Ever have a bad H&K?
- Thread starter Zaydok Allen
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armoredman
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The only bad HK firearms I knew were the first generation of USP pistols. We had six of them at the rental range I worked at, and a year later, five were back at the factory for repair. The Tucson Police Department used them, and ever week the Armorer would come over with a box full of USPs to test fire after repair. TPD finally ditched the USP and went with Glock. I was working there when one officer stopped by to crank off a few round from his duty USP in uniform - it went BANG every other time...and he left pretty shaken up, presumably to go get a new gun.
We had a P-7M8 that worked like a charm, even being old and very beat up. We had a couple of the uberexpensive G-36 wann-bes in 45ACP...can't remember the model number, but one actually made it on the rental range for a short time until someone waved a LOT of filthy lucre under the bosses nose. Very nice little carbine. I haven't had a chance to try much else from them except for, of course, MP-5s - we had an HK rep who would drag around a cart load of MP-5s to show off. Also had the chance to shoot an FBI issue MP5/10, the MP5 in the a sensible subgun caliber, 10mm. FUN!!! Only 2 round burst, but FUN and accurate. Too bad I'll never get to legally own one.
That's it, hope that was what you were looking for.
We had a P-7M8 that worked like a charm, even being old and very beat up. We had a couple of the uberexpensive G-36 wann-bes in 45ACP...can't remember the model number, but one actually made it on the rental range for a short time until someone waved a LOT of filthy lucre under the bosses nose. Very nice little carbine. I haven't had a chance to try much else from them except for, of course, MP-5s - we had an HK rep who would drag around a cart load of MP-5s to show off. Also had the chance to shoot an FBI issue MP5/10, the MP5 in the a sensible subgun caliber, 10mm. FUN!!! Only 2 round burst, but FUN and accurate. Too bad I'll never get to legally own one.
That's it, hope that was what you were looking for.
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Zaydok Allen
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Funny. I think HK's are pretty cool looking guns. Especially when compared to say, a GLOCK.
different strokes I guess
Sounds like the the early USP's were not so good.
Old Dog
Member
Ah, well, of course ... compared to Glocks, H&Ks are prettier ...
As Onmilo notes, "other than being larger and heavier than necessary, they run just fine ..."
And that was my point in my earlier post: the crappy factory support aside, there were just better options out there for law enforcement duty issue pistols -- options that were more ergonomic with better triggers and higher capacity (and less expensive). For LE, that did make H&Ks bad pistols.
However, as I also noted, with the advent of the HK45 and the P30, H&K has rectified those issues.
As Onmilo notes, "other than being larger and heavier than necessary, they run just fine ..."
And that was my point in my earlier post: the crappy factory support aside, there were just better options out there for law enforcement duty issue pistols -- options that were more ergonomic with better triggers and higher capacity (and less expensive). For LE, that did make H&Ks bad pistols.
However, as I also noted, with the advent of the HK45 and the P30, H&K has rectified those issues.
silicosys4
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yup, USP45 here, best $400 I've spent on an HK so far.
It is supremely reliable...I can honestly say that its the one pistol I own that ate all of my early reloads without any malfunctions of any kind. I consider my first few months of reloading to be the torture test of my firearms...I learned a lot about each one of them during that time, and about reloading too, coincidentally
It is supremely reliable...I can honestly say that its the one pistol I own that ate all of my early reloads without any malfunctions of any kind. I consider my first few months of reloading to be the torture test of my firearms...I learned a lot about each one of them during that time, and about reloading too, coincidentally
MyGreenGuns
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I didn't really care for the one I had (9mm USP Compact).
It wasn't a "bad" gun as far as reliability, it always went bang. (As far as I can remember, the only handguns I've ever had a real problem with were 1911 platform.)
My complaints were:
1. Rattle - If you shook then gun, it made a bunch of noise. I have an XD and had borrowed my brothers Glock, neither of them made much noise. If I'm planning on carrying the thing around, I don't want to rattle when I walk. (I've been told since then that the loose fit is what makes them reliable.)
2. Front sight - Mine had a tendency to walk off center. After taking my friends shooting and burning thru a few boxes of ammo, someone mentioned the USP was WAY off target. "NO WAY, Its brand new!" I look and sure enough the front sight was slightly left of center. I fixed it twice but it would slowly work itself loose again.
