The grooves are parallel with the bore of the pistol, so any accessory mounted is boresighted when mounted. Les pistolet HK concernés étaient le HK P2000 ainsi que sa version sub-compact, et l’USP Compact/LEM [23]. Take it new out of the box put, duty factory ammo in it, and with no break in you can stake your life on it. The entire surface of the frame is textured for a positive grip, even with wet hands. The popularity of the USP has caused after-market manufacturers to begin producing similar accessories for the USP pistol family. It is clear that the USP45 Tactical was designed for military and law enforcement use, but this requires some explanation. The new recoil reduction system can be retrofitted into earlier USPs without modification. It combines the best of traditional firearms with the best of state of the art firearms technology. Nonetheless, a military requirement exists for a .45 caliber pistol that is different than the Mark 23, while improving on the venerable M1911A1 and at the same time maintaining the operational characteristics virtually identical to those of the Mark 23. It is a short recoil, modified Browning system similar to that used in the Browning M1935. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The second difference is that when the trigger is released on the P8 and P10, the control lever automatically returns to the “safe” position. Pressing the lever down past the “fire” position usually decocks the USP when the hammer is cocked. In Germany, Heckler & Koch is entering into IPSC Competition and has developed a “full-race” version of the USP for use by its IPSC team. Now I have a bunch of Sigs in my collection instead of HK's . Unlike the system used in the M1935, the H&K locks on the front and rear edges of the ejection port, rather than using locking grooves machined into the slide and barrel. Americans appreciate the reliability and quality of the products from Oberndorf especially. JavaScript is disabled. I have owned the HK USP Tactical for over a year. Finally, H&K has an Optical Sight/Scope Mount available for the USP. The slide hadn’t gone … I was told that since most HKs specifically the USP are not as reliable as lets say Glocks because they have alot of parts and moving parts and complex internals. A unique feature of the USP is its recoil reduction system, again virtually identical to that used on the Mark 23 USSOCOM Pistol. What does the future hold for the USP? Avec ce pistolet de sport, HK répond aux attentes de l'élite mondiale. It has since had several thousand rounds fired through it without a single stoppage. Moreover, management realized that as good as their pistols were, several, such as the P7 were unconventional, although most people who purchase handguns are essentially conservative, preferring more conventional designs. While the Mark 23 is not a member of the immediate USP family, it is a first cousin and must be included in any discussion of the USP’s development. Both are versions of the USP9 and USP9 Compact, respectively, but with two differences in comparison to other USP versions. Reliability: * * * * * More than 3,000 rounds and no malfunctions, suppressed or unsuppressed. Americans have traditionally been enamored with innovation and technology, but technology alone cannot replace that which is of proven efficacy unless it improves upon it. I've owned both Sig P229 .40 and HK USP Comp .40; In the end, I ended up selling the USP Comp cause I felt the Sig P229 is a far more superior firearm in terms of grip, accuracy, trigger, recoil and over all balance. . HK has finally produced a new generation polymer-framed striker-fired gun. Design development began in September 1989 and took nearly two years. I have had HK P30 for over 5 years now. In fact, the USP was the first pistol specifically designed for the .40 S&W cartridge. Twist rates remained the same as in earlier guns, but the cold hammer forged polygonal rifling has several benefits. Magazine capacity is 13 rounds in .40 S&W, 15 rounds in 9x19mm and 12 rounds in .45 ACP, except for civilian use pistols, which are all equipped with the silly federally-mandated “politically correct” ten-round magazines. The proven excellence of the USP design means not only that the pistol will be available for many years to come, but that the variety of USPs available to the shooter will continue to grow as well. After these torture tests, the parts of four different pistols of different caliber were interchanged, except for barrel, slide and magazine. Caractéristiques. H&K had noted that some .40 S&W pistols that were modified from 9x19mm designs had durability problems and they wanted to ensure that there were no such problems with their new pistol. Doesn’t get much better than that, folks. your H&K is just … Muzzle velocity is increased versus standard rifling due to a tighter gas seal. MK 25 .9mm M11 A1 .9mm P229R .40s&w P224 SAS … You dont think that the extra parts could cause reliability issues? I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Jim