Heckler & Koch UCP
Encyclopedia
The Heckler & Koch
Universal Combat Pistol (HK UCP), a double action, semi-automatic handgun
also known as the HK P46, was developed under commission for the German
Bundeswehr
.
The UCP is the companion side arm
to the HK MP7 submachine gun
, using the same 4.6x30mm bottlenecked cartridge (see internal ballistics
). The 4.6x30mm round is a direct competitor to the 5.7x28mm by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal
(FN). As such, the UCP is a direct competitor to the FN Five-seven pistol. Both have greater armor-piercing capabilities and less recoil compared to other commonly used military
handgun cartridges, such as the 9x19mm Parabellum or .45 ACP
.
The UCP operates on the delayed-blowback operating principle. The external design of the UCP appears to be borrowed from the HK P2000 pistol, and includes ambidextrous controls, interchangeable backstraps, and a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny-type rail
system for the attachment of accessories. Like the USP and P2000 series of pistols, the trigger mechanism is reported to be modular and capable of different configurations. The UCP is designed to accept an extended, threaded barrel capable of accepting the attachment of a sound suppressor
made by Brügger & Thomet
. Initial speculation that the UCP will accept 40-round MP7 magazine
s appears to be false.
The design remained in the prototype phase , and had been reported as entering limited trials with the Bundeswehr.
In July 2009, HK USA's president, Wayne Webber, indicated that the UCP project has been cancelled because "HK felt it did not provide adequate ballistics in handgun form."
Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch GmbH is a German defense manufacturing company that produces various small arms. Some of their products include the SA80, MP5 submachine gun, G3 automatic rifle, the G36 assault rifle, the HK 416, the MP7 personal defense weapon, the USP series of handguns, and the high-precision...
Universal Combat Pistol (HK UCP), a double action, semi-automatic handgun
Semi-automatic self-loading pistol
A semi-automatic pistol is a type of handgun which uses a single chamber and barrel, with a mechanism powered by the previous shot to load a fresh cartridge into the chamber...
also known as the HK P46, was developed under commission for the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Bundeswehr
Bundeswehr
The Bundeswehr consists of the unified armed forces of Germany and their civil administration and procurement authorities...
.
The UCP is the companion side arm
Side arm
A side arm is a weapon, usually a pistol but can be a dagger, as used in pre-modern times, which is worn on the body in a holster to permit immediate access and use. A side arm is typically required equipment for military personnel and sometimes carried by law enforcement personnel...
to the HK MP7 submachine gun
Submachine gun
A submachine gun is an automatic carbine, designed to fire pistol cartridges. It combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the cartridge of a pistol. The submachine gun was invented during World War I , but the apex of its use was during World War II when millions of the weapon type were...
, using the same 4.6x30mm bottlenecked cartridge (see internal ballistics
Internal ballistics
Internal ballistics, a subfield of ballistics, is the study of a projectile's behavior from the time its propellant's igniter is initiated until it exits the gun barrel...
). The 4.6x30mm round is a direct competitor to the 5.7x28mm by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal
Fabrique Nationale de Herstal
Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal — self identified as FN Herstal and often referred to as Fabrique Nationale or simply FN — is a firearms manufacturer located in Herstal, Belgium....
(FN). As such, the UCP is a direct competitor to the FN Five-seven pistol. Both have greater armor-piercing capabilities and less recoil compared to other commonly used military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
handgun cartridges, such as the 9x19mm Parabellum or .45 ACP
.45 ACP
The .45 ACP , also known as the .45 Auto by C.I.P., is a cartridge designed by John Browning in 1904, for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol and eventually the M1911 pistol adopted by the United States Army in 1911.-Design and history:The U.S...
.
The UCP operates on the delayed-blowback operating principle. The external design of the UCP appears to be borrowed from the HK P2000 pistol, and includes ambidextrous controls, interchangeable backstraps, and a MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny-type rail
Picatinny rail
The Picatinny rail or MIL-STD-1913 rail or STANAG 2324 rail or a "Tactical Rail" is a bracket used on some firearms in order to provide a standardized mounting platform. A similar system is the Weaver rail mount.-Description:...
system for the attachment of accessories. Like the USP and P2000 series of pistols, the trigger mechanism is reported to be modular and capable of different configurations. The UCP is designed to accept an extended, threaded barrel capable of accepting the attachment of a sound suppressor
Suppressor
A suppressor, sound suppressor, sound moderator, or silencer, is a device attached to or part of the barrel of a firearm which reduces the amount of noise and flash generated by firing the weapon....
made by Brügger & Thomet
Brügger & Thomet
Brügger & Thomet AG is a licensed Swiss defense supplier specializing in the design and manufacturing of firearms and tactical components such as sound suppressors and rail systems. The company is located in Thun, Switzerland. B&T consists of a trading and manufacturing division...
. Initial speculation that the UCP will accept 40-round MP7 magazine
Magazine (firearm)
A magazine is an ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a repeating firearm. Magazines may be integral to the firearm or removable . The magazine functions by moving the cartridges stored in the magazine into a position where they may be loaded into the chamber by the action...
s appears to be false.
The design remained in the prototype phase , and had been reported as entering limited trials with the Bundeswehr.
In July 2009, HK USA's president, Wayne Webber, indicated that the UCP project has been cancelled because "HK felt it did not provide adequate ballistics in handgun form."
See also
- FN Five-seven
- Heckler & Koch MP7Heckler & Koch MP7The MP7 is a German submachine gun manufactured by Heckler & Koch and chambered for the 4.6×30mm cartridge. It was designed with the new cartridge to meet NATO requirements published in 1989, as these requirements call for a personal defense weapon class firearm, with a greater ability to defeat...
- QSZ-92QSZ-92The QSZ-92 Services Pistol is a semi-automatic pistol designed by Norinco and it is in limited service in the People's Liberation Army since the late 1990s.-Development:...
- VBR-Belgium CQBWVBR-Belgium CQBWThe CQBW is a semi automatic pistol manufactured by VBR-Belgium. It is chambered for the 7.92x24mm round but can also be converted to fire 4.6x30mm or 5.7x28mm rounds.-References:* * -See also:* 7.92x24mm* FN Five-seven* Heckler & Koch UCP* QSZ-92...
- List of pistols