I've decided on H&K - Any One Have One Malfunction?
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Autolycus
Member
I am sure someone at some point has had malfunctions. It is an ultrareliable gun with an excellent design. I would suggest checking www.hkpro.com for more information.
I have had excellent service with my HK P2000 and HK P2000sk. They have not jammed and have not malfunctioned ever in my shooting. I really recommend them over other guns. I am sure the USP compact will be just as effective.
I have had excellent service with my HK P2000 and HK P2000sk. They have not jammed and have not malfunctioned ever in my shooting. I really recommend them over other guns. I am sure the USP compact will be just as effective.
Woodsmoke
Member
I have owned 2 HK USP .45s and I just love them. I have had several failure to feeds though using the Pro Mag 20 round magazines.
Never have I had a malfunction using the 12 round factory magazines with factory ammo.
This is the gun that stays on my bedside table:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z74/twobentleys/HKUSP45.jpg
I sold the other one I owned and my wife told me that if she thought I was going to sell this one she would spray paint it pink. It really belongs to her.
In fact, it..... uhhh.... well....uhhh.... it actually stays on her bedside table now.
Never have I had a malfunction using the 12 round factory magazines with factory ammo.
This is the gun that stays on my bedside table:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z74/twobentleys/HKUSP45.jpg
I sold the other one I owned and my wife told me that if she thought I was going to sell this one she would spray paint it pink. It really belongs to her.
In fact, it..... uhhh.... well....uhhh.... it actually stays on her bedside table now.
Autolycus
Member
Actually their service has improved a lot since they revamped their customer service division in Alabama. It is not the same HK that people complained about before.
usp9
Member
I have five HKs and have never, in thousands of rounds, had a malfunction of any kind. My oldest HK is 23 years, my newest is 1/07, that's a pretty good record.
No failures to feed
Got my H&K USPc .40 in 2001 and kept it bone stock and after multiple thousands of rounds slung downrange ......no hiccups of ftf's.
You made a wise decision!!!!!!
I think it's ironic in past threads that people ask about the relaibility of the 1911 foundation and the aftermarket parts for the glocks.... I always think to myself that imho if they would get a H&K all they have to worry about is getting permission from the misses to go shoot....:banghead:
If you don't have the best, you get a glock like the rest...Just joking-I own both
Wake up Glockers
Finalcut.. don't worry about lame service, keep it stock and you won't need it
Got my H&K USPc .40 in 2001 and kept it bone stock and after multiple thousands of rounds slung downrange ......no hiccups of ftf's.
You made a wise decision!!!!!!
I think it's ironic in past threads that people ask about the relaibility of the 1911 foundation and the aftermarket parts for the glocks.... I always think to myself that imho if they would get a H&K all they have to worry about is getting permission from the misses to go shoot....:banghead:
If you don't have the best, you get a glock like the rest...Just joking-I own both
Wake up Glockers
Finalcut.. don't worry about lame service, keep it stock and you won't need it
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caz223
Member
I did my own little torture test, I got one round to jam, but it was SEVERELY out of spec. Visibly. A badly bulged reload.
It did chamber in the other .45 I had, but it stuck in the chamber. (I tried to extract it before I just shot it out.)
I have owned this .45 USP compact since 2001, and that was the ONLY round that it wouldn't lock up on. At one point it was my only auto, so I shot the bejeezus out of it.
That gun won me many a game of PIG shooting with my buddies, and it's been through hades and back. I've ultrasonically cleaned the teflon off it, shot it full of dirt, shot it dry without cleaning it, etc.
Just wouldn't stop shooting.
Use factory magazines, and all is well.
I've tortured mine, so you won't have to.
It did chamber in the other .45 I had, but it stuck in the chamber. (I tried to extract it before I just shot it out.)
I have owned this .45 USP compact since 2001, and that was the ONLY round that it wouldn't lock up on. At one point it was my only auto, so I shot the bejeezus out of it.
That gun won me many a game of PIG shooting with my buddies, and it's been through hades and back. I've ultrasonically cleaned the teflon off it, shot it full of dirt, shot it dry without cleaning it, etc.
Just wouldn't stop shooting.
Use factory magazines, and all is well.
I've tortured mine, so you won't have to.
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usp_fan
Member
It's a great platform. One of the few designs that was built for the .40 from the ground up, instead of being a modified 9mm. Mine has been reliable and is accurate too. Sometimes those two things don't go together, but with H&K they seem to be common. You'll enjoy your decision.
--usp_fan
--usp_fan
10-Ring
Member
HK & malf do not go together!
I have a full size and compact USP in .40 S&W. I have had one malfunction, an FTE. It was 100% my fault as I limp wristed it. I have shot HKs for twenty plus years and other than this one hiccup the guns have been perfection (HK4, P9s, VP70Z, USPC, USPF, P7).
