Just bought a H&K USP in .45 on a whim. I've always been a 1911A1 fan, and, besides a Glock .40 I bought a week ago, this is my first H&K. I know their rifles have a good reputation, but what about the pistols, especially the USP. I think I got a deal at $520 new. It's full sized, with 2 10 rd mags. Are they reliable and accurate? Thanks for any info.
Are H&K USPs any Good?
- Thread starter M.A.
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Trisha
Member
(chuckling quietly)
Yes, to both questions. There have been several threads covering the USP.
Only feed it jacketed ammunition (the polygonal rifling) and you'll probably find it shoots as well as you can hold it.
My USP Compact easily shoots +800 rounds before it begins to crud up at the range (I just switch to another handgun then).
Congratulations!
I still love my 1911's (Colts and Kimbers, mostly) and my G21, but my HK has been a wonderful addition - I doubt you'll be disappointed!
Trisha
Yes, to both questions. There have been several threads covering the USP.
Only feed it jacketed ammunition (the polygonal rifling) and you'll probably find it shoots as well as you can hold it.
My USP Compact easily shoots +800 rounds before it begins to crud up at the range (I just switch to another handgun then).
Congratulations!
I still love my 1911's (Colts and Kimbers, mostly) and my G21, but my HK has been a wonderful addition - I doubt you'll be disappointed!
Trisha
I have both 45ACP USP's. I think they are both the most accurate out of the box 45's I have ever shot. And, I mean that with ball jacketed reloads they both are tight shooting guns. I enjoy them both! I would like a TAC some day, but for now I carry the USPc daily in a Milt Sparks VMII. You have made a good choice! People do shoot lead reload, but I have been warned that the cleaning interval is very small. So, as a compromise I shoot plated bullets. Cabelas has such a good price on Berry's plated bullets that they are close to the cost of commercially available lead bullets.
Enjoy your new gun!
Enjoy your new gun!
10-Ring
Member
Very reliable and accurate 
And I'll toss in ultra durable to boot You'll know after the first mag that you've made a fantastic choice & at a good deal too
And I'll toss in ultra durable to boot You'll know after the first mag that you've made a fantastic choice & at a good deal too New_comer
Member
USP 45
You can even shoot 45super thru it without any modifications. That's how tough it is.
Congrats on your acquisition!
You can even shoot 45super thru it without any modifications. That's how tough it is.
Congrats on your acquisition!
caz223
Member
For a polymer framed .45 it's as stout as they get, multiple modes of carry, accurate, reliable, durable.
If you can get past the DA trigger, they are a fearsome weapon.
If you can get past the DA trigger, they are a fearsome weapon.
The stock DA gets better over time. I think it's been maligned beyond its faults, if you know what I mean. It's never been as nice as the DA on my P220 or Elite II, but it's serviceable (it's got a slightly odd feel to it I can't really describe). Wolff sells spring kits to lighten the trigger pull, which out of the box is a bit hefty. My understanding is you can safely go down to 12 lbs (10 lbs may cause some light primer strikes). I did try a USP with this modification and the DA trigger was significantly improved over my stock setup.
A note for those who wish to carry cocked & locked -- be mindful of the control scheme you select. With the integrated safety/decocker, it can be very easy under stress to decock the pistol when your intention is simply to take the safety off. I believe you can get the USP without a decocker if you plan on treating it like a 1911, but I'm admittedly too lazy to research HK's 50,000 variants of the USP at the moment. One of the USP buffs around here can tell us if that's true or not.
fatboyclone
Member
You will find that USPs have a cult like following. Head over to www.hkpro.com and check out the boards over there, tons of information.
where did you get it?
where did you get it?
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mrtgbnkr
Member
I have a USP .40 and accidentally purchased a couple of boxes of lead (non-jacketed) ammo when I saw a "really great deal". I called HK and was told directly that lead ammo may suffer some in the accuracy department due to the polygonal rifling. They also recommended cleaning the barrel every 50 rounds to prevent lead build up. According to HK, the lead build up might interfere with firing, leading to a blocked barrel (which I took to be a very bad thing). So I'll fire the couple of boxes I have, but won't shoot lead through it after that...and I'll be more careful when I spot a "great" deal.
