ABSTRACT
By the 1970s, technology had evolved to the point where the use of polymers to manufacture frames or receivers became a viable option to the rearm manufacturer. Up to that time, polymers had been used in rearm construction on a limited basis, mostly for parts
such as grip panels, hand guards, and other nonmechanical parts. During World War II, Germany made extensive use of the composite Bakelite as well as another composite material called Durofol. In 1959, Remington Arms introduced the Nylon 66, a .22 rie that featured a composite stock, although the barrel and receiver were of conventional steel construction. In 1970, Heckler & Koch marketed the rst polymer-framed handgun, the VP-70. Two versions were available: a standard pistol and a similar pistol capable of being made into a machine gun by attachment of a shoulder stock. e slide was nished in either a black parkerized nish or stainless steel. e VP-70 was a blowback-operated pistol, having a xed barrel, and was double action only. Firing was accomplished by means of a striker system that was cocked and released strictly by trigger press. A push-button, crossbar-type safety was available and placed on the trigger guard, more customary for long guns than pistols, but an eective system nonetheless. Although not commercially successful and discontinued in 1989, H&K did set the stage for a new generation of handguns.
