
In September of 1992, the third prototype was reviewed and endurance testing began. In August of 1992, H&K delivered 30 OHWS pistols to SOCOM, which would eventually be adopted as the MK23 MOD O pistol. Prototype 1 was reviewed in February 1992 and the second prototype in June of 1992.

Unlike most of the other pistols in the industry, the USP was designed for this new caliber, not a 9mm pistol modified for the larger caliber. The pistol was designed for the newly introduced. In September 1991 the acronym USP or Universal Self-loading Pistol was assigned to the new family of weapons. The OHWS would be put through the toughest testing the world has ever seen for a pistol. Much of the criteria for both pistols were the same and both pistols would use the same basic technology. In February of 1991, United States Special Operations Command announced their Offensive Handgun Weapon System (OHWS) proposal. Using their 2 number codes, it is possible to identify the type of firearm (belt-fed machinegun, submachinegun, etc) and the caliber.During these early days of research and development, another pistol opportunity presented itself. HK developed a series of codes to help identify their military/law enforcement firearms. (or how to interpret HK's codes and other arcane details)


Using their 2 number codes, it is possible to identify the type of firearm (belt-fed machinegun, submachinegun, etc) and the caliber.
