USP Generational Design Changes?

[Aurora]

I go hog wild for plastic guns. So much so that I ran out and bought two 9mm USP's just before the ban in 1994.

I was wondering if there has been any design changes over the years? I'm aware of the issues with the firing pin.

Have there been any other design changes over the years?

Thanks,

V.

[Boogieman]

I picked up a USP40 as soon as they came out. Mine has a non-captured guide rod and traditional "land and groove" rifling in the barrel. The USP's from just a year later had captured guide rods and polygonal rifled barrels.

[Miku]

Hi!

Here is a list from HKPRO member Big Bore:

1994 Reduced the slide weight by 1.1 oz.
Reason: improve reliability with training rounds and make gun easier to carry.

1994-95 Change to a polygonal barrel
Reason: Glock

1994-95 Change trigger transfer bar
Reason: Improve reliability in cold weather and dirty environments

1994-95 Change recoil guide rod to a "captured spring version"
Reason: Glock

1995 Change trigger mechanism.
Reason: Improve drop protection, reduce manufacturing costs, eliminate hammer over travel

1995-96 Add rubber spur to hammer
Reason: Required to pass some institution's drop test.
?? on date-change size of magazine release to current smaller button.
Reason: to prevent inadvertent mag releases?

1995-96 Change angle on slide lock
Reason: customers don't want slide to close automatically when a mag is inserted

2000 Add locking feature to hammer strut support:
Reason: attempt to pacify safety Nazis

2001 Converted captive recoil spring retainer from c-clip to
Machined end on Compacts.
Reason? C-clip prone to breakage on the Compacts.

2004 HK made the USP slide without the “HK” logo. Only “USP” on the left side and the text “Heckler & Koch” on the right side.

2005? Match hammer has a "D" cut in it. The new match trigger kit now requires a new hammer catch and if not used will strike the firing pin when decocked.
Reason: ???


Miku