I've owned a few HKs and fired many more (a good friend of mine used to have an awesome HK collection). The only failure of any kind I can remember is a P7 temporarily locking up because the gas piston system was extremely filthy. I've never seen a USP series gun malfunction.
gudel
Member
HK and malfunction are words that cannot be in the same positive sentence.
Why don't you ask HK yourself, post that very same question RIGHT HERE. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Ask yourself.
Why don't you ask HK yourself, post that very same question RIGHT HERE. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Ask yourself.
LiquidTension
Member
My full size USP 9mm has never had a malf. I'm thinking of selling it though, I just never shoot it.
I love my USP45f
I have 2 USP45’s. One I have had for almost 8 years and have put about 9k rounds through with only 1 failure. I can’t blame that one on the gun because I got a bad lot of wolf ammo and about every other case ruptured. I didn’t even notice it until one case ruptured so badly that I had to use a cleaning rod to knock it out. Once cleared, she just kept chugging along, no damage, no harm done.
My USP’s are the most reliable guns that I own and they are super accurate. They will eat any, and I mean any ammo that I throw at them with equal aplomb. You have made a great choice and I am sure that you will be happy with your purchase.
I have 2 USP45’s. One I have had for almost 8 years and have put about 9k rounds through with only 1 failure. I can’t blame that one on the gun because I got a bad lot of wolf ammo and about every other case ruptured. I didn’t even notice it until one case ruptured so badly that I had to use a cleaning rod to knock it out. Once cleared, she just kept chugging along, no damage, no harm done.
My USP’s are the most reliable guns that I own and they are super accurate. They will eat any, and I mean any ammo that I throw at them with equal aplomb. You have made a great choice and I am sure that you will be happy with your purchase.
Big Calhoun
Member
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I have had 3 HKs and currently own 2. Never a functionality problem with any of them. Shooting them is very enjoyable; shooting .45 (non +P) from my USP feels like shooting .40 out of my Beretta. Shooting .45 +P loads is as comfortable as shooting standard loads out of my Springfield. I would buy another in a heartbeat.
Devonai
Member
I've owned a USP full-size in .40 and .45 and a compact in .40 and none of them gave me any problems.
I used to have a USP 9mm that occasionally would ftf. The extractor was a little, ahem agressive and would tear small chunks of brass off the cases and about about 1000 rounds they could gum up in the inside and cause light primer strikes.
that being said a little spray and shake the thing out and it was fine. I eventually sold it thanks to a bout of unemployment, and I never felt as if the weapon was unreliable.
very easy to clean and comfortable to shoot. I figure i just got one that was not quite 100% (but I sure as heck would not call it a lemon)
that being said a little spray and shake the thing out and it was fine. I eventually sold it thanks to a bout of unemployment, and I never felt as if the weapon was unreliable.
very easy to clean and comfortable to shoot. I figure i just got one that was not quite 100% (but I sure as heck would not call it a lemon)
fletcher
Member
+1. So far they've been very helpful with obtaining replacement parts.
fastbolt
Member
Like most of the other modern, good quality pistols being produced if you maintain it well, use good quality factory ammunition and demonstrate safe, good shooting/handling techniques it should serve the owner/user well.
I wouldn't lose any sleep worrying about the occasional malfunction reportedly experienced by someone. If you're not present at the time it's hard to know what the conditions and actual circumstances involved may have been.
A friend of mine is the head firearms instructor for an agency who has been using USP .45's for about the last 3 years. He said the only malfunctions the folks at his agency seem to experience have been caused by insufficient lubrication practices.
I was talking to another armorer at a class a while back who had recently returned from service in Iraq. He said that while over there he had been able to briefly carry and do some shooting with both a standard USP 45 and a MK23 MOD.O. The only problem he had with both pistols was that sand worked its way into the mechanisms of both pistols within the first day he was using them and caused functioning problems with the decocking levers. Sand is an understandably harsh environment.
The last problem I personally witnessed with a USP 45 was during an instructors class. One of the fellows using a HK USP 45 experienced some repeated light strikes during one of the days and had to detail strip his pistol during a lunch break to correct the problem. Didn't remember to ask him later in the day what the specific issue had been, but he apparently resolved it to his satisfaction and restored the pistol to normal functioning for the rest of the class.
Pistols are machines. Notwithstanding any existing conditions with the pistol itself, the other factors which can normally influence functioning will generally be the conditions (environmental) in which it's being used, the ammunition which is being used, the maintenance it receives and the skills/handling of the user/owner.
HK makes fine firearms.
I wouldn't lose any sleep worrying about the occasional malfunction reportedly experienced by someone. If you're not present at the time it's hard to know what the conditions and actual circumstances involved may have been.
A friend of mine is the head firearms instructor for an agency who has been using USP .45's for about the last 3 years. He said the only malfunctions the folks at his agency seem to experience have been caused by insufficient lubrication practices.
I was talking to another armorer at a class a while back who had recently returned from service in Iraq. He said that while over there he had been able to briefly carry and do some shooting with both a standard USP 45 and a MK23 MOD.O. The only problem he had with both pistols was that sand worked its way into the mechanisms of both pistols within the first day he was using them and caused functioning problems with the decocking levers. Sand is an understandably harsh environment.
