HK USC - With the advent of the UMP submachine gun, a renewed interest followed by the private citizenry in
          the United States of a version of the UMP that could be owned by them.  The Germans gladly
          accomodated.  The USC or Universal Selfloading Carbine is that firearm.  The USC follows the
          UMP in a number of ways, but then molds to the political winds that prevent it from looking or acting
          anything like an actual UMP.  However you feel about what laws do to the aesthetic appearance of
          modern firearms, the USC does not come out looking too bad compared to some of what is out
          there. 

          Born of the MP2000, and sharing the polymer technology seemingly perfected in the UMP and G36
          series, the USC has the 16 inch barrel made necessary by the National Firearms Act of 1934, the
          10 round only magazine of the 1994 Crime Bill, and the non-pistol grip stock required for legal
          importation, also under the 1994 Crime Bill.  The stock is of a medium gray color.  
The UMP and USC had an intial design flaw.  The cocking handle stem, originally made of polymer,
          was found to break off rather quickly when delivering the characteristic "HK slap" to chamber a
          round.  A recall quickly followed and the new metal shank cocking handles are proving quite robust. 
          The new cocking handle is identified by vertical grooves on the rear surface when pointing the gun
          normally.  Old style levers have a smooth rear surface.

          Like the SL8-1 not being capable of accepting G36 magazines, the USC will not accept UMP
          magazines.  A number of Weaver rail variations are available for mounting optics and flashlights. 
          Initial response to the USC appears to be very favorable with the American shooting public.