T is a tube type, full-size, red dot sight utilizing a AA battery for a minimum 2000hr run time at medium brightness. All red dot sights can be paired with the new MeoMag 3x Magnifier for versatility.

The MeoACE 3 x 20mm scope features an etched Ballistic Drop Compensating reticle culminating in a AA-illuminated chevron. The right half of the stadia is calibrated for 5.56 x 45mm and 180gr 7.62 x 51mm, while the left half is calibrated for 7.62 x 39mm.

KNIGHT’S ARMAMENT COMPANY

Two new QDC suppressors are offered: CS and PRS with the former designed for carbines and the latter for precision rifles. Both are designed to reduce back pressure and are expected to ship in the second quarter. A company representative remarked upon their effects in reducing group sizes.

Of interest to “clone” builders, KAC will offer “The Vault” line this year where a rotating selection of legacy accessories is reissued. Four free float RAS AR-15 handguards are slated for 2018: Carbine, Too Long, Mid-Length and MRE. One run is scheduled for the end of first quarter with another in the third quarter. Additionally, KAC is also reissuing the XM9 snap-on wipe based suppressor.

ANDERSON MANUFACTURING
AM-15 EXT 15in, 5.56 24in – SNIPER

With manufacturing all our parts here at Anderson Manufacturing we are able to offer you Affordable, American Made, Quality for Less! The AM-15 Sniper is a high quality rifle for a low cost. Just add an optic of your choice, and you are ready to take on range day! www.andersonmanufacturing.com

SPECIES: Semi-Automatic Precision Rifle
CALIBER(S): 5.56 NATO
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: (1) 30 round
OVERALL LENGTH, STANDARD MODEL: 24in Heavy barrel, straight fluted, forearm ext 15in
WEIGHT, STANDARD MODEL, EMPTY MAGAZINE, NO OPTIC OR BIPOD: N/A
ADDITIONAL SPECS/NOTES: Barrel is compatible with .223 Ammunition. Harris Bi-Pod Included
FEED SYSTEM: Gas
EFFECTIVE RANGE: N/A
MSRP: $2,442

LWRC INTERNATIONAL, LLC
REPR MKII 6.5 CREEDMOOR—ELITE PROOF BARREL MODEL

New LWRCI REPR MK II model chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. High performance features include short stroke gas piston with 20-position adjustable gas block, Monoforge upper receiver, full ambi lower receiver, Proof Research carbon fiber wrapped match grade barrel, Geissele SSA E 2 stage Precision Trigger, LWRCI Ultra Brake and more. Sub MOA accuracy capable. https://lwrci.com

SPECIES: Rapid Engagement Precision Rifle
CALIBER(S): 6.5 Creedmoor
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 20 round/10 round
OVERALL LENGTH, STANDARD MODEL: 43.5in
BARREL LENGTHS AVAILABLE: 22in Heavy barrel or proof research options
WEIGHT, STANDARD MODEL, EMPTY MAGAZINE, NO OPTIC OR BIPOD: 10.05lbs Proof research barrel, 11.80lbs Standard heavy barrel
FEED SYSTEM: Gas piston
EFFECTIVE RANGE: 1200yds
MSRP: $4,150—$4,303 Heavy barrel, $4,950—$5,303 Proof research barrel

HECKLER & KOCH
MR556A1 5.56mm Rifle

A direct descendant of the HK416 and M27 IAR, the MR556A1 is a 5.56mm semi-automatic rifle developed by Heckler & Koch with match rifle capability. The MR556A1 uses the HK proprietary gas piston operating system, employing a piston and a solid operating system. www.hk-usa.com

SPECIES: Semi-Auto Precision Rifle
CALIBER(S): 5.56mm
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 10-, 20-, 30-round
OVERALL LENGTH, STANDARD MODEL: 33.90–37.68in
BARREL LENGTHS AVAILABLE: 16.5in
WEIGHT, STANDARD MODEL, EMPTY MAGAZINE, NO OPTIC OR BIPOD: 9.10lbs
FEED SYSTEM: Gas piston
EFFECTIVE RANGE: N/A
MSRP: $3,399

CHRISTENSEN ARMS
Modern Precision Rifle

Developed with a proprietary chassis and weighing less than 7 pounds (16-inchin .308), the Modern Precision Rifle incorporates the very best of our 20 years of carbon fiber and custom firearms experience. Equipped with an aerograde carbon fiber barrel, comb and free-floating handguard, this rifle is built for your next adventure. www.christensenarms.com

SPECIES: Modern Precision Rifle
CALIBER (S): .308 Win, 6.5 Creedmoor
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 5-round
OVERALL LENGTH, STANDARD MODEL: 34.5in (26in with stock folded – 16in barrel)
BARREL LENGTHS AVAILABLE: 16in, 22in, 24in, 26in
WEIGHT, STANDARD MODEL, EMPTY MAGAZINE, NO OPTIC OR BIPOD: 6.9lbs
FEED SYSTEM: Bolt action
EFFECTIVE RANGE: N/A

