H&K Jamming Problem

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HK has always made quality pistols, but I never could understand their "elite" reputation. I used to own a USPc in .40, and while it was reliable and reasonably accurate the double-action trigger was absolutely horrible. Trying out several other HK pistols at various dealers also revealed the same 20-pound, gritty, stacking DA triggers. It wasn't until I finally handled some LEM versions that I began to say HK was finally figuring it out, and of course now we have the VP9. Great guns overall, but my opinion they should be selling for no more than $100 above the competition. Fortunately the VP9 is nearly there, even if it still is a little bit more than an equivalent Walther PPQ or S&W M&P.

Independent George, like I said earlier the reason why pistols like HK's normally come with strong recoil springs is because most European police agencies don't use cheap Winchester White Box ammo purchased from the local Wal-mart.
 
Independent George, like I said earlier the reason why pistols like HK's normally come with strong recoil springs is because most European police agencies don't use cheap Winchester White Box ammo purchased from the local Wal-mart.
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That's a load of bull. When I can buy multiple, as in a dozen, HKs that have no issue with "Wal-mart" ammo and then one suddenly does, it's a spec issue. Walthers, Glocks, FNs, heck even XDs are made overseas and they all run crap ammo. It wasn't until Gen 4 Glocks that the issue came up with them, and then they revised the recoil spring.
 
I own about them all. You will not find many, if any polymer guns better than the HK. Especially the well prover USP line. Every and all HK USP Compact I own feeds everything. PERIOD.

Call HK if your not happy, they have great customer service.

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That range gun you rented has thousands of rounds through it, and is thoroughly broke in. Willing to bet once you break in that brand new stiff recoil spring she will run anything. Did you try any +p or +p+ ammo just for kicks? Id bet it wouldnt short stroke on those... who knows, Im thinking the lot from which your recoil spring was made probably had a batch of higher strength steel, resulting in a higher power spring. Combine that with a brand new, tight HK... whoala... malfunction.

Will probably clear on its own with some frustrating time with FULL POWER ammo, or just throw a new spring in it.

I would at least try that first, and then possibly a trip back to HK

Just make sure you keep this thread updated... I for one am very interested on how this plays out.

P.S. also I wouldnt worry too much about guys blaming you and your experience level... Inexperience in shooting can create malfunctions sometimes, but doesnt seem like thats the problem here.

Good luck
 
Yup, sounds like a short stroking slide. Under powered ammo or limp wristing most likely.
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I have to say I have to agree with this for a few reasons. The USP line has a taller slide and a heavier slide than a lot of it's counter parts. Dealing with HKCS as well as everyone other companies for a job I can tell you yes 9/10 times they do feed anything, however it is a fact it is DESIGNED to shoot 124gr Nato Ball. You can actually buy run off of this ammo from Winchester, it comes in a black and white box vs the tradition white and wed box of the famous / infamous "winchester white box".

HK isn't immuse to making lemons, but personally I think this case boils down to the combination of a brand new gun with stiff springs, a shooter who may or may not limp wrist (no one ever admits to it, but I'd say 5 out of 10 handguns brought back to us, that is the case) and the slide being heavy and tall compared to similar pistols in the class, and lack of a big beaver tail like a 1911 gives you less of a high hand hold. Also you should never ride a slide... it is not a test.... improper use of a handgun is just that.. improper use. Oiling the feed ramp and chamber will also gum up the works, specially with filthy ball ammo.

Sounds to me like a new stiff gun, not properly cared for (lubing the wrong places) and an inexperienced shooter. I am not trying to flame you, it happens to all of us, but working with warranty repair issues daily in the firearms industry... I see all the good bad and ugly.

That would be my first guess, but as others have said.. send it into HK.... people used to flame their CS for only caring about Mil/LEO contract guns, but it is not true.. they are always helpful, and make it right. I only ever had HK charge one of my customers.. and it was because he blew the frame of his HK USP .45 in half with an over charged hand load. They charged him for a new frame and labor.
 
HKFan9 said:
I have to say I have to agree with this for a few reasons. The USP line has a taller slide and a heavier slide than a lot of it's counter parts. Dealing with HKCS as well as everyone other companies for a job I can tell you yes 9/10 times they do feed anything, however it is a fact it is DESIGNED to shoot 124gr Nato Ball. You can actually buy run off of this ammo from Winchester, it comes in a black and white box vs the tradition white and wed box of the famous / infamous "winchester white box".

HK isn't immuse to making lemons, but personally I think this case boils down to the combination of a brand new gun with stiff springs, a shooter who may or may not limp wrist (no one ever admits to it, but I'd say 5 out of 10 handguns brought back to us, that is the case) and the slide being heavy and tall compared to similar pistols in the class, and lack of a big beaver tail like a 1911 gives you less of a high hand hold. Also you should never ride a slide... it is not a test.... improper use of a handgun is just that.. improper use. Oiling the feed ramp and chamber will also gum up the works, specially with filthy ball ammo.

