Happy 30th Birthday to the H&K USP!
- Thread starter CNobbe
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Phaedrus/69
Member
I love the USP! I bought one from one of the first batches I saw in stores, although sadly I don't still have the original one. It's hard to imagine ever not having at least one USP in my collection! Right now I've just one in 9mm with the Match Trigger but I'm planning to have it converted to Match/LEM Hybrid as soon as I can. Over the years I've had at least eight different ones in 9mm, .40 & .45, both compact, full size and Tactical. Even without interchangeable back straps or grip panels I'm fortunate that the USP fits me as though designed for my individual hand.
On the one hand it's nice to see the classic USP is virtually unchanged. But of course, you're right that it could use a mild update. One can forgive the propriety rail as it predates the 1913 rail that became standard in the following years. Now though it would be awesome to see an "anniversary model" with a standard rail and an optic cut.
On the one hand it's nice to see the classic USP is virtually unchanged. But of course, you're right that it could use a mild update. One can forgive the propriety rail as it predates the 1913 rail that became standard in the following years. Now though it would be awesome to see an "anniversary model" with a standard rail and an optic cut.
.455_Hunter
Member
Besides the proprietary rail design, what needs to be updated?
Eliminating the DA/SA/Decock/Safety would be regressive.
Changing the mag release from paddle to side button would be regressive.
Putting a bunch of extra stupid machining on the slide would be regressive.
Eliminating the DA/SA/Decock/Safety would be regressive.
Changing the mag release from paddle to side button would be regressive.
Putting a bunch of extra stupid machining on the slide would be regressive.
JTQ
Member
HK moved on from the polymer mags in their subsequent guns, even in the HK USP 45 they chose metal mags.
Had one back during the AW ban. Didn't care for it for a couple reasons. It had a right hand only safety / de-cocker on it. Ambi safeties were available but expensive. I couldn't get it on paper, all my shots went low. I let a buddy shoot it and he tore the center out of the bullseye.
I hated the mag release as I found it hitting my middle finger when trying to do fast mag changes.
I dropped a loaded metal USP 45 mag on concrete, it split right down the middle on the zipper, spilling rounds all over the floor of the range.
I traded my Glock 21 for it, in a round about way, and then traded it back for my Glock 21. I sold / traded many guns when I was young and poor. Some of them I have added back into my collection. The HK USP 45 is not one of them.
Edited to add: I shot a USP 45 Socom and had no issued getting it on paper into the bullseye. Would I buy one now? Not unless it was killer deal.
I hated the mag release as I found it hitting my middle finger when trying to do fast mag changes.
I dropped a loaded metal USP 45 mag on concrete, it split right down the middle on the zipper, spilling rounds all over the floor of the range.
I traded my Glock 21 for it, in a round about way, and then traded it back for my Glock 21. I sold / traded many guns when I was young and poor. Some of them I have added back into my collection. The HK USP 45 is not one of them.
Edited to add: I shot a USP 45 Socom and had no issued getting it on paper into the bullseye. Would I buy one now? Not unless it was killer deal.
Last edited:
.455_Hunter
Member
JTQ
Member
I'm less of a fan of the ambi-controls. The caveat is I'm a righty, but ...
The USP safety/decocker is switchable from left side to right side, and I don't think HK's subsequent pistols have executed the ambi-slide stops very well, ending up with big ungainly levers on the right side of the pistol. Admittedly, if I were a lefty, I may have a different opinion.
.455_Hunter
Member
JTQ
Member
Reversible safety/decocker has always been a feature of the USP as have been the ambi paddle mag release.
silicosys4
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Good guns. Big. Mediocre DA trigger is my only complaint. Proprietary rail is a meh, I wouldn't use it even if it were standard.
Double_J
Member
My first ever gun purchase was for a .45 ACP full size model. Sadly I no longer own it due to me being stupid and letting it go. I do have its little brother, the USP compact in .45 ACP. I shot the tar out of both of them and got pretty good with them. Should I find another full size one for the right price I will buy it, but the new ones are out of my range now.
Old Dog
Member
I'm generally a fan of HK products (but not their prices) and I feel that the USP was a fairly innovative pistol (well, they did steal the de-cocking frame mounted safety from Taurus). I've always loved German cars, German engineering, German beer, German autopistols, German women... er, anyway, I digress.
However (and not trying to crap in the thread), I was issued the USP for three or four years before my employer went in a different direction; both as an agency instructor and a user, I found fault with the pistol as a law enforcement pistol.
Props for durability and reliability (and the V1 operating system is one I like) but the cons are a mediocre trigger, average accuracy, the cheesegrater frontstrap and ergonomics that favor only males with size large hands or above. As one of our armorers used to say, the best $400 pistol on the market, that sells for $800 (then).
Out of pure sentimentality, I of course purchased one.
However (and not trying to crap in the thread), I was issued the USP for three or four years before my employer went in a different direction; both as an agency instructor and a user, I found fault with the pistol as a law enforcement pistol.
Props for durability and reliability (and the V1 operating system is one I like) but the cons are a mediocre trigger, average accuracy, the cheesegrater frontstrap and ergonomics that favor only males with size large hands or above. As one of our armorers used to say, the best $400 pistol on the market, that sells for $800 (then).
Out of pure sentimentality, I of course purchased one.
They did...with the P30 and HK45.
The P30 and HK45 were meant to replace the USP variants and address issues that buyers complained about. When they clearance priced the USP to make room for their replacements, the USP sold so well they just kept it in production as an entry level H&K
TheHermit
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And currently the USP (lowest msrp $1119) is priced quite a bit higher than the P30 (lowest msrp $839) & HK45 (lowest msrp $849).
TheHermit
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What kind of updates were you hoping for?
If people are willing to pay more for it, can you blame H&K for still offering them for sale?
I've spent some time with both and can confidently say that the P30 addresses all the issues you'll hear about the USP...other than the H&K trigger feel
TheHermit
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True and so many militaries & LE-agencies worldwide are still using the USP, that it will stay in production for quite a while.
I've shot the USP40 quite a bit and tested a few different HK models and personally prefer the USP (especially with the match trigger) over the P30. The nice thing about the USP is that once you master the stock DA-trigger, all other DA pistols become quite easy to shoot
TheHermit
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Product development was happening approximately around the same time for both pistols, but the USP came to the market in 1993, whereas first Mark 23s were delivered in 1996.
Mark_Mark
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Mark 23 in production right now and selling for $2300! very tempted
just like the Glock 17L that made a productions 7 years ago. Bought 1 but should have gotten 2
This is true.
I've taught a SIG-centric class where we spent a bit of time getting people over their need to mash the DA trigger. Always took a bit more patience for H&K shooters
Old Dog
Member
Please be so kind as to let us know which agencies are still issuing this pistol.
