Anyone who is interested in arming and equipping "special operations forces" has noticed how much "special forces" values personal weapons. Regardless of the presence of an individual (submachine gun, rifle, machine gun, carbine) or group (light machine gun, grenade launcher) weapons, almost every soldier carries a pistol as an auxiliary weapon. Apparently not satisfied with the "defensive" nature of modern pistols, the US Special Operations Command (US SOCOM) in the late 1980s announced an "Offensive Handgun" program.
I must say that the idea of turning a pistol into the main "weapon of the last throw" is not new. Even during the First World War, the Germans armed assault teams with powerful long-barreled pistols such as the "Parabellum artillery" or "Parabellum carbine". The well-known military theorist A. Neznamov wrote in the book "Infantry" (1923): "In the future … for a" strike "a weapon with a bayonet may be more profitable to replace a pistol with a dagger (a pistol with 20 rounds in the store and a range of up to 200 m) ". However, in the military, and in the police area, this task was solved at that time by submachine guns. In the 80s, the idea of a powerful "assault" pistol was revived again, but this time it was tied to the needs of special forces. Bulky models such as GA-9, R-95, etc. hit the market. Their appearance, accompanied by noisy advertising, was not accidental.
According to a number of American experts, the 9-mm M9 pistol ("Beretta" 92, SB-F), which was put into service in 1985 to replace the 11, 43-mm M1911A1 "Colt", does not fully meet the requirements of close combat in terms of accuracy and effective firing range. With a silencer, the effectiveness of the pistol is noticeably reduced. SOCOM wanted a compact, holstered melee weapon (up to 25-30 m) in combat. He was supported by the United States Army Command. Since combat swimmers (SEALS) were to be among the "consumers" of weapons, the main requirements of the program were presented in October 1990 by the center for special methods of warfare of the Navy. It was supposed to receive the first 30 prototypes by March 1992, to test full-scale samples in January 1993, and in December 1993 to receive a batch of 9000 pieces. In military periodicals, the new project was immediately dubbed "Supergan".
The main options for use were considered: fighting on the street and inside buildings, hidden penetration into an object with the removal of sentries, release of hostages, or, on the contrary, abduction of military or political figures.
"Supergan" was considered as a complex that includes not only a "family" of cartridges and a self-loading pistol, but also a silent and flameless firing device, plus an "aiming unit". The modular scheme allowed for the assembly of two main options: "assault" (pistol + sighting unit) and "scout" (stalking) with the addition of a silencer. The weight of the latter was limited to 2.5 kg, length - 400 mm.
The main requirements for the pistol were as follows: large caliber, magazine capacity of at least 10 rounds, reloading speed, length no more than 250 mm, height no more than 150, width -35 mm, weight without cartridges - up to 1.3 kg, ease of shooting from one or two hands, high reliability in all conditions. A series of 10 bullets should fit 25 m in a circle with a diameter of 2.5 inches (63.5 mm). Accuracy should have been ensured by the balance of the weapon, the muzzle device - the compensator and the convenience of holding. The latter, in the opinion of many, assumed a large slope and an almost sporty design of the handle, a bend of the trigger guard for imposing the finger of the second hand. It was considered necessary two-way controls (fuse, slide stop lever, magazine latch), available to control the brush holding the weapon. The trigger mechanism was supposed to allow adjustment of the descent force: 3, 6-6, 4 kg self-cocking and 1, 3-2, 27 kg with a pre-cocked trigger. Arming with a safety catch both when the trigger is released and when the trigger is cocked. A safe trigger lever was desirable in case a shot was not needed. Sights would include a replaceable front sight and a rear sight adjustable in height and lateral displacement. For shooting at dusk, the front sight and rear sight would have luminous points - a device that has become common in personal weapons.
For "superguns" we chose the good old 11, 43-mm cartridge ".45 ACP". The reason is the requirement for a specific defeat of a live target in the shortest time at the maximum distance. The stopping effect of the NATO 9x19 cartridge bullet caused a number of discontent among the military. With a conventional shell bullet, a large caliber, of course, gives more guarantees of defeat from one hit. Even with a bulletproof vest, the target will incapacitate the dynamic impact of an 11, 43 mm bullet. The strong and sharp recoil of such cartridges was not considered essential for the physically strong guys from the "special forces". Three main types of cartridges were named:
- with a shell bullet of the "improved" type - in terms of improving ballistics and increasing penetration, with a bullet of increased lethality - for anti-terrorist operations, a training bullet with an easily destructible bullet and a power sufficient only for automatic operation. In addition, it was considered likely to create a bullet of increased penetration, guaranteed to hit a target at 25 m, protected by the 3rd (in NATO classification) class.