Schatz of Heckler & Koch, Inc., without whose assistance thisarticle would not have been possible. At the same time, development of the USP was influenced by the Mark 23’s development process. Hello, I was wondering about the HK reliability. Magazines are of an improved design with an extended floor plate to improve retention. H&K makes a full range of accessories for all versions of the USP, including a tactical light, designated the Universal Tactical Light (UTL), a UTL carrying pouch which allows the UTL to be attached to long guns, tools, bicycles, etc. The recoil reduction system was lengthened to accommodate the longer .45 ACP cartridge while providing an identical 30 per cent reduction in recoil forces. Reliability. The USP incorporates three or four separate safety mechanisms, depending on variant. That’s a Mean Rounds Between Stoppage of 25,000 rounds… ten times the industry … It is one of my most favorite 9mm handguns ever. Overall, the HK USP 9 Tactical shows that HK won’t abandon popular products in favor or new ones and is fully capable of taking a great design and making it better. This is not to say that the American market is hostile to innovation - far from it. Pulse Member. Affordability was another major concern. This will be further discussed in the section on the Mark 23 which follows. La détente LEM est en fait la version de H&K de la détente DAK de SIG et vice-versa. Grip circumference and trigger reach are also reduced for improved handling. Dimensional differences may be found in the specifications tables. The USP’s texturing is very similar to that of the Mark 23 and incorporates stippling on the grip side panels and deeply embossed grooves on the grip front and backstraps. The head of the design team was Helmut Weldle, designer of the P7 pistols. The USP45 was a follow-on to the original USP40 and USP9 pistols and was introduced in January 1995 at the SHOT Show. Actual production of the USP40 was undertaken in February 1993. The HK45's Reliability Proves Why It's One Of The Best Pistols Out There . Other changes in the compact pistols were the previously discussed recoil spring and buffer mechanism. More types Holsters H&K USP Inside The Waistband holsters . This article first appeared in Small Arms Review V1N12 (September 1998)and was posted online on February 3, 2017. The HK P30 V3 for sale is designed to be the best carry gun youâ ve ever owned. Moreover, the USP is a traditional pistol in the American idiom, while at the same time taking full advantage of the most modern materials to achieve levels of reliability and longevity that would have been unimaginable just 25 years ago. As stated, the USP45 is different than its smaller caliber sisters. I carried it and shot it a lot until recently when for a change I shifted to P226 - for how long I don't know. À côtés des caractéristiques typiques de l'USP, le modèle Expert est doté de fonctions spécifiques qui en font ce qu'il est : un des meilleurs pistolets de sport du monde. Key point: It's … First, of course is the fact that the pistols are smaller both in height and in length for concealment. The HK P30 V3 for sale has the ergonomic grip, pinpoint accuracy, and relentless reliability youâ re looking for in an everyday carry pistol. As we have seen, the USP pistols were designed with the American market in mind and the success of the pistol in the US market and overseas clearly indicates that Heckler & Koch was “on target” with its design. While Variant Eight is listed in the chart matrix, it was never produced except in very small numbers for US Immigration and Naturalization Border Patrol testing. We should also note that the magazines of the USP drop free when the release is pressed, an important tactical consideration. One difference is the functioning of the control lever, which reverses the “safe” and “fire” positions of the Variant 1 USP. The P8 replaces the Walther P1 (modernized P.38) in Bundeswehr service, while the P10 is being issued to German police. The outer recoil spring is a lower rate than the inner buffer spring, which slows the slide at the end of its recoil movement, prevents the slide from impinging against the frame of the pistol and buffers the unlocking of the barrel from the slide during the first three to four millimeters of movement. As of this writing in early 1998, 32 states have “shall issue” concealed laws which mandate that any citizen of good character who applies must be issued a license to carry a concealed weapon, usually a pistol. Yea right. Essentially, the recoil reduction system consists of two concentric springs held in place by a guide rod. Selon la firme, la détente LEM permet d’effectuer des tirs plus rapides et de revenir plus rapidement en position sur la cible qu’une détente double action standard, ceci en raison … It has superior ergonomics (i.e. (The USP Compact is shipped with two magazines - one with a flat, flush-fitting floor plate for maximum concealability and another with an extended floorplate to