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. In addition to its longer slide the longest found on any HK pistol the USP Elite has the same adjustable target sights, ambidextrous control levers (with safe, fire and decock functions), and an O-ring barrel found on other specialized models of the USP.