Older USPs

Henry's Dad · 11-19-2012, 12:27

Have USPs gone through "gen" upgrades (or downgrades, depending on your point of view

) the way Glock has?

Any parts compatability issues between USPs from the '90s and ones made today?

Any issues with used USPs in general that a buyer should be aware of? Were there "bad" years or a bad string of years?

NEOH212 · 11-19-2012, 14:12

The only thing I'm aware of was the firing pin problem in the USP Compacts that were built before 2004.

Other than that, I don't think much else has changed. Reliability and durability wise, the USP is at least twice the gun that the Glocks are and have ever been.

barth · 11-19-2012, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry's Dad

Have USPs gone through "gen" upgrades (or downgrades, depending on your point of view

) the way Glock has?

Any parts compatability issues between USPs from the '90s and ones made today?

Any issues with used USPs in general that a buyer should be aware of? Were there "bad" years or a bad string of years?

Courtesy of HKPRO:
"What were the changes H&K made to USP over the years?"

1993: Original USP9 and .40.

1994: Reduced the slide weight by 1.1 oz.

1994-95: Change to a polygonal rifled barrel (Prior barrels were standard land and groove)

1994-95: Change trigger transfer bar.

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

1995: Change trigger mechanism.

1995-96: Add rubber spur to hammer.

1995-96: Change angle on slide lock.

2000: Add locking feature to hammer strut support.

2001: Converted captive recoil spring retainer from c-clip to machined end on USP Compacts.

WT · 11-20-2012, 06:03

The early Compact 9mm and .40 cal had some horrible triggers - gritty and heavy. It was improved with the later issue .45 USP Compact. A good polishing of the trigger system in the early models would improve the action.

Secondly, on 2001 Ayoob pointed out that there were some failures to fire using 9mm Winchester White Box in the 9mm USP Compact. Apparently some lubricant got into the firing pin channel which would not allow enough force to light up the Winchester standard pressure round. It only happened occasionally, not all the time. Maybe it has been fixed by now.

.45 Combat · 11-23-2012, 16:26

This helps me. I was wondering the same thing myself.

ca survivor · 11-28-2012, 16:45

Good info, thanks

bac1023 · 11-29-2012, 22:04

Thanks for the info.

OlliesRevenge · 12-07-2012, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEOH212

The only thing I'm aware of was the firing pin problem in the USP Compacts that were built before 2004.

Other than that, I don't think much else has changed. Reliability and durability wise, the USP is at least twice the gun that the Glocks are and have ever been.

Do tell, I have never heard of this, and own a USP 40 Compact.

OlliesRevenge · 12-07-2012, 19:17

Sorry duplicate post

MadMonkey · 12-07-2012, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by OlliesRevenge

Do tell, I have never heard of this, and own a USP 40 Compact.

I love wild gun claims

I love my USPC9 and USP45... never thought they were significantly better than my Glocks though. All I know is that I can't shoot the 45 nearly as well as my G19

brisk21 · 12-07-2012, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEOH212

The only thing I'm aware of was the firing pin problem in the USP Compacts that were built before 2004.

Other than that, I don't think much else has changed. Reliability and durability wise, the USP is at least twice the gun that the Glocks are and have ever been.

Oh, c'mon! Twice the gun? GTFO. I own both and they are both excellent. Enough said.

sns3guppy · 12-07-2012, 22:17

Quote:

The early Compact 9mm and .40 cal had some horrible triggers - gritty and heavy. It was improved with the later issue .45 USP Compact. A good polishing of the trigger system in the early models would improve the action.

The USP .45 Compact has a lousy double action trigger, too. It improves somewhat with use, but it's nothing to write home about.

WT · 12-16-2012, 09:14

I forgot to mention that the early USP's had a HK specific light rail. Only HK lights would attach to the pistol. Later they changed the light rail design to accept the more commonly available lights made by other manufacturers.

Slobo · 01-03-2013, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by WT

I forgot to mention that the early USP's had a HK specific light rail. Only HK lights would attach to the pistol. Later they changed the light rail design to accept the more commonly available lights made by other manufacturers.

Thought the USPs still had that HK rail. I have a USP .45, not too old judging by the later hangrips, and I had to get a GG&G mount for it.

WT · 01-06-2013, 09:27

I'm working off of memory here so you may be right.

I used to collect magazine articles about the USP and thought I saw a rail change mentioned in one of them. I no longer have those articles.

My personal USP dates back to 1998 and I know the series underwent some changes since then.

Regardless, it is a very robust and reliable firearm. I can only remember 1 failure to feed from a magazine with a tired spring.

I really cannot complain about the USP.

Slobo · 01-06-2013, 09:57

Me neither. My USP .45 is one of my favorites. Shoots like a dream, very robust and no issues.

p.s. the GG&G rail convertor adds virtully no weight so leaving it on is no issue.

Angel · 01-29-2013, 07:47

I purchased a usp in 9mm when they first became available. It was well made but not accurate. I sold it soon after HK changed the barrel rifling on newer pistols. I would avoid those early guns.

pag23 · 01-29-2013, 17:33

I had to replace my sear spring, but supposely the earlier USP compacts (mine is a 2006 model) this was an issue.

I will tell you that HK took care of it at no charge!! I just paid the shipping to HK from my LGS.

silentpoet · 01-29-2013, 23:25

When did the lock come into play? Would rather find a pre lock model.

mad_glock26 · 02-01-2013, 18:07

I have an AC(02) model .45. Where is the best place to get replacement mag springs?

***BuckyP*** · 02-01-2013, 18:45

Don't know much about HKs, even though I have a couple.

Was told by the local smith (and HK armorer) that some early models had something different that didn't make them as "readily" converted to LEM. They could be converted, but required something other than just the conversion kit. Wish I remembered the exact details.

hkbf150 · 02-02-2013, 05:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by brisk21

Oh, c'mon! Twice the gun? GTFO. I own both and they are both excellent. Enough said.

My USP compact 40 runs great , at todays prices it cost TWICE as much as my glock.

pgg00 · 02-04-2013, 18:15

Only issues with mine are the .45 mags. The bottoms tend to break off when doing mag changes (the mags fall to the ground then break). Used my USP .45 during an in service training and broke three mags. They were still functional just the bottom ends were broken off. Called HK about it and they sent me a large bag with replacement bottoms. I just replace them as they break.

I've also had the mag springs where out fairly quickly.

I carry my G21 for duty use.