The last problem I personally witnessed with a USP 45 was during an instructors class. One of the fellows using a HK USP 45 experienced some repeated light strikes during one of the days and had to detail strip his pistol during a lunch break to correct the problem. Didn't remember to ask him later in the day what the specific issue had been, but he apparently resolved it to his satisfaction and restored the pistol to normal functioning for the rest of the class.
Pistols are machines. Notwithstanding any existing conditions with the pistol itself, the other factors which can normally influence functioning will generally be the conditions (environmental) in which it's being used, the ammunition which is being used, the maintenance it receives and the skills/handling of the user/owner.
HK makes fine firearms.
waterhouse
Member
When we were training at the academy with p2000s there was at least one jam on the other end of the line. Granted, there were 25 of us on the line, shooting about 200+ rounds a session for several weeks, so it was a lot of ammo through a bunch of guns. I'm not sure of the cause of the jam, but it was quickly cleared.
I carry an HK just about every day, and I trust it, but anything mechanical might have a hiccup some day.
I carry an HK just about every day, and I trust it, but anything mechanical might have a hiccup some day.
Smurfslayer
Member
Mostly good
You asked a loaded question
I have 4 HK pistols and each one of them has choked at one point or another.
My 1st USP 9 broke the f/p at about 8k rounds. In that round count in malf'd maybe twice. Almost all WWB. My .45's have been pretty impressive as well. I did almost 900 rounds over 3 days in a class, no malfs, and then another 200 that week without even so much as a drop of oil added. As it should be.
Still, the .45's have choked a couple times inexplicably, but only 1 time with factory ammo. Their round counts are a little lower, about 4500 & 2500 respectively, both full size. All 4 of mine are LEM triggers.
I disagree w/ previous posters opinion that their c/s was bad. I had all 4 guns LEM'd + the firing pin issue. Turnaround was never more than 12 days door to door. One LEM was done in 4 days.
No gun is mechanically flawless, in my opinion the HK USPs are extremely high quality. Pricey, but excellent guns. All of mine are in the carry rotation.
HTH
You asked a loaded question
I have 4 HK pistols and each one of them has choked at one point or another.
My 1st USP 9 broke the f/p at about 8k rounds. In that round count in malf'd maybe twice. Almost all WWB. My .45's have been pretty impressive as well. I did almost 900 rounds over 3 days in a class, no malfs, and then another 200 that week without even so much as a drop of oil added. As it should be.
Still, the .45's have choked a couple times inexplicably, but only 1 time with factory ammo. Their round counts are a little lower, about 4500 & 2500 respectively, both full size. All 4 of mine are LEM triggers.
I disagree w/ previous posters opinion that their c/s was bad. I had all 4 guns LEM'd + the firing pin issue. Turnaround was never more than 12 days door to door. One LEM was done in 4 days.
No gun is mechanically flawless, in my opinion the HK USPs are extremely high quality. Pricey, but excellent guns. All of mine are in the carry rotation.
HTH
Bobarino
member
I've had two failures to feed in my KK date code (year 2000) USP Compact .40, both were bum rounds where the bullet was seated crooked. i did break my firing pin somewhere around 5,000 rounds after A LOT of dry firing. i was told there was a batch of firing pins that weren't properly heat treated and the problem has since been corrected. i sent my pistol in to them and had it back within a week, repaired free of charge. the service was plenty satisfactory to me. at about 7,000 rounds, the little clip that retains the recoil spring on the guide rod broke. didn't affect function at all, just made it a little more difficult to reassemble after stripping. i called HK and they sent me a three pack of them free of charge. had them in a couple days. i'm now at about 12,000 rounds through my gun. it still rides on my hip just like it has every day for the past 7 years. i wouldn't trade it for anything. when i clean it after a range trip, the barrel looks brand spankin' new inside. you would never know its even been fired. the steel that its made of is so hard that i tried to polish the feedramp (out of boredom, not necessity) and my results were just so-so because polishing compound isn't nearly abrasive enough to remove any metal, even with the dremmel on the 30,000 rpm setting.
it feels like my recoil spring may be getting a tad weaker these days. i may replace it soon just for peace of mind.
i certainly have no regrets about buying this gun. i'd recommend them to anyone. sure they're pricey, but worth every penny if you ask me. its not perfect. its a mechanical thing after all. some things are going to wear out and/or break on it sooner or later. if the little clip is the worst that happens, i'll consider myself pretty lucky.
Bobby
it feels like my recoil spring may be getting a tad weaker these days. i may replace it soon just for peace of mind.
i certainly have no regrets about buying this gun. i'd recommend them to anyone. sure they're pricey, but worth every penny if you ask me. its not perfect. its a mechanical thing after all. some things are going to wear out and/or break on it sooner or later. if the little clip is the worst that happens, i'll consider myself pretty lucky.
Bobby
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