USP Compact Problems

[OrvilleYertleson]

Several times over the last week my USPC in .40 has failed to return to battery. I have owned the weapon for more than five years and have never had any problems prior to this last week.

The weapon has performed flawlessly, and then three times during recent range trips the weapon has jammed with a fresh round only partially loaded into the chamber. The spent brass was ejected completely and the slide just seems to have 'stopped' short of chambering the round.

Could this be caused by the extractor? Springs? A bad magazine? The failures happenned with different brands of ammunition and the weapon was cleaned between them. I labeled the magazine I was using at the time of the last failure and was unable to reproduce the problem even though I shot several hundred more rounds through it (I just finished some military advanced marksmanship training and then went on a bit of a shooting spree with my own pistols trying to practice).

I know it is only three malfunctions over the life of the weapon, but it is my main sidearm and I am worried it is about to fail completely. Any advice would be appreciated, including whether I can get this fixed without sending the weapon back to HK.

Thanks,
Orville

 

[Black Majik]

In those 5 years, have you replaced the recoil spring? Sounds like the recoil spring might be due for replacement.

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

If the ammunition you're using isn't something completely new to the gun, then I'd also suspect the recoil spring. What kind of round count does this gun have?

I have an HK USP C in 9mm, and it has been 100% flawless in 3,000rds.


If you're not sure if the spring is worn down, go to a gunshop and pull back on the slide of a new .40 C. That will instantly show you the difference. We tend to get used to the differences in spring tension because it is so gradual and long term.


Aside from that, the next suspect would be the magazine spring tension, or the follower. If the follower has worn, or changed in any way which allows it to tilt - that could be an issue. If mag spring tension is weak - that could be the cause too.


I doubt this is an extractor issue.

 

[gudel]

name the brands of ammo you were shooting and how many rounds through this gun.

 

[Shipwreck]

Yes, I too say - go buy a new recoil spring...

 

[OrvilleYertleson]

I had one malfunction with Fiocci ammo, and the other two with the cheap wally world winchester. Both FMJ.

I am not sure on the round count, though it has to be in the thousands. I shoot as regularly as my budget allows and I almost always go through at least 200 rounds /trip. I feel like I bought the pistol just the other day but I guess it is getting worn enough I should expect little things to start going wrong with it.

The first malfunction occured on the last round, but the others were mid-magazine and when I inspected the magazine everything 'seemed' to be in order. I was also unable to reproduce the problem deliberately.

I will take the advice given above to compare the spring tension to that of a new weapon. It's too cheap and easy to not do.

Thanks,
Orville

 

[Black Majik]

Yeah, you're due. You should replace your recoil spring every 3,000 rounds.

Go get a new recoil spring, they're not that expensive. Its cheap insurance.

 

[gudel]

the ammo is a good brand since you don't know the round count, just replace it. Call HK first before you buy any springs.

and NO, you do not need to replace it every 3000 rounds. this is HK we're talking about, not your grandma's 1911.

 

[OrvilleYertleson]

Well, my wife just took a CCW class and had four malfunctions with different magazines. She was using Speer lawman ammunition (the cheapest stuff I could find on short notice) and if the weapon hadn't developed a history I would blame it on the ammunition.

I really have to order new springs.

 

[gudel]

before you buy new springs, ask if they can send you one for free: 205-655-8299.

 

[mrtgbnkr]

I have a USP that I got a replacement Wolff recoil spring for...and I can't get it installed because of the clips that keep the spring on the guide rod. I can't manage to get them off (and if I did, I'm not sure I could get them back on). Hasn't really been a problem, but I got it used and thought that a new spring would b ea good idea.

 

[10-Ring]

+1 recoil spring
My USPc 9 has been flawless for 5000+ rounds Without actually seeing/ shooting your USPc, I'd think recoil spring or perhaps ammo.