Heckler&Koch USP TACTICAL - Manual (Page 4)

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SeCTiON 1 iNTrODUCTiON
The HK USP (Universal Self-loading Pistol) is the first HK pistol designed especially for
American shooters. Features favored by the U.S. military, law enforcement agencies, and
civilian users provided the design criteria for the USP. Its controls are uniquely American,
influenced by such famous designs as the Government Model 1911 pistol.
The USP control lever, featured on many variants of the USP, USP Compact, and USP
Specialized models, is a combination safety and/or decocking lever. The control lever
is frame mounted and quickly accessible, unlike the slide mounted safeties common on
many semi-automatic pistols. The USP control lever has a pos i tive stop and returns to the
“fire” position after decocking. A key advantage of the USP control lever is that it allows
many USP models to be safely carried “cocked and locked”.
Using a modified Browning-type action, both full-size and compact models of the USP use
patented recoil reduction systems, enabling all USP series pistols to take the punishment
of powerful +P and +P+ loads. The USP and USP Compact recoil reduction systems
lessen recoil effects on pistol components and also lower the recoil forces felt by the
shooter. These recoil reduction systems are insensitive to ammunition types and require
no special adjustment or maintenance. It functions effectively in all USP models.
By using a modular approach to the internal components, the control lever function of
the USP Series pistols can be switched from the left to the right side of the pistol for left-
handed shooters. The USP and USP Compact can also be converted from one type of
trigger firing mode to another. This includes combination double-action and single-action
(DA/SA) modes, single-action only (SA-Only), and double action only (DA-Only) modes,
including the HK proprietary LEM (Law Enforcement Modification) enhanced trigger
system. Optional “dual” ambidextrous control levers are also available and are standard
on some USP specialized models.
The USP is available in both full-size frame and compact models, as well as specialized
models, with ten trigger/firing mode configurations and four calibers—.45 ACP, .40 S&W,
9 mm, and .357 SIG (special order on some models).
NOTe: Trigger/firing mode con ver sion can only be made by an HK certified armorer.
Due to the USP’s innovative design approach, it is possible to convert a USP Series Pistol
into one of many variants. Changing the trigger/firing mode of the pistol is ac complished
by installing a different set of components.
This unique design al lows the USP Series Pistol to be con fig ured for a va ri ety of purposes
depending on the re quire ments of the user, with out having to purchase a new pistol.
Please contact HK for more information on variant changes.
In addition to a wide selection of trigger/firing modes, all USP Pistols have an
ambidextrous magazine release lever which is shielded from in ad vert ent actuation by the
flared trigger guard. The mag a zine release lever can be pressed with the thumb or index
fin ger of the firing hand, in most cases without adjusting the firing grip.
Low profile 3-dot sights, adjustable for windage and elevation, are standard on USP Series
Pistols. Optional tritium sights are also available.
The polymer frame of the USP Series was designed using tech ni cal ex pe ri ence gained by
HK en gi neers in the de vel op ment of the world’s first com pos ite material pistols, the HK
VP70Z and P9S. These same high-strength/cor ro sion free materials are used in the MK 23
handgun made by HK for the U.S. Special Op er a tions Command.
Major metal components like the one-piece, machined steel slide are also cor ro sion resistant,
treated with a special “HE” (Hostile Environment) protective finish. The HE finish is an
extremely hard, nitro-gas car bur ized black oxide coating, and resists even the worst types
of corrosion and wear, including exposure to salt water.
The full size USP 9 mm and USP .40 S&W models utilize high-strength, light-weight,
polymer magazines while the USP Compact (all calibers) as well as the full-size USP .45
use metal magazines that allow increased ammunition capacity without having to increase
the dimensions of the grip. All HK magazines have a se ries of view ing holes on the back
side for count ing the car tridg es re main ing inside. Interchangeable floorplates are avail able
for the magazines of the many USP Series Pistols. A stan dard flat floorplate and an ex tend-
ed mag a zine floorplate with a fin ger ex ten sion provide a choice of grip options with each
pistol. Mag a zine floorplates can be eas i ly removed and changed without tools dur ing dis-
assembly.
The extended slide release is positioned to allow easy actuation without adjustment of
the grip of the shoot ing hand. Another useful feature is the absence of a mag a zine lock-
out device.
CAUTiON: USP models, except special models with a magazine disconnect feature
installed, will fire if the magazine is re moved, a cartridge is in the chamber, and the
trigger is pressed (with the control lever in the Fire position if applicable).
To reduce barrel wear, most USP Pistols have polygonal cold hammer-forged barrels. This
feature not only ensures longer barrel life and easier bore cleaning, but produces a better
gas seal behind the bullet for increased muzzle velocity.
NOTe: Beginning in 1999, all USP pistols, with the exception of some special order
production runs are fitted with HK’s patented internal Lock-Out Device. The use of
this internal safety lock is described in Section 8 of this manual.
A set of mount ing grooves for installing accessories is molded in the poly mer frame of
all USP models. These grooves al low a variety of accessories and tar get ing devices to be
mount ed on the USP Pistols with out mod i fi ca tion to the pistol.
NOTe: improperly designed or installed accessories may result in damage to the
mounting grooves and/or the pistol. Such damage is not cov ered un der the lim it ed
lifetime warranty. Be cer tain to use only HK Au tho rized Ac ces so ries and follow in stal-
la tion and pre cau tions carefully.
USP Series Pistols are ex treme ly safe fire arms, with no less than four safety fea tures, some
pas sive and some ac tive in nature. Simple to field strip and main tain, a USP series pistol is
a re li able and trou ble-free handgun, providing a wide range of flex i bil i ty for all users.