The Heckler & Koch P2000 is a semi-automatic handgun that was released in 2001 with a focus on the commercial, paramilitary, and law enforcement sectors. It is intended to be an improved, more ergonomic version of the USP Compact. The P2000 was specifically created with better ergonomic features. It has features that increase user comfort and handling while simultaneously reducing handling-related stresses. The P2000 is a short recoil-operated locked breech handgun with a vertically tilting barrel and a modified Browning-type linkless cam action, which is also used in most current linkless semi-autos, including the USP family. The slide is built from a solid bar of nitro-carburized steel, while the cold hammer-forged barrel has a polygonal profile. The P2000 is a hammer-fired handgun with an exposed spurred hammer. A bobbed hammer is an optional choice. The slide is built from a solid bar of nitro-carburized steel, while the cold hammer-forged barrel has a polygonal profile. The pistol features a completely ambidextrous magazine release built into the trigger guard as well as an ambidextrous slide lock. Weight and production costs are reduced through the use of impact-resistant polymers. The addition of rubber base plates for the magazines is among the other improvements. Both the conventional double-action/single-action trigger system and the LEM trigger mechanism are available for the P2000. The P2000SK is a subcompact version of the standard model, with a slightly reduced size.