USP recoil reduction system

[TL1234]

I was surprised I didn't find any information about this when I searched the forums. I'm wondering if some people could explain to me

a) How it works
b) How effective it is

For example, what does .40 SW feel like coming out of USP compared to say, a Glock 22 or other similarly sized .40? Is the difference pretty small, or does it reduce the felt recoil so much you could compare it to a 9mm, for example?

Just curious, as I really haven't seen any information about it

 

[Highland Ranger]

They used to have a great animation on their web site but its not there anymore. I have one of the original magazine articles with the details from the early 90's when they hit the US. From what I remember there is an extra spring on a short recoil design.

I only have one 40, the USP. I have many 45's including the USP. Recoil is less than my XD, but I think the HK is physically more massive so not sure I'm giving you any info here.

Why are you concerned about recoil on a 40? If its a small hands thing, better try the USP on for size - its a big pistol.

 

[Autolycus]

Check out www.hkpro.com

 

[PO2Hammer]

http://www.streetpro.com/usp/index.html

It's hard to make a direct comparison.

A Glock .40 definatly smacks the web of the hand, where the USP is a slower recoil pulse that feels softer in the web of the hand, but has more muzzle climb.

Another way to look at it is the USP .40 feels more like a typical .45 auto, and the Glock .40 feels more like a .357 magnum.

Overall recoil is the same, it just gets transferred differently.

I traded my USP .40 in on a USP .45 and with my softball handloads recoil is so soft, it's almost funny. (accuracy is awesome too!)

 

[TL1234]

I was just using .40 as an example, because in my opinion it has harsher recoil than 9mm or .45. Size is kind of an issue, I would love to get a full size USP .45, but I haven't had a chance to hole one yet and I'm thinking it will probably be too big for me. So I am giving .40 some consideration if the .45 feels to big when I finally get to try one.

Or, I might just end up waiting for the HK45. It should be out sometime soon, right?

 

[surjimmy]

The USP's have a double recoil spring to reduce recoil. (FYI) some other testing they do is freeze the weapon to 40 below, heat it up to 150 degrees, lodge a bullet in the barrel and shoot it. Not only does it not blow up it will still hold a 2in group at 25 yards. They shoot 10,000 +P rounds without a malfunction.

 

[bluecollar]

No way a Glock 22 recoils as hard as a .357 mag. Even a Glock 27 is a pussycat compared to a full power .357 out of a 35 oz. revolver. That's with some of the best energy absorbing grips you can use.

 

[BrainLazy]

Or, I might just end up waiting for the HK45. It should be out sometime soon, right?

Just a day or so ago, H&K announced they would be partnering with Wilcox Industries to have the HK45, HK416, and HK417 manufactured stateside for the US market.
Now, since Wilcox doesn't sell to the public, they probably meant the police/government/military market but civilian HK45s will likely come off the same molds and machines that are currently being shipped over.

It may be several months before we begin to see anything since they've just started to set up production here.

 

[PO2Hammer]

I was just using .40 as an example, because in my opinion it has harsher recoil than 9mm or .45. Size is kind of an issue, I would love to get a full size USP .45, but I haven't had a chance to hole one yet and I'm thinking it will probably be too big for me.

The USP .45 uses metal mags so the grip is very similar to a USP .40. Recoil is a tossup, And I've found the .45 version to be extremely accurate out to 50 yards.

I would urge anyone who has considered the USP .45 to get one while they still can.

Who knows what the HK45 will really turn out to be, and the USP .45 is one of the best pistols in production.

 

[Warlokke]

My USPf in .40 feels exactly the same as my Beretta 92F in 9mm. My USPc in .40 has a bit more muzzle flip than a 9mm but the recoil is about the same.