Polymer resurrection - HK USP45

V

vanfunk

Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2003
Messages
1,384
Location
The widening gyre
Hi Everyone! I finally re-acquired a fine firearm I had owned and sold many years ago - the iconic HK USP .45 ACP. This gun’s been controversial to some even since it’s birth, but I doubt anyone would deny its legendary reliability. Some decried its size - “it’s a 2x4.” Others focus on the “high bore axis” and it’s proprietary rail on the dust cover. Others simply proclaim that HK thinks you suck, and that they hate you.

Ok, “WHAT-ever,” as was fond of being said when this pistol debuted.

Having reunited with it 18 hours ago, I’ve been reminded of what the USP actually is - a robust, highly reliable, highly accurate and soft-shooting .45. When’s that ever a bad thing? I took my new one immediately to the range and had a ball with the 100 rounds I brought with me. The “antiquated” 3-dot sights were perfectly regulated for 230 grain ball. The gun functioned perfectly and it was no problem shooting fist-sized groups at 25 yards and ringing the 50 yard gong as I like to do. The trigger is really good - SA is probably 4.5-5lbs but very crisp with minimal overtravel. DA is heavy but by no means bad - a smooth and slightly stagey 10-12 lbs or so. The recoil characteristics are quite mild; this is probably the softest-shooting .45 I have.

Now what? Do I just shoot it and enjoy? :)

Sights? Anyone make blacked-out rear and fiber optic front sights?

Do I get it milled for an RMR?

How about a match/expert trigger conversion? Worth it?

Let me know what you think!
IMG_3787.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dragonfly, bannockburn, NIGHTLORD40K and 9 others
I’ve always wanted a USP-C. I like the platform. Way ahead of it’s time when introduced back in the day.
I don’t think I would get it milled for an optic. I’d just upgrade the 3-dots to tritrium or maybe FO front. Lots of options out there. Can’t speak to the trigger, but if it ain’t broke ….
 
  • Like
Reactions: InTheSwamp, Akusp and defjon
Well, I found a spare slide for sale locally so I’m buying it. One of the local gunsmiths, who does a ton of optics cuts, has agreed to cut the slide for a direct mount RMR for $75 so I’m in. I have the Grayguns short reset trigger kit coming too. I think this’ll be an amazing gun but can be put back to stock easily with none the wiser. Love it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NIGHTLORD40K
vanfunk said:
a robust, highly reliable, highly accurate and soft-shooting .45
Click to expand...
That's all true
vanfunk said:
it’s a 2x4.” Others focus on the “high bore axis” and it’s proprietary rail on the dust cover. Others simply proclaim that HK thinks you suck, and that they hate you.
Click to expand...
That's all also all true.

I have 3 usp. All are fine. They all have decent sa triggers. The da pull is about 3 leagues behind all my Beretta and sig guns. Worse than my p series rugers and On par with my 3rd gen smith's.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vanfunk
No dispute Cowboy! Buy I have resolved to fix the DA malady you illuminate. The DA on mine’s admittedly and unsurprisingly heavy, but it’s smooooooth and will be remedied. It’s worth it. :)
 
vanfunk said:
No dispute Cowboy! Buy I have resolved to fix the DA malady you illuminate. The DA on mine’s admittedly and unsurprisingly heavy, but it’s smooooooth and will be remedied. It’s worth it. :)
Click to expand...

They are fine guns. Plenty square. Lol. Not as heavy as people say though. In 40 the usp is lighter than the Beretta 96 or the 229 either one. Both also in 40.

Never tried to improve the pull on one. I have tuned Beretta and sig before. Don't know why I never tried on one of my HK.
 
Thanks Tarosean:

I ended up doing the same. I have a set of DP’s red fiber optic front and blacked-out rear on my CZ P-09 and the sight picture is excellent. I ordered the same for the HK. They’re coming on Monday.
 
Had one during the AW Ban. Couldn't get it on paper. Traded it, in a round about way, for a Glock 21 that I traded off previously. I wouldn't buy another unless it was crazy cheap - like under $300.
 
Haha! Thanks Guys. This is why I love this forum - lots of experienced shooters weighing in objectively without fear or favor. For whatever reason, I love the way the USP feels though I can understand how others may feel it’s a brick. I find it to be extremely accurate so I am fascinated as to how others experience quite the opposite. I like it enough to invest in it; my extra slide came in today and I am going to have it milled for an RMR. Meanwhile I’ll pop in the short reset trigger kit from GrayGuns.
 
The second handgun I bought was a USP 45. I SO wanted to love the gun but I couldn't shoot it very well. I also owned a Glock 23 that I couldn't shoot well but stubborn me blamed the guns. Sold the HK to a buddy who brought his ex-marine force recon brother. His brother put a small water bottle in my side yard range, walked back 15 yards and pegged the bottle dead center. So maybe it wasn't the gun.....

I used the money to fund a Buckmark and didn't pick up another handgun for the entire summer. I bet I put 5k rounds through that Buckmark through the summer and early fall and by the end I could finally shoot a handgun pretty well.

Eventually I decided I missed the USP45 and wanted to try something similar again, so I found a deal on an FNX 45. I preferred the mag release on the HK but otherwise I found them to be very similar guns. Again, I SO wanted to love the FNX (and I shot it well) but I couldn't get over the size. Fat grip and overall it's a big honkin gun and it reminded me that I took similar issue with the USP 45! So I sold the FN as well; I'll stick to single stack .45's. Maybe I'll get a USP or FNX in 9mm one day...
 
  • Like
Reactions: vanfunk
I had one. Me and two buddies bought into the magazine copy and purchased the first ones Divine Firearms sold (DF was a So Cal kitchen-table dealer that catered to LEO sales. They closed their doors 20-odd years ago).

It felt better in my hands than Gen 3 Glock 21’s did. ( To me, THAT is s 2x4!)

Unfortunately, I didn’t like it (and neither did Hector and Jimmie). We all went back to other guns after a few months with the USP. For me, the really spongy trigger, funky mag release and blah sight picture made shooting it so-so.

For every hand there is a gun to fit it, I am glad you found a nice one and it filled that empty space in your collection. :thumbup:

Let us know how the gun shoots for you with both open and dot sights.

Stay safe.
 
Thanks guys! I dropped my spare slide off today to be milled for an RMR; I’ll get it back next week. I also got the short reset kit but now I’m thinking about getting the match trigger. I also checked out an MK23 today - now there’s a gun!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

I
  • Locked
Question about Hk polymer guns
Replies
7
Views
555
Handguns: Autoloaders
kymarkh
K
G
  • Locked
my HK range report
Replies
5
Views
593
Handguns: Autoloaders
Greg Bell
G
M
  • Locked
XD9 versus USP45
Replies
21
Views
745
Handguns: Autoloaders
HKGuns
HKGuns
2
  • Locked
which one
Replies
14
Views
439
Handguns: Autoloaders
Black Butte
B
D
  • Locked
FNP 45 or HK USP 45...cant decide???
Replies
18
Views
2K
Handguns: Autoloaders
clang
C
Top Bottom
Back