VP70

[westcoast362]

The VP70 was the military version that had a shoulder stock that when attached gave the gun three round burst capability.
The civilian version was called the VP70Z.
It was certainly one of the first pistols to use a polymer frame. I belive it had polygonal rifling.

[gun4fun]

The VP70 was the military version that had a shoulder stock that when attached gave the gun three round burst capability.
The civilian version was called the VP70Z.
It was certainly one of the first pistols to use a polymer frame. I belive it had polygonal rifling.

looks like fun

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=220211780

[Sturnovik]

Why would it be bad functionality wise? I've heard it was very reliable. And yea I meant the civilian model.

[Swift Justice]

I bought one new in 1987. I only put about 100 rds through it and it sat in the safe essentially new in the box until I sold it on Gunbroker for $375 about a year ago (should have set my reserve slightly higher).

Interesting gun on many levels. Easiest gun in the world to take down, can break it down into its three main parts in about 2 seconds, and with a coin break down the firing pin assembly in a few more seconds. Blow back design like a PPK or FN FiveseveN, big slide and heavy spring to compensate for 9mm power. Gotta love a 19 round magazine.

Why did I sell it? The VP70Z is a squeeze cocker design that is very safe. Problem is, it squeeze cocks through the trigger itself (unlike the PM8 series which squeeze cocks through the front of the grip), which means that as a result it has the most horrendous trigger pull of any weapon I've ever fired, rifle or pistol or shotgun. It takes the wrist muscles of a Hercules to be accurate at all with it simply because of the trigger pull. I don't know what pound weight trigger pull it is, but it seems to me that 20 lbs is underestimating it, it is that heavy.

The impossible trigger pull made what could have been a very well made, simple and effective handgun with ultra large capacity worthless for anything except for nearly point blank defensive shooting.

Talking with some people back in the day who had shot both the civilian and military version they said that the military version had a different spring rate for the squeeze cocker which made it a little better - but not much. I also was told that some would modify the cocker spring by removing a few coils to make the pull better, but you had to be careful in making it too light. File it under "Could have been great" along with some other good guns that failed.

[tonelar]

How many calibers do you have?

Could never seem to have more than two at a time... Started out with 380 then found a 7.65 (ended up trading it for a 22LR)

[redcliff]

Although I'm a bit of an HK collector, I've passed on VP70z's a couple times at reasonable prices. The pistols heavy trigger pull is one reason, but also its size; it's a huge pistol.

I remember back when I worked at a gun shop and we sold them new back in the early 80's.. they never sold well due to these reasons.

Still, they're an interesting bit of history and I may pick one up someday "just because".