HK SP – Lasting Impressions By Shane Oswald The mark of a good design is often considered to be a recognizable silhouette. This suggests that the unique shapes and angles have become ubiquitous and culturally significant. Often, there will be copies that ride the coattails of the original, trying to share in some of the success. This is no different in the world of firearms. It does not take a gun enthusiast to recognize the outline of a Heckler and Koch MP5. Since its first adoption in 1966, the MP5 has become prolific among police agencies, counter terrorist organizations, and militaries around the world. This gun has redefined the role of the submachine gun and earned its place as a cultural icon. Almost 60 years after entering the market, it is still considered the gold standard in its industry due to its exceptional accuracy and minimal recoil impulse. Today, it is available for the civilian population in the form of the SP5, a faithful semi-auto clone being produced by H&K themselves. The MP5 would truly come into the spotlight in 1980 when it was used to great effect during the siege of the Iranian Embassy. After the hostile takeover and execution of one hostage, the British Special Air Service would be called into action. Famous pictures would emerge of SAS operators repelling down into windows, MP5 in one hand. Equipped with early weapon mounted lights and lasers, the SAS would successfully save twenty-four out of the remaining twenty-five hostages. In only seventeen minutes, the team managed to capture one Iranian gunman and eliminate the other five. This impressive show of force was deemed Operation Nimrod, and it would bring both the SAS and the [...]