H&K led the way.

[CavCop]

While John Browning was the greatest firearms influencer in history, H&K got to lead the way with modern pistols, even if they were not as successful as H&K had hoped. From the first polymer striker fired VP70 that came out before Glock, to the Mk23 having a mount for a light/laser and threaded barrel. Like the VHS vs Beta, H&K was the Beta. Today most pistols have a rail on the dust cover and offer threaded barrels. The Mk23 was probably the most tested Military pistol, like the M590 was the most tested shotgun.

Any owners of the Mk23? Anyone lucky enough to own a tan one?

I made this video of the OHWS, that brought us the Mk23/Mark 23.

 

[CavCop]

 

[TreyG-20]

Today most pistols have a rail on the dust cover...

Well most AK pistols do. I've never owned another pistol with a dust cover though.

 

[CavCop]

Well most AK pistols do. I've never owned another pistol with a dust cover though.

Ah, one of those people.

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/terminology/parts-of-firearms/dust-cover/#:~:text=Although%20some%20people%20choose%20not,could%20be%20found%2C%20if%20present.

 

[baboon]

How do you spell H&K hates you?

 

[TreyG-20]

Ah, one of those people.

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/terminology/parts-of-firearms/dust-cover/#:~:text=Although%20some%20people%20choose%20not,could%20be%20found%2C%20if%20present.

First time I've heard that. I'll just keep calling it the frame though since it is the frame.

 

[CavCop]

How do you spell H&K hates you?

“$$$$$”

 

[Hoji]

Absolute innovators

 

[AlteisenMkII]

I have an old manual for the USP thats the closest I have to owning one.

 

[Hoji]

http://monsterhunternation.com/2007/10/09/hk-because-you-suck-and-we-hate-you/

 

[CavCop]

View attachment 379332
Absolute innovators

Crappy marketing people.

Bet the engineers had zero to do with it.

But some will try to blame them.

 

[BeatTheTunaUp]

I have a PTR made on HK tooling. Best a peon like me can do.

 

[CavCop]

http://monsterhunternation.com/2007/10/09/hk-because-you-suck-and-we-hate-you/ View attachment 379341

Even the Operators went to the USP 45 CT

 

[baboon]

While I wouldn't mind a totally pimped out MK23 this IMHO is a far nice gun

 

[Plinker300]

I’ve still got a VP70Z… but no MK23..

 

[CavCop]

I’ve still got a VP70Z… but no MK23..

I hated the trigger pull, liked the look and grip, thought disassembly was cool including removing the striker. Paid around $360 for it, and traded it for a Kimber LE in the 90’s. The size hight of the VP70Z was just too large for my likings then.

Kind of regret trading it, but with 5 magazines, the magazine were worth more than the pistol, and Kimbers’ were good back then…

The fist polymer striker pistol… do you know what their current value is?

 

[TipBledsoe]

Its an extreme apples and oranges comparison.

Far too much credit given to H&K who merely made simple feature improvements upon the real innovation made 50 years earlier.

If it weren't for the turn of the century design developments made by the likes of Mauser, Mannlicker and Colt's, the Mk23 would not exist, certainly not as you now know it.

 

[glenbo]

"the Mk23 would not exist, certainly not as you now know it." And it would be no loss, as it's just a .45 ACP handgun.

 

[baboon]

I hated the trigger pull, liked the look and grip, thought disassembly was cool including removing the striker. Paid around $360 for it, and traded it for a Kimber LE in the 90’s. The size hight of the VP70Z was just too large for my likings then.

Kind of regret trading it, but with 5 magazines, the magazine were worth more than the pistol, and Kimbers’ were good back then…

The fist polymer striker pistol… do you know what their current value is?

The VP70Z trigger was originally designed for select fire with the shoulder stock attached.

 

[CavCop]

Its an extreme apples and oranges comparison.

Far too much credit given to H&K who merely made simple feature improvements upon the real innovation made 50 years earlier.

If it weren't for the turn of the century design developments made by the likes of Mauser, Mannlicker and Colt's, the Mk23 would not exist, certainly not as you now know it.

It was more the Government Contract Requirements/Requests and who could build a better pistol. Clearly H&K won. Clearly after that design the USP came out with the fist rail, which others changed from Sig to Glock.

Even Browning based his designs on prior pistols and most of them from the 1911 to the High Power were modified and changed by others.

Evolution of firearms.