The USP (Universale Selbstladepistole or “universal self-loading pistol”) is a semi-automatic pistol developed in Germany by Heckler & Koch GmbH (H&K) of Oberndorf am Neckar as a replacement for the P7 series of handguns.
History
Design work on a new family of pistols commenced in September 1989 focused primarily on the U.S. commercial and law enforcement markets. In 1991, USP prototypes participated in rigorous testing alongside H&K’s entry in the OHWS (Offensive Handgun Weapon System) program requested by the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and which would later result in the Mk 23 Mod 0. The USP prototypes were then refined in 1992, based on input from the OHWS trials and the design was finalized in December of the same year. The USP was formally introduced in January 1993[2] with the USP40 model (the base version) chambered for the increasingly popular .40 S&W cartridge, followed soon by the USP9 (using the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge), and in May 1995—the USP45 (caliber .45 ACP).
The USP marked the first time H&K chose to incorporate many traditional handgun design elements, such as those of John Browning‘s M1911, in one pistol.[3] Two principles guided its development—the first being the use of a molded polymer frame, and the second being the creation of a “pistol paradigm“. Heckler & Koch observed the strong points of its previous successful pistols for insight in developing the USP. Previous H&K pistol innovations include the unique squeeze-cocking mechanism of the P7, the precise roller-delayed blowback operation of the P9S, and the plastic frame and double action only trigger system used in the VP70Z. In contrast to these ambitious designs, the USP uses a Browning-style cam-locked action, similar to that developed by John Browning for use in the Hi-Power pistol.[4][5]
Design details
The USP is a semi-automatic pistol with a mechanically locked breech using the short recoil method of operation. This rather conventional lock-up system has a large rectangular lug over the barrel’s chamber that rides into and engages the ejection port cut-out in the slide. When a cartridge is fired, pressures generated by the ignited powder drive the cartridge casing back against the breech face on the slide, driving back both the barrel and slide as they remain locked together in the manner described above. After 3 mm (0.12 in) of unrestricted rearward travel, the projectile has left the barrel and gas pressures have dropped to a safe level. A shaped lug on the underside of the barrel chamber comes into contact with a hooked locking block at the end of the steel recoil spring guide rod, lowering the rear end of the barrel and stopping the barrel’s rearward movement. The recoil spring assembly is held in place by the slide stop lever’s axis pin and a round cut-out at the front of the slide. For enhanced reliability in high-dust environments, the locking surface on the front top of the barrel’s locking lug is tapered with a forward slope. This tapered surface produces a camming action which assists in positive lock-up in the presence of heavy fouling and debris.
One of the most significant features of the USP is the mechanical recoil reduction system. This system is incorporated into the recoil spring assembly, located below the barrel and consists of a heavy, captive coil spring around the guide rod. Designed primarily to buffer the slide and barrel and reduce recoil effects on the pistol components, the system also lowers the recoil forces felt by the shooter up to 30%. The USP recoil reduction system is insensitive to ammunition types and does not require adjustment or maintenance. It functions effectively in all USP models.[3] Using this same recoil reduction system, one of the related H&K Mk 23 .45 ACP pistols fired more than 30,000 high pressure +P cartridges and 6,000 proof loads without damage or excessive wear to any major components. Abuse and function-testing of USPs have seen more than 20,000 rounds of .40 S&W fired without a component failure. Milspec environmental tests were conducted in high and low temperatures, in mud, immersed in water and in salt spray. In one particular test, a bullet was deliberately lodged in the barrel and another bullet was fired to clear the obstruction. The barrel was successfully cleared with only minor structural deformation and continued to produce consistent groups when test fired for accuracy.[6]
Major metal components on both the USP and Special Operations Pistol are corrosion-resistant. Outside metal surfaces, such as the steel slide are protected by a proprietary “Hostile Environment” nitride finish.[3] Internal metal parts, such as springs, are coated with a Dow Corning anti-corrosion chemical to reduce friction and wear.[7][8]
The USP is composed of a total of 54 parts and is broken down into 7 major components for maintenance and cleaning: the barrel, slide, recoil spring, recoil spring guide rod, the frame, slide stop and magazine. This is done by retracting the slide back to align the slide stop axis pin with the disassembly notch on the left side of the slide and withdrawing the axis pin.
