The HK VP70Z - GUNS Magazine

The HK VP70Z

Remarkably Rarefied Rubbish

Written By Will Dabbs, MD

• Experts
  • Surplus, Classic
• Handguns
• Semi-Auto

2020 20 ; .

The blowback operated HK VP70Z is the very image of simplicity. The recoil spring telescopes around the barrel.

Dieter Wiess had been an auto mechanic in Frankfurt before the world ended. The Soviets swarmed across the border just after midnight on a Thursday in February of 1974, literally paving the way with tactical nuclear strikes on communications and logistics nodes in his hometown. His being out of Frankfurt on holiday was the only reason he had survived. Everybody he cared about died in the fireball.

NATO finally stopped the Warsaw Pact armored spearheads in western France with its own nuclear weapons. Now six weeks later both sides paused to catch their collective breath. In Soviet-occupied territory the NKVD was an omnipresent threat.

Dieter had literally nothing for which to live for so he unleashed his insensate hatred on the invaders. He killed his first Soviet soldier with a shovel. Then he met a few like-minded patriots and got organized. An American Special Forces team had been operating in the area until they were compromised, captured and shot. Before they were caught, however, they had passed on a cardboard box filled with strange plastic pistols.

Each Heckler and Koch VP70 sported a detachable shoulder stock and a radical polymer frame. The box contained five pistols, spare magazines, and a case of 9mm ball ammunition. It warmed Dieter’s heart these partisan guns were actually made in West Germany.

Dieter struck out after curfew with the sleek ray gun-looking weapon stuffed into the pocket of his trench coat. He didn’t really have a plan. He would kill the first Russian he found and take his weapon. He would keep on going until he got to the Kremlin, at which point he would figure out something else.

; .

The otherwise unadorned HK VP70Z was sufficiently radical to earn itself a billet as the issue handgun for the U.S. Colonial Marines in the James Cameron sci-fi epic Aliens.

We Came Terrifyingly Close …

The HK VP70 was originally designed as a partisan weapon equipping unconventional operators like Dieter in the event of World War III in Europe. These sleek polymer pistols were designed to be cheap to make and easy to use. Thank the Good Lord we never had to use them.

The revolutionary HK VP70 debuted in, you guessed it, 1970, at the apogee of the Cold War. Originally intended as a machine pistol, the VP70 came in two variants. The VP70M (Militar) features finger grooves on the front of the grip and is cut to accept a detachable polymer shoulder stock. The stock contains a fire control mechanism offering semiauto fire along with a 3-round burst function. In burst mode the gun cycles at 2,200 rounds per minute.

The VP70Z (Zivil) variant is semiauto only, has a smooth front strap, and will not accept the shoulder stock. There were 400 VP70Z variants chambered for 9x21mm and marketed to the Italian civilian market. The Italian government severely restricts guns chambered for military calibers hence the 9x21mm. These Italian pistols would accept the shoulder stock but would not fire bursts.

The safety on the VP70Z is a simple crossbolt oriented just behind the trigger. What looks like a safety on the military version is just a non-functional plug. The detachable buttstock also serves a holster in the manner of the C96 Broomhandle or stocked Browning Hi-Power.

The VP70 is lightweight at 29 oz. empty and thoroughly reliable. It runs via unlocked blowback, so there really isn’t much to fail. This does, however, result in a fairly impressive charging weight to get the gun into action. The recoil spring telescopes around the barrel in the manner of the Walther PPK.

The double-column, double-feed 18-round magazine operates like a submachine gun and was paradigm shifting. The magazine release is a thumb-activated paddle after the European fashion, but it still runs okay. The slide does not lock back over an empty magazine.

The gun also features a revolutionary sighting system. The rear sight is conventional enough, but the front sight consists of a hollow ramp with a groove cut in the center. The end result is a weird negative space sort-of affair that runs well and is indestructible.

The gun’s rakish lines landed it several sci-fi movie roles. The most memorable was as the standard-issue United States Colonial Marine handgun in the epic James Cameron movie Aliens.

; .

