Heckler and Koch USP Introduction



Reprinted from the Operator's Manual.

The Heckler & Koch USP (Universal Self-loading Pistol) is the first HK pistol designed especially for the demanding needs of the American shooter. Features favored by US civilian, law enforcement, and military users provided the design criteria for the USP. Its controls are uniquely American, influenced by such famous and successful designs as the Government Model 1911 pistol. And like the Model 1911, the USP can be safely carried "cocked and locked".

The control lever, a combination safety and decocking lever, is frame mounted and quickly accessible; unlike the slide mounted safeties common on many pistols. The USP control lever has a positive stop and returns to the "fire" position after decocking.

Using a modified Browning-type action with a special HK recoil reduction system (patent pending), the USP is built to take the punishment of the most powerful .40 caliber loads. And unlike most other .40 caliber pistols, the HK USP was designed as a "forty" -- it was never "scaled up" from an existing 9mm pistol model.

The polymer frame of the USP was designed using technical experience gained by HK engineers in the development of the world's first composite material pistols, the VP70Z and P9S. This same high-stregth/corrosion free material is used in the .45 ACP handgun designed by Heckler & Koch for the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in 1992.

Major metal components on the USP are also corrosion resistant. Outside metal surfaces are protected by an extremely hard, nitro-gas carburized black oxide finish. Internal metal parts are coated with a special Dow Corning anti-corrosion process the reduces friction and wear. The HK USP is presently available in calibers .45 ACP, .40 S&W and 9mm Parabellum. Other calibers will be available in the future.

The design characteritics of the HK USP provide a wide range of flexibility for users. The 9mm model of the USP carries sixteen cartridges, fifteen in the magazine, plus one in the chamber. The .40 caliber model holds a total of fourteen of .40 S&W cartridges, thirteen in the magazine plus one in the chamber.

By using a modular opproach to the internal components, the control lever function of the HK USP can be switched from the left to the right side of the pistol for left handed shooters. The USP can also be converted from one type of trigger/firing mode to another. This includes combination double-action and single-action Note: Trigger/firing mode conversion can only be made by a HK certified armorer.

1. DA/SA with "safe" position and control lever (manual safety/decocking lever) on left side of frame

2. DA/SA with "safe" position and control lever Variants 1 and 2 allow the user to carry the pistol in a single-action mode (cocked and locked) with the manual safety engaged. This same pistol, without modification, can be carried in double-action mode, with or without the manual safety engaged.

3. DA/SA without "safe" position with control lever (decocking lever) on the left side of frame

4. DA/SA without "safe" position with control lever (decocking lever) on the right side of frame

Variants 3 and 4 provides the user with a frame-mounted decocking lever that does not have the "safe" position. This combination only allows the hammer to be lowered from SA position to DA position. It does not provide the "safe" position to prevent the pistol from firing when the trigger is pulled.

5. DA-Only with "safe" position and control lever (manual safety) on the left side of frame

6. DA-Only with "safe" position and control lever (manual safety) on the right side of frame

7. DA-Only without control lever (no safety/decocking lever)

For the DA-Only user, variants 5, 6, and 7 of the USP operate as double action only pistol with a bobbed hammer always returning to the DA position (forward) after each shot is fired. To fire each shot the trigger must be pulled through the smooth DA trigger pull. Variants 5 and 6 have a manual safety lever.

No control lever is provided on variant 7.

9. DA/SA with "safe" position and control lever (manual safety) on the left side of frame

10. DA/SA with "safe" position and control lever (manual safety) on the right side of frame

Variants 9 and 10 allow the user to carry the pistol in a single-action mode (cocked and locked) with the manual safety engaged. Unlike variants 9 and 10 [sic], the control lever can not be used to decock the hammer. These variants are the ideal choice for users who prefer shooting the pistol in SA mode with the thumb placed on top of the manual safety. This same pistol, without modification, can be carried in double-action mode, with or without the manual safety engaged, and provides second primer strike ability to single-action shooters.

Due to this innovative design approach, it is possible to modify an HK USP into any one of the listed variants.

Changing the trigger/firing mode of the pistol is accomplished by installing a different set of component parts. Not only can the control lever function (safety/decocking) be switched from one side of the pistol to the other, it is possible to have a single-action/double action (SA/DA) version converted to a double action only (DAO) version, or to any other configuration listed.

