Monday, August 21, 2006

HECKLER & KOCH USP COMPACT


H&K pistol based on the full-size USP models, these handy pistols combine compact size with optimum effective shooting performance. USP Compacts are smaller and lighter than large frame USPs. The reduction in trigger reach and grip circumference increases concealability and enhances shooting ergonomics. Unlike some subcompact semiautomatic pistols that use a difficult to shoot “ two-finger grip” frame, the USP Compact uses a narrow, full-hand grip frame with a choice of interchangeable extended or flush-fitting magazine floorplates. This makes the pistol easy to shoot without sacrificing concealability.

Thanks to the use of an improved Browning locking system with a patented buffer system, the USP recoil behaviour is unobtrusive even during the use of the highest powered ammunition. The buffer system reduces recoil forces and increases both service life of the pistol as well as improves recoil behaviour.

To reduce the length of the slide and barrel on the USP Compact, the mechanical recoil reduction system found on large frame USPs has been replaced by a specially designed flat compression spring contained in the captive recoil spring assembly by a polymer absorber bushing. Service life is still engineered to exceed 20,000 rounds.

Specifications: Calibre: .45 Auto
Magazine capacity, rounds: 12

Barrel length: 112mm

Overall dimensions: 200x141x38mm

Weight, unloaded: 0,89 kg (with empty magazine)
Trigger mechanism: SA/DA

Other calibre: 9x19mm, .40S&W


Source: Heckler & Koch

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Walther P99


Pistol was presented in 1996. The main target was to develop new, modern style police and self-defence handgun that incorporates all latest developments and will cost less than its predescessor - Wapther P88, that did not achieve any significant commercial cussess, mainly due to high prices.
Walther P99 is a recoil operated, locked breech gun, that used modified Browning style locking via extraction port in the slide. It is striker fired, and has no manual safeties and three automatic safeties: Striker safety, Trigger safety and Out of battery safety. Also, it has manual decocking button in the rear upper part of the slide. Also Walther developed QA action, which has partially pre-charged stricer that must be manually charget to full stroke via each trigger pull (somewhat similar in appearance to Glocks' "safe action").
P99 has polymer frame with removable backctrap of the handle, to provide to shooters better fit in the hands (3 sizes are standart). Also P99 incorporates recoil compensator.
"Military" version of the P99 differs only in the color - frame is in "military green" color instead of standart black.
Licensed wersion of the P99 is manufactured in the USA by Smith&Wesson under designation of the Smith&Wesson 99. This guns has USA-made slides, the frame and mechanism are Germany-made.
This guns is reported as extremely reliable and very accurate, especially in 9mm version.

Specifications: Calibre: 9х19 mm (9 mm Luger)
Magazine capacity, rounds: 15

Barrel length: 102mm

Overall dimensions: 181x137x32mm

Weight, unloaded: 0,65 kg (with empty magazine)
Trigger mechanism: DAO

Other calibre: .40S&W


Source: Walther, Modern firearms

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Springfield XD9


Historically, the XD-9 began life as the HS-2000, which itself was an improved version of I.M. Metalworks (Karlovac, Croatia) HS-95 of 1995. But it actually first appeared as the PHP in 1991, though that particular pistol was fraught with a few quality control problems due to the ongoing Croatian civil war. Vukovic's design team continually refined the PHP and HS-95, correcting its design and metallurgical weaknesses, the final version being designated as the HS-2000 (evidently inspirated by Glock). At this point, I'll forego further historic commentary because it would be redundant, since the HS-2000 was covered in detail in a previous issue of COMBAT HANDGUNS. Shortly thereafter, Springfield Armory acquired importation rights and re-designated the weapon as the XD-9.

The XD pistol features three safety mechanisms. The first is called a 'trigger safety', similar to that found on Glock handguns. The trigger safety requires the shooter to depress a secondary embedded trigger while pulling the primary trigger. This ensures that the gun cannot be fired unless the trigger is depressed. The second safety is called a 'grip safety', most often associated with the many variants on the market.

Specifications: Calibre: 9х19 mm (9 mm Luger)
Magazine capacity, rounds: 15

Barrel length: 103mm

Overall dimensions: 178x138x33 mm

Weight, unloaded: 0,71 kg (with empty magazine)
Trigger mechanism: ATS (Action Trigger System)

Other calibre: .357SIG, .40S&W, .45ACP, .45GAP


Source: Springfield Armory, Wikipedia

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Beretta 92


Beretta 92 originated for the Italian army and police, the Model 92 pistols earned most of their fame (both good and bad) as the standard sidearm of the US military. The Beretta 92 first appeared in 1976 and was designed by Carlo Beretta, Giuseppe Mazzetti and Vittorio Valle, all experienced firearms designers on the Beretta design team.

Later model 92F employs U.S. Military in designation of M9.
The 92F would have to be revised to 92F/S standard after US servicemembers were injured by defective slides from Berretta. Winning a military contract is usually a lucrative enterprise and every leading handgun manufacturer is looking forward to participate. The trials and the whole adoption process caused much controversy, due to the exclusion of some manufacturers and the numerous trials, as well as the nature of price bids. The M9 was intended to replace the M1911A1 and .38 caliber revolvers and pistols. Over 500,000 M9 pistols were made and adopted; the switch-over was largely achieved. However, some branches and groups continued to use the former pistols or adopted different designs, but they were not a part of the program in the first place).

Beretta 92 pistols are short-recoil operated, locked-breech weapons with an aluminium frame. The locking system is of the Walther type, with a vertically-tilting locking piece located below the breech area of the barrel. The trigger is double-action, with an exposed hammer. Original Model 92 pistols had a frame-mounted safety which was applied only when hammer was cocked all subsequent pistols (except for some limited production civilian-only sporting models) either had a slide-mounted safety lever or no safety lever at all.

Specifications: Calibre: 9х19 mm (9 mm Luger)
Magazine capacity, rounds: 15

Barrel length: 125 mm

Overall dimensions: 217x140x38 mm

Weight, unloaded: 0,97 kg (with empty magazine)
Trigger mechanism: SA/DA

Other calibre: 9x21(Beretta 98) , .40 S&W (Beretta 96)


Source: Berreta Italy, WaffenHQ