H&K VP40.

The VP Series of pistols was developed by Heckler & Koch to meet the need for a safe, robust, ergonomically enhanced, striker fired handgun. Incorporating a variation of the well-proven, modified Browning link-less short recoil system of operation, the VP Series striker fired design ensures a consistent trigger pull weight from the first shot to the last. Safety features abound on the VP Series pistol and include a unique side mounted drop safety for the firing pin. The frame incorporates a trigger mounted safety that prevents accidental discharge from impact if the VP Series is struck or dropped, and a disconnector ensures that the slide must be in battery for the VP to fire. The take down lever acts as a disassembly safety and prevents VP Series pistols from being disassembled unless the magazine is removed from the magazine well. If cocked, the firing pin is also decocked as the take down lever is rotated forward. The design of the VP Series pistol allows the operator to visually assess the status of the firearm by featuring an extractor that also functions as a loaded chamber indicator. A red colored insert at the back of the firing pin indicates if the firing pin is in the cocked or uncocked mode. Witness holes on the back of the magazine housing allow the operator to view the amount of ammunition present by means of a quick glance. VP controls are completely ambidextrous. Slide releases are present on both sides of the frame, as well as an easy-to-access ambidextrous magazine release on the rear, bottom portion of the trigger guard. Ambidextrous finger recesses, located on the bottom sides of the magazine well, allow the operator to achieve purchase on the magazine’s floor plate in the unlikely event that the magazine does not drop free when the extended flanges on the magazine release are activated.The VP’s high strength polymer frame includes a unique ergonomic handgun grip design consisting of interchangeable grip panels and backstraps, as well as a dustcover with a standard Picatinny rail interface. The handgun grip design includes three changeable backstraps and six side panels— accommodating all hand sizes. Molded finger grooves in the front of the pistol’s grip also instinctively position an operator’s hand for optimal shooting. Only HK handguns have such a customized grip. Milled from a solid block of high carbon steel and then enhanced with a corrosion resistant nitro-carburized finish, the slide on the VP features non-radioactive luminous sights as standard that are adjustable for both windage and elevation, front and rear slide serrations, as well as extensions on the back of the slide. Designated as charging supports, this new patented HK feature allows operators of different sizes and statures — and shooters with reduced hand strength to obtain better gripping leverage for racking the slide rearward, facilitating smoother and easier manipulation of the slide during clearing or reloading. Heckler & Koch, famous for small arms construction and technology, has outfitted the VP with a cold hammer forged barrel and a polished feed ramp. The barrel — made from canon grade steel — ensures long service life. Similar barrels on HK P30 9 mm models have fired more than 90,000 rounds in endurance tests in 2010. The polygonal bore profile, with no traditional lands-and-grooves rifling, contributes to longer service life as well as a slight increase in muzzle velocity.