I ended up selling it to buy a truck. (I've done that twice now.)
I told the new owner of the issue with the front sight. He said he was going to replace them anyway.
It wasn't a "bad" gun as far as reliability, it always went bang. (As far as I can remember, the only handguns I've ever had a real problem with were 1911 platform.)
My complaints were:
1. Rattle - If you shook then gun, it made a bunch of noise. I have an XD and had borrowed my brothers Glock, neither of them made much noise. If I'm planning on carrying the thing around, I don't want to rattle when I walk. (I've been told since then that the loose fit is what makes them reliable.)
2. Front sight - Mine had a tendency to walk off center. After taking my friends shooting and burning thru a few boxes of ammo, someone mentioned the USP was WAY off target. "NO WAY, Its brand new!" I look and sure enough the front sight was slightly left of center. I fixed it twice but it would slowly work itself loose again.
I ended up selling it to buy a truck. (I've done that twice now.)
I told the new owner of the issue with the front sight. He said he was going to replace them anyway.
JWH321
Member
"Now, if yourereference was intended to compliment the reliability, I get that ...
__________________"
Reliability was what I had in mind, although I find beauty in any precision crafted machine. But you're right, Rolex watches are much prettier than H&Ks. Unfortunately, all I can do is look at them. That's because my wallet isn't very good looking, either.
__________________"
Reliability was what I had in mind, although I find beauty in any precision crafted machine. But you're right, Rolex watches are much prettier than H&Ks. Unfortunately, all I can do is look at them. That's because my wallet isn't very good looking, either.
snooperman
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I have been shooting them for more than 25 years with no problems. The old P7 is as good as ever and the USP is still shooting great. Them and the 2 SIGS I have are well made , old school guns, that I would take any day over a Block.
Interesting enough there is quite a bit of videos on YouTube that people have the trigger reset problem on their hk45c's. It's with the da/sa variant that sometimes the trigger doesn't go sa after the gun cycles, it goes back to da. While this is a problem at least the gun doesn't fail to fire. I've seen this same problem with a couple of the cz duty pistols as well. That's about as bad as I have seen with hk pistols
http://youtu.be/MrOjmEvDyrM
http://youtu.be/6ABYJnLYuH4
http://youtu.be/MrOjmEvDyrM
http://youtu.be/6ABYJnLYuH4
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JR47
Member
Bought a new USP in .45 ACP during the late 90s. The gun would pattern at 15 yards. HK replaced the barrel.
Any manufacturer will produce a gun that fails to function properly if they make enough of them.
Any manufacturer will produce a gun that fails to function properly if they make enough of them.
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Zaydok Allen
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Just put 270 rounds through my HK45. Not a hick up. The gun just works with anything I feed it. FMJS, JHPS, 185gr up to 230. Premium ammo or cheap target loads. It eats everything.
RainDodger
Member
I sent my USP Compact 9mm back to the "factory" for some work, including changing the bobbed hammer for a spurred hammer. At the time, I had a nice discussion with the Gunsmith. I asked him about whether they will do any kind of action work - lightening the trigger, etc. He said, "Nope, this is a combat pistol. That's what it is designed and made for."
That kind of said it all for me. I like my USP a lot and it's the one pistol of many that I would stake my life on with no questions asked. It sits in a quick-access lock-box on my nightstand.
That kind of said it all for me. I like my USP a lot and it's the one pistol of many that I would stake my life on with no questions asked. It sits in a quick-access lock-box on my nightstand.
Drifting Fate
Member
Had a P7M8 which wouldn't group worth a damn. I sent it back for warranty work. It was returned with a note saying nothing wrong was found, but it suddenly grouped wonderfully well. Reminds me of a an uncle's Rolls Royce which broke an axle. The factory sent a mechanic from the UK to work on it. He never received a bill. On calling them about the balance, he was told it never happened and nothing was owed because Rolls Royces don't break axles. Sadly, he is too distant of an uncle for me to be in his will, but it's a great story.
I wouldn't call this a "bad" HK, but had a P7M8 break on me the first time out of the box. I picked it up from the gun store and went directly to their range to put a few rounds thru it. It was after the first or second shot that the squeeze cocker suddenly locked-up on me. Some part of the squeeze cocker mechanism broke and a loose piece fell out after we removed the grips. I sent it straight back to HK (on my dime) and they sent me back a working pistol after a few weeks.