VOERE PRÄZISIONSTECHNIK GmbH
X3

The VOERE X3 is a long-range precision rifle with switch barrel system available in five different calibers: 6.5 Creedmoor, 308 Win, 300 Win Mag, 338 Lapua Mag, 408 CheyTac. The features are as follows: stainless steel fluted Lothar Walther barrel, 5-, 6- or 10-round magazine capacity depending on caliber, adjustable two-stage trigger, adjustable straight standard or folding stock with adjustable cheek piece, 3-position firing pin safety, three locking lugs and optional accessories available. www.voere.at/en/

SPECIES: Precision Rifle
CALIBER(S): 6.5 Creedmoor, 308 Win, 300 Win Mag, 338 Lapua Mag, 408 CheyTac
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 5-, 6- and 10-round, depending on caliber
OVERALL LENGTH, STANDARD MODEL: 122cm / 99cm folded
BARREL LENGTHS AVAILABLE: 26in / 27in / 28in depending on caliber
WEIGHT, STANDARD MODEL, EMPTY MAGAZINE, NO OPTIC OR BIPOD: 6.9kg
FEED SYSTEM: Push feed from detachable magazine
EFFECTIVE RANGE: 1800m in 408CheyTac
MSRP: $1,306–$9,493 depending on caliber

HECKLER & KOCH
MR762A1 7.62mm Rifle

Like its 5.56mm counterpart, the MR762A1 is a direct descendant of the HK416 / 417 series, only in a semi-automatic rifle configuration. Using the HK proprietary operating system, the MR762A1 is gas-operated and uses a piston and a solid operating system. www.hk-usa.com

SPECIES: Semi-AutoPrecision Rifle
CALIBER(S): 7.62mm
MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 10- to 20-round
OVERALL LENGTH, STANDARD MODEL: 35.94in-39.10in
BARREL LENGTHS AVAILABLE: 16.50in
WEIGHT, STANDARD MODEL, EMPTY MAGAZINE, NO OPTIC OR BIPOD: 9.84lbs
FEED SYSTEM: Gas piston
EFFECTIVE RANGE: N/A
MSRP: $3,999

The new Heckler & Koch VP9 pistol. (Heckler & Koch)

By Christopher R. Bartocci

Heckler & Koch has been on the forefront of firearms development throughout their history. This includes not only rifles but handguns as well. When most think of striker fired pistols with polymer frames they think of Glock pistols. There is no doubt that Glock has been the company who brought this system mainstream and has gone on to be the most popular handgun in the world for military, law enforcement and commercial use. However, there is some additional history that most are unfamiliar with and a firearm that not too many know about. The first polymer frame pistol was not manufactured by Glock; in fact Heckler & Koch predates Glock by about 12 years. Additionally, that same pistol was a striker fired pistol so you could say there was a pistol created in 1970 that had pioneered two of the major features that make Glock successful. That pistol was the Heckler & Koch VP70. The pistol was designed by Helmut Weldle and company co-founder Ales Seidel. Development of the pistol commenced in the late 1960s and was released for production in 1970.

VP is an abbreviation for Volkspistole or Peoples Pistol and the 70 denotes the year the pistol went into production. H&K offered two models: the VP70M, the M means Militar (Military) and the VP70Z, the Z means Zivil (Civilian). The main difference is the military version accepted a stock that doubles as a holster and a stock assembly. The other thing that this stock incorporates is the mechanism permitting the VP70M to fire a 3 round burst at a blistering 2,200 rounds per minute. The change lever is mounted in the stock. The lever is operated through a toggle lever mounted on top of the stock. The VP70Z will not permit the installation of the stock.

The VP70 pistol has an overall weight of 34.5 oz and an overall length of 8.6 inches. The VP70M has an overall length with the stock attached of 21.5 inches. The barrel is 4.6 inches and the overall height of the pistol is 5.6 inches. The pistol is chambered in the 9x19mm NATO cartridge. However, a small lot was manufactured in 9x21mm IMI for the Italian market where the military 9x19mm caliber is restricted from private ownership or any other military standard cartridge.

The frame is made from a polymer. It is fairly smooth and by today’s standards you would have put a rubber slip-over grip or some grip tape on it. This was a radical departure from the norm of the day when all military pistols were manufactured from steel frames. In fact it is safe to say that parallels can be drawn from the introduction of this pistol to the introduction of the AR-15. At the time the AR-15 was introduced, these aircraft age light weight alloys and polymers were too new and seen by many at the time as being flimsy and cheap compared to the wood and steel guns of the time. The VP70 was right there with the AR-15 in this space age look and synthetic materials. There is a manual safety on the pistol, a cross bolt safety located in the same location as a magazine release would normally be found.

