H&K USP Compact in .357 Sig shoots very low

[Buzz]

One of my buddies bought a USP Compact in .357 Sig. He's had the gun for about three years but he's hardly shot it at all. He's complained he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it so I took it out this weekend with several different 125g commercial loads. At first glance it seemed to be shooting mediocre groups that were far below the point of aim.

I decided to lock it in the pistol rest to avoid shooter error. It proceeded to turn in decent groups that were approx 10" to 12" low at 15 yards (depending on the ammo). Obviously - something is wrong here and I would assume it needs to be sent back for repair. Can anybody think of any problems I should check before he returns the pistol? What are people's experience in dealing with H&K service?

 

[wardog]

I have the same exact gun and had the same exact problem.

The gun comes with a 6.2mm front sight standard, part number 215824.

I called and got the only lower front sight they make, a 6.0. They have 6 higher front sights but only 1 lower, I don't know why. (and no, even the highest one the make won't clear a suppressor.)

I just recently had it installed. I took it shooting a while back and I think it is better. I say "I think" because I really didn't have a chance to test it as I had a few newbies with me at the range and spent most of the time supervising them.

Anyway, call HK service, 1-800-821-3021 and ask for John. Tell him the problem and let him know you need part number 215823. They sent mine for free within a week, and it cost me $5 for a guy with a sight pusher at a gun shop to put it on.

I've just now restocked with .357 SIG and plan on a serious solitary range session soon.

 

[wardog]

Oh yeah, and if that doesn't work I'm gonna do some of these

http://www.mmcsight.com/hk.htm

 

[choochboost]

Here we go again.

The USP is zeroed in at 25 metres so at closer targets your rounds will hit low. If you cover the bullseye, you'll have better results. Your buddy's USP is fine, unless he's interested in switching out the sights to change its POA/POI.

 

[Buzz]

There is NO WAY there is a FOOT difference in impact between 15 yards and 25 meters (27.3 yards) and even if the H&K was sighted in at 100 meters the point of impact at 15 yards would be about an inch high instead of a foot low. Did you read the post? 10" to 12" LOW at 15 yards when fired from a solid rest or offhand. WE could aim at the center of the head and most of the bullets were impacting between the 8 and 9 ring on a B-27 target. Covering up the bullseye, we had most of the bullets impact in the bottom of the 7 ring. Six different shooters (three of which are avid handgun shooters) have tried this handgun and all six find it to shoot very low but to the center. I can't think of any plausible scenario where a proper functioning handgun would shoot between 10" low and a foot low at 15 yards. The windage is dead on.

As you can see from this chart - with a 25 yard zero, there is practically no point of impact difference between 15 and 25 yards.



We had other pistols we were shooting and each one of them shot practically to the point of aim at both 15 and 25 yards. They included a Sig 229, A Kahr K40, 2 S & W pistols, a Glock 21, a CZ 75, and a Ruger Revolver. That is what I would expect.

Wardog - thanks for the tip. I'll have him call H&K.

 

[choochboost]

A foot does seem a long way off. I'll give you that.

 

[mrapathy2000]

what trigger is on the USP's your using?

I have a 40VE with long heavy 8lbs trigger Safe Action type trigger DAO like. I hit low about a foot at 25 yards but the groups are very nice. I have no problems with Steyr M40 though it has a much shorter lighter trigger.

 

[Buzz]

I guess it's the variant one. It's a decocking model that is a SA\DA.