Mark
Mark
rebbryan
Member
variant 9 is the right side control lever w/ safety and w/o decocker. and yes you got a deal for $520, they seem to be around at least $600 or higher here.
agentwithrow
Member
I have a USP 9mm, and the USP Expert in .45 the latter being my favorite pistol ever. You might find some who like the 1911 dislike HK's but I own 2 of both and I love to shoot them both, but I think for me and my hands, I like to shoot the USP, not that I don't still love 1911's........ guys lets not start the never ending debate in this thread.
Anyway, you got a good deal and that gun will last you a long time, Love the USP
pic of my expert with light;
Anyway, you got a good deal and that gun will last you a long time, Love the USP
pic of my expert with light;
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Bobarino
member
i guess i'm a member of the "HK Cult". i love 'em. after you take yours to the range, you might feel same way. be warned though, its tough to only own one. you always want more of them. they are fine pistols and will serve you quite well for years to come. enjoy the new gun!
Bobby
Bobby
Thanks for all the replys! Looks like I made a good decision to buy it. Should be able to take it to the range tomorrow, and see how she shoots. I hoping that I don't get bit by the bug to buy anymore for a while, but I'm kinda weak when it comes to that sort of thing. I have 4 Garands and 6 1911A1s, so I have my weak moments! Thanks again for all the info!
timbo
Member
Wow, I shopped around for my full-size .45 and I just about got ripped off compared to what you paid for yours. Maybe that has something to do with living in CA though... Had I found that price I would have bought one in 9 and .45! I think you'll like it though. The DA first shot on it isn't too swell but I get by with it although the SA is nice and crisp. Variant 1, which is the most common, will give you DA/SA mode with safety and decocker. Gives you the flexibility in however you may carry, if you do carry. The trigger lock on it is nice, and by nice I mean that you can leave it unlocked and it doesn't get in the way at all. I think you'll like yours, and you got an excellent price on it.
Took it to the range today, and it is everything you guys said it would be. No problems with the first 150 rds, accurate from a rest, but I need some work on my part. Not really used to the trigger yet, but got better the more I shot. Thanks again for all the info!
Stevie-Ray
Member
I have a USP45C, and it's been relegated to the HD front. Simply due to size-it's still quite a hefty gun and my Kimber Ultra CDP fit's the carry bill much better for me. But I love it just the same and I'll never consider selling it.
Mastrogiacomo
Member
You're joking right? Any good?? Uh...yes! Wish I had them in my state. Congrats on the find.
mr. e
Member
Without having the capability to do multiple 10K round torture tests (if anyone wants me to do them email me and I'll give you my address so you can ship the ammo), I can compare the USP 9 and 40 to various SIGs, CZs, Browning HPs, Berettas, a Kahr K9, & a Walther P99.
My opinion is that it is a good all around gun although it isn't the best in any one category.
- It's light enough to carry but too big for concealment (P99 is better)
- It's out of the box accuracy is good but no better than an out of the box CZ (which is much cheaper)
- Reliability is no better than any one of the others I mentioned (which are all very good.)
- Trigger is way worse than P series SIGs or the Kahr, but certainly lighter than the Browning.
- Ergonomically (Grip and reach to pull trigger) much better than the Beretta, but not as nice as the Browning or CZ or Walther or SIG 229
I don't run over my guns with trucks or soak them in water for months on end, so I can't give you any opinion there.
Overall, a nice pistol but not my favorite in any one category. One last measure of reliability... My USP 40 outfitted with a laser sight is my nightstand gun. Size isn't an issue, and I know it will go bang when I need it to.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
My opinion is that it is a good all around gun although it isn't the best in any one category.
- It's light enough to carry but too big for concealment (P99 is better)
- It's out of the box accuracy is good but no better than an out of the box CZ (which is much cheaper)
- Reliability is no better than any one of the others I mentioned (which are all very good.)
- Trigger is way worse than P series SIGs or the Kahr, but certainly lighter than the Browning.
- Ergonomically (Grip and reach to pull trigger) much better than the Beretta, but not as nice as the Browning or CZ or Walther or SIG 229
I don't run over my guns with trucks or soak them in water for months on end, so I can't give you any opinion there.
Overall, a nice pistol but not my favorite in any one category. One last measure of reliability... My USP 40 outfitted with a laser sight is my nightstand gun. Size isn't an issue, and I know it will go bang when I need it to.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
rebbryan
Member
meh i hate you guys, still got 7 months till i can get one
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