The VP70 was also a striker fired pistol. The firing pin was drawn straight back and released. The pistol fired from a direct blowback operation; in other words there was no mechanical locking mechanism. By today’s standards, a 9x19mm caliber pistol has too much power behind it to work in this fashion. Some form of locking system would be used such as a Browning-type locking system. Direct blowback is commonly used on lower pressure cartridges such as the .22 Long Rifle, .32 Auto, .25 Auto and .380 Automatic. In order to delay opening of the slide too soon on a blowback pistol with a 9x19mm cartridge, the slide must be quite heavy leading to a larger and heavier pistol. Also, by bypassing a locking system, this enables the much higher 2,200 rounds per minute cycle rate as compared to a Glock 18 at 1,200 rounds per minute. The firing pin is made up of a firing pin with a spring located on front of the firing pin to work as an anti-slamfire mechanism. It basically prevents the firing pin from setting off the primer by the force/inertia of the forward movement of the slide during firing. Inside the rear of the firing pin is a firing pin spring guide rod, bushing and firing pin spring.

Perhaps the most direct cause of the pistol’s failure in the market was the double action only trigger pull. The trigger pull was outrageous: reported between 18 and 20 pounds. The trigger pulls straight back into the frame unlike the camming action of pistols such as Glock and HiPoint (low quality striker fired 9mm firing from direct blowback). To be honest, the trigger feels like that of a staple gun. This extremely heavy trigger made it very difficult to shoot accurately, especially under stress. This author can imagine that this was designed to mimic a revolver trigger. There has been an aftermarket spring made to reduce the trigger pull but unfortunately too little, too late. The Colt All American 2000 suffered a similar fate due to the outrageous trigger pull.

The barrel is fixed into the frame. The recoil spring slides over the barrel similar to that of a Walther PPK. The pistol’s barrel has several departures from the traditional H&K pistol barrels. The rifling is conventional land and grooves. The lands, however, are much deeper than normal. In fact, as the projectile passes down the bore, the bullet never catches on the grooves. Hot gas/pressure passes between the gap in the groove. This lowers the overall pressure inside the barrel permitting a lighter slide to be used with the direct blowback design. When examining a projectile fired from the VP70, you can visually see the scorching on the bullet between the land impressions.

The magazine looks like a cut down Uzi magazine. Cartridges are fed from both right and left side rather than one through the top like a Glock magazine. The magazine held 18 rounds of 9x19mm ammunition.

Although revolutionary in many ways, the VP70 was a failure. Some may say it was due to the unconventional new use of the polymer frame and others will say it was due to the extremely heavy trigger pull. The pistol went in to production in 1970 and was discontinued in 1989. Nearly 12 years after HK’s idea of a polymer frame, it would resurface and be perfected by Glock as well as a refined trigger mechanism. What is that saying: What is old is new?

The New VP9

In June of 2014, Heckler & Koch introduced their first striker fired pistol since the VP70, the VP9. The first model is in 9x19mm with more calibers surely to come. According to H&K, they wanted to develop a new family of pistols that would compete with Glock and also be at a lower price point to make the gun more affordable in the U.S. market with a retail price of $719. This is not a new concept for H&K. They brought out the USP-series of pistols in 1994 under the same pretense as providing an affordable pistol to the U.S. market. Those pistols as well had a similar MSRP but two decades later the pistols now sell for more than $1,000. So the initial price of the VP9 will be $719 but we will wait a few years and see if the price is stable or it creeps up the same way as the USP-family of pistols did.

The VP9 takes a couple of features from other H&K pistols bringing them into one. The striker mechanism was taken from the VP70/P7. They took the frame of the P30 and added several new features to the VP9. Unlike the VP70, the VP9 does not fire from the direct blowback method of operation; it uses the Browning type, modified linkless locking recoil-operated system.

The 9x19mm caliber VP9 weighs in at 26.56 ounces. The empty magazine weighs 3.28 ounces. The length of the pistol is 7.34 inches with the barrel length being 4.09 inches. The sight radius is 6.38 inches with a height of 5.41 inches. The width of the grip will vary depending on which grip inserts are used. The steel magazine holds 15 rounds of 9x19mm NATO ammunition.

