ambi safety on USP? help

[toopercentmlk]

I just purchased a USP Expert .40 by PPT and found out that it doesn't have an ambidextrous safety like the new ones I've played with; the gun is like new condition but apparently older production before they were available with an ambi safety? Say I'm a lefty, how do I convert this to an ambi safety?

 

[Cawdor]

Order an ambi safety from HK - 800-821-3021.

Disassembly Instructions

 

[Chipperman]

They are pretty easy to install.

 

[toopercentmlk]

Those are some pretty detailed instructions, but I don't know If trust myself with a detail strip of anything other than my R/C car. Would it be a waste of money to take it to a smith?

 

[Chipperman]

You don't need to go as far as taking out the hammer or trigger. It's not as bad as it looks.

In fact, the first time I did it I thought I had done something wrong during the install, because everything slid in "too easily". It was fine.

Would it be a waste of money to take it to a smith?

Only you can answer that. If you don't feel confident, or your time is worth more than $30-40, then by all means have a Smith do it for you. It should take an experienced Smith less than 10 minutes to do it. When I did it the first time, it probably took me about an hour; but I was taking my time and referring back to the instructions constantly.

 

[DougDubya]

As a lover of ambi's, and someone who likes the HK, this thread has been very helpful.

 

[Grunt]

The USP does look complicated at first glance. When you compare it to a Glock, I suppose it is. When I first detailed stripped my USP, I was worried but going slow the first time and watching how the parts went together made me realize that it's not really as bad as a lot of folks make it out to be.

 

[toopercentmlk]

That's good news that my USP isn't as complicated as it looks. I have another question from you HK historians. I purchased this Expert used in like-new condition, It has a polised barrel block and upgraded adjustable nightsites. I'm wondering if it doesn't have an ambi saftey/decocker because of the early production year or possibly because the original owner has modified it to compete in some certain class of competition shooting but never followed through? I'd love to have an ambi safety but maybe if I won't be eligible to compete I will simply leave it as it.

HALP!

 

[Chipperman]

What sort of competition are you looking to do-- IPSC, IDPA, or something else? I'm not aware of any rules about ambi safeties not being allowed.

The USP has always been available with ambi safety, but almost all of the USPs leaving the HK factory are in Variant 1. Most guns that you see with right side or ambi lever were changed by the owner. The Expert comes with adjustable sights, but night sights are available. They also were probably done by the original owner.

The Expert was introduced in the U.S. in 1998 in .45. The .40 and 9mm versions were introduced later.

What is the date code on yours? (the two letter code)

 

[toopercentmlk]

I've handled maybe 4 or 5 USP Experts and 2 Elites, all where new guns on display and all had ambi-safetys.

 

[trinydex]

i installed my ambi control lever on my usp .40 and i have a couple issues.

firstly the ambi is not the same "profile" as my the v1 lever. the v1 lever sticks out more making it easier to manipulate.

secondly after i installed the ambi control lever it seems as though the safety is hard to engage (sweep up)

if you depress the spring that keep the detent plate up onto the retaining "pin" the safety operates smoothly, so i'm inclined to guess that the spring is putting too much tension on the safety detente plate.

can someone direct me on what to do? it's really annoying have to use two hands to engage the safety and sometimes the disengage is not smooth or easy, you can imagine that's unnerving to carry condition one.

 

[toopercentmlk]

So I've put a few hundred rounds through my Expert and the thing shoots flawlessly, it's very easy to shoot accurately as well! I have another questions though regarding the ambi-safety.. Tactically, which has proven more suitable? Do certain LE/Spec Ops agengies prefer either? I think I'm fine with the left side safety but I was wondering on other peoples tactical opinion.