provide maximum comfort for those with large hands.) Heckler & Koch concluded that a conventional pistol incorporating as many high-tech innovations as possible would be most attractive to the American market. I'm leaning toward a Glock 30 due to the known reliability of Glock and it's competitive price. While not as widespread in police use as Glock pistols, the USP is nonetheless just as reliable, while being much more flexible in its ability to be modified to meet specific user requirements. Chambered in 9mm or .40 S&W, the H&K P30 V3 features a traditional DA/SA … A second pistol that caught my attention after reading what others had to say about it was the HK 45 compact. Detail stripping to clean out old lube build up or dirt build up from heavy duty usage or harsh environments. I own a fullsized HK USP 9 and got me wondering if my HK is just as tough and reliable. Difficult to put back together as well. Variants Three and Four do not have a manual safety, but have a decocking lever. Is any of this true? The HK 45 compact pistol features an integral MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail, a slim-line grip with interchangeable grip panels, ambidextrous controls, a patented recoil reduction … Longue ligne de mire (env. Comments have not been generated for this article. The company decided to begin with a clean slate and gather input from the shooters themselves to influence the design of the new pistol. Heckler and Koch’s Universal Self-Loading Pistol, better known as the USP, is a true firearms success story in what has become a highly competitive worldwide handgun market. The release is actually shielded by the trigger guard to prevent inadvertent actuation. Once was a light primer hit, the other was a broken trigger return spring. First we will be going over what you get in the box, then what I got in the box with the first USP9c I had in for review, and finally the general specs. The development of the Mark 23 will be covered separately. At this point, it is worth noting the testing process that the USP underwent in the final stages of its development. Accordingly, H&K conducted a market survey to determine the preferences of American handgun shooters of all types, including military, law enforcement and civilian. Recommended for those, who wish to use the concealed carry permit to the fullest extent. The lever then automatically returns to the “fire” position, enabling the USP to be operated in the double action mode for the first shot. In terms of overall size, the USP Compacts are very close dimensionally to the Colt Officer’s ACP except for the slide, which is slightly thicker. The fact that the USP went into production after the Mark 23 prototypes were delivered to the US Government for testing is not indicative that the USP design was derived from the USSOCOM handgun. Testing was successful and the basic design was “frozen” in December of that year. Ergonomically, the HK USP is not suited for small handed shooters. It’s lightweight and comes with plenty of features that make it stand out from the crowd. The USP Tactical (9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, .45 ACP) incorporates an adjustable rear sight, a higher-profile front sight (as to be visible above the suppressor), an extended threaded barrel and O-ring, a match grade trigger, and an adjustable trigger stop (the 9mm model, referred to by HK as the "USP9SD (tactical)" does not have the match trigger with adjustable trigger stop, O-ring, … While many people might well have purchased an innovative H&K P7, its high price made that pistol a non-starter for most individuals and law-enforcement agencies. The USP pistols were subjected to test firing in various attitudes and were checked every 1,000 rounds for damaged or broken parts and for accuracy. Just because something has more parts does not make it more susceptible to failure. It should also be noted that besides having controls which are very similar in function to those of the M1911, the grip angle of the USP is identical to that of the venerable Browning design. ScareyH22A, Mar 29, 2009 #1. I see this article is dated 6/11/2020, but the new mods to this pistol came out early this year and some last year late. . The pistols were dropped onto rubber on all sides and at a 45 degree angle onto the muzzle from a height of four feet with a primed case in the chamber, 13 dummy rounds in the magazine and the safety/decocking lever set in the “fire” position without incident. Variant eight was essentially a Variant Seven USP with European tritium sights. Some subtle changes are 17 rnd mags, top cutout and plates for different RMR, and the push button mag release. Whether they were professionals or simply serious enthusiasts, they preferred a handgun of conventional design. Barrels with polygonal rifling are easier to clean and maintain because there are no grooves, per se, in which fouling and metal deposits can accumulate. Costing over 1,000.00 USD, the Heckler & Koch HK45 was almost twice as