HK USP9

[m5215]

I am looking into possibly getting this pistol as it would be my first HK firearm and first polymer one as well. I need a little insight into this pistol from anyone familiar with it. I already understand that it is considered an iconic pistol but I am wanting some operational information about it.

How is the trigger action on this pistol? I have heard from some sources that the double action is not very good and the single action is OK.

Can the hammer spring be replaced with one that is significantly lighter than what comes stock on the pistol?

Does the dual recoil spring system make a significant difference in felt recoil?

Any other things about this pistol that makes it great?

 

[TxStetson]

The double recoil spring greatly reduces felt recoil. The single action trigger is OK, and double action is horrible. Extra magazines are expensive, and there’s not a whole lot of modification accessories available. The ambidextrous mag release is hard to get used to, but once you do, it’s awesome and fast. The safety/de-cococker is great, and I think everyone should copy it. Taking all of that into consideration, I would not hesitate to buy one. Once you’ve had an H&K, you want more and more. They are the most reliable firearm I have ever used or owned. If you want to discuss reliability, you should read about what the HK23 went through trying to get the government contract. As far as I’m concerned, USP pistols are the standard every manufacturer should be aiming for on reliability.

 

[kbaxter60]

...
Can the hammer spring be replaced with one that is significantly lighter than what comes stock on the pistol?

Wondering why one would even want to do this?

 

[baboon]

I bought a H&K USP40 when they first came out. It was my first suppressed pistol host. Put a LAM on it instead of higher sights. It's a seldom shot pistol. Has a lot of blow back through the gun when suppressed.
I have a few different H&K's & I feel my USP is the worse H&K I own.

 

[diesel1959]

You should purchase the pistol. Then you should go to hkpro.com to read and discuss more about them. They are awesome combat pistols. You will not be impressed with the double-action but, as already stated, the single-action is tolerable. Remember--COMBAT, not TARGET.

 

[Kar98]

I'd try out a Walther PPQ and P99 out first

 

[m5215]

Wondering why one would even want to do this?

Many pistols come with heavy hammer springs. This is mainly to ensure that if the pistol is loaded with NATO spec ammo which has hard primers, they can be fired without the risk of light primer strikes. Outside of the military though most ammo uses standard primers that do not need a heavy hammer spring. The heavier the hammer spring will in turn make the trigger pull heavier. Lightening the hammer spring will give you an easier and smoother trigger pull but you must be careful not to install a spring that is too light otherwise light primer strikes will result.

For example the Beretta 92FS comes with a 20# hammer spring for firing NATO spec 9mm rounds. You can safely reduce the hammer spring to 16# and still reliably fire 9mm rounds that use standard primers. Beretta themselves recognize this as the newer M9A3 comes standard with a 16# hammer spring. All my Beretta 92 pistols have been refit with 16# hammer springs and I have one that has a 14# along with a skeletonized hammer which drops faster so it compensates for the extra light hammer spring and has an incredibly smooth and easy trigger pull.

Once you fire a pistol that uses a reliable lighter hammer spring you will never go back to a stock one.

 

[rmantoo]

I have had 3 different USP45s and a USP9. I replaced all of the trigger and spring components with an HKPRO short reset/upgraded trigger pack.

The short reset was the biggest difference.

One of the few pistols I regret selling was the USP 9. Eventually I'll run into another deal on one- I paid $250 for it in 2009, and couldn't resist when someone offered me several multiples of that in 2014.

 

[m5215]

I have had 3 different USP45s and a USP9. I replaced all of the trigger and spring components with an HKPRO short reset/upgraded trigger pack.

Nice. Now this is the type of upgrade options that I like especially with some of the negative feedback I have heard about the trigger performance. I will be looking into the details of that upgrade package.

 

[jbayless71]

I owned a USP .40 back in the 1990s. The grip was bulky on it. Later HK models seem to have much better grip ergonomics. The USP always functioned fine. It was the first "expensive" pistol I ever owned.

 

[Bithabus]

It's a cool gun. I had a USP45 and sold it. I'd buy a USP 9 if one turned up at a good deal.

 

[TxStetson]

At one point I had a USP 45, USP 40, USP 9, and USP 9C. I never cared for the 40 and traded it for a big money AR. Carried the compact 9 for a couple years and traded it for a Ruger GP100 + cash. Traded the USP 9 for a VP-9 which I really like. And the USP 45 is still my SHTF pistol.

 

[mongoose]

I have the USPC in .40. It is a EDC self defense weapon not a target pistol. It has a very acceptable trigger. I have left mine stock. It has been very reliable and accurate with ergonomics that fit me well. Felt recoil does not bother me, but I have read that is does others. I assume a 9mm would be no problem at all. Mags were pricey. My FIL has a full size USP in .45, it is very nice to shoot.

 

[grumper]

Great guns. I have a USP Tactical 9mm. Utterly reliable, DA trigger pull isn't that great but you can carry it cocked and locked like a 1911.

 

[smschulz]

USP's are great, (I have nine different models).
I would not jump on and start replacing springs right away.
Shoot it a while and get used to it first.
My first was the HK USP Compact 45 and I was not super accurate to begin with.
NOW it is my primary carry pistol.
As far as any of the full sized USP's you can install the match trigger which is a big improvement but I would advise getting some experience first and yes you can put in Wolfe springs (hammer) but the Match Trigger makes the biggest difference.

 

[impactbumper]

Get it, shoot it, but i am warning once you start liking it you will end up with many hks.




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[Reinz]

I love HKs. Not quite there yet to be a fanboy.

I just could not warm up to the USP. I wanted too, but they just feel like Desert Eagles to me. Who wants a 9mm DE? I have nothing against DE’s, I have one. Now if you have Sasquatch hands I can understand.

Best of luck, hope it all works out.

 

[zackmars]

Large. Recoil impulse feels weird to me. Expensive. Expensive mags

That said, they are reliable guns, and i always thought that they were very easy to rack the slide on, but i don't want to pay a premium for a gun amd then get raked over the coals on mag prices

 

[Frank59]

I don't own this particular model but HKs specifically are reliable and well manufactured. The P30sk I own is one of my favorite firearms.

 

[rmantoo]

My personal take is that the USPs grip is so large that it multiplies or compounds any imperfections in an individual's grip mechanics. Later HKs have smaller diameter grips, and fit normal sized peoples hands better.

Don't get me wrong, I loved the USP, but later HKs, with smaller grips, were easier to both control, and to teach others to use.