As previously stated, Heckler & Koch pioneered the polymer frame pistol with the VP70 in 1970 and then in 1993 they introduced their USP pistol, which was their second polymer frame pistol. The product line has expanded from the USP to the P30 series. The VP 9 frame is very similar in appearance to that of the P30. The replaceable back strap and side panels allow the pistol to be custom fit to any person’s hand. The texture of the grip is excellent and the ergonomic profile is very comfortable. Like all good military grade pistols, there is a lanyard loop. There is a higher grip saddle that translates into lower effective bore axis. This aids in faster target acquisition, less felt recoil and faster follow up shots. There is an ambidextrous slide release and with no manual safety: this makes a truly ambidextrous pistol. On the left side of the frame is the disassembly lever. The slide is retracted fully to the rear and locked open. The lever is turned 30°, the slide is pulled back enough to disengage the slide release and the slide is slid off of the front of the frame. On the front of the frame is an extended Mil-Std 1913 rail rated to handle tactical flash lights, laser sights and other accessories weighing up to 5.6 oz with no impact on performance. The first accessory rail introduced by H&K on the USP pistol was a proprietary rail not compatible with any other known rails. It was not until the HK P30 series that H&K replaced their proprietary rail with the Mil-Std 1913 rail.

The barrel is manufactured from cannon grade steel like all other H&K barrels. The cold hammer forged barrel is rifled with polygonal bore rifling which has become a trademark of Heckler & Koch. Unlike conventional button or broach cut rifling, there are no sharp lands and grooves. The smooth edges on the polygonal rifling do not wear like standard barrels. With the polygonal rifling, the bore is slightly tighter providing a better bullet-to-bore seal, increasing velocity. Additionally, due to no sharp edges, there is no copper being cut so the barrel is much cleaner as well. The polygonal rifling ensures a long service life. Similar H&K P30 barrels have been subjected to endurance tests of more than 90,000 rounds in 2010 and still shoot within specifications. Like any other polygonal-type rifling, the shooter cannot use lead/hard cast ammunition. The VP9 does not use the chamber fluting found in the MP5 and the P7 series of pistols.

The pistol is provided with a captive recoil spring that is easily removed and installed. The recoil spring is a flat spring offering the longest lasting recoil spring-type in the industry.

The slide has numerous features that you would come to expect from H&K. The slide is machined from a single piece of premium grade steel and finished with a high strength carbon-nitride corrosion resistant finish. There are serrations on the front of the slide, both sides that act as a gripping surface for actuation of the slide. There are also rear slide serrations. Added to the rear of the slide are patented charging supports. These extend slightly out both sides of the rear of the slide making for easier grasping of the slide in order to retract it. The rear sight is a low snag rear sight that is drift adjustable for windage. The front sight is low profile as well. Coming from the factory, the test and evaluation pistol came with non-radioactive luminescent three dot sights for quicker target acquisition. You may hit the front and rear sights with a flashlight and they will glow for some time. The factory does also offer tritium sights as well. The extractor also functions as a loaded chamber indicator. When loaded, the extractor protrudes outward where the top of the extractor is painted red. If no light is available, the shooter may feel with their right trigger finger the extractor protruding from the side of the frame.

The VP9 uses a striker fired mechanism. This too premiered to the industry in the VP70. But also in the interim was use with the famous H&K P7 series pistol. The P7 went into production in 1976. The trigger mechanism was quite different from the VP70. The P7 was a “squeeze cock” pistol. When the pistol was carried, the striker was not in a cocked position. When the pistol was held, a cocking mechanism or squeeze cock grip located on the frontstrap of the pistol was squeezed into the frame. This retracted the striker to the cocked position. If the cocking mechanism was released, the pistol would decock safely. If the trigger was pulled the pistol would fire. When cocked, the striker would protrude from the rear of the pistol indicating it is cocked. When the cocking mechanism is released, the striker would move inside of the slide indicating the striker was no longer cocked. The similarities between the P7 and the VP9 stop in the fact they both are striker fired with a cocked indicator. The firing operating system is also different from the P7, unlike the blowback operated VP70 and the recoil operated linkless mechanism of the VP9: the P7 is uniquely gas operated – one of the few pistols in the world that are. The VP9 also has a passive firing pin block mechanism. The firing pin block halts the ability of the striker to be able to connect with the primer unless the trigger is pulled all the way to the rear. This is probably the most significant safety enhancement over the VP70. This prevents accidental or unintentional discharge from the pistol being dropped on its muzzle or back of the slide. This was a problem with M1911-type military pistols. If dropped from a minimum of 5 feet on the muzzle, the inertia from the firing pin was enough to set off the primer.

Perhaps the finest selling point of the VP9 is the trigger pull. The trigger does have the trigger safety latch similar to that of the Glock that prevents any rearward trigger movement unless the latch is pulled to the rear to unlock the rearward movement of the trigger. Unlike other striker fired pistols, the VP9 trigger has a shorter, light take up with more of a single action quality with a short positive reset. Most striker fired pistols give a more double action only feel to them. This is not really the case at all with the VP9. The trigger pull on this test and evaluation pistol broke at 5 1/4 pounds. The trigger has consistent pretravel and breaks consistently.

