Sergei Mosin
Member
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2011
- Messages
- 1,918
Paid a visit to the local range/gun store and decided to rent a couple of HK pistols, just to try them out. They had the USP in both 9mm and .45 ACP, so I ran 50 rounds through each.
Interesting guns. Generally, I don't care for polymer-framed pistols, but the USP has a solid feel that some polymer guns lack - enough that I could probably overlook my anti-polymer prejudice.
Both were quite accurate in my hands. Once you figure out where to hold, the rounds go right where you want them every time. Big three-dot sights help, and the gun points pretty well. Quite pleased with my groups.
These particular guns were what H&K refers to as, and I quote from their website, "Variant 1: Double action/single action with "SAFE” position. Control lever (manual safety/decocking lever) on left side of frame." This brings me to the trigger.
The HK double action trigger has got to be one of the worst I've ever fired, and I own two Soviet Nagant revolvers. Long, impossibly heavy, mushy, with extra stacking at the end (if you ever get there.) These guns are range guns with plenty of rounds through them, so I hate to think how bad their triggers must have been when they were new.
Fortunately, in single action the trigger wasn't too bad - still a little mushy but not horrendous.
The grips have a pretty aggressive pattern on front and rear that I thought might rough up my hands some, and it did, but only in the harder-kicking .45. Recoil was plenty manageable in both calibers, although the 9mm was a good bit softer.
But if you're worried about the grips hurting your hands, wear gloves. There's plenty of room inside the enormous trigger guard for a gloved finger - or two, in case you need extra help to fire in double action. HK must have designed it to accomodate the fingers of a Bavarian bodybuilder drafted into the Bundeswehr and standing guard on the Inner German Border. In January.
Overall, I was reasonably pleased with the USP. It's a solid example of a service pistol, if a bit on the expensive side. I'm not likely to buy one, but it's a plastic gun I don't hate. Now that's impressive.
Interesting guns. Generally, I don't care for polymer-framed pistols, but the USP has a solid feel that some polymer guns lack - enough that I could probably overlook my anti-polymer prejudice.
Both were quite accurate in my hands. Once you figure out where to hold, the rounds go right where you want them every time. Big three-dot sights help, and the gun points pretty well. Quite pleased with my groups.
These particular guns were what H&K refers to as, and I quote from their website, "Variant 1: Double action/single action with "SAFE” position. Control lever (manual safety/decocking lever) on left side of frame." This brings me to the trigger.
The HK double action trigger has got to be one of the worst I've ever fired, and I own two Soviet Nagant revolvers. Long, impossibly heavy, mushy, with extra stacking at the end (if you ever get there.) These guns are range guns with plenty of rounds through them, so I hate to think how bad their triggers must have been when they were new.
Fortunately, in single action the trigger wasn't too bad - still a little mushy but not horrendous.
The grips have a pretty aggressive pattern on front and rear that I thought might rough up my hands some, and it did, but only in the harder-kicking .45. Recoil was plenty manageable in both calibers, although the 9mm was a good bit softer.
But if you're worried about the grips hurting your hands, wear gloves. There's plenty of room inside the enormous trigger guard for a gloved finger - or two, in case you need extra help to fire in double action. HK must have designed it to accomodate the fingers of a Bavarian bodybuilder drafted into the Bundeswehr and standing guard on the Inner German Border. In January.
Overall, I was reasonably pleased with the USP. It's a solid example of a service pistol, if a bit on the expensive side. I'm not likely to buy one, but it's a plastic gun I don't hate. Now that's impressive.