USP complicated?

[beaversgs]

I'm looking for a good double action .45. I've considered H&K USP, Glock, possibly SIG. Really like the H&K USP for the mag release and the way it fits my hand. A friend of mine who sells guns, said "its too complicated". I'm not sure I agree, how is the reliability? I'm going to use it for IDPA, so the trigger pull is also an issue for me. How reliable has your USP been and has anyone done any trigger work? Cost?

GregB

[FLIPPER 348]

The only folks who find USPs "too complicated" are the ones who take them apart further than they ever should. Same with the P7 crowd. Yes, they are more complex than Glocks but well engineered and uber-reelable.

If you get one make sure to shoot in competition for a while before deciding to monkey with the trigger action. Only one of my friends who shoots them has felt the need for any trigger mods.

[LGCubana]

Everyone says that it's best to have H&K or an authorized rep do the trigger work. I UR getting a USP fullsize, U can have a Tactical trigger added later.
Most of the trigger Variants R Da/Sa. If UR looking for a DaO, look for the LEM trigger. Also, the LEM trigger comes in differant weighted pulls.

[dgg9]

I will say the safety/decocker is "too complicated." I'm trying to get used to it, but when firing, there's no good place for your strong hand thumb to be. You can't ride the safety as you would a 1911 because if you pull down on the safety past the "fire" position, you decock and the gun won't fire. But if you keep your thumb under or off the lever, then if you even touch it, you can flick the safety back on. I've done both at the range.

How do USP users deal with this?

[fnfalman]

USP pistols complicated? Probably to morons who couldn't look at a simple diagram and interprete the pretty pictures.

Firearms, especially modern firearm designs since the 1950s have been extremely simple, uncomplicated designs.

I've only blasted about three hundred rounds through my 45 Compact, so it's probably too soon to tell. However, the USP series have garnered quite of a good reputation on the reliability and durability issue.

The trigger pull on the V1 DA/SA setup isn't too bad for a combat handgun. Don't expect a tuned M1911A1 trigger pull there, but it's entirely serviceable. Besides, isn't IDPA suppose to be about defensive weapons?

[FoxMustang]

Originally posted by dgg9
You can't ride the safety as you would a 1911...
Actually, that's exactly how I shoot my USP45C, and I've never inadvertantly decocked the gun (and I've shot some pretty hot stuff through it). Given the length and weight of the lever pull required to decock the gun, I don't worry about it every happening, but maybe that's just me and my grip.

[dgg9]

Originally posted by FoxMustang
Actually, that's exactly how I shoot my USP45C, and I've never inadvertantly decocked the gun (and I've shot some pretty hot stuff through it). Given the length and weight of the lever pull required to decock the gun, I don't worry about it every happening, but maybe that's just me and my grip.

It happened to me once or twice. And having to rest my thumb so delicately on the safety doesn't seem natural. I guess I'll keep experimenting.

[USMC03Grunt]

Actually, I use a thumbs down shooting position for better retention so the decocking lever isn't an issue for me. But if you do have problems with riding the safety lever and decocking wtih recoil, why not just swap out the detent plate to to a variant 9 (or 10 for left handers) so there is no decocking involved with the lever. That's the beauty of the USP series, they can be set up any way you like them. ^c
Taking them apart for cleaning is easy and detail stripping them isn't as hard as you'd think once you done it one time. I put in both an ambidextrious safety lever and match trigger on my USP-45 and realy the only thing that gave me legetimate trouble was putting the trigger return spring in and that was only because I don't have 3 hands, not because it was complex. I would highly suggest downloading Street Pro's instructions (http://www.streetpro.com/usp/detail/dst.html) for taking apart the USP. They do make jokes about the complexity about it's design but don't let the instructions or the USP psych you out, it's really not that tough once you've done it.
Now for a little bit of USP porn. ^c

[dgg9]

Originally posted by USMC03Grunt
Actually, I use a thumbs down shooting position for better retention so the decocking lever isn't an issue for me. But if you do have problems with riding the safety lever and decocking wtih recoil, why not just swap out the detent plate to to a variant 9 (or 10 for left handers) so there is no decocking involved with the lever.

I know that's an option, but I really want to play out this variant to the fullest extent and see what I can deal with. Normally I shoot either thumbs forward or thumbs up at a 45 deg angle. So in my case, bumping the safety on is an ongoing hassle. I may just switch it to vanilla DA/SA with no safety.

[MrMurphy]

I've shot several V1 USPs in 9 and .45 and I use a thumbs down firing grip. No problems accidentally decocking or applying the safety.

Nice guns, trigger's "okay" decent for a combat gun. Disassembly, is 5 pieces. Barrel, spring, slide, frame, slide stop. Real complicated huh?

[cole]

Originally posted by FoxMustang
Actually, that's exactly how I shoot my USP45C, and I've never inadvertantly decocked the gun (and I've shot some pretty hot stuff through it). Given the length and weight of the lever pull required to decock the gun, I don't worry about it every happening, but maybe that's just me and my grip.

Ditto. I've never done this and imagine I'd have to really allow the gun to recoil to engage the decock on our USP40c.

[cole]

Originally posted by beaversgs
I'm looking for a good double action .45. I've considered H&K USP, Glock, possibly SIG. Really like the H&K USP for the mag release and the way it fits my hand. A friend of mine who sells guns, said "its too complicated". I'm not sure I agree, how is the reliability? I'm going to use it for IDPA, so the trigger pull is also an issue for me. How reliable has your USP been and has anyone done any trigger work? Cost?

GregB

No problem with USP40c. Function is like 1911 in that need thumb sweep if safety is on. This is one more step to DAO options, and though not "complicated", is something you need to practice.

Can also be left DOA with safety off or SA with safety on.

Given these carry options, the trigger and firing mechanism is more complicated. That does not mean it's flawed or does not work. It works fine; just more parts.

I have not doen trigger work as it looks complicated (smile).

[Quake Guy]

someone on the boards has a USP Compact for sale. How hard is it to change variants? Do it yourself? Factory? Where to get parts???

[SIGSAREBETTER]

USP pistols complicated? Probably to morons who couldn't look at a simple diagram and interprete the pretty pictures.

^^^What he said.

The USP is an extremely robust, user-friendly design. Though I still consider myself a SIG man first and foremost, the USP is my new CCW gun by virtue of those qualities and the versatility provided by it's "cocked and locked" feature.

You mentioned SIGs too....another marque you can't go wrong with even if you tried your mightiest.

[dwestfall]

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