Sounds to me like a new stiff gun, not properly cared for (lubing the wrong places) and an inexperienced shooter. I am not trying to flame you, it happens to all of us, but working with warranty repair issues daily in the firearms industry... I see all the good bad and ugly.

That would be my first guess, but as others have said.. send it into HK.... people used to flame their CS for only caring about Mil/LEO contract guns, but it is not true.. they are always helpful, and make it right. I only ever had HK charge one of my customers.. and it was because he blew the frame of his HK USP .45 in half with an over charged hand load. They charged him for a new frame and labor.
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The slides on HKs aren't heavier than any other. In fact it's lighter than my M&P and Sig. The beauty of carbon steel.
 
Well I could be wrong on the weight, but I would still stand by my statement its a combination of those things with a new stiff gun.

My first handgun was a USP 9mm Fullsize which ate everything from Blazer alumnium to +P+, but I have seen others that did not favor certain rounds.
 
I had a HK USP 40. Could not induce a malfunction, tried to, even ran it every weekend for three months without cleaning, zero malfunctions. They are capable of extreme reliability.

I now own a P7 PSP and a 45C, all because of that unstoppable USP.
 
That's a load of bull. When I can buy multiple, as in a dozen, HKs that have no issue with "Wal-mart" ammo and then one suddenly does, it's a spec issue.
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I never said they can't run cheap ammo. I said they're mostly designed for duty ammo and have strong springs as a result.
 
There is some truth on the breaking in aspect. many, many years ago I met a guy with a Colt1911 that was causing some troubles but after a few hundred rounds it was working fine. On the heavier bullet- greater recoil issue. The standard civilian load is pretty much the 115 and it just doesn't make sense that the slide won't function with that. Other folks with the same gun would be having similar troubles.
One idea would be to strip the gun, give it a good cleaning, use canned air, etc. to blow out any metal filings, grit, etc. and see if that helps. Once again, the spring might be defective but I'd assume first that the manufactured parts are okay, an experienced semi-auto shooter means limp wristing isn't an issue, the standard 115 gr loads should not be an issue. Maybe a bit of grit, etc. in the linkage is causing trouble. :cool:
 
There is some truth on the breaking in aspect. many, many years ago I met a guy with a Colt1911 that was causing some troubles but after a few hundred rounds it was working fine.
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The 1911 is a notably more complex design than an HK USP that can be very dependent on tolerances.
 
Mystro, for just a moment, while I scrolled down on this page, I thought you had included the infamous H&K brochure photo.

You know, the one with cartridges loaded backwards into the magazine. :eek:

Well, we have had almost every other possible malfunction cause mentioned here!

OBTW, I notice that you have not added the extended mag release lever assembly to that top .40 USP. (I cannot tell on the lower gun) Believe me, it is soooo easy to put in, and does improve the ability to quickly release the magazine.

Bart Noir
 
I hate when people say "jam" or "stove pipe". Most gun owners have no idea what they're saying or implying.

gahaha, please tell me which if these malfunctions are happening.

1. Failure to feed: How is the round sitting in the weapon?

2. Failure to extract: How is the casing sitting in the weapon?

3. Failure to eject: How is the casing sitting in the weapon?
 
I might be wrong on the terminology but FTF for me is when after racking the slide or firing a round, the next one is sort of caught and the slide does not return to its original position.

I always thought FTE means Failure to Eject, basically the gun fires and slide returns to its original position but the round never ejects. Racking the slide afterwards would send the empty casing out.

Stovepipes to me means the casing is caught on the slide in various positions.

The three above is what is currently happening. I sent gun back to HK yesterday, should arrive on Monday.

Anyhow I am sure there's an issue with the gun, as I said before the range I had had the same USP Compact for rent, and I ran it through the same ammo without an issue. I had the range's gunsmith look at it and he thinks there's an issue with the extractor and suggested I send it to HK right away.
 
all three? Jeez......

it does sound like an extraction issue. Though failure to feeds are also related to nose diving ammo due to weak mag springs or dirty mags that don't allow the rounds to pop up quick enough. I'm not saying that's definitively your problem though......

You said sometimes the slide rechambers the empty casing? That's indicative of a recoil spring that is too strong.
 
Well Gahaha- that was how I took your original explanation- you were having trouble with all three. No wonder you're upset.
And, not to repeat myself but since we have all been venturing some thoughts- if you could tell us what was the trouble after it gets fixed. That would be good.
 
Gun should be arriving tomorrow, not sure if I'll hear from them soon since its close to Christmas, I'll update you guys.
 
H&K is good to deal with, if there is a gun issue they wil fix it and make you happy. As I said before people used to get upset with them and bash them for only taking care of govt contractors or LEO contracts, but I have dealt with them for my customers a bunch of times and they are always awesome. I hope they can fix it for you, as HK's are great guns, and you will want another one eventually after owning one.
 
Bart Noir , It has happened !!! When I was in gunsmithing school in the early '70s there was a customer with a brand new P38 .It wouldn't fire !! We asked him [after testing it completely ], how he loaded it --backwards !! :rolleyes:
 
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