Heckler & Koch: The Gray Room, Part II

by
posted on July 22, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Watch our American Rifleman TV video above to learn about Heckler & Koch’s Gray Room and the designs that established the German-based firearm manufacturer.

The Heckler & Koch VP9 polymer-framed striker-fired handgun.
The Heckler & Koch VP9 polymer-framed striker-fired handgun.

Continuing at Heckler & Koch's U.S. Headquarters in Ashburn, VA., the Gray Room holds not only H&K's past, but its current development history as well. An example is the new polymer-framed striker-fired handgun, the VP9 series. The VP9 was designed with market trends centered around striker-fired handguns in mind along with improvements to the trigger and other useful features. 

A cutaway view of the internals of the H&K VP9.
A cutaway view of the internals of the H&K VP9.

Some of the other noteworthy features of the VP9 series include multiple options for the interchangeable back-strap and side panels on the grip. Another is the inclusion of extended tabs at the rear of the slide that allow better grasp when manipulating the slide. 

H&K's first handgun, the HK4.
H&K's first handgun, the HK4.

Heckler and Koch's very first handgun was designed in the 1960s as a pocket pistol, the HK4. It was designated as the HK4 because it was offered in four different calibers. In the 1970s H&K developed further unique handgun designs like the P9S, which uses the same roller-delayed-blowback system as the MP5 submachine gun and chambered in 9 mm Luger and .45 ACP. Another development from the same time includes the striker-fired H&K P7 chambered in 9 mm Luger, which utilizes a unique gas-retarded blowback system along with a cocking lever on the front face of the grip.  

The H&K P7 handgun with its unique cocking lever on the grip.
The H&K P7 handgun with its unique cocking lever on the grip.

One of the most notable handgun developed by H&K during the 1970s is the striker-fired VP70 series chambered in 9 mm Luger, which is one of the first polymer-framed handguns produced. The VP70 came in two models, with a semi automatic only VP70Z for the civilian market and the select-fire VP70M for the military market. The VP70M features a detachable stock with a hinged recoil pad and storage compartment inside. This allows the stock to act as a holster for the VP70M similar to the Mauser C96 pistol.

A side view of the H&K VP70 polymer-framed handgun.
A side view of the H&K VP70 polymer-framed handgun.

When connected to the VP70M by the attachment tabs at the back of the pistol, the stock has a selector that allows it to fire in either semi automatic or three-round burst. In three-round burst the VP70M has a high rate of fire. The selector must be in semi automatic during the attachment and removal of the stock. Later in the 1990s H&K developed the USP family of handguns centered around military requirements along with the Mk 23 handgun for U.S. SOCOM.        

The connection points on the H&K VP70M and its stock.
The connection points on the H&K VP70M and its stock.

One of the other H&K developments in the Gray Room used by the U.S. Military is the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle. Essentially a modified H&K 416 short-stroke-gas-piston carbine, the M27 was adopted by the United States Marine Corps in 2011 with the intended roll as a squad support and designated marksman rifle.

The 416 series chambered in 5.56x45 mm NATO is in use by several different militaries and agencies, with seven different major build standards. The diversity in the 416 series exemplifies H&K's design and manufacturing prowess, showcased by the manufacturing history held within the Grey Room.

American Rifleman's Joe Kurtenbach takes a close look at the H&K M27 IAR.
American Rifleman's Joe Kurtenbach takes a close look at the H&K M27 IAR.

Follow along with American Rifleman’s visit to Heckler & Koch’s Grey Room to learn more about the company’s manufacturing history. See the first part of our Gray Room visit here.

Latest

Weatherby 307 New Models F
Weatherby 307 New Models F

New For 2025: Weatherby Model 307 Range XP 2.0 & Alpine ST Rifles

Weatherby's Model 307 bolt-action rifle opens up a world of aftermarket components to consumers, thanks to its Model 700 receiver footprint, and the company now has two new models for hunters and sport shooters.

Preview: Thunderbolt To The Rebels | The United States Sharpshooters In The Civil War

Author Darin Wipperman provides a tantalizing glimpse into the world of Berdan’s sharpshooters during the American Civil War.

Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine

This week, we're on the range with the Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine, a rimfire variant of the AR-15 that's designed for reliability and gives enthusiasts a way to shoot affordably.

The Armed Citizen® July 11, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Japanese Last-Ditch Small Arms Of World War II

The crude assortment of fighting tools used by the Japanese during World War II give clues of an unprepared and unmatched last-ditch fight that ultimately lead to Allied victory.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.