The HK VP70Z eventually spawned such rarefied polymer-framed handguns as this ZEV OZ9. The VP70Z featured a simple crossbolt safety behind the trigger.

The Unpardonable Sin

Remember, the VP70 was designed to be an inexpensive but reliable partisan weapon with which to prosecute World War III. As a result the gun was designed to be as simple as possible. This meant a radical double-action-only striker-fired trigger. While this same basic concept would be perfected 12 years later and monetized by Gaston Glock into the most successful combat handgun of the modern age, the HK version was way too much, way too soon. The trigger on the VP70 is conceptually awesome but functionally hideous. The pull weight is measured in short tons. No kidding, I can’t get through a full 18 rounds without taking a breather. The trigger is long but consistent and stacks noticeably at the end. One final massive grunt at the terminus finally drops the striker and fires the weapon. It’s the worst trigger I have ever squeezed. Shooting the VP70 is neither fun nor particularly satisfying. The VP70 pioneered the striker-fired ignition system and polymer frame we all enjoy these days. However, the wretched trigger doomed the gun to obscurity.

Pulling down on the latch located within the trigger guard allowed the slide to be pulled back, up and off.

Ruminations

HK has a gift for combining mass production techniques with impeccable quality to produce some of the finest combat firearms in the world. The MP5 is a perfect example of a stamped steel SMG incorporating both precision and reliability. The VP70, however, was an epic fail.

VP stands for Volkspistole (“People’s Pistol”) and it was indeed a valiant effort. Had the Soviet hordes come pouring through the Fulda Gap, the VP70, despite its many manifest flaws, would have no doubt wrought holy heck on the Russian dogfaces forced to do the Politburo’s dirty work. Fortunately, the VP70 is little more than a curious Cold War trinket.

Read More Surplus Articles

Subscribe To GUNS Magazine

Purchase A PDF Download Of The GUNS Magazine April 2020 Issue Now!

; .

• Experts
  • Surplus, Classic
• Handguns
• Semi-Auto

2020 20

We think you'd be interested in this, too

Keeping Ruger...

Everyone thought Bill Ruger was crazy bringing out a “cowboy” style gun after Colt stopped making their SAA in 1941. 17 Read Full Article

EOTECH Vudu FFP...

EOTECH continues to push clever optic solutions, and their new EOTECH Vudu 4-12x36 FFP paired with the optional “diving board” offset mount is one of... 67 Read Full Article

Carrying...

In an age of high-tech semi-auto pistols, the sixgun still holds its own as a weapon for personal protection and home defense. 92 Read Full Article Giveaway Terms & Conditions

(I) Giveaway ends February 28, 2026. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Employees and agents of Publishers’ Development Corp. are not eligible. No purchase necessary. Contest void where prohibited by law. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. (IV) Winners must comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Factory warranties may apply in some cases.

CLOSE Giveaway Terms & Conditions

(I) Giveaway ends December 31, 2025. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM November 2025, PO Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. Deployed military should use stateside address. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Employees and agents of Publishers’ Development Corp. are not eligible. No purchase necessary. Contest void where prohibited by law. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Factory warranties may apply in some cases.

CLOSE Giveaway Terms & Conditions

(I) Giveaway ends July 16, 2024. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM Old West 2024, P.O. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. Deployed military should use stateside address. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Employees and agents of Publishers’ Development Corp. are not eligible. No purchase necessary. Contest void where prohibited by law. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (if required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Factory warranties may apply in some cases.

CLOSE Giveaway Terms & Conditions

(I) Giveaway ends October 31, 2025. All entries must be received by giveaway end date. Mail-in entries accepted; send postcards (no envelopes) to: GUNS Magazine, GOM October 2025, P.O. Box 488, Escondido, CA 92033. Deployed military should use stateside address. (II) Limit one (1) entry per household; multiple entries will disqualify entrants. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Employees and agents of Publishers’ Development Corp. are not eligible. No purchase necessary. Contest void where prohibited by law. (III) Giveaway winner(s) chosen by random drawing. Winners will be notified by certified mail on official letterhead. Winners must respond within 30 days of receiving notification or an alternate winner will be selected. To protect the privacy and security of winners, names will not be made public. (IV) Winners must undergo a background check (when required) and comply with all other federal, state and local laws. Prizes will not be awarded if illegal in jurisdiction of winners. No substitutions or transfers to third parties allowed. Associated taxes and fees are the responsibility of winners. Giveaway prizes may have evidence of being test fired or exhibit minor handling marks. Factory warranties may apply in some cases.

