Heffeweitzen-flavored Kool Aid

[Lebben-B]

I have never been a fan of Prussian polymer. When I was in Iraq, I got the chance to use the HK Mk 23. It's nose heavy. REALLY nose heavy. But it was reliable and shot well.

The other day I was in my hometown's local gunshop. There, in the case was a used HK USP 45F for $499. The counterman said that it was a police trade-in, from the local PD. (Which surprised me. If you ever see my hometown, it'll surprise you too.) I checked the pistol out. It had some holster wear on the slide, but the ramp was smooth and shiny. The poly rifling looked good, too. Since I was active duty, the counterman said he'd sell it to me for $465. Done deal - time to drink the kool-aid.



Took it to the range the next day, along with one of my 1911's as a "control" gun. Ammo was a mix of Speer Lawman, WWB, American Eagle, and Hornady TAP. Temp was ~70 Deg F w/ no wind. (indoor range). Ranges varied from 5-25 yds. I had constant FTF at the 4th round of every mag. This concerned me somewhat. Then I remembered that this pistol came from my hometown. Meaning that there were 12 rounds loaded into the magazine and probably left there. A quick time out to stretch the spring and it was GTG.



Here's a pic of one of the targets. The flyers were from rounds 3 and 10. The range was 25 yds. Ignore the date on the target pic...I haven't got around to setting the date on my camera.

All in all, I'm very happy with the pistol.

Mike

 

[Rob1035]

I love it when a plan comes together

USP's are definitely quality pistols, and often get a bad rap from people they dont agree with ergonomically. I love them, but cant afford them, you got a great deal I think

 

[Azrael256]

I absolutely despise that pointy checkering on the backstrap. I can't handle more than 50 rounds without gloves or one of those slip-on rubber jobbies. It feels like trying to stop a spinning grinder wheel with my palm. Other than that, I think they're absolutely fantastic pistols. They shoot well, they fit well in my hand, and they seem to be impossible to jam. VERY well made guns, those HKs. I've been contemplating a USP in 9mm for awhile now. I definitely would have jumped on a .45 for that price. Good deal, IMO.

 

[gudel]

email HK and ask for new springs. They sent me replacement for free no questions asked.

 

[chopinbloc]

A quick time out to stretch the spring and it was GTG.

probably the worst thing you could have done. you'll need to buy new mags now. constant compression of a spring doesn't hurt it. many cycles of compression and release will wear a spring out. the worst thing for a spring, though is to compress it or stretch it past it's limit and it sounds like that's what you did. it will work for a little while but will lose its tension very quickly so you might as well order a new mag now.

 

[grimjaw]

Lebben-B, welcome back, btw. Fayettenam was stomping grounds for me for about four years.

RE: the USP, I recently saw a video of rapid of one of those, and the recoil looked like it would prevent any kind of accuracy at range. Of course, the guy just might have been a crappy shot.

How did you feel about the recoil of that pistol?

jmm

 

[odysseus]

Ditto on the USP45. Some like it, some just won't, just the way it is. I have had nothing but good times with this firearm and I find it very well buffered. I can draw low from point shooting bringing it right to line of sight while emptying a magazine. Stable and a solid shooter; a great poly.

grimjaw - I find it one of the better balanced and less recoil firearms in it's class.

It's a big gun that can shoot pretty much any .45 you feed into it. Not very good for ccw if you are cautious about the concealed part.

 

[Optical Serenity]

I love H&Ks, and I love USPs, hence why I have two. As far as the checkering, I've been told by H&K that the USP was designed with the gloved shooter in mind. They talk about how 99% of the time, someone using the USP on duty will have gloves on.

This holds true for me, as the entire time I'm on duty I wear gloves for the most part.

 

[Lebben-B]

I absolutely despise that pointy checkering on the backstrap. I can't handle more than 50 rounds without gloves or one of those slip-on rubber jobbies.

Azrael, the pistol came with a Hogue over-grip. I'm not a fan of finger swells, but these fit my hand well, so I left it on.

Chopinbloc, I agree about getting new mags. Even if the mag performed well after stretching, it's not 100% reliable anymore. After I finished at the range, I bought a new mag from the shop for right now and have a 3 pack on order. But I'm also going to take gudel's advice and e-mail HK for a new spring.

Grimjaw, the recoil to me was about the same/a little less than the Springer 1911 I brought along for comparision. A bit about me - I'm 6-1, 175lbs with average to large hands and big forearms. I concur with Odysseus' comment about recoil and balance. And thank you for all you do for all those good men and women that have gone into bad places.

As far as accuracy, I find it to be very accurate. It came with tru-dot sights of uncertain vintage (The pistol itself was originally manufactured in '98. But the excellent condition of the barrel, ramp, and springs leads me to believe it's been rebuilt.) The target pictured was done standing, using Modern Isoceles. From presentation to slide lock was about 20-25 seconds, though I wasn't timing myself.

Mike

 

[mete]

The checkering can easily be corrected with a little sand paper , just take the sharp points off and you will have flat top checkering . I've used flat top checkering for many years .It's secure , doesn't wear out clothing with a carry gun.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I absolutely despise that pointy checkering on the backstrap.

That has always been the first thing I notice when I pick up an H&K in the store. It has kept H&Ks at the end or off my "To Buy" list.

 

[gudel]

I absolutely despise that pointy checkering on the backstrap. I can't handle more than 50 rounds without gloves or one of those slip-on rubber jobbies.

It's a tactical pistol. You're suppose to wear gloves!

I have USP45 with AD code, and USP45 with AC code, and USP9 with AF code. The newer ones have less pointy checkering. My new P2000 AF code is also softer in checkering.

 

[mete]

Gudel, gloves ? That just shows that there are so few MEN around today. 25 years of IPSC, metallic silhouette, etc and I never wore gloves !!

 

[gudel]

I've fired 750 rounds in one sitting with my AC USP45 (the sharper stick ones). Didn't wear a gloves. no problem.
The gun performed 100%, feed, fire, eject all of them without fail.
Personally I don't wear gloves when shooting, unless when I don't want to leave fingerprints

You may be tough, but there are many of these guys are white collar dudes with soft hands who never worked hard physically in his entire life. Think about it, not all Americans are farmers with rough hands because of handling hoes. Certainly no new yorkers are, no real farming there

 

[mete]

I'm from Brooklyn, I'm tough !!

 

[torpid]

I absolutely despise that pointy checkering on the backstrap.

Thank you.
I thought I was a lone crazy nut since everybody seems to adore this gun and yet never mention this.

I couldn't believe the first time I picked one up- it was exactly like holding the business end of a meat tenderizer. I was simply baffled at the hostility of the grip "ergonomics". It really killed me getting further into it, which was a shame- I'll try again if the opportunity comes up.

What is it with high quality guns having lame grips anyway?

I couldn't believe the chintzy plastic grips that came with my Sig P229- unlike my experience with the iron-maiden like pointy HK, I absolutely loved the fit of the Sig in my hand, but the plastic "sandpaper" grips were incredibly cheap feeling and a bit irritating. When I swapped them out for better grips, it felt so perfect I almost cried.

 

[gudel]

Lebben-B, Call this number 205-655-8299. Don't call the 450-1900 one.

 

[Lebben-B]

Gudel,

Cool. Thanks for the info, bro.

Mike

 

[Onmilo]

I like mine too.
USP Elite .45 acp

 

[Chipperman]

The checkering of the backstrap does not bother me in the least. In fact, I like to solid grip it gives me.

 

[Lebben-B]

Going out to shoot today after work. I've taken the Hogue grip off to see how it feels and how I shoot without it.

Mike