How do I know its new????

[DougsHK]

I take possession of a New H&K USP Compact .45 tomorrow everything looks OK except the production date says 2007, should I ask the dealer to order another gun for me??

[tincanhunter]

If you're worried, disassemble the pistol and look for wear marks (rings) on the barrel. Also look at the top part of the inside of the slide. If it's been shot there will be some wear. If the dealer is advertising as new and the gun has been shot, you may try to get the price down. A well maintained used USPC will last you a long time.

BTW - those 45 USPC's are great pistols, I own one myself.

[DougsHK]

I really was wondering why they didn't just give me a gun with a 09 production date, with the 07 even though they say its new it feels like I am getting old stock

[Caliber.666]

it feels like I am getting old stock

You are. Everyone cant get a new gun, what would happen to all the ones that don't sell? Destroy them?
Don't read so much into it, your '07 will rock just like a '09 will. :13:
-Wes

[SIGtrarian]

I really was wondering why they didn't just give me a gun with a 09 production date, with the 07 even though they say its new it feels like I am getting old stockIt's a gun, not a head of lettuce. If it didn't have a date code you wouldn't know the difference.

[Caliber.666]

If it didn't have a date code you wouldn't know the difference.

HAHA, I was just gonna say the same thing!
Hell, I don't think most manufacturers even put date codes on their stuff anyways...
-Wes

[Hunter Rose]

I really was wondering why they didn't just give me a gun with a 09 production date, with the 07 even though they say its new it feels like I am getting old stock

So have him order you a new pistol, then when it gets in in 3 months it will be truly new, oh wait, then it won't be a 2010 so you'll have to order another one....

Seriously, it's a hunk of steel and polymer. Sitting on a shelf at a distributor for a year or two means nothing. Have fun shooting a great pistol.

[jbntx]

I really was wondering why they didn't just give me a gun with a 09 production date, with the 07 even though they say its new it feels like I am getting old stock


The last 2 HK pistols I bought were new and over a year old.
It doesn't mean a thing.

To determine if it's new:

1. Look at the flat top of the barrel in the ejection port
area just above where the caliber is marked.
It should be free of any wear.
Even a few cyclings by hand will show wear in this area.

2. Retract the slide and look for wear on the barrel about
one inch or more back from the muzzle end. This area shows
wear the quickest.

[DougsHK]

was concerned if the gun had any changed or updates to it, I have been reading the forum and seen a few people talk about V1
BTW this is my first gun ever

[Caliber.666]

Starting off with an H&K is a great choice! Except now you'll hold every other gun to HK standards...
-Wes

[H&K 4 LIFE]

Design wise, there is no difference between a '07 USP and an '09 USP. :)

[seven.sixtwo]

And the V1, V2, V3 has nothing to do with updates or date code. It's more like different options packages on a new car. See here at the bottom:
http://www.hkpro.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57:the-usp&catid=6:the-pistols&Itemid=5

[DougsHK]

I picked up my gun today I guess the dealer sensed my disappointment with getting the 07 model, he had a new 09 model waiting for me at the shop with the DE marking and looking spanking new.
I now feel comfortable with my purchase, thanks for all who replied even the funny ones (Head of Lettuce) lol lol
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp164/ash4889/IMG00029-20091007-1925.jpg

[charlesfmason]

Just to add to what others said so that people reading this thread will have no doubt: You can buy a brand spanking new HK and it may be two years old. I just did this recently and know for a fact that the gun came directly from the distributor. (Will explain if needed).

[EOD Guy]

I've purchased two HKs recently that were unquestionably factory new. Both were date coded 2008. As has been stated, they don't wear out sitting on someone's shelf.

[kdogg]

I bought an HK P2000 .40 caliber about two years ago that came with two 10 rounders, it was like 6 years old. Didn't think about buying it twice.

If anything I prefer older guns. Remember with the economy what it is, companies make cut backs production and quality control all the time.

[SIGtrarian]

I really don't understand why this is an issue. It just plain doesn't make any sense at all. If it had night sights, maybe. In fact, I just bought a brand new P2000 V2, night sights, three magazines, AH date code. The cost of the night sights was taken off of the price. If I were in the market, and the dealer had two identical ones except for date codes, I would examine both and look for any blemishes. If no blemishes, I would take the one with the best feeling trigger. That said, I wish more people worried about it. More available for me.:43:

[Caliber.666]

I would examine both and look for any blemishes. If no blemishes, I would take the one with the best feeling trigger.