This unique design allows the HK Universal Self-loading Pistol to be configured for a variety of purposes depending on the requirements of the user, without having to purchase a new pistol.

In addition to a wide selection of trigger/firing modes, the HK USP has an ambidextrous magazine release lever which is shielded from inadvertent actuation by the design of the trigger guard. It is possible to depress the magazine release lever with the thumb or index finger of the firing hand, in most cases without adjusting the firing grip.

The metal reinforced polymer magazine is stronger and lighter than conventional metal magazines and will still drop free of the frame when the magazine release is actuated. The magazine has a series of viewing holes on the back side for counting the cartridges remining inside. The floor plate of the magazine is easily removed without tools during disassembly.

The extended slide release is positioned to allow easy actuation without adjustment of the grip of the shooting hand. Another useful feature is the absence of a magazine lock-out device. (CAUTION: The USP will fire if the magazine is removed but a cartridge is left in the chamber and the trigger is pressed.)

One of the most important design features of the HK USP is the mechanical recoil reduction system. This system is incorporated into the recoil/buffer spring assembly located below the barrel. Not only does this system reduce the felt recoil to the shooter but it also reduces recoil forces to the components of the pistol, thus greatly extending the life expectancy of the pistol. This recoil reduction system buffers the impact of the slide on the frame as the barrel unlocks and when the slide is in full recoil.

This same system was incorporated into the HK .45 ACP Handgun desigend for the US Special Operations Command. Its buffering effect plays a major role in extending the service life of the HK USP, especially when considering the punishment inflicted on the pistol when firing a steady diet of powerful .40 S&W cartridges.

The recoil reduction system employed in the HK USP is insensitive to ammunition types and requires no special adjustement or maintenance. It works effectively on both .40 caliber and 9mm models of the USP.

Three metal inserts are molded into the polymer frame on which the slide recoils. These inserts are not subjected to the full recoil forces of the cartridge due to the buffering action of the recoil reduction system.

The HK USP is an extremely safe firearm, containing no less than four safeties, some passive and some active in nature. The pistol is simple to field strip and maintain, thus making the pistol reliable, dependable and trouble-free.

The special "HE" (Hostile Environment) finish employed on major metal parts of the HK USP resists even the worst types of corrosion and wear, including prolonged exposure to salt water.

Finally, a pair of universal mounting grooves are incorporated into the front of the polymer frame. These grooves allow various types of accessories and targeting devices, such as flashlights, laser aimers, and optical sights, to be mounted on the HK USP without modification to the pistol. The grooves also aid in the mounting and alignment of the HK Quik-Comp(tm) muzzle brake/compensator and Sure-Fire Tactical Light.

Note: Improperly designed or installed accessories may result in damage to the mounting grooves of the USP pistol. Such damage is not covered under the limited lifetime warranty. Be certain to use only HK Authorized Accessories and follow installation and precautions carefully.

The USP is now available in a more compact form. In late 1996, HK released the new Compact USP's in 9mm and .40S&W chamberings. The Compact USP in .45 ACP chambering is also available, with only a slight increase in size. About an inch shorter in width and height, the Compact USP is comparable in size to a Glock 23. Due to the shortened barrel, the dual buffer recoil spring has been replaced by a flat compression spring and a nylon bushing. The combination of these two devices significantly reduces wear and tear on the frame and helps lessen felt recoil and muzzle flip. The Compact USP comes standard with a bobbed hammer and two 10 round magazines, one of which has an extended floorplate. Replacement floorplates are available from HK at $4 a piece.

Also new for 1997 is the USP Match. Basically a modified USP45, the USP Match sports a special barrel weight system, extended target barrel with O-ring seal, adjustable trigger stop, and target sights.

All USP pistols are available in standard Hostile Environment Finish or Stainless Steel. The Full Size and Compact USPs are available in nine variants and the USP Match is available in variants 1, 2, 9 and 10.

Images

[Competition USP40] [Compact USP9] [Stainless USP Match] [USP Match] [USP40] [Stainless Competition USP40 (1)] [Stainless Competition USP40 (2)] [Stainless Competition USP40 (3)] [USP45] [Stainless Competition USP45] [USP and Colt 1911] [USP Detailed] [Modified USP40] [USP and Beretta]


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