The magazines are similar to the ones found in some of the USP pistols and P30 family of weapons – manufactured from steel with a corrosive resistant finish. For law enforcement, military and those who maintain residence in unrestricted states, the VP9 has a capacity of 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition. For those in states that restrict magazine capacities, magazines are offered in a 10-round capacity. The magazines drop free from the pistol when the magazine release is depressed.

The pistol is covered by the standard Heckler & Koch limited lifetime warranty. This pistol is supposed to be cost effective with long term durability with its cost effectiveness noted when subjected to a total life cycle cost analysis.

The test and evaluation pistol was modified with the large front and back strap to cover the large size hands of the author. The pistol felt rather comfortable. The charging supports did make a difference in the ease of manipulating the slide. There is no doubt that with gloves or in any harsh conditions the slide would be easily manipulated. The slide serrations are easily manipulated with gloves or wet, muddy hands. The ability to tell from the striker hole in the frame if the pistol was in fact cocked was a positive feature. If you are to see red in the hole, you know you have a cocked pistol. The loaded chamber indicator was an excellent addition as well. Being used to Beretta and Glock pistols, it was nice to see this important feature added.

The trigger pull was excellent. It was noticeably shorter and smoother than any of the striker pistols out there. Not saying it was better compared to any particular striker fired pistol but it was different. Any pistol when shot enough, the user will become used to it and learn to manipulate it effectively and accurately. The VP9 certainly had high marks in this area. The short travel made rapid follow-up shots easy and effective.

For reliability the pistol was fired with 500 rounds of Pierce Ammunition 124gr Ball 9x19mm NATO caliber ammunition. There were no misfires or malfunctions. Pierce is a Buffalo-based New York company who has gained reputation for high quality ammunition. Pierce Ammunition is a full service loading facility with ballistic labs for cartridge development. They manufacture a wide variety of calibers as well as numerous loads per caliber. Additionally, several other types of high performance ammunition were tested for reliability. These included Hornady Critical Duty ammunition, Federal Hydra Shok and HST, CCI Gold Dot, Remington Golden Saber as well as Black Hills Ammunition 115gr Barnes TAC-XP in +P configuration. The pistol ran flawlessly regardless as to what ammunition was fed to it. Several types of +P and even some +P+ Winchester Ranger ammunition were also tested. Due to the strength of the polymer frame, higher pressure ammunition did not affect the durability or reliability of the pistol. With a combat pistol, whether it is law enforcement, military or self defense, the pistol must be able to fire anything it is given. The VP9 demonstrated reliability with a wide variety of popular military, law enforcement as well as commercial loads available in the market place today.

Accuracy was more than acceptable. The pistol was primarily fired at 15 yards off hand. Groups were consistently 2 inches. The trigger was exceptional for a striker fired pistol. This aided for sure with accuracy but also with rapid fire. The loaded chamber indicator was easy to use and functioned as advertised. The pistol did not have a magazine disconnect so this worked to its advantage as a combat pistol. Magazine changes were quick. The ambidextrous magazine is actuated and the magazine drops free from the pistol. The cocked indicator at the rear of the slide was certainly an interesting feature. However it was not found to be very useful due to the fact you are concentrating on the sights. When the trigger was pulled you could feel the striker being compressed, which basically gives you the same assurance. The serrations on the slide were very useful under adverse conditions and enabled the user multiple options to actuate the slide. The charging supports were a very nice addition as well.

Perhaps the most appreciated feature of this pistol was the replaceable back strap and side panels. Due to the Sasquatch size hands of this author, many pistols have a fairly small feeling. Having the ability to custom fit the pistol to the shooter’s hands is really a large benefit. The grip angle was comfortable and the distance the slide was from the “beaver tail” of the frame was also perfect. There was no way for the slide to catch the web of the hand of a shooter with large hands.

Will the HK VP9 make for some competition in the American LE market? Well, that is the real question. It appears to be a trend that H&K will bring out a new pistol for the American market (USP) with a emphasis on competitive pricing. The first year or so the processes are in fact competitive but then they begin to creep their way back up making their weapons cost prohibitive for most law enforcement agencies. In 1993, this author bought a brand new USP9 Variant 1 for $609.99 and today this exact same firearm sells for between $800 and $900 for a new USP9. Used ones can be had for the price of the pistol purchased in 1993/1994. Looking at some of the unique features, this pistol is certainly a contender for American LE market. There will be no real interest until the pistol is offered in .40 caliber, then we shall see. There is also a very large trend throughout law enforcement to go back to the old .45 Auto caliber cartridge.