+1
Thats how I picked out my HK45, and it was an older date code than the other even...
-Wes

[DougsHK]

All valid points gentlemen but you are forgetting the most important one, I am a first time gun owner(no experience) and I was basing my purchase as I do other things "how new it is and if its model been upgraded ' I just thought that a newer model meant it had been upgraded from the 07 model also if it had been untouched

[DougsHK]

BTW I got a ton of stuff to use on it yesterday Cleaning kit glasses ear protection uplula loader gun case bullets, this weekend I will shoot it for the very first time
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp164/ash4889/IMG00033-20091009-0644.jpg

[jbntx]

You can't go wrong with Hoppes cleaning products and Magtech ammo.

We're going to need a range report with lots of pictures.

Be sure and let your girlfriend shoot it and take pictures of her, OH!
I mean the gun.:20000000:

[SIGtrarian]

All valid points gentlemen but you are forgetting the most important one, I am a first time gun owner(no experience) and I was basing my purchase as I do other things "how new it is and if its model been upgraded ' I just thought that a newer model meant it had been upgraded from the 07 model also if it had been untouchedThe only upgrade was between AE and AF, not counting very early changes that only affected the full size USP's. The firing pin and firing pin safety were changed to lessen the chance of firing pin breakage due to dry-firing, although the breakages were quite rare. I use snap-caps anyway, and don't worry about it. If you compare the AE and AF firing pin safeties from underneath, you can see a difference. The AE ones have a tiny pie shaped cut-out.

[DougsHK]

Please don't laugh, my first attempt at target practice from a distance of 15 feet.
PS remember my first time
BTW I LOVE THE GUN
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp164/ash4889/IMG00034-20091010-1738.jpg

[DougsHK]

I got to come clean guys, the ones in the red were me with a pen

[quikz]

I got to come clean guys, the ones in the red were me with a pen

LoL....Yea, I can tell. ;)

I luv those 'Dirty Bird' targets. They show a white ring when hit by a round, except for your center ones. ;)

Dont worry Poppy. Your grouping(s) will get tighter and tighter, simply with a little time.

From the looks of your shootin. It seems you were quite exicted about shooting with your new prized acquistion. But I can't think of a better pistol (or mfr.) to start out with on your new journey...

[Shaolin Giraffe]

The only upgrade was between AE and AF

Sorry to hijack, but what does the AK marking on the HK45c mean?

Oh and SWEET pistol, I need to put up my pics. Think you did better than I did first time out LOL

[Apollo11]

Sorry to hijack, but what does the AK marking on the HK45c mean?



2009 Mfg Year.

[Shaolin Giraffe]

Oooo, ok makes sense. Thanks Apollo

[SIGtrarian]

I got to come clean guys, the ones in the red were me with a penI've seen worse. Hey, at least you hit the target, even if you missed the red. I've seen people brag about worse shooting. Most SD situations happen at that distance. You would have hit the bad guy.:43:

[654Boomer]

Sorry to hijack, but what does the AK marking on the HK45c mean?

Oh and SWEET pistol, I need to put up my pics. Think you did better than I did first time out LOL

Greetings,

Expanding on what Apollo stated:

AA = 00 = 2000
AB = 01 = 2001
AC = 02 = 2002
AD = 03 = 2003
AE = 04 = 2004
AF = 05 = 2005
AG = 06 = 2006
AH = 07 = 2007
AI = 08 = 2008
AK = 09 = 2009
BA = 10 = 2010
BB = 11 = 2011
BC = 12 = 2012

Note the omission of the letter "J".

There will be no BD (13) date code since most news media outlets are reporting that the Mayan Calendar ends in 2012, ergo, the Earth will end!

Discussion on the Date Coding System and other HK Markings can be found at:

http://hkpro.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=137:the-symbols-on-hk-firearms&catid=4:special-topics&Itemid=5

[Lone_Ranger]

I really was wondering why they didn't just give me a gun with a 09 production date, with the 07 even though they say its new it feels like I am getting old stock

Don't worry, HK doesn't have a "best if used by" date. It will still have that "new pistol" smell when you take it out of the box.

[Shaolin Giraffe]

Thanks 654.

Dougs, one noob to another. I found just playing with my gun improved my groupings. Practicing sight alignment (sp?) proper grip, stance ect. I don't dry fire cause I have not purchased any snap caps yet. But yah, my groupings got a lot closer. I can't shoot as much as I want to (.45s are expensive as HELL LOL!!!) so even if you can't get to the range just "play with" the weapon.

[cek]

I got to come clean guys, the ones in the red were me with a pen

LMAO!!!

