H&K USP Compact .40 Issues

[army_eod]

I took the USP Compact to the range for the first time. I put a set of Meprolite night sights on it first. I can't hit a dang thing!
What is the deal? I don't have trouble with other handguns as far as accuracy goes. It shoots very low and not consistent or accurate. Real bummer for a $750 gun.
Any ideas before I sell this thing?
I have had great success hitting targets with S&W 1911, Glocks, Berettas, Revolvers.:banghead:

 

[Control]

Does it have LEM trigger or is it DA/SA? Does the trigger suit you?

Is this a new gun? How is the lockup on it? How is the barrel? Are your sights drifting around at all?

 

[choochboost]

Don't do anything crazy like selling it. USP's are accurate pistols...period. That's not up for debate. So, it must be something else. If you're shooting low left its definitely you and not the gun. Work on your grip and trigger pull.

How low is "very low"? How far away is your target? USP's are zeroed in at 25 yards, or is it 25 metres ...anyway, because of that your shots will be low at closer targets. This is going to be especially noticeable if you're shooting within 21 feet or so. At these close targets, completely cover the bullseye so that your sights are high and you'll find that you hit the bull everytime...as long as you don't have grip/flinch/trigger pull issues.

 

[gudel]

I'll dispose your POS USP, I'll even pay for shipping

 

[Chupacabra]

I wouldn't give up on it just yet. USP40 compacts are incredibly accurate. Way more accurate than the shooter in most cases.

My brother and I both have one and he consistently out shoots me with his. He regularly rips out a nice three inch hole in the center of those little bullseye targets from 30 feet...one handed.

Give it some time. When I first got mine I was always hitting low too. It just took a little adjustment to my point of aim to be accurate. Get used to the feel of the gun and your accuracy will improve.

 

[choochboost]

USP's are zeroed in at 25 yards, or is it 25 metres

FWIW, I found out it's 25 metres not yards.

 

[10-Ring]

As has been already said...don't do anything hasty like selling it! Let's try to figure out what's up w/ your USPc 1st!
How low is it shooting? Did anyone shoot it before the new sights were installed? Has anyone else shot it? Have you tried shooting from sandbags? Could it be the ammo? Were the proper sights installed for your compact USP?
You may wanna try going to hkpro.com and ask the guys over if you don't get the answers you're looking for here
I've got 4 diff't USP's in diff't sizes and calibers, each one impresses me every time I shoot them!!!
Good luck

 

[army_eod]

Thanks for the good info. Actually, I did not know that they were sighted for 25 yds/meters. Yes, I was shooting at a 21 foot target.

I will try again today. Will go for several different ranges. I will report back later.

 

[Shipwreck]

When I first got my USP compact in 9mm, I shot low the first trip. I was thinking that I would have to send it back to the factory to get the sights adjusted.

I practiced dry firing with some snap caps, though. 2nd trip - it shot fine - It was just me.

 

[MadMercS55]

Are you sure you have the proper sights for the model? Sometimes this can equate to accuracy issues. Also, as others have mentioned, if it's your first time out with it, perhaps more rounds downrange will help you get used to the trigger, be it da/sa, LEM, etc.

 

[blackpanther]

I have a new USPc in .45.It was very accurate the first time out.It fits my hand perfect.The trigger is perfect,way better that my sigs.I have tried every type of ammunition in it,every weight bullet made for the .45 hardball and HP to prove it out before carry.It is worth the money for sure.

Ed

 

[FEATHERWEIGHT]

I had a USP .40 compact and could not hit anything with it either. I have a USP .45 fullsize that is an absolute tack driver.

I have never done well with the .40. I only have 9mm or 45now. I can shoot extremely tight groups no matter the platform or caliber. I guess the .40 is just not my round.

I will repeat what I have heard which is pretty good wisdom.

1. It is the Indian and not the Arrow.

2. Hand gun shooting is a skill (one must practice ).
Shot gun shooting is an art ( the swing is everything).
Rifle shooting is a science (it is all physics and math).

 

[pablo45]

i have the same problem with my hk uspc40 ss.I think its all the snap in such a small gun.Getting rid of mine and getting a full size 9mm.Or another Glock cant go wrong with a Glock

 

[army_eod]

I am starting to think the same about this thing. I am thinking about a 9mm Glock. I had three Glocks.

The G23 in .40 was fine. But the HK not. I, too, have fired a full-sized 45 ACP HK Tactical with great results.

 

[Busta Prima]

I bought an HK USP compact 40 recently and I too found it was hitting low. I let my friend try it and he found it accurate. Very strange but my point is that is could be operator error.

I sold my Glock 23 and replaced it with the HK. The difference in recoil is phenomenal! However, I went from the WORST recoiling .40 to the BEST so that one's a no-brainer!

I do wish they would have put adjustable sights on it . . . that would have helped a lot. My Glocks have fixed sights and are dead on. I'm not sure what the problem me and my HK are having. Maybe it's the ammo or the caliber itself (higher chamber pressures and other issues)?? Come to think of it . . . I can't/couldn't shoot my Glock 22 or 23 OR that HK anywhere near as well as any of my other guns. It really could be the nature of the caliber.

 

[choochboost]

I guess I have to clarify something once again. The USP, without a doubt IS accurate! It shoots exactly where its pointed zeroed in at 25 metres. That means that the POI will be lower than your POA at close targets. For example, within say 21 feet, if you cover the bullseye you will hit it.

 

[Jeff]

My good buddy has a usp .40 compact and he usually shoots a little better than me and my full size .45.

 

[OrvilleYertleson]

I have had two related issues with my .40 usp compact.

First,
When I first bought the weapon I found it hard to shoot and I tended to shoot lower with it than with other pistols (pretty much what you describe).

The USP (especially the compact) seems to exacerbate bad habits that people are more able to get away with with other pistol designs. I think it has something to do with the way the trigger is curved and your hand fits the weapon. If you flinch at all or if you pull down with your trigger finger instead of straight back you will really drop your point of aim considerably more than with other weapons.

Regardless of whether the above explanation is technically correct, thinking about my trigger squeaze fixed the problem for me. I have heard a lot of people complain about the same thing and most of them got over their difficulties after they started working on good habits again and took the time to get used to the quirks of their pistols.


The other issue was with Meprolight Sights. I installed mine only a couple of months ago and they were not zeroed properly. The factory sights that I had been using for several years were zeroed at 25 yards and were dead on. After installing the meprolights my weapon was hitting about three inches right of my point of aim at 7 yards! All that required though was a little time with a drift pin.

Before you give up on your new pistol take the time to run a couple hundred more rounds through it and try to do some true slow fire.

 

[gearbox]

I put Meps on my USP9C and my groups are just as bad as ever

But honestly the gun ought to shoot like a laser. Try to qualify the problem. Is it your shooting style or the gun? Let a few people shoot it. Try different ammo. Shoot it in different moods on different days.

Even if the sights are off, the guns ought to group as consistently as your shooting.

 

[army_eod]

Here is the bottom line: I don't like the HK and traded it for G-17. Done.

I have fired the big HK .45 ACP Tactical and it was a tack driver. Why the USP is not easy to shoot in now moot.

 

[Shipwreck]

Well, as I said above - I shot the fullsize USP fine, but initially had problems with the compact shooting low.

Sorry U traded the weapon. I personally like the HK better than a Glock.

Anyway, good luck w/ the glock