The commercial market will greet the VP9 with open arms. As of this time, this is the most affordable pistol in the H&K line up. There are many shooters out there who really would like to own a H&K pistol but it is way out of their budget. Like with the law enforcement market, I expect the 9x19mm variation to have limited interest but the .40 whenever it comes will be the top seller followed by the .45 Auto variation when it comes available. This author is sure that eventually the market will see many additions to this family of weapons including compact versions. The VP family of pistols will become competition for the Glock series and Smith & Wesson M&P series pistols. Only time will tell if the new H&K pistol will defeat that proven family of weapons.

By Al Paulson

Heckler & Koch decided to develop a pistol suitable for international competition in the realms of IPSC (International Practical Shooting Competition) and other so-called “practical” competitions. Developed with the help of several internationally successful competitors, HK’s first foray into this field produced a pistol called the USP Expert, which was introduced in 1998. The new pistol delivered superior accuracy by combining the best features of the USP Match, USP45 Tactical, and the Mark 23 in chamberings that included 9x19mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. HK subsequently stretched the 9x19mm and .45 ACP variants of the Expert to create the USP Elite, which features a 6-inch barrel. Both the Expert and Elite accept high capacity magazines (18 rounds in 9mm). The slide is contoured in a distinctive fashion forward of the frame to reduce weight and improve balance. Thanks to the U.S. ban on large-capacity magazines, and the fact that these guns are optimized for high-cap magazines, the Expert and Elite are not imported through normal channels. They do sometimes trickle in as GI bring-backs, however, as we shall see. I was very pleased to have the opportunity to borrow both 9x19mm Expert and Elite pistols for a hands-on evaluation.

The general design characteristics and accuracy of the 9x19mm Expert and Elite pistols are compared in Table 1.

HK Expert Pistol

The USP Expert has been performing very well indeed among European IPSC shooters, thanks in large part to its inherent accuracy and large-capacity magazines. The USP Expert features hexagonal polygonal rifling with a right hand twist rate of one turn in 250 mm. Polygonal rifling provides a better gas seal than conventional land-and-groove cut rifling, less barrel fouling, and longer barrel life. The Expert employs the now recognized and accepted O-ring bushing system. The barrel on the USP Elite features the Mark 23’s type of elastomer O-ring just behind the muzzle. The O-ring provides an interface between the barrel and slide that significantly improves the weapon’s accuracy. While this might seem like a weak link in the system, the O-ring has a demonstrated lifespan in excess of 20,000 rounds. Simply oil the O-ring after cleaning the weapon and replace if necessary. The pistol will function normally without the O-ring in a life and death emergency, but shooting it without an O-ring will eventually damage the barrel/slide interface. Specifically when shooting without an O-ring, the groove in the barrel will hammer at the slide’s muzzle opening, so extended shooting without the O-ring will permanently damage the slide.

The 9x19mm Expert accepts 18-round magazines, while the .40 S&W variant takes 16-round magazines, and the .45 ACP Expert takes 12-round magazines. The speed of magazine changes is enhanced by a beveled, extended magazine-well that HK Oberndorf calls a Magazintrichter in German. That literally means “magazine funnel”, but HK Oberndorf officially calls the mag well a “Jet Funnel” in English. The Jet Funnel can be removed, so residents of the United States can use restricted capacity 10-round magazines. I have no doubt that reducing U.S. competitiveness in international IPSC competition by limiting magazine capacity makes all our American children quite safe from latent psychopaths and terrorist sleepers. I’m also sure this legislation makes congressfolk sleep more soundly at night. My fellow Americans: let the joy of your sacrifice gladden your hearts as you abstain from the Elite’s wonderfully evil and efficient 18-round magazines in favor of the righteous and legally mandated 10-rounders that force you to plummet from First Place to 300th when competing overseas. All American practical pistol shooters must make this one small sacrifice. For the children.

Presentation of the HK Elite from the holster is facilitated by the fact that the rear of the slide has been milled down to lower the profile of the large, adjustable match rear sight. The rear sight features micrometer adjustments for windage and elevation. Balance is facilitated by the long slide, which also gives a long sight radius of 7.5 inches. Accuracy is not only enhanced by the aforementioned O-ring in the barrel, but also by a match grade single-action/double-action trigger. An ambidextrous safety enhances safety and performance in events where the shooter must engage targets with the weak hand. An extended slide release lever and an ambidextrous magazine release facilitate rapid magazine changes. Other nifty features include an extractor that also functions as a loaded-chamber indicator, HK’s patented recoil-reduction system that is standard in full-sized USP variants, and an adjustable trigger stop.

The trigger stop limits trigger travel after the sear releases the trigger. This enhances practical accuracy. Adjustments can be made with a 1.5 mm socket wrench that is supplied with the pistol. Turning the setscrew in the trigger clockwise will reduce overtravel, but care must be taken to ensure that the screw is not adjusted so far that the trigger stop prevents the trigger from functioning in both single action and double action modes.

