Post by stargate on Nov 23, 2008 21:38:57 GMT
ORIGIN: Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany)
TYPE: Self-loading pistol
DIMENSIONS: 192mm long/ 102mm barrel
WEIGHT: 1.9lb (empty)/ 2.34lb loaded (with 9mm)
CARTRIDGE: 19x 9mm parabellum (can take .45 ACP x7)
FEED: 9-round magazine (or 7-round .45 ACP)
MUZZLE VELOCITY: 386FPS (351m/s) - 286fps (260m/s) with .45 ACP
In the late 1960s, Heckler & Koch (of Oberndorf-Neckar, Federal Republic of Germany), began to take a hard look at military pistols. By 1972 the company had announced its P9S, which adapted the roller-locked bolt of its G3 rifle to the configuration of a reliable delayed blowback system of operation.
There seems to be little doubtthat the P9S can be considered the first in a true new generation of military handguns; its roots clearly lay in the need during the 1970s for a modern pistol for use in counterterrorist operations, which were on the increase, especially in Western Europe.
The P9S has a concealed double acion hammer, with an indicator pin which protrudes when the hammer is cocked, and a hammer decocking lever in the right front of the butt grip. After inserting a magazine and loading the chamber in normal fashion, the hammer can be safely lowered by pressing down on the decocking lever, squeezing the trigger and then gently allowing the lever to ride up and lower the hammer.
The trigger is released and the safety catch applied, with the result that the pistol can now be holstered and carried in safety. To fire, all that is needed to release the safety and pull the trigger; alternatively, the decocking lever can be pressed down to cock the hammer and allow a single-action first shot for accuracy, should time permit this.
The P9S pistol has polyganol rifling, which - it is claimed - helps reduce the deformation of the bullet, thus increasing the muzzle velocity. A lack of corners at the bottom of the grooves means less accumulation of fouling and an improvement in both accuracy and the ease of maintenance.
The P9S was adopted by the West German Border Police (BGS-Bundesgrenzshutz), which has responsibility for the crack GSG 9 (Grenzschutzgruppe 9) forces. It has also been adopted by various un-named armies and several police forces in many countries. It is avialable in the United States in .45 caliber, and in special long-barreled target versions.
(After "The World's Elite Forces" 1988 W.N. Lang, 167)
The P9S is similar to the Walther PPK in appearance.
TYPE: Self-loading pistol
DIMENSIONS: 192mm long/ 102mm barrel
WEIGHT: 1.9lb (empty)/ 2.34lb loaded (with 9mm)
CARTRIDGE: 19x 9mm parabellum (can take .45 ACP x7)
FEED: 9-round magazine (or 7-round .45 ACP)
MUZZLE VELOCITY: 386FPS (351m/s) - 286fps (260m/s) with .45 ACP
In the late 1960s, Heckler & Koch (of Oberndorf-Neckar, Federal Republic of Germany), began to take a hard look at military pistols. By 1972 the company had announced its P9S, which adapted the roller-locked bolt of its G3 rifle to the configuration of a reliable delayed blowback system of operation.
There seems to be little doubtthat the P9S can be considered the first in a true new generation of military handguns; its roots clearly lay in the need during the 1970s for a modern pistol for use in counterterrorist operations, which were on the increase, especially in Western Europe.
The P9S has a concealed double acion hammer, with an indicator pin which protrudes when the hammer is cocked, and a hammer decocking lever in the right front of the butt grip. After inserting a magazine and loading the chamber in normal fashion, the hammer can be safely lowered by pressing down on the decocking lever, squeezing the trigger and then gently allowing the lever to ride up and lower the hammer.
The trigger is released and the safety catch applied, with the result that the pistol can now be holstered and carried in safety. To fire, all that is needed to release the safety and pull the trigger; alternatively, the decocking lever can be pressed down to cock the hammer and allow a single-action first shot for accuracy, should time permit this.
The P9S pistol has polyganol rifling, which - it is claimed - helps reduce the deformation of the bullet, thus increasing the muzzle velocity. A lack of corners at the bottom of the grooves means less accumulation of fouling and an improvement in both accuracy and the ease of maintenance.
The P9S was adopted by the West German Border Police (BGS-Bundesgrenzshutz), which has responsibility for the crack GSG 9 (Grenzschutzgruppe 9) forces. It has also been adopted by various un-named armies and several police forces in many countries. It is avialable in the United States in .45 caliber, and in special long-barreled target versions.
(After "The World's Elite Forces" 1988 W.N. Lang, 167)
The P9S is similar to the Walther PPK in appearance.