Variants
The USP was originally built around the .40 S&W cartridge,[2] but a 9x19mm Parabellum was introduced at the same time. In May 1995, Heckler & Koch introduced a .45 ACP variant.[9] The USP Compact series was introduced in 1996[7] and is available in 9 mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, and, exclusively to the Compact model, .357 SIG. Other variants of the standard USP include the USP Tactical, USP Expert, USP Match, USP Elite and the standard sidearm of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) – the P8.
One of the remarkable features of the USP is the wide variety of the trigger styles available, which may be quickly swapped. There are nine commercially available modifications (called “variants” by HK).[3][5]
By using a modular approach to the internal components,[4] the control functions of the 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 of double-action and single-action (DA/SA) modes and double-action only (DAO) modes.[3]
In addition to a wide selection of trigger/firing modes, the USP has an ambidextrous magazine release lever that is shielded by the trigger guard from inadvertent actuation. The rear of the USP grip is stepped, and combines well with the tapered magazine, making magazine changes faster due to lack of user-assisted guiding. Finger recesses in the grip frame also aid in magazine removal. On 9 mm and .40 caliber USPs, magazines are constructed of polymer reinforced with stainless steel. Magazines on the USP .45 are all-metal. All USP magazines will drop free of the pistol frame when the magazine release is depressed. Also, the USP does not have a magazine lockout feature (also known as a magazine disconnector). Thus, it is possible to fire a chambered round even with the magazine removed. An extended slide release lever is positioned to allow easy operation without changing the grip of the shooting hand.
- Variants 1 and 2 (double action/single action, decocking and safety lever)
- Variants 1 (lever on left) and 2 (lever on right) 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, and with the benefit of a decocking lever.
- Variants 3 and 4 (double action/single action, decocking lever, but no safety)
- Variants 3 (lever on left) and 4 (lever on right) provide 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.
- Variants 5 and 6 (double action only, with safety lever)
- For the double action only user, variants 5 (lever on left), 6 (lever on right), and of the USP operate as double action only pistols 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.
- Variants 7 and 8 (double action only, no control lever)
- No control lever is provided on variant 7. Variant 8 is similar to variant 7.
- Variants 9 and 10 (double action/single action, safety lever, but no decocking)
- Variants 9 (lever on left) and 10 (lever on right) allow the shooter 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 (hammer down), with or without the manual safety engaged. The double action mode offers a second strike/double action capability in case of a misfire. The control lever has no decocking function on variants 9 and 10 so one would have to carefully lower the hammer manually.
- LEM (Law Enforcement Modification) Trigger
- Developed especially for the U.S. government, the Law Enforcement Modification (or LEM for short), is a USP DAO (Double-Action Only) model with a unique trigger mechanism. This mechanism improves the double action trigger performance and reduces the weight of the DAO trigger pull to 7.5-8.5 pounds, utilizes a stronger hammer spring, and shortens the trigger reset. Aside from the LEM mechanism, it is identical to the USP Variant 7 (DAO) model.
USP Custom Sport
Almost identical to the standard USP, the Custom sport is aimed at target- and practical shooting users. The Custom Sport has a match grade barrel, match trigger and adjustable sights.[10]
USP Compact
The first USP Compact models appeared in 1994. These are scaled-down USPs, and are available in all the same cartridges as the full size version, and additionally the .357 SIG.[1] Due to the smaller size of the frame, magazines for the Compact variant may have a handgrip extension to better accommodate the shooter’s hand. Standard flat floorplates are also available for the USP Compact magazines. The USP Compact comes standard with a bobbed hammer equipped with a flat rubber external thumb grip. This reduces possible snag from the hammer on a holster or clothing while the pistol is being drawn, but still allows the USP Compact to be cocked from a decocked position even in the absence of a spurred hammer. This can be done since decocking the weapon does not fully drop the hammer, leaving it in a somewhat “half-cocked” state. However, the USP Compact cannot be cocked from a dry-fired position as the hammer will be flush to the back of the slide, although the operator could pull the trigger approximately halfway back in a dry-fired position to put the hammer in a half-cocked state, allowing the hammer to be fully cocked with the thumb. A spurred hammer, similar to the one that comes standard on the P10 can be installed onto the USP Compact. USP Compact models lack the mechanical recoil reduction system of the larger full sized USP pistols. Instead, a more compact recoil buffering system is composed of a polymer bushing, around the captive recoil spring, which is designed to absorb energy at the end of the slide’s travel rearward. This polymer bushing, with an estimated lifespan of around 20,000 rounds, is used instead of the double spring/captive recoil spring/guide rod found in the full sized USP.