The incorporation of the USP’s recoil-reduction system should come as no surprise because the Expert is very similar to the USP9 (which was introduced in September 1993). Both are chambered for the 9x19mm cartridge. While these pistols feature a polymer frames and hammer-forged barrels, they are basically pistols of traditional design adapted to modern materials and manufacturing processes. They operate by a using a modified Browning short-recoil, locked-breech system that is a well-established linkless design. The dropping barrel locking system is similar to the design of the Ruger P90 and SIG-Sauer P266, among others. In the locked position, a large block above the barrel’s chamber engages the ejection port in the slide. The P35, on the other hand, uses Browning’s locking grooves milled into the barrel and slide to lock the breach during the high-pressure phase of the action cycle.

Upon ignition, combustion gases simultaneously push the bullet down the barrel and the empty case backward against the breech face. I realize that’s a penetrating glimpse into the obvious, but we do need to begin at the beginning. This rearward force pushes the slide and barrel backward for about 3 mm (0.1 inch) until a lug underneath the chamber engages a hooked locking surface at the rear of the guide rod, which is a part of what H&K calls the recoil/buffer spring assembly. As these angled surfaces fully engage, the rear of the barrel is pulled downward, which causes the locking block above the chamber to disengage from the ejection port. The slide then continues its rearward movement to complete the extraction, ejection and reloading sequence.

The innovative recoil/buffer spring assembly is a particularly interesting aspect of the engineering found in the Elite, Expert and other USP variants. It actually works coming and going. The robust guide rod has two captive springs: a full-length recoil spring and a short, smaller diameter buffer spring just in front of the hooked locking lug at the rear of the guide rod assembly. The latter spring buffers the barrel as it unlocks from the slide. This can reduce measured recoil by as much as 30% with +P ammunition, although the relatively high axis of the barrel in USP variants tends to exaggerate felt recoil.

Other similarities between the Elite and USP9 with the Browning’s 9mm Hi-Power and his older .45 ACP M1911A1 include a grip angle identical to the M1911A1, and the placement of the slide release, magazine release, and control lever in the same relative place as each of these older pistols. On Browning pistols, this control lever functions as a safety: UP for SAFE and DOWN for fire.

The control levers on most USPs work in a similar fashion, although there are ten basic variations on that theme. Table 2 lists nine of the ten variants based upon published HK data and my own guess as to the tenth. The precise control lever function employed for so-called Variant 8 is not listed in official HK literature I’ve seen.

Note from Table 2 that Variant 1’s trigger and safety system features a SA/DA trigger with a safety lever on the left side of the grip. The control lever has both a safety and decocking function. Safety markings are on the control lever, and a white index mark on the frame points to which feature is engaged. Pushing the lever fully upward engages the safety and index mark points to a white S for SAFE. The slide can still be manipulated (a round can be loaded) with the weapon set on SAFE. Push the lever down and the index mark points to a red F for FIRE. To decock, simply push the lever below the F position to drop the hammer. Both the Expert and the Elite are supplied overseas with spare “detent” plates that allow the user to convert the safety lever to DECOCKING operation only with no safety engagement.

The Expert and Elite incorporate several additional safeties. The hammer system features a lever that rotates upward when the trigger is pressed; this action depresses the spring-loaded firing spring safety and allows the striker to move forward. The pistol also incorporates a passive disconnector safety.

The USP Expert also differs from its Browning heritage because the Expert’s magazine release differs from Browning designs in that it does not take the form of a push button, but rather a small lever that is pushed down to release the drop-free magazine. For most shooters, this represents better human engineering than Browning’s button on the M1911A1 and P35, especially when the operator has gloved hands. I have small hands and must shift the grip of the firing hand in order to manipulate the magazine release with the thumb. Most operators with small hands manipulate the release with their trigger finger, which does not require shifting the hand on the grip and has the additional benefit of ensuring that the finger is off the trigger and outside the trigger guard during the magazine change.

The injection-molded polyamide frames of HK’s Expert and Elite pistols are reinforced with microscopic glass fibers that constitute 15% of the frame’s material. This polymer has a better tensile strength than aluminum and it’s lighter than steel. Polyamide also resists chemicals, high temperatures, and corrosion. Four short steel rails (two on each side) are molded into the polymer frame to guide the slide much like a Glock pistol.

A key feature of both the Expert and Elite frames is the modular, oversized beveled magazine well that facilitates magazine rapid magazine insertion under stress. Unfortunately, honest citizens of the United States cannot use the wonderful 18-round magazines intended for HK’s 9mm Expert and Elite pistols thanks to mindless, feel-good provisions of the infamous Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Public Law No. 103-322, 108 Stat. 1796), which banned the manufacture of magazines with a capacity greater than ten rounds for private ownership. While the presence of the Jet Funnel prevents the use of HK’s 10-round magazines, HK Oberndorf was thinking ahead and made the extended magazine-well modular and easily removable, so that 10-round magazines could be used in the Expert and Elite in the States.

