H&K's all-polymer pistol of Resident Evil fame, with firearm and weapons expert Jonathan Ferguson

Published on April 27, 2022
Duration: 16:38

Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearms & Artillery at the Royal Armouries, details the H&K VP70, the first production polymer-framed pistol. He covers its history, design innovations like the 'shadow' front sight, and the unique burst-fire capability via its detachable holster-stock, noting its pop culture fame outweighs its real-world adoption.

Quick Summary

The H&K VP70 holds historical significance as the first production pistol with a polymer frame, predating the Glock 17 by 12 years. The VP70M variant, when fitted with its unique holster-stock, offers a 3-round burst fire mode with a cyclic rate over 2,000 RPM, though accuracy in this mode is limited by vertical shot dispersion.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Pop Culture Fame
  2. 00:43History and Naming: Volkspistole 70
  3. 02:13Design Innovation: First Polymer Frame
  4. 02:51Variants: VP70Z vs VP70M
  5. 05:37Stock and Holster Functionality
  6. 10:31Unique Sight System
  7. 12:14Shooting Performance: Burst Fire Accuracy

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the H&K VP70 historically significant?

The H&K VP70 is historically significant as the world's first production pistol featuring a polymer frame, a groundbreaking innovation that predated the widely known Glock 17 by twelve years. It also introduced a unique burst-fire capability via an optional stock.

What is the difference between the VP70Z and VP70M?

The VP70Z (Zivil/Civilian) is a semi-automatic pistol only and lacks the necessary attachments for the burst-fire stock. The VP70M (Militär/Military) variant is equipped to accept the stock, enabling its 3-round burst fire mode.

How does the VP70's burst fire mode perform?

When the VP70M is equipped with its stock and set to 3-round burst, it can achieve a cyclic rate exceeding 2,000 rounds per minute. However, testing shows significant vertical shot dispersion, limiting its practical accuracy at longer ranges.

What is the unique sight system on the H&K VP70?

The VP70 features a 'shadow' front sight. At a standard handgun distance, it functions normally. When the pistol is shouldered with the stock attached, the front sight post widens to fill the rear notch, providing a sight picture optimized for a braced position.

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