Aserma ADP Mk II

ADP stands for Advanced Defensive Pistol, and that is exactly what the ADP Mk II (Mark Two) is. It is the brainchild of Alex Du Plessis, who developed this innovative 'stealth' handgun in 1991. It as first manufactured by Aserma Company, South Africa in 1994. Aserma belongs to the Reunert Technology Systems (Reutech) group. Reutech began as a small engineering company that expanded its operations into the fields of electrical, telecommunications, consumer and commercial - and finally defense. It went on to become one of South Africa's foremost military suppliers by the end of the 90s. The ADP Mk II was developed during South Africa's arms embargo. In practical terms, this means that this pistol has a cultural history and significance that adds to its charisma many times over. Not surprisingly, it is a collector's item in unusually high demand.

The ADP Mk II is primarily a weapon of concealment for various specialty law enforcement and security agencies, and it serves this purpose to perfection. The ADP Mk II accommodates 9 x19 Luger/Parabellum and .40SW ammunition. While a .45ADP was also developed, it never saw large-scale production. It weighs 560 grams in an unloaded condition, is 160 mm long, 120.5 mm high and 29 mm. broad. It features a barrel length of 95 mm. The magazine accommodates either 10 or 15 rounds of ammunition. A complete set includes a case, maintenance kit and a spare magazine.

The ADP Mk II employs the principle of gas-delayed blowback action. This technology involves pushing the handgun's bolt backward with expanding propellant gases instead of featuring a locking bolt. These gases are pushed from the barrel and into a cylinder with a piston that causes the opening of the bolt to be deferred. This kind of technology is not commonly available in handguns. The only other pistols that employ it are the HK P7 and the Steyr GB. The manual safety in the ADP Mk II is located at a somewhat unconventional place - immediately behind the trigger. The handgun is equipped with fixed sights. The trigger is of the pre-cocking double-action kind. The pistol's frame is crafted from specially polymer that is extremely resistant to impact.

After the production rights to the ADP Mk II were snapped up by Tanfoglio (an Italian armory company) sometime in 1995, the pistol was briefly manufactured under a new name - the Tanfoglio P-25. In the United States, it was procurable under the name Heritage Stealth at about the same time. Production rights to this handgun were later transferred to Truvelo Armory (also of South Africa) in 1998. Initially, this company was apparently not able to translate this acquisition into sufficient sales to continue production, but an import contract for the ADP Mk II by Wilson Combat in 2006 revived the pistol's flagging fortunes. The American Wilson Company has now rechristened the handgun under its own name.

The ADP Mk II is one of the lightest handguns of its kind and the design is considered a breakthrough in gun technology. It is extremely safe and easy to use and is therefore an ideal personal weapon for either gender. The cubical format is aesthetically pleasing and also adds to the pistol's portability. One will immediately note the beautiful symmetry and compactness that have so enamored gun lovers across the globe ever since the ADP Mk II hit the market.

Many refer to it as the most compact high-capacity full-bore pistol in existence. It closest cousin is the ADP 40 S&W by Smith & Wesson - this unit features a slightly longer barrel, and the slide is also a bit on the heavier side. It is now also distributed officially in Switzerland by the company TMP WAFFEN GmbH.