The aiming unit was conceived as a combination of two illuminators - conventional and laser. The usual one, creating a stream of light with a narrow but bright beam, was used to search and identify a target at night or in a closed room. The laser worked in two ranges - visible and IR (for working with night goggles such as AN / PVS-7 A / B) - and could be used for fast aiming both at night and during the day. Its "spot" should have been clearly projected within the silhouette of a person at a distance of 25 m. The unit could be turned on with the index finger of the hand holding the weapon.
The PBS was required to quickly (up to 15 s) attach and remove, and maintain balance. In any case, the installation of the PBS should not displace the STP by more than 50 mm by 25 m. If the pistol has an automatic with a movable barrel, the muffler should not interfere with its operation.
On the whole, the requirements for "offensive personal weapons" did not imply anything fundamentally new and were based on the parameters already achieved. This made it possible to count on the implementation of the program within three years.
At the beginning of 1993, thirty "demonstration" samples were actually presented to SOCOM. At the same time, the two largest arms firms, Colt Industries and Heckler und Koch, were the clear leaders. During the year, their samples were carefully studied, trying to determine the ways of further development.
The sample "Colt Industries" was generally sustained in the style of the M1911 A1 "Colt" pistols of the Mk-IV - 80 and 90 series with modernized restraints and a number of improvements in the firing mechanism and automatic operation. The controls are concentrated at the handle. For use by combat swimmers (on land, of course), all elements of the mechanism are made "not fearful". The silencer and sighting block also looked quite traditional.
The Heckler und Koch pistol was based on the new USP (universal self-loading pistol) model. The USP was originally designed in nine and ten millimeter versions, but for the Offensive Handgun program, it was chambered for the ".45 ACP" cartridge.
The USP in the "offensive personal weapon" version with a silencer from Reda Naitos was introduced in October 1993.at an exhibition organized by the American Army Association (AUSA). It can be noted that the total weight of the system is reduced to 2.2 kg, the laconic and convenient design, the sighting unit literally inscribed in the contours of the frame. Its switch is within the trigger guard. Note that the "demonstration" samples "Colt" and "Heckler und Koch" had a constant sight, more typical of pistols. The angle of inclination of the handle was less than expected for both. Another significant feature of the samples is the ability to release them to the market for other purposes if the Offensive Handgun program fails.
The selection of the SOCOM sample was expected in 1995. But even then the Offensive Handgun program was causing criticism. In a June 1994 editorial in Modern Gun magazine, the idea of a large-bore "offensive" pistol was simply called "dumb." Said with passion, but the idea is really controversial.
Indeed, is it really necessary to hold on to the 45 caliber and endure the overturning effect of recoil (recoil force ".45 ACP" - 0, 54 kg) and increase the weight of the pistol to the level of a submachine gun? The biggest stopping action is worthless if the bullet missed it. Maybe it's better to put two or three bullets into the target with a slightly lower lethality, but better accuracy? With a total weapon length of 250 mm, the barrel length should not exceed 152 mm or 13, 1 caliber, which threatens to reduce ballistic data. Reducing the caliber would increase the relative length of the barrel and improve accuracy. The small submachine gun with variable firing mode remains a serious competitor to self-loading "offensive personal weapons". This type of weapon is more versatile and, moreover, has already taken its niche in the range of melee weapons.
Nevertheless, in the fall of 1995, SOCOM nevertheless opted for 11, 43-mm USP for the implementation of the "third phase of the contract". The third phase involves the release of "Heckler und Koch" 1950 pistols and 10 140 stores for them with the start of deliveries by May 1, 1996. The pistol has already received the official designation Mk 23 "Mod O US SOCOM Pistol". In total, about 7,500 pistols, 52,500 magazines and 1950 silencers can be ordered.
Let's take a closer look at the USP device. The barrel of the pistol is made by cold forging on a mandrel. In combination with polygonal slicing, this gives it high accuracy and survivability. Cutting the chamber allows you to use the same type of cartridges from different manufacturers and with different types of bullets. The muffler can be installed with an elongated barrel.