expensive as an equivalent polymer model by GLOCK or Smith & Wesson. . It functioned after a ten minute mud bath, after a ten minute exposure to blowing sand, freezing rain (water spray on the pistol to a thickness of 1 to 3mm). Another bullet was driven 30mm into the muzzle of the pistol and the pistol fired, again with no damage or degradation in performance. The next iteration of USP is the USP45 Tactical Model, shown at the 1998 SHOT Show and officially put on sale in April, although the USP45 Tactical Model will not be available in quantity until May 1998. In the box with the Heckler & Koch USP9c, you will receive … The USP recoil reduction system is “transparent” to the shooter; it is insensitive to ammunition, requires no maintenance and has an indefinite service life. A stainless steel slide is available for all USP models. In November 1994 the rifling was changed from conventional lands and grooves to polygonal rifling, an H&K innovation. The pistols were then dropped six times onto a cocked hammer from a height of three and nearly seven feet onto a steel/concrete surface. All USP pistols incorporate these two passive mechanisms. And then I shot Hornady .45 Auto +P 230 grain XTP. The control lever can easily be set up for left hand, right hand, or ambidextrous use. Magazines of the .40 S&W and 9x19mm pistols are of polymer with a stainless steel insert, while that of the USP45 is steel. The slide release of the USP is also located similarly to that of the M1911 and M1935 and like the earlier designs is used to disassemble the pistol. Is any of this true? It may have a few unorthodox features, but its reputation for reliability, incredible accuracy and flawless reliability make an excellent choice for a wide swath of shooters. To the author, at least, this is a much more natural movement than pressing in. On the contrary, if anything, many of the Mark 23’s features were derived from the USP, which was already under development when the US Government’s request for proposal (RFP) for the OHWS was announced in December 1990. On the second trigger pull, nothing happened. This holster category includes traditional IWB … Only twice in 50,000 rounds did the gun fail to go through its entire cycle of operation, ready to fire again with nothing more than a trigger pull. H&K once manufactured the “Quik-Comp” muzzle brake/compensator which attached to the mounting grooves. During the test firing, The USP tore through a full mag of my regular range ammo without issues. Hello, I was wondering about the HK reliability. I was told that since most HKs specifically the USP are not as reliable as lets say Glocks because they have alot of parts and moving parts and complex internals. I tried both of these on the other day and really liked both of them. These features enhance USP's reliability in high-dust environments, and allow easier cleaning. Be sure to check out custom made HK USP Kydex Holsters. The H&K study revealed a number of facts regarding the American handgun market which many firearms manufacturers would do well to heed. Never regretted letting go of the HK. But, this innovative gun doesn’t come cheap by any means. Originally designed for the American market, the USP (Universal Self-loading Pistol) has found international acceptance as an accurate and ultra-reliable handgun. Another measure of the rugged design of the USP is the fact that unmodified USP45s have presently fired over 6,000 rounds of the new .45 super ammunition without incident. The pistol became available for sale in May of that year. First is reduced felt recoil to the shooter, resulting in reduced muzzle “flip” quicker recovery time after each shot and increased accuracy. The durability of the .40 cal Gen 1-3 is lack luster; it didnt function … The reader can determine the specific features of USP variants by referring to the chart accompanying this article. And finally, the science of ergonomics would play a large part in design of the new pistol. The USP had to function in temperatures as low as -51O Fahrenheit and as high as +145O Fahrenheit. A forum dedicated to and laser-focused on Heckler & Koch firearms, Heckler & Koch accessories and the owners and enthusiasts that love them! .40 S&W USPs were rifled with 1 turn in 14.96 inches, while 9mm Parabellum pistols had rifling at a rate of 1 turn in 9.84 inches. Some 20,000 USP “P8” variants have been issued to the German military. Further, Heckler & Koch realized that P7 pistols for the most part had become so expensive that they could not effectively compete against companies such as Glock and Smith & Wesson in the US market. Aside from the shorter length and height, there are minimal differences between the compact USPs and their full-size sisters, most of which have already been discussed. Come join the discussion regarding HK pistols, long arms, NFA arms, HK accessories, HK history and trivia and more. The Tactical Model USP is essentially a “cross” between the Mark 23 and the USP, incorporating the best features of both. Reliability