Bad Things About HK USP Full Size...

gryphon

New member
I want to get an HK USP Full Size in .45ACP. I've looked over the threads here tp gather info, but most of them where either quoting good things or there was a poll or thread about who likes Glock or HK.

I just wanted to get a heads up on the downside of the USP.

I've fired them before and I shoot them well, but before I take the plunge and actually purchase one, I'd like to do my research first.

Thanks...
 
Very reliable, good looking, accurate gun. One of the only pistols that can handle .45 Super's.
The down-side is its somewhat bulky, and the grip is a little large for my medium-size hand.
Sam
 
I've got an HK Tactical .45. For me, the biggest downside is the high bore center. The gun generates more muzzle flip than my Glocks and (recently acquired) 1911. Hence I'm a little slower on follow up shots with the HK.
 
My only gripe with USPs was the grip. I found it too sharp had trouble getting a really firm grip on it. I added a A-grip/hogue grip combo and fixed that problem. Besides that, I cant think of anything else I didnt like. Theyre accurate, durable and dependable.
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I have been slow to jump on the polymer bandwagon. Always felt like my son's super soaker was better built...until I had a weekend to use a USP.
100% reliable, durable and accurate. The only thing that needed some getting use to was the girth of the frame. Now, after almost 4000 rounds, it fits better than almost anything else I own!:D
 
The frontstrap checkering is just vicious on bare hands. The trigger is pretty squishy. It's a big gun, which may or may not be a minus depending on what you like. The bore axis is higher than a Glock, but no worse than a 1911 or a Sig. It feels just fine. The Sig's feel like they're 3ft. tall to me, and the HK doesn't. Just a perception thing I'm sure.

I have a .40 and I love it. It's very very very reliable. I had a couple weird stovepipes in the first couple hundred rounds, and it's been an honest %100 since then. LIterally, no failures of any kind in maybe 4 or 5000 thousand rounds, with all kinds of carry JHP's and FMJ garbage. It's a tank. It's every bit as rugged as my Glock, if not more so. If I had to do it again, I would have bought the .45 and not the .40. I still might get a .45 and have two.

Other than that, no regrets.

- Gabe
 
gryphon,

I got a .45ACP at the end of May. I did all the research you're going through now. I decided on the USP .45F with HE finish and couldn't be more please with my purchase. Over 2000 rounds later and not one problem. If I have to complain about something, the DA trigger takes a little getting used to, for me at least. On the other hand I just need to break-in the DA pull, which means I need to shoot the gun more. Believe me, it's a pleasure to shoot, I get better with the gun every session at the range. For me the worst part of shooting my USP.45F is realizing all the ammo is gone and it's time to leave. If you're doing your homework then you know how good USP's are. If there are any down sides to a USP it's usually because of a person's preference, not the quality of the gun. I'm totally satisfied with my USP .45F. :D

Flattop
 
Upside: Accurate, reliable, has that certain cachet accorded to guns with the HK label, rugged.

Downside: Cheap-o feeling trigger/lockwork common to polymer guns, big as a house.

HTH! ;)
 
I have an HK USP45. Bought it because my Kimber Ultra Carry was too jam-prone to trust as a serious defensive pistol. The HK is a great utilitarian weapon. Never had a failure to feed or failure to eject with it.

It's not the sexiest gun I own, but it's the one I put in the nightstand when I go to bed. It's just a good, reliable tool that does its job very well and in a fairly unassuming, modest way.

I do think the trigger could be a little better. The DA first shot is not quite as nice as the DA first shot of my Beretta Elite II, but it's a fine, fine pistol.
 
1. Poor trigger (Like dragging a Piano over a long gravel road) but you can get that fixed.
2. The Mag Release can sometimes get pressed and you'll find you have a loose mag riding in the well. This too can get fixed with a light application of DREMMEL TOOL to the release lever on both sides.
 
I bought a used 9mm USP9. After the Ruger 9mm, a much lighter gun, I thought I had bought a real doggy. Could NOT get the thing on target at 50 yards, UNTIL I bought 147 grain 9mm (round nose) which is not too easy to find.

Now I have the best defense (not exactly target) handgun I could ask for. I have large hands, so I added Pachmyer rubber to the grip. I like the weight (in REAL close combat, slap THAT on someone's forehead!!) and it absolutely NEVER fails to feed or fire.

Besides, it's quite ugly. Nothing more scary than an ugly gun.

LAST, but quite important: you can carry cocked and locked--and that's not so easy to find these days, either. I use Uncle Mike's fannypack-type. It fits the gun with only a little strain...
 
The only downside I can see are the prices and the lack of factory or aftermarket parts -- which tends to negate the modular aspects of the USP pistols for the consumer. HK Sterling had rather sell you a new pistol than, say, sell you an extra barrel or a conversion kit -- which are readily available to HK customers in Europe. They tack on a feature here and there, give it a new name, add a few hundred to the price and voila -- a Match, Tactical, Custom Sport, Expert, Elite -- all based on the same frame. Nifty, eh? This, frankly, is where Glock kicks HK's butt in the American market.
 
Old Reb,

They tack on a feature here and there, give it a new name, add a few hundred to the price and voila -- a Match, Tactical, Custom Sport, Expert, Elite -- all based on the same frame.

Who doesn't do this? GLOCK certainly does (GLOCK 34, 24)

What you failed to point out is that the features they "tack" on really are worthwhile (i.e. O ring barrel, adjustable nitght sights, etc.) Many companies make "Elite" versions of their guns (Beretta, Kahr to name a few) and they sell like wildfire. If you were in the gun business wouldn't you do the same? I sure would.

Shake
 
Had one; just sold it last week. I just couldn't get used to a $2 trigger on a $600 gun. Other than that, the pistol was very reliable and accurate.

Noban
 
I Just bought a HK Tactical and that gun is awesome. Blows my glocks away.. And the Tactical is not the same as the Standard USP it has Adjustable trigger, Adjustable Sights, Oring Barrel/Threaded,and the barrel length is 5". I love mine...:cool:
 
Although I dearly LOVE my USP45 FS, I do hate the fact that the safety and the decocker are on the same control lever. I can't count how many times I've drawn and released the safety only to have the hammer decock when I didn't want it to. I would have preferred the Mk23 system of a safety and a seperate decocker.
 
well, the trigger has been mentioned a couple times so I don't think i need to mention it again, also coming from a 1911, its hard to get use to the fact it has 2 different trigger pulls, but thats more a personal problem.
And I think metal guns are feel as if they
 
No down side in my opinion

Have a USP 45 Compact and Full Size, got rid of my Glocks and an almost new Steyr M40. No regrets on the switch.
Dave
 
Cons
I used to own one and I can tell you they have more muzzle flip per calibler than do a gun with a lower bore axis like a glock. My usp in 45 was a bear with +p loads my 21 was fairly soft with the same laods.

Poor Da trigger.

Pros

1. Accurate
2 Reliable
3. Small grip for a doulble stack 45.
PAT
 
I have a USP 40. I really don't like it though. It is very accurate and 100% reliable but I seem to have an affinity for Glocks and the HK sit too high up in my hand to point naturally. Seems much more top heavy than the Glocks.

My brother on the other hand absolutely loves it and hates Glocks so I would try one out if I were you before I bought it to make sure you like the way it feels.
 
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