Tried out the HK USP

[Vonderek]

I can think of plenty of handguns with worse DA triggers than the USP. The variant 1 trigger will allow SA cocked and locked if that is what the shooter desires. I had one of the early ones and didn't think the trigger was a hindrance in either DA or SA and the gun was incredibly accurate and easy to shoot. It was just too big and chunky for carrying concealed.

 

[bikemobile]

Why pay more for a worse trigger? I just dont get it. Its tough to beat the new m&p triggers or the XDM triggers.

 

[clang]

There are plenty of H&K fanboys, but I think there are even more haters.

I've got a USP 45 with a stainless slide. I bought it used but like new for a reasonable price because it is set up for a lefty (I am left handed too). It has the traditional DA first shot, single action follow up and can also be cocked and locked. DA first shot is a little stiff, but no worse than my CZ85 (I have an early one, I think it is called a pre-B now). Single action is pretty good on my USP.

The H&K USP 45 is big, but no less than expected for a high cap .45. When I first got it, I had the sensation like the gun wanted to slip out of my hands, but after shooting it the first time the feeling went away. I am very happy with the accuracy.

I had one experience with H&K Customer Service - the weld snapped on one of my mags, so I contacted H&K and they had me send it back. Not only did H&K replace the broken mag I sent them, but they also rewelded my broken mag and returned it too.

I'm not sure how the current prices compare for a new H&K vs other brands, but if you can find a new or used one for a reasonable price, they are worth looking at, especially if you want a hammer fired polymer gun, as there are not too many examples out there (FN has one, not sure who else).

 

[Dryft]

I used to own an USP40, and will say this - it was as accurate as could be. The trigger? Not great, but a quick shipment over to Bill Springfield at Triggerwork.net and it was a heck of a lot better.

I got rid of it because the grip is massive. The USPc and the P30 are a lot more ergonomic though, and I have to admit I would love to have either in my collection - in 9mm of course.

I agree with everyone else on the price point issue - they're just too darn much money.

 

[CPshooter]

I'm amazed at the people who keep commenting on the USP.45's price. If these people actually shot their guns, they would realize that ammo trumps the initial cost of the gun in the first place. The difference in price between a USP.45 and a Glock 21, for example, is $300. That's about 500-600 rounds of ammo. So essentially you guys are saying you'd give up the more reliable and durable pistol over a lifetime just for a few trips to the range? Seems silly to me. Don't like the ergos or can't shoot it well? Okay, fine, but the price argument is getting very old from all the Glock and M&P fanboys.

The USP.45 is an absolute beast of a handgun. It will last longer without major parts breakage and maintain its accuracy better over the long run than any Glock or M&P. You have to change the recoil spring assembly on a Glock every few thousand rounds. The USP.45 is known to go 20k+ before needing a new recoil spring assembly. There has also been documentation of the guns going > 300k rounds without any problems other than periodic spring changes.

The haters can keep hating all they want, but the USP is in a completely different league if you ask me. It certainly isn't an ideal pistol for every situation given its size, but if we're talking about larger pistols you'd bring into a combat or SHTF situation, the USP.45 is still king IMHO.

 

[Fremmer]

Yeah I'm not so sure that its significantly more reliable than a glock or a s&w.....

 

[CPshooter]

Yeah I'm not so sure that its significantly more reliable than a glock or a s&w.....

I think it is. I've seen/read/heard of plenty of Glock 9mm slides cracking at far less than 300k rounds. I own a 26 and 17 btw so no bias here. Just giving my input and opinion. That's all.

I've also seen people posting around here with relatively significant M&P failures after 10-20k rounds. Like I said, the USP doesn't even need a recoil spring change at that point. There's really no comparison here if we're talking about straight durability and lack of maintenance over the long haul.

I don't even own any H&K plastic anymore..my only H&K is a P7M8. However, I am in the process of hunting down an od green USP.45 just because I need to have a USP in my collection for the reasons I've already mentioned.

 

[Aiko492]

Any time you get a product that is more expensive than its competitors, you are going to get haters. The HK usp may not be perfect, but it is a very solid pisol.

 

[Fremmer]

Saying the da trigger on a hk sucks doesn't make one a hater, and the higher price for a pistol with a sucky trigger is a relevant consideration for a potential owner.

 

[Rinspeed]

I have a USP in 9mm and it would be the 1 gun I would sell or trade from my collection. I just dont like the way it feels iin my hand.

I might be interested in it. Do you have any seven round mags for it.

 

[justice06rr]

thanks for the review. I've always wanted a USP9 or 45 myself. Some of the downsides other people posted are minor and negligible to me.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

I've always been impressed by how well the USP shoots considering how blocky and unergonomic the grip is and how heavy the trigger is. They are big guns though, and I will probably never own one unless one of the compact ones comes along for a really good price.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

I dislike the USP's DA trigger, but it doesn't matter to me, because I'm unlikely to use it in DA mode. The gun I'm buying is V1, so if I ever carry it, it'll be cocked and locked just like the 1911 I usually carry. The USP's SA trigger isn't great, but I've yet to find a DA/SA automatic with what I would consider a good SA trigger. It's not a 1911 trigger. It's not even a BHP trigger. But nothing else is.

But for all that, I still prefer the USP trigger over that of any striker-fired pistol.

Now yes, the USP is expensive. I got mine gently used so somebody else took the depreciation hit, but it's still pricey. So are SIGs and 1911s. It depends on what you like. I don't like striker-fired guns so those aren't relevant to me. I wasn't going to buy one anyway. In my gun fund, the USP was competing with a Colt Delta Elite.

As was observed, the ammo cost is more important anyway. A 9mm is more economical, and I gave a lot of thought to getting one, but I wanted the .45, so I bought it. Still cheaper than feeding a Delta Elite!

 

[Pilot]

I have the HK USP Tactical .45. It has the Match trigger as standard, which is lighter and crisper than the standard. These are available to install in any USP, so if you don't like the trigger a drop in replacement is available.

 

[Bovice]

A lot of complaints about the USP .45 are based on size.

It's a .45, which is a big round. It's double stack as well. Why then does it surprise you that it is going to be a bigger handgun compared to what else is out there?

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

but I've yet to find a DA/SA automatic with what I would consider a good SA trigger.

Czech out the CZ line of pistols. Great trigger both DA and SA.

 

[robhof]

robhof

My son has the 45 Tactical and the trigger both double and single action is fine. The gun seems to fit my hand well as I can hit what I aim at and after a few hundred rounds it's still confortable to hold. Recoil seems more manageable than my Beretta in 40S&W.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

It's here!

 

[Fremmer]

Nice gun, I like that you can carry single action

 

[Jenrick]

If you have issues with the DA/SA or DAO trigger (yeah they are heavy), check out the LEM. Basically it's a SA trigger with a long take up, think Para-LDA. Probably the best trigger I've ever shot on pistol that's not a true SA gun. If you prefer a thumb safety you can have one put on no problem.

I've owned both a USP 45 and 9mm. They are two the most accurate pistols I own, they also are stupid reliable (I've got a G34 with about 97K rounds through it, believe me I run my guns hard). The double recoil spring thing they use on the fullsize works very well, and keeps the gun very flat for the bore axis. They, like any pistol, are not for everyone. However if you don't mind the larger group size they are a great pistol.

-Jenrick