In addition to the variants previously described for the full size USP, an ambidextrous safety is available from the manufacturer as a separate part. After installation by a competent gunsmith the USP Compact effectively becomes a right or left-handed firearm with respect to the decocker and manual safety functions.
Heckler & Koch does not authorize caliber conversions, but a separate barrel for a .357 Sig or .40 S&W can be purchased from HK, or from companies like Midway USA or Jarvis, Inc. EFK Fire Dragon,[11] an Arizona based pistol accessories company produces conversion barrels for both Full Size and Compact USP models. These conversion barrels can convert a .40 S&W to .357 Sig, and vice versa. They also manufacture 9mm conversion barrels. These 9mm conversion barrels can convert a 40/357Sig to a 9mm, but not a 9mm to a .40/.357 Sig. Also, a more powerful recoil spring may be needed for a .357 Sig conversion as the .357 Sig operates at a higher PSI. Heckler & Koch currently does not make the Full Size USP in .357 Sig, making the .357 Sig conversion for the Full Size .40 S&W a highly desirable addition.
USP Tactical
The USP Tactical (9mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, .45 ACP) incorporates a fully adjustable rear sight, a higher-profile front sight (as to be visible above the suppressor), an extended threaded barrel and O-ring, a match grade trigger, and an adjustable trigger stop. Sound suppressors designed for the USP Tactical are available from Brügger & Thomet, Knight’s Armament and SilencerCO. A unique feature of the USP Tactical is that the barrel is left-hand threaded (counter-clockwise to tighten), which makes the pistol incompatible with suppressors designed for the MK23 Mod 0.[12]
The KSK of the German Army and the German Navy Kampfschwimmer use the USP Tactical under the designation “P12”.[13]
USP Compact Tactical
HK USP Compact Tactical .45 ACP with SureFire weaponlight
The USP45CT is a highly modified USP45C developed for use by U.S. special operations forces. Termed the CT for Compact Tactical, the HK USP45 Compact Tactical combines the proven features of the full-size USP45 Tactical pistol in a smaller, more concealable package.
USP Expert
USP Expert 9 mm with Hogue rubber grip and bobbed hammer (not standard).
The USP Expert (9 mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, .45 ACP), was introduced in 1998[14] and includes all the features of the Tactical, with the exception of the threaded barrel. The USP Expert also retains the USP match trigger. It also features an extended steel slide, which mostly hides the longer O-ring barrel and adds weight to help reduce muzzle flip and felt recoil even further. The expert has adjustable target sights similar to the USP Match, Elite, and Tactical, however the slide differs in that the rear sight seat has been milled lower.[14] The Expert may be used with an extended magazine well, or jet funnel, in 9 mm and .40 S&W calibers, which is intended for use in conjunction with larger-capacity magazines. The Jet Funnel magazines are clear plastic and hold 18 rounds for 9mm, and 16 rounds for .40 S&W. The jet funnel magazine can be used without the jet funnel installed and will protrude slightly from the bottom of the magazine well. However, once the jet funnel is installed, only jet funnel magazines can be used. The standard USP magazines will not work as the funnel will impede them from fully inserting in the grip and locking into place. The bobbed hammer was a factory option for the Expert if it was to be used in IPSC for the Standard Division, as the original version “in its ready condition” did not fit the box for Standard division in IPSC.
USP Match
The USP Match (9 mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, .45 ACP) is specifically designed to appeal to target shooters. In addition to the features offered on the Expert, the Match distinguishes itself by its barrel weight, which replaces the elongated slide found on the Expert. The barrel weight provides counterbalance to the weapon’s recoil, greatly improving follow up target tracking.[15] Discontinued in 1999.
USP Elite
The USP Elite (9 mm Parabellum, .45 ACP) takes features found on the Tactical, Expert, and Match models, and combines them with a 6.02 in (153 mm) barrel and hand-fitted 9.45 in (240 mm) extended slide. The Elite also includes higher-profile fully adjustable front and rear sights.
Equipment
The USP has an accessory rail at the front of the frame that allows for attachments of aftermarket equipment like laser sights and weapon lights. The rail is of proprietary design (versus the more common picatinny rail) so equipment options are limited when compared to other tactical pistols. For instance, one of the few weapon lights compatible with the USP is the UTL (Universal Tactical Light) made by Insight Technology and is only available through H&K dealers.[16] As a workaround, a couple companies have offered adapters that convert the USP’s rail for use with attachment that mount to picatinny rails. SureFire makes adapters for both the USP and USP Compact that are compatible with their accessories, and GG&G makes the two similar adapters for compatibility with Streamlight’s TLR range of weapon lights and lasers.[17] In theory, since both companies’ adapters use the semi-standard picatinny design, the adapters should accept any standard pistol mounted weapon light, but because the USP has such a large trigger guard and since there is no strict standard for rail placement, some lights may not be with finger reach of the operator.