× This 70 year-old would like to connect with you!

Sign-up now to to keep GUNS Magazine Insider content coming every week!

Email (required) *

First Name *

Last Name *

AddressStreet AddressAddress Line 2CityStateZIP CodeSelect list(s) to subscribe to020721_G_Insider

Yes, I would like to receive Insider emails from GUNS Magazine. (You can unsubscribe anytime)

Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact × Wyoming Hunting Resources

Wyoming Online Hunter Safety

Wyoming Hunting Licenses

Wyoming Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Wyoming Game & Fish Department

× Wisconsin Hunting Resources

Wisconsin Online Hunter Safety

Wisconsin Hunting Licenses

Wisconsin Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

× West Virginia Hunting Resources

West Virginia Online Hunter Safety

Washington Hunting Licenses

West Virginia Hunting Seasons

State Agency: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

× Washington Hunting Resources

Washington Online Hunter Safety

Washington Hunting Licenses

Washington Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

× Virginia Hunting Resources

Virginia Online Hunter Safety

Virginia Hunting Licenses

Virginia Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

× Vermont Hunting Resources

Vermont Online Hunter Safety

Vermont Hunting Licenses

Vermont Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

× Utah Hunting Resources

Utah Online Hunter Safety

Utah Hunting Licenses

Utah Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

× Texas Hunting Resources

Texas Online Hunter Safety

Texas Hunting Licenses

Texas Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

× Tennessee Hunting Resources

Tennessee Online Hunter Safety

Tennessee Hunting Licenses

Tennessee Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

× South Dakota Hunting Resources

South Dakota Online Hunter Safety

South Dakota Hunting Licenses

South Dakota Hunting Seasons

State Agency: South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks

× South Carolina Hunting Resources

South Carolina Online Hunter Safety

South Carolina Hunting Licenses

South Carolina Hunting Seasons

State Agency: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

× Rhode Island Hunting Resources

Rhode Island Online Hunter Safety

Rhode Island Hunting Licenses

Rhode Island Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Rhode Island Department of Fish & Wildlife

× Pennsylvania Hunting Resources

Pennsylvania Online Hunter Safety

Pennsylvania Hunting Licenses

Pennsylvania Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Pennsylvania Game Commission

× Oregon Hunting Resources

Oregon Online Hunter Safety

Oregon Hunting Licenses

Oregon Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

× Oklahoma Hunting Resources

Oklahoma Online Hunter Safety

Oklahoma Hunting Licenses

Oklahoma Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

× Ohio Hunting Resources

Ohio Online Hunter Safety

Ohio Hunting Licenses

Ohio Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Ohio Division of Wildlife

× North Dakota Hunting Resources

North Dakota Online Hunter Safety

North Dakota Hunting Licenses

North Dakota Hunting Seasons

State Agency: North Dakota Game & Fish Department

× North Carolina Hunting Rescouces

North Carolina Online Hunter Safety

North Carolina Hunting Licenses

North Carolina Hunting Seasons

State Agency: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

× New York Hunting Resources

New York Online Hunter Safety

New York Hunting Licenses

New York Hunting Seasons

State Agency: New York Department of Environmental Conservation

× New Mexico Hunting Resources

New Mexico Online Hunter Safety

New Mexico Hunting Licenses

New Mexico Hunting Seasons

State Agency: New Mexico Department of Game & Fish

× New Jersey Hunting Resources

New Jersey Online Hunter Safety

New Jersey Hunting Licenses

New Jersey Hunting Seasons

State Agency: New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife

× New Hampshire Hunting Resources

New Hampshire Online Hunter Safety

New Hampshire Hunting Licenses

New Hampshire Hunting Seasons

State Agency: New Hampshire Fish & Game Department

× Nevada Hunting Resources

Nevada Online Hunter Safety

Nevada Hunting Licenses

Nevada Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Nevada Department of Wildlife