testing on the USP prototypes was unfinished at the time of the design “freeze,” but since both pistols had fired 10,000 rounds of their 20,000 round reliability test without incident, it was decided to freeze the design and proceed with production planning and formal introduction of the USP at the January 1993 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trades (SHOT) Show. Oh but Glock. I also hear that completely detail stripping a USP or other HK is pretty difficult. Variant Seven has the double action safety with no manual control lever at all. The USP45 was never manufactured with conventional rifling. Most people recommend completely taking the gun down about every thousand rounds for a more thorough cleaning. H&K wanted to compete for the FBI 10mm pistol contract, but had no pistols in 10mm caliber, nor any conventional double action/single action (DA/SA) pistol as required by the FBI specifications. Its price moves between 560$ and 760$, so it’s best to figure out whe… Both USP45s and the Mark 23 are being tested with this new cartridge with a view towards certifying both pistols for its unlimited use. Reliability: There’s almost no way the HK45 could have proven more reliable. The buffer in the H&K USP Compacts is therefore a high strength polymer bushing that surrounds the recoil spring and cushions the blow of the slide against the frame as the slide recoils. The most requested reliability or torture test has been the HK VP9. The tests of the USP paralleled the NATO military test protocols of the Mark 23, which are much more stringent than commercial standards. For ammunition compliance testing, USPs were tested using every type of commercially available ammunition. The safety/decocking lever, called a “control lever” by H&K, is positioned at the same relative location on the frame as that in both the M1935 and M1911 pistols, and functions in the same fashion - up is “safe,” down is “fire.” There is one difference, however. Joined: Nov 27, 2008 Messages: 349 Location: Zurich / CH. One of the major trends in the US firearms market has been engendered by the spread of “shall issue” concealed carry laws in the majority of the states. The versatility of the USP allows it to be configured without a safety or decocking position in some versions. 363 Posts . All USP45 Tactical pistols are provided with a cleaning kit, spare barrel “O” rings, and tools for sight and trigger stop adjustment. The uppermost position of the lever on both German pistols is “fire,” rather than “safe.” The mid position is “safe,” and fully down decocks the pistol, as with other USP variants. This may still occasionally be found as a used component. Actual production of the USP40 … There were no primer indentations in any of these tests. Hello, I was wondering about the HK reliability. USP45 Tactical threads, however, are left handed to prevent installation of the Mark 23’s suppressor, which was designed for a heavier slide. .45 Super testing should be complete by mid-1998 and results made pubic shortly thereafter. HK USP Custom Sport 9 Para + Laser Divices BLAST / HK USP Tactical 45ACP + Streamlight M6 + B&T Impuls II-A / S&W Security Special 3" 357 Mag / S&W 629 5" 44 Mag + Holosight / S&W 500 Mag 4" / Tanfoglio Limited 45ACP / Walther P22 & G22 / SDI M4A1 XR15 Commando "Modified" + B&T Rotex-III / Steyr Mannlicher Tactical Elite 7.08 + Leupold VX-III 6.5-20x50 … Developed as a potential combat pistol for the US military, the HK45 compact for sale at Omaha Outdoors is accurate and highly modular, with the robust reliability that only comes from Heckler and Koch. USP Compact pistols have a different recoil reduction system than the larger pistols because there is insufficient space for a dual-spring system and because the compact designs use a flat recoil spring to save space and facilitate shortening the barrel and frame. The USP45 Tactical Model uses the barrel developed for the Mark 23, which is threaded for attachment of a suppressor. I can break down both my p2000sk and my HK45c about as fast as my friends sig p250???? Any difference in the reliability … Les pistolet HK concernés étaient le HK P2000 ainsi que sa version sub-compact, et l’USP Compact/LEM [23]. This design was later type-classified as the Mark 23 Mod 0 USSOCOM Pistol, hereafter referred to as the Mark 23. Just wanted to see what your opinions is on this. The author had the opportunity to test one of the USP45 Compact pistols in October 1997 and shortly thereafter purchased one for personal use. The USP is, as we have stated, largely a traditional pistol design executed in nontraditional ways. Oh but it costs so much. The USP is such a pistol. A lanyard loop is molded into the heel of the grip as part of the insert that retains the hammer spring. I just wanted to see if there was any justification to this. All other USP components, both external and internal, are finished with Dow-Corning’s “Molykote,” a very tough corrosion-resistant finish which also incorporates low-friction qualities.