Sidearms & Scatterguns HK USP 9MM Questions

[ZackOwns]

Here's a quick back story, I ended up with a USP 9mm w/ jet funnel, lem trigger, 2 mags, & UTL for a killer deal and never used it much. Recently I've been throwing the idea of trading it and getting something to use in local matches, at first I was hesitant to use the HK because the damn magazines were running anywhere from 80-125 a piece in the last few weeks. This weekend I found a place that had a bunch of "demo" mags for 47.63 per if I bought more than 4 so I picked up 4 more now having a total of 6 so now it begins.... I just sent my slide off to have it cerakoted in FDE.


First topic: I knocked out the original NS today with a small punch and ordered the fully adjustable sights. My first question, being they were easy to get out I would assume they'd be easy to get back in, but do I use some kind of glue to hold them once they're set? I was surprised how easily they came out or... Would it be a better idea to just take it to a local shop and have them install them for 30 bucks?

Second topic: The LEM trigger.. IMHO it's not that bad. To me it breaks clean and it's better than my glock with the ghost connecter... which isn't saying much but is the "match trigger" that much better? It's my understanding that it turns the pistol from DAO to DA/SA so not only would I need to replace the trigger I believe I'd need to buy the decocking levers as well (I'm a southpaw).

Third topic: Holster options.. What's the best bang for the buck? So far all I've found is blade tech that makes a holster that works with the UTL, any other companies that i should look into?

Forth topic: Grip reduction.. My fingers are kind of short so the HK feels huge in my hands, it doesn't prevent me from operating the pistol but I wish it was a tad smaller, is there any companies out there that offer this?


I look forward to all your answers and feel free to add anything that I may want to look into as well.

Thanks,

Zack

 

[Downzero]

Re: HK USP 9MM Questions

I would shoot it as-is and decide if you want to compete before modifying the gun or spending any more money. HKs are not well represented in competition; I've staffed two matches with over 250 shooters and I only recall seeing one HK (and it was a P7).

 

[ZackOwns]

Re: HK USP 9MM Questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would shoot it as-is and decide if you want to compete before modifying the gun or spending any more money. HKs are not well represented in competition; I've staffed two matches with over 250 shooters and I only recall seeing one HK (and it was a P7).</div></div>

Thanks for the reply, like I said I do enjoy the pistol. In fact I shot it at a small local match with proceeds going to a local girl scout group this weekend and actually smoked it.

Maybe I should have clarified, I don't intend to shoot full blown pistol matches, it would be used during certain "tactical" matches that employ the use a side arm. At the end of the day wether it's used as a range toy or a match pistol I still want it to function to the best of it's ability and if it cost a few bucks thats fine by me. I only have 475 dollars in this pistol with the everything. That's cheaper than a used glock these days!

Thanks,

Zack

 

[Yama Arashi]

Re: HK USP 9MM Questions

Generally the sights aren't glued or anything like that. They're just pressed in. It's always possible that the sight you pulled out, or the sight slot, may have been filed.

The trigger question is all preference. I prefer the DA/SA V1 or V3 over the LEM myself. The match trigger is crisper than the stock trigger, and has an over-travel stop. The trigger pull weights are modified with different trigger reset springs and hammer springs. There is also a light and heavy version of the LEM.

There are also other components involved if you want to switch the variant from a LEM to a match trigger DA/SA. It's not as simple as replacing the trigger and adding a decocking/safety lever. Some of the internals are different, as is the hammer itself.

There isn't much material to work with on the USP grip. I wouldn't try to modify that with a reduction personally.

 

[fast freddy]

Re: HK USP 9MM Questions

if its not cerakoted you could trade it to me for a glock.

 

[ZackOwns]

Re: HK USP 9MM Questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fast freddy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if its not cerakoted you could trade it to me for a glock.</div></div>

I've got one to many glocks, otherwise I'd take you up on that.

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

Re: HK USP 9MM Questions

Really, the sights should be no different than any other dovetail cut. My experience with the USP is that aftermarket sights will be just a tad oversize and you will have to fit them using a file or stone. If in your case they install loose, you can use a little loctite and when it cures they'll be firm. Of course you'll have to re-cement when adjusting.

My USP had the Variant 1 trigger (SA/DA) that I sent to HK to have the Match Trigger installed. It does have an overtravel stop which is good for competition and has a lighter and crisper break than the stock unit. Personally, I removed the Match Trigger and converted it to the LEM, which I prefer much better. My $.02 is to leave it LEM and upgrade to the lighter spring kit (trigger return and hammer spring) which will lighten the trigger pull.

