VP70

The HK VP70 is a 9×19mm double action only semi-automatic handgun manufactured by German arms firm Heckler & Koch GmbH. It holds the distinction for being the first polymer frame, striker fired pistol in the world; predating the famous "plastic wondernine" Glock 17 by 12 years. It had a simple unlocked blowback action, and used 18-round double stack magazines. VP stands for Volkspistole (literally "People's Pistol"), and the designation 70 was for the first year of production: 1970. The VP70M (Militär, Military) model was a select fire machine pistol, which could fire in three-round bursts by attaching it's shoulder stock, which also doubled as a holster. However it had a very long and heavy trigger pull, necessitated by its burst fire capability. It also sported an unusual polished ramp front sight, and its slide did not lock open upon firing the last round. The VP70Z (Zivil, Civilian) model was later made for civilian markets. The Z model could not use the burst fire stock of the M model for legal reasons, but still retained the latter's attributes, including the heavy trigger pull.