Heckler & Koch USP .45 Unbiased Review

Music: Aitech, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons "Attribution 3.0" http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

I finally got an H&K USP review done. I feel like this is a pretty unbiased review. I like the pistol a lot, but it is far from perfect.

Pros:
Reliability, Durability, Function

Cons:
Price, non-Picatinny accessory rail, higher profile bore axis

All in all, I think this is a really nice gun but I might recommend a cheaper .45 to someone looking. My personal favorite is any Glock, due to the inexpensive nature tied with a very simple and reliable design. But it depends on your purpose and preference.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Combat pistol
• Semi-automatic
• H&K
• USP
• Heckler & Koch
• .45 ACP

[carpenter751]

What about the recoil reduction system? It was never mentioned. I shot an expert 45 usp and it was amazing in the recoil department. I believe that is why they really did not worry about bore of axis as much as Glock.

[ghillisniper300]

@carpenter751 Because in my experience the recoil reduction system isn't really there. It's built quite a bit like any other modern automatic pistol I've ever examined. I've read a lot about the "recoil reduction" but I've never seen any evidence that actually proves that it exists. However, down in the comments somewhere there is some discussion about how the USP does much better with +P ammunition. And I'm trying to borrow a Glock 21 to do some comparison with.

[thereallectertman]

the reason the rail is not picatinny is because they were the first to put ANY rail on their pistols. they had to design their own lights and other attachments cause no one made them yet. they changed the handgun world for the better forever

[DarksideSlinky]

Nice informative honest and unbiased review. I like that you give the review as what it is: your personal view of the pluses and cons nothing more nothing less.

I am the proud owner of a .45 USP and I love everything about this firearm. It is elegant, classy, and packs one hell of a punch on the receiving end. I wouldn't take anything for it, and it is my constant companion.

[DrFrostyNutz]

My USP .45 has similar if not less recoil than my glock 17 gen 4 with the 9mm. Not sure how much of that is the weight of the USP or if the recoil spring system of H&K

[1169Timothy]

@ghillisniper300 that sounds about right. Thanks for the clarification.

[ghillisniper300]

@1169Timothy Okay, I think I'm on the same page now.

It could be that the USP fit your grip or form better than the Glock or it could be that the USP did have better recoil reduction. The USP is probably a little heavier than the Glock so that could make a slight difference as well. I tend to view Glocks as low recoil pistols just because I finally learned to get a really high grip and take advantage of the low bore, but the grip angle can throw me for a loop. Thanks.

[1169Timothy]

@ghillisniper300 well it felt like less so I assume it was less at least for me, I was just asking you opinion on the matter because you have fired weapons far more than myself.

[ghillisniper300]

@1169Timothy That's another nomenclature for the 9 X 19 so it's the same. Are you wondering WHY it felt like lighter recoil or IF it truly had less felt recoil? I've never fired a USP in 9mm, I've fired them in .45 ACP and .40 S&W and both of those felt somewhat similar, although I was firing the .40 with my weak hand and the .45 with my strong hand.

[1169Timothy]

@ghillisniper300 I should tell you the 9x19mm rounds were Luger. Dose that help? or is it the same result?

[ghillisniper300]

@1169Timothy That kind of surprises me, but it may have been the case. H&K claims to have some recoil reduction in their design but so far I've been skeptical. Somewhere in these comments there is one from XXLTexan explaining that they really shine when shooting +P ammunition. I still haven't had the chance to shoot any through mine but I'd like to soon. Perhaps the 9mm loads you were shooting were hot, or perhaps it just does a good job of minimizing recoil in the 9mm. Thanks!

[1169Timothy]

@ghillisniper300 Hey bro I wanted yo ask you something.

I recently fired a USP chambered for 9x19mm. The same day I also fired a Glock 17, the original model from Austria and what I noticed was that the USP felt like it had less recoil.