HK's broken-down

"Conclusion... HK USP is a good commando wannabe gun, but it isn't field proven like Glock or 226."

...Does that mean you bought your USP because you're a commando wannabe, or did you mean something else ?

--

I bought my USP because of the HK's strong reputation for accuracy, durablity and advanced engineering. I have become somewhat disillusioned with the mediocre trigger, and what I've seen as surprising and major reliability problems. Yes things break, but a slide shouldn't crack in less than 2000 rounds.

By contrast I have complete confidence in my classic Sigs and Glocks. Both those brands have lengthy and stellar performance records in the hands of LE and military over decades. As far as I'm concerned, the jury is still out on the USP. Bundeswehr notwithstanding, the USP is certainly not field proven in anywhere near the manner Glocks and Sigs are.

Regarding the ad hominem "mall ninja" flame--grow up. The purpose of this thread was to discuss reliability issues befalling the HK USP. I had two USPs. Both failed catastrophically before they reached 2000 rounds. This is noteworthy in my mind, and worth sharing. That a simple firing pin break could result in unrepairable frame damage is evidence of a basic design flaw--something every potential buyer should know.

The USP remains a good firearm, better than most $600 guns. My experiences may have been unusual, but they are certainly not unique. Firing pin failures have been well-documented. The HK smiths admitted to me a production problem involving heat treatment. The poor trigger pull is an issue that HK has been trying to rectify since the USP was introduced-- with only limited success.

"Only for commando wannabees"... well maybe that line was a bit flippant, but after 3 years of USP ownership, I've concluded that the USP lacks the reliability of a Glock, the build quality of a Sig, and the ergonomics of a 1911. It's principle advantage, then, is that the styling appeals to those enamored of the Socom MK23.
 
-Yo-,

Thanx for the description of the failures!
Sorry for the mistrust.

I think the USP is a proven firearm because,

- The german Bundeswehr adopted it (P8),
- The german Bundespolizei adopted it (P10),
- The german KSK/GSG9 adopted it (as the P12, similar to the Tactical)
- The swiss police adopted it in a few cantons (compacts),
- The hungarian (my country) Diplomatic Security Service and Quick Reaction Police adopted it (full size and compact),
- Some US agencies, PDs adopted it,

As for the unmarked HK parts, yes it's possible. Our dealer have some replacement parts (barrels for example) in stock without any kind of serial number on them. The SN is engraved when the parts are sold...
 
I have't broken any part on my USPs yet. My USP Expert .45 has seen more than 20k rounds (of them about 1500 .45 Super), my normal .45 USP more than 5k, and so far, my guns held up.

The canton Basel-Land has adopted the USP Compact 9mm as duty issue weapons and they had few issues except that some people are not used to the gun yet (and, for SIG users, they have strange mag releases). Although, here, we tend to keep SIGs.
 
You can list the DEA as one of those signing up for the "untested" USP.

Reportedly the Border Patrol is also authorizing USPs for agents. This agency has more violent confrontations than any other agency. I'm fairly certain they know what they are getting into with the USP.

Shake
 
Hey Dakota,

I have followed your posts here and on hkpro for some time. Here is my take - I am a BIG HK fan. I also own a Glock. Love HK, Glocks are swell.

It seems that lately the tone of your posts has been changing. It seems you are becoming ripe for a hostile takeover from the Glock clan. Be warned!
Be strong!

btw, good info from posting these things. Truly, if everyone would drop their shame and post the problems they encounter with their pistols, we as a collective would be much better informed.
 
Hi Krept,
I still love my HK's and if I go to the dark side it will be with a nice SV pistol.

Ever since I hooked up with Matt Burkett this summer and got into this competition thing, my shooting has changed for the better.

I see guys with $3,000.00 + raceguns break parts alot, IPSC shooting etc can be very hard on equipment.
It is easier to get 1911 pts than HK pts..

All in all my HK's are alot more durable than the other guns I see people use, I have shoot alot and dry-fire approx 1 1/2 hours every night...

I put more use/abuse on my pistols in 1 year than most people do in 10 years...
Something to think about.

I have broken every pistol I ever owned and shot alot but I somehow believed that HK had some special magic steel that won't break....LOL

krept,
give Matt a call, he lives in Scottsdale AZ and he will help make you the shooter you never thought possible...
http://www.mattburkett.com/
 
HK USP is a good commando wannabe gun, but it isn't field proven like Glock or 226
Actually, the USP is a commando gun. I spoke with a person "in-the-know" in Australia who had this to say.

The Australian SAS use the USP 9mm and .40 as their side arms along with the Browning Hipower. When rostered into the CT team all personell must use the USP 9mm standard. I have fitted these with the USP Expert Magazine Jet Wells, Ambi Safties, and CRDC Lazers. The CRDC lazer allows the Surefire Flashlight to be attatched as well so it is ideal for CQB use.

USP Compacts, Tactical 9mm and .45, MK23, P7M13's are also used when required
however these are more for specialist work on an as required basis.
How can it not be "field proven" and yet in use by the Australian SAS?

Sounds field proven to me. . .

Shake
 
I had a problem with my USP Compact 9 last year and sent it in to HK. I had no problem with the HK service department. In fact, they very patiently walked me through disassembly of my P7M8 mags last year when I was having trouble doing so. I simply have not had any of the problems which I read about so often on this web-site. It amkes me wonder about whether some of the complaints I read are a little exagerrated.
 
My H&K USP9c
18,000+ rounds
Action Pistol
Daily Carry

No problems.

CAVEAT: Within the last 5,000 rounds I've noticed a black smudge on the side of the ejected brass. It never did this before. Accuracy is unaffected as is the feel, but it's a change that probably doesn't mean anything good, but I won't send it in until it acts up.
 
HK Case Smudge

Mikul
I have the same problem with an HK .45 fullsize after about 2000 rounds. Yes, all guns "soot" the cases a bit, but this is a jet black streak about 3/8"wide from the case mouth 2/3 of the way down. Always in the same place-- 9-10 o'clock.

One smith suggested out of round chamber
Another suggested there may be a micro-crack in the barrel.
Third theory was overbored chamber. Since the case headspaces on the extractor, this cants the case, pulling the shell away from the left side of the chamber (looking from hammer forward).

I did send it back to the factory. Their response was obtuse "case blacking not abnormal". Hmmm, that's not exactly saying that things are right. I did ask the factory to magnaflux (sp?) the barrel. They did not do so.

Like you I'll keep shooting it until it seems to affect accuracy.

Yo
 
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