This was before cell cameras and I wasn't as familiar with firearms, so I can't say what broke except that it was definitely a part of the squeeze cocker mechanism.
I still own that P7M8 and 2 additional ones. Haven't had any problems since that one time in the 1990's so I wouldn't consider it a "bad" HK.
This was before cell cameras and I wasn't as familiar with firearms, so I can't say what broke except that it was definitely a part of the squeeze cocker mechanism.
I still own that P7M8 and 2 additional ones. Haven't had any problems since that one time in the 1990's so I wouldn't consider it a "bad" HK.
softmentor
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Never had anything except GREAT HK's.
and if anyone ever does have a bad one, HK customer service is awesomely great.
and if anyone ever does have a bad one, HK customer service is awesomely great.
orionengnr
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All the ones I've actually owned (three or four PSPs, one M13 and two M10s) were fantastic.
Bought my first P7 in 1982 or so, and I can't believe I've been without some sort of P7 for 4-5 years now. Probably time to fix that.
I've shot a number of others, that while not "bad", left me cold.
That goes all the way back to VP70Z, and the P9s, and forward to USPs in a variety of configurations, and includes every other "modern/current" HK design. None of them inspire any desire.
Now if HK would build an alloy framed (with a pressed-in or screwed-in steel sleeve for the gas piston) P7M13, or a similar P7M7 (.45acp) or P7M10 (in 10mm) I'll be reaching for my wallet.
That ain't gonna happen, though, so maybe I need to start looking for another PSP.
Bought my first P7 in 1982 or so, and I can't believe I've been without some sort of P7 for 4-5 years now. Probably time to fix that.
I've shot a number of others, that while not "bad", left me cold.
That goes all the way back to VP70Z, and the P9s, and forward to USPs in a variety of configurations, and includes every other "modern/current" HK design. None of them inspire any desire.
Now if HK would build an alloy framed (with a pressed-in or screwed-in steel sleeve for the gas piston) P7M13, or a similar P7M7 (.45acp) or P7M10 (in 10mm) I'll be reaching for my wallet.
That ain't gonna happen, though, so maybe I need to start looking for another PSP.
I have seen a weird malfunction with USP's... a guy with big hands would continually drop the magazine as he was shooting. Somehow his grip was bumping the mag release. Try as he might the RO couldn't help the guy change his grip.
Old Dog
Member
Any pistol can be "bad." A citizen who owns a particular pistol and puts only 50 rounds through his religiously cleaned piece during his monthly range session may believe his pistol is the most awesome handgun ever invented ... Some who see 25 people a month shooting 350 rounds per session through 25 different, heavily-used specimens of the same pistol ... may come to different conclusions. I was issued an H&K USP pistol for several years. While I concluded that the platform was durable, reliable and acceptably accurate ... I did see some "bad" H&Ks. This said, I do like the HK-45.
I own several and have shot several more HK's of various types...
All were great. I have a light LEM USP 40 which is fantastic. I also have a USP 9mm which is probably the pistol I shoot the best with. (4 rounds in the same hole, 5th round 1cm left during a qualification. 45 of 50 in the center.)
I have read on another forum of an ammunition manufacturer using an HK USP and firing almost 200,000 rounds threw it and only had to replace springs. No weapon failures.
A light LEM Match trigger is, I think, the best trigger there is.
All were great. I have a light LEM USP 40 which is fantastic. I also have a USP 9mm which is probably the pistol I shoot the best with. (4 rounds in the same hole, 5th round 1cm left during a qualification. 45 of 50 in the center.)
I have read on another forum of an ammunition manufacturer using an HK USP and firing almost 200,000 rounds threw it and only had to replace springs. No weapon failures.
A light LEM Match trigger is, I think, the best trigger there is.
Phaedrus/69
Member
HKs are very solid. I've had many over the last 20 years and never had a problem. I can actually count the malfunctions on one hand with a few fingers left over, we're talking tens of thousands or rounds- and of those, one was almost certainly ammo related (weak loads that wouldn't cycle my FNP45 Tactical or my buddy's Sig 1911, either) and the other was a deliberate attempt to see how limp I had to hold it to induce a jam.
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