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Heckler & Koch has provided small arms systems to meet the rigorous demands of law enforcement and the military for more than 50 years. HK is probably best known for its MP5 submachine gun with its many variants, its G3 and G36 assault rifles, and its Universal Self-Loading Pistol or USP. HK's creativity has been shown in such pioneering breakthroughs as its use of polymers and polygonal rifling.
HK recently introduced its new HK P30 pistol. Designed for European police forces, the P30 incorporates features of the HK USP Compact pistol with the latest innovations of HK engineers. While only recently available in the United States, several European police forces have switched to this new weapon.
Among the P30's useful features are its size and weight geared for a full range of police missions, including concealed carry. It offers interchangeable grip panels and backstraps and has a built-in Picatinny-type accessory rail. The pistol is designed with contoured surfaces to avoid snagging on holster and clothing, and has both an ambidextrous magazine release and ambidextrous slide release. Its polymer recoil absorber bushing aids in the reduction of recoil.
The P30 has a very short trig- ger reset, which enhances the speed of multiple or follow-up shots. Its no-snag hammer is built with a rubber insert for improved safety if the pistol is dropped. Another previous HK innovation still utilized in the P30 is the polygonal rifling, which increases muzzle velocity and barrel life. The cold-hammered, forged barrel also offers a better gas seal behind the bullet and easier bore cleaning.
The P30 has a modified Browningtype action like the HK USP. Like the HK USP Compact, the P30 uses a similar recoil-reduction system. This uses a specially designed flat recoil spring contained in the captive recoil spring assembly by an absorber made of a high-strength polymer. Major metal components like its steel slide are corrosion resistant, treated with a hostile environment (HE) protective finish. There are variations of HK P30 trigger units available.
After shooting the P30, two offi- cers offered their opinions. The first evaluator, Sergeant Kevin Insco, is a competition shooter and police firearms instructor with the Clearwater, FL Police Department. The second, Lieutenant Brad Seale of the Largo Police, FL Department, is the...