I have used my USP in IDPA (SSP) and USPSA (production) and have fared well with it, you don't see many because in it's class(s) there are so many less expensive sidearms (especially the magazines) YMMV. If you decide to shoot either/both IDPA-USPSA you'll have to take off the jet funnel and technically can't use the trigger overtravel screw that comes with the match trigger either if shooting SSP/production. Usually local matches wouldn't catch it or object (but you'll get busted at a major match.) You can leave them on for ESP and Limited but you'll be outclassed by higher performing pistols, of course it's 95% indian and 5% arrow anyway.

I believe you are pretty much correct with the holster limitations and the light, Blade-Tech or Comp-Tac are about it. Someone such as Delfatti might make you a leather rig if you are patient enough (2 yrs. wait time.)

Finally, the frame/magwell area in a USP is pretty thin and while I'm sure it could be reduced a litte, be careful.

 

[W54/XM-388]

Re: HK USP 9MM Questions

What I would suggest you think about doing is this:

Sell the kit you have and you'll probably get a pretty good price for everything.

Purchase a P30L (or P30) in 9mm, (in standard DA/SA, either with or without safety depending on what you prefer, if you go with the safety model, you can get left side controls or ambi controls). The Decock button and the mag release are already ambi.

Send it to Grey Guns for their Competition Short Reset package.
At the same time if you want different sights, have them installed.

The above option would set you back a bit of money and some lead time for the Greyguns service, but in the end you would have a pistol that would fit your hand a lot better & run nicer in matches, the only down side being 15 round mags instead of 18 round ones.

 

[ZackOwns]

Re: HK USP 9MM Questions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: EXTREMEPREJUDICE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Really, the sights should be no different than any other dovetail cut. My experience with the USP is that aftermarket sights will be just a tad oversize and you will have to fit them using a file or stone. If in your case they install loose, you can use a little loctite and when it cures they'll be firm. Of course you'll have to re-cement when adjusting.

My USP had the Variant 1 trigger (SA/DA) that I sent to HK to have the Match Trigger installed. It does have an overtravel stop which is good for competition and has a lighter and crisper break than the stock unit. Personally, I removed the Match Trigger and converted it to the LEM, which I prefer much better. My $.02 is to leave it LEM and upgrade to the lighter spring kit (trigger return and hammer spring) which will lighten the trigger pull.

I have used my USP in IDPA (SSP) and USPSA (production) and have fared well with it, you don't see many because in it's class(s) there are so many less expensive sidearms (especially the magazines) YMMV. If you decide to shoot either/both IDPA-USPSA you'll have to take off the jet funnel and technically can't use the trigger overtravel screw that comes with the match trigger either if shooting SSP/production. Usually local matches wouldn't catch it or object (but you'll get busted at a major match.) You can leave them on for ESP and Limited but you'll be outclassed by higher performing pistols, of course it's 95% indian and 5% arrow anyway.

I believe you are pretty much correct with the holster limitations and the light, Blade-Tech or Comp-Tac are about it. Someone such as Delfatti might make you a leather rig if you are patient enough (2 yrs. wait time.)

Finally, the frame/magwell area in a USP is pretty thin and while I'm sure it could be reduced a litte, be careful.

</div></div>

Thank you so much for all the information, it was very informative. I do believe I'm going to stick with the LEM for awhile, I do actually like it.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: W54/XM-388</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What I would suggest you think about doing is this:

Sell the kit you have and you'll probably get a pretty good price for everything.

Purchase a P30L (or P30) in 9mm, (in standard DA/SA, either with or without safety depending on what you prefer, if you go with the safety model, you can get left side controls or ambi controls). The Decock button and the mag release are already ambi.

Send it to Grey Guns for their Competition Short Reset package.
At the same time if you want different sights, have them installed.

The above option would set you back a bit of money and some lead time for the Greyguns service, but in the end you would have a pistol that would fit your hand a lot better & run nicer in matches, the only down side being 15 round mags instead of 18 round ones.</div></div>

I do really love the feel of the p30 and before I bought the USP I did look around for one. When the USP came up for sale it was a no brainer for what I paid for it. With the 4 extra magazines and the fully adjustable night sights I'm sitting with 820 into this. I could likely sell it but that's just more time without a pistol and finding a P30 is a task all in itself around my parts. Thank you for your input though and one day I will purchase one, but it'll go next to the USP, not replace it.