Experts expected Heckler und Koch to use a fixed-barrel design similar to its P-7. However, the USP automatics work according to the barrel recoil scheme with a short stroke and locking by a tilt of the barrel. Unlike classical schemes, for example, "Browning High Power", here the lowering of the barrel is made not by a rigid pin of the frame, but by a hook installed with a buffer spring at the rear end of the return spring rod, placed under the barrel. The presence of a buffer is intended to make the work of automation smoother.
The frame of the pistol is made of molded plastic similar to the Glock and Sigma pistols. The four guides of the casing are reinforced with steel strips to reduce wear. Also made of reinforced plastic are the magazine latch, the trigger, the flag of the firing mechanism, the cover and the magazine feeder. On the very frame of the pistol there are guides for attaching a flashlight or LCC. The shutter-casing is manufactured as a single piece by milling from chrome-molybdenum steel. Its surfaces are subjected to nitro-gas treatment and blued. Added to this is a special "NOT '" ("corrosive") treatment that allows the pistol to withstand immersion in seawater.
The main feature of the USP is its trigger mechanism. At first glance, this is a conventional hammer-type mechanism with a half-hidden trigger and a flag placed on the frame in two positions. However, by replacing the special retainer plate, it is possible to switch it to five different modes of operation. The first double-acting mechanism: when the flag is in the upper position, it is possible to fire with a preliminary cocking of the hammer, when the lower one - only self-cocking, and lowering the flag safely releases the trigger. The second option: when moving the flag to the upper position - "safety", to the lower - "double action", this is just the most typical for a service weapon. In the third version, it is possible to fire only with a preliminary cocking of the hammer, there is no fuse, and the flag is used as a safe trigger lever. The fourth option is somewhat similar to the third, but shooting is possible only by self-cocking. The fifth and final option sets the "self-cocking" and "fuse" modes. I would like to add that in each of the modes the checkbox is located at your discretion - to the right or to the left. The first and second options correspond the most to the requirements of the American program. The selection can only be made by a qualified technician. Effort of descent with preliminary cocking of the hammer is 2, 5 kg, self-cocking - 5 kg, that is, usual for a service pistol. There is also an automatic safety catch, which fixes the striker until the moment when the trigger is fully pressed. There is no store fuse, so a shot after its removal is not excluded, the drawback is small, but still unpleasant.
The two-way magazine latch lever is located behind the trigger guard and is protected from accidental pressure. The magazine holds 12 rounds, staggered. In the upper part, the double-row magazine smoothly transforms into a single-row magazine, which gives it a shape that is convenient for equipping and improves the operation of the feeding mechanism. A step and a notch at the bottom of the handle make it easy to change the magazine. At the end of firing, the pistol puts the bolt carrier on the bolt lag. Its elongated lever is located on the left side of the frame.
The handle and frame are one. The front side of the handle is covered with a checkerboard pattern, and the back side is covered with longitudinal corrugation, the lateral surfaces are rough. Combined with the clever balance and 107 degree angle of the grip to the bore axis, this makes the pistol very comfortable to hold. The trigger guard of the pistol is quite large, which makes it possible to shoot with thick gloves. However, in connection with these, the front bend on the bracket is practically not used - for a rare shooter, when shooting with two hands, the index finger of the second hand will stretch so far.
The 11.43mm USP weighs about 850g and is 200mm long. Accuracy of fire makes it possible to lay five bullets at a distance of 45 m in a circle with a diameter of up to 80 mm. The workmanship and finish of every detail corresponds to the degree of its importance. According to Heckler und Koch, barrel survivability is 40,000 rounds.
Replaceable rear sight with a rectangular slot and a rectangular front sight are installed on the bolt carrier with a dovetail mount. Sights are marked with white plastic inserts or tritium dots.
Heckler und Koch is also releasing the UTL "universal tactical illuminator" for the USP. It works in the visible range of light, has an adjustable beam angle and two switches. The first is a lever protruding into the trigger guard so that it can be operated with the index finger. The second, in the form of a pad, is fastened with Velcro on the handle and turns on when it is tightly covered by the palm of the hand. UTL is powered by two 3-volt batteries.
A new version of the removable muffler has also appeared. It is still based on the expansion scheme. Expanded and cooled gases are discharged through the holes. However, even now it is clear that this weapon will undergo more than one modification and will serve for many years in the American army.