Testing
As the USP was developed at the same time as the SOCOM MK23, the pistol underwent much of the same rigorous testing. The barrel is cold-forged from chromium steel for increased life. USP barrels post-1994 use a polygonal profile, whereas 1994 and earlier models utilize traditional ‘land and grooves’ rifling. During testing, a bullet was deliberately lodged in a USP barrel. Another cartridge was then fired into the obstructing bullet. The second bullet cleared the barrel, resulting in a barely noticeable bulge. The pistol was then fired for accuracy and the resulting group measured less than 4 inches at 25 meters.[18]
Temperature testing required the USP be frozen to −42 °C and fired, frozen again, and then be heated up to 67 °C and fired. These temperature tests were continually repeated with no adverse effects on the USP.[18]
The gun was also subjected to NATO MIL-SPEC mud and rain tests, which were passed without difficulty. Water immersion and salt spray also presented no problems. German Navy combat divers have used the USP for two years without any signs of corrosion.
Safety testing exceeded the ANSI/SAAMI requirements adopted in May 1990. These included dropping a USP with a primed cartridge and decocked hammer on a variety of hard surfaces without discharging. The USP surpassed these commercial requirements, as well as German Army and police tests, including repeated drop tests from six feet (1.8 m), hammer first, onto a steel backed concrete slab. Proof round firing resulted in no cracks, deformations, or increase in head space. Attempts to fire the USP pistol with an unlocked breech proved unsuccessful.
Testing with a variety of ammunition proved the USP meets these high standards. During the USP testing phase, it was shown the recoil-reduction system reduces the force on the USP grip to approximately 300 newtons (67 pounds-force). Peak force shock on competing .40 caliber polymer and metal framed pistols was around 5,000 newtons (1,100 pounds-force). The primary benefit of low peak shock is a decrease in wear and tear on pistol components, a great concern with the +P cartridge in 9 mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. Reduction of peak shock forces also contributes to softer recoil for the shooter, although these “felt recoil” values are much more subjective.
Service
The USP was adopted in Germany by the Bundeswehr (German armed forces) as the P8 in 1994.[19] The P8 has only minor differences from the standard USP model, these being translucent magazines, a reversed safety/decocker lever (on the P8, down indicates ‘safe’, and up indicates ‘fire’ — this is the opposite of the standard USP), and the ‘S’ and ‘F’ letters being printed onto the frame instead of onto the lever itself. The P8 has a traditional lands-and-grooves barrel instead of a polygonal barrel.[20]
The P10, adopted by many German State Police forces, is in fact a USP Compact with the addition of a spurred hammer.[21] Both P8 and P10 are chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum (9 mm NATO) only.[20][21]
On August 24, 2004, SIGARMS and Heckler & Koch/HK Defense won major pistol contracts with the United States Department of Homeland Security. The contract was valued at $26.2 million.[22] The HK pistol models chosen were the HK P2000 US, HK P2000 SK Subcompact, and the USP Compact/LEM (Law Enforcement Modification).[23] The LEM trigger is basically HK’s version of SIG’s DAK trigger and vice versa. According to the company, the LEM trigger allows for faster follow-up shots (repeat shots) on target than a standard double-action-only system, due to a lighter trigger pull (7.3–8.5 lbf) and shorter trigger reset than standard DAO trigger systems. The LEM trigger utilizes a two-piece “pre-cocked hammer” composed of a cocking piece and an external hammer. The hammer is pre-cocked when a round is chambered (slide is cycled). The LEM system supposedly also provides for more reliable primer ignition, since it utilizes a stronger hammer spring.
The LEM trigger can be installed on existing USP compact pistols that were purchased before the LEM trigger came on the market — either by a certified gunsmith or by sending the pistol directly to Heckler & Koch. In addition, the USP compact pistol can retain its external safety even with the LEM trigger — making it the only modified double-action pistol with an external safety for added peace of mind.
Users
A German Navy boarding team member assigned to the frigate FGS Augsburg (F213) provides security with a P8 pistol for the remainder of his team as they board a local cargo ship by fast rope to conduct a search of the vessel.
