The USP series was developed in the early 1990s by Heckler & Koch engineers as the company's first undertaking to design a handgun especially for the American civilian and law enforcement markets. Combining traditional blowback operation using a modified Browning locking system on a high strength polymer frame, the USP has a well-earned reputation for reliably and robust simplicity. The USP Elite offers significant additional features making it a unique handgun designed for specialized applications. It combines elements of the USP Tactical, USP Expert, and Mark 23 with a long slide design. The result is a highly accurate pistol ideally suited to IPSC (International Practical Shooting Competition) and other practical target shooting applications.