Doug, you are doing fine. Here's a few tips (note you get what you paid for these):


Don't run with scissors.
Remember the 4 Universal Rules of handling firearms. Learn them. Live them. ALWAYS.
There are a few "standard" stances (e.g. Weaver, modified-Weaver, etc...) everyone has their own variations of these and you'll figure yours out. Don't let anyone tell you there's only one _right_ way to stand. But do try to shoot well using several of them so you (a) develop good habits and (b) figure out which one(s) you like best. I'm a Weaver guy. A quick Bing search got me this pretty useful page: http://www.corneredcat.com/Basics/stance.aspx
If you've ever coached or been coached in just about ANY athletic activity you know what an "athletic stance" is. When shooting from a standing position put yourself in an athletic stance (knees bent, feet firmly planted/weight sligthly on the balls of your feet, slight forward bend in the waist, tall posture, slight lean forward). Here's a quick test to see if your stance is "atheltic" enough: Hold your hands in front of you as though you are holding your gun in whatever stance you've choosen (I find for demonstrating this to people the Isosceles with locked elbows works best). Have someone shove you on your hands, tyring to push you backwards. If you have to take a step backwards your stance was not athletic enough.
Focus on the front sight. You will learn when you can vary this over time, but especially as you are learning keep your open eye so the front sight is in focus and the spot on the target you are trying to hit is oboscured by it.
Squeeeezzzzzzeeeee the trigger. Do not pull it. Do not grab it. Squeeze it. One continous motion of your finger, front to back, _through_ the break point. Golfers and baseball players know the saying "swing through the ball"; I think squeezing the trigger is analogous.
Buy some snap caps and randomly intermix one in your magazines every once in a while. This will do _wonders_ with helping you discover that you are flinching...so you can work on it :-).
Breathe! When focusing, and trying not to shake, sometimes we actually forget to breathe! The typical advice to breating while target shooting is to (a) get the sight picture, (b) inhale, (c) exhale 10-25% of the breath, (d) squeeze (see above) when the front sight is obscuring what you want to hit.
Someone else mentioned dry-firing at home. Great tip. Just remember the 4 universal rules!


I hope you report back as you learn! Have fun!

[SIGtrarian]

Good 'basics' video, explains trigger control:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48&feature=related

[IronKnight1991]

The only upgrade was between AE and AF, not counting very early changes that only affected the full size USP's. The firing pin and firing pin safety were changed to lessen the chance of firing pin breakage due to dry-firing, although the breakages were quite rare. I use snap-caps anyway, and don't worry about it. If you compare the AE and AF firing pin safeties from underneath, you can see a difference. The AE ones have a tiny pie shaped cut-out.

Hey SIG, that's good info. The last HK I purchased was like new. A Fellow gun club member purchased it new. He put a 100 rds of Win-white box threw it. Cleaned it up and tucked it away in his safe with 50 or so other pampered babies. I bought it as soon as the guy put it up for sell. I mean I really wanted this one. It's a USPc .45ss

I sent it to HK to have it inspected and switched from V2 to V1. I'm going to replace the sights with Meprolight night sights.

Shoud I be concerned about the firing pin?
Another Q I have is how can I tell if I have a standard trigger or a match grade trigger?
The trigger on my USPc looks identical to the one on my HK45 which is a match grade trigger. I can not honestly say weather or not I feel a difference in the function.

The USPc .45ss date code is AD the HK45 date code is AH.:340:

[SIGtrarian]

Hey SIG, that's good info. The last HK I purchased was like new. A Fellow gun club member purchased it new. He put a 100 rds of Win-white box threw it. Cleaned it up and tucked it away in his safe with 50 or so other pampered babies. I bought it as soon as the guy put it up for sell. I mean I really wanted this one. It's a USPc .45ss

I sent it to HK to have it inspected and switched from V2 to V1. I'm going to replace the sights with Meprolight night sights.

Shoud I be concerned about the firing pin?
Another Q I have is how can I tell if I have a standard trigger or a match grade trigger?
The trigger on my USPc looks identical to the one on my HK45 which is a match grade trigger. I can not honestly say weather or not I feel a difference in the function.

The USPc .45ss date code is AD the HK45 date code is AH.:340:I would definitely ask them about the firing pin upgrade. The only breakages I've ever heard of was after LOTS of dry-firing without snap-caps. I have a few pre-AF, and haven't bothered, I always use snap-caps. If it's a match trigger, it will have an over-travel screw about half-way to the end. I have