× Nebraska Hunting Resources

Nebraska Online Hunter Safety

Nebraska Hunting Licenses

Nebraska Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Nebraska Game & Parks Commission

× Montana Hunting Resources

Montana Online Hunter Safety

Montana Hunting Licenses

Montana Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

× Missouri Hunting Resources

Missouri Online Hunter Safety

Missouri Hunting Licenses

Missouri Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Missouri Deptartment of Conservation

× Mississippi Hunting Resources

Mississippi Online Hunter Safety

Mississippi Hunting Licenses

Mississippi Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Mississippi Deptartment of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks

× Minnesota Hunting Resources

Minnesota Online Hunter Safety

Minnesota Hunting Licenses

Minnesota Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Minnesota Deptartment of Natural Resources

× Michigan Hunting Resources

Michigan Online Hunter Safety

Michigan Hunting Licenses

Michigan Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Michigan Deptartment of Natural Resources

× Massachusetts Hunting Resources

Massachusetts Hunter Safety

Massachusetts Hunting Licenses

Massachusetts Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife

× Maryland Hunting Resources

Maryland Online Hunter Safety

Maryland Hunting Licenses

Maryland Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

× Maine Hunting Resources

Maine Online Hunter Safety

Maine Hunting Licenses

Maine Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

× Louisiana Hunting Resources

Louisiana Online Hunter Safety

Louisiana Hunting Licenses

Louisiana Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries

× Kentucky Hunting Resources

Kentucky Online Hunter Safety

Kentucky Hunting Licenses

Kentucky Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources

× Kansas Hunting Resources

Kansas Hunter Safety

Kansas Hunting Licenses

Kansas Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism

× Iowa Hunting Resources

Iowa Online Hunter Safety

Iowa Hunting Licenses

Iowa Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Iowa Department of Natural Resources

× Indiana Hunting Resources

Indiana Online Hunter Safety

Indiana Hunting Licenses

Indiana Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Indiana Department of Natural Resources

× Illinois Hunting Resources

Illinois Online Hunter Safety

Illinois Hunting Licenses

Illinois Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Illinois Department of Natural Resources

× Idaho Hunting Resources

Idaho Online Hunter Safety

Idaho Hunting Licenses

Idaho Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Idaho Department of Fish & Game

× Hawaii Hunting Resources

Hawaii Online Hunter Safety

Hawaii Hunting Licenses

Hawaii Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Hawaii Department of Land & Natural Resources

× Georgia Hunting Resources

Georgia Online Hunter Safety

Georgia Hunting Licenses

Georgia Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Georgia Department of Natural Resources

× Florida Hunting Resources

Florida Online Hunter Safety

Florida Hunting Licenses

Florida Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission

× Delaware Hunting Resources

Delaware Online Hunter Safety

Delaware Hunting Licenses

Delaware Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife

× Connecticut Hunting Resources

Connecticut Hunter Safety

Connecticut Hunting Licenses

Connecticut Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

× Colorado Hunting Licenses

Colorado Online Hunter Safety

Colorado Hunting Licenses

Colorado Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Colorado Parks & Wildlife

× California Hunting Resources

California Online Hunter Safety

California Hunting Licenses

California Hunting Seasons

State Agency: California Department of Fish & Wildlife

× Arkansas Hunting Resources

Arkansas Online Hunter Safety

Arkansas Hunting Licenses

Arkansas Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

× Arizona Hunting Resources

Arizona Online Hunter Safety

Arizona Hunting Licenses

Arizona Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Arizona Game & Fish Department

× Alaska Hunting Resources

Alaska Online Hunter Safety

Alaska Hunting Licenses

Alaska Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Alaska Department of Fish & Game

× Alabama Hunting Resources

Alabama Online Hunter Safety

Alabama Hunting Licenses

Alabama Hunting Seasons

State Agency: Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

×