In terms of handling characteristics, the 9x19mm USP Expert balanced extremely well and the long slide made the Expert a remarkably stable platform. Between the match-grade trigger and its trigger stop, shooting this handgun provides more of a religious experience than a shooting experience compared to other premium out-of-the-box 9x19mm pistols such as HK USPs, the Beretta M9/92F series, and the Walther P99. The Expert’s polymer frame, long and heavy slide, and the recoil reduction system—plus the small 9x19mm cartridge—make recoil a nonissue.

Since the Germans commonly use 123-grain FMJ ammunition for accuracy testing, this study used Hornady’s outstanding 124-grain JHP/XTP ammunition. Shooting the user-friendly Expert in double-action/single-action mode at 25 yards, the pistol delivered five-round groups averaging 1.5 inches. Other premium 9mm out-of-the-box pistols I’ve tested over the years generally delivered 2-3 inch groups at that distance. In terms of confidence-inspiring balance and other handling characteristics, match trigger, and outstanding accuracy, shooting HK’s 9x19mm USP Expert will raise the bar considerably for the serious practical shooter. HK’s USP Expert is the penultimate out-of-the-box 9mm target pistol in my experience.

HK Elite Pistol

Heckler & Koch did not rest on its laurels after creating the impressive USP Expert target pistol, but rather forged ahead to create the even better USP Elite pistol by stretching the Expert’s 5.2 inch barrel to 6.0 inches, which required designing a sleek new target slide. The Elite’s slide is hand-fitted to the frame to achieve maximum accuracy. Available thus far in 9x19mm and .45 ACP, the USP Elite pistol is designed to take 18-round 9mm magazines and 12-round .45 mags. Like the Expert, the Elite features a match trigger with trigger stop, and target sights with fully adjustable rear sight. The barrel employs the same elastomer O-ring as the Expert, located just behind the muzzle as an interface between the barrel and slide that significantly improves the weapon’s accuracy. Trigger and control lever functions are the same as the Expert, as is the recoil reduction system. A modular Jet Funnel speeds magazine changes, and the extended magazine-well can be easily removed to use 10-round magazines.

In terms of handling characteristics, while the Elite is 3 ounces heavier than the Expert, it balances better in my hands. That is a considerable achievement, because the Expert’s balance is wonderful. The longer sight radius of the Elite will be an advantage for young eyes and a disadvantage for tired old eyes, with one curious caveat. The longer sight radius of the Elite combined with my progressive multifocals allow me to maintain a more natural and comfortable head angle when shooting the Elite, compared to the Expert.

In terms of performance, shooting the Elite in double-action/single-action mode at 25 yards, the pistol delivered five-round groups averaging an impressive 1.3 inches with my Hornady’s outstanding 124-grain hollow point ammunition.

There is such a thing as love at first sight. A vision of graceful lines, proportion and manner that stir the soul, form a wistful smile on the face, and conjure a silent note of gratitude to the gods. Besides the all-important smile that melts your heart, there are the artistic yet functional creations of the human spirit that appear so beautiful on so many levels that you know deep in your bones that this creation approaches perfection. Somehow, when an old salt sees a truly beautiful sailboat, the seafarer knows that sailboat will function as good as it looks. When a pilot sees a beautiful sailplane, the aviator knows that aircraft will soar circles above and beyond the norm. To the seasoned mind, beauty becomes the sum of a lifetime of experience, a complex equation factoring in many variables related to projected performance in a host of real-world situations—as well as simple aesthetics. As one first handles the USP Elite, this pistol designed for practical pistol competition appears to have the graceful lines, proportion and manner comparable to the finest sailboat or sailplane. It is an artistic achievement of consequence that holds the promise of great practical performance in the real world. In terms of real-world performance, HK’s USP Elite delivers on that promise. It is the ultimate out-of-the-box 9mm target pistol in my experience.

Advanced collectors who would like to own an HK Expert or Elite pistol should contact Capital City Firearms. From time to time, they purchase NIB GI bring-backs of these pistols and offer them for sale. For outstanding holsters, cases, and web gear in use by many elite military and government organizations, contact the London Bridge Trading Company, Inc.

Capital City Firearms
Dept. SAR
P.O. Box 29009
Richmond, VA 29009
Phone 804-740-4926
Fax 804-740-9599
Website www.ccfa.com

Hornady
Dept. SAR
P.O. Box1848
Grand Island, NE 68802
Phone 800-338-3220
Fax 308-382-5761
Website www.hornady.com

London Bridge Trading Company, Ltd.
Dept. SAR
3509 Virginia Beach Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Phone 757-498-0207
Fax 757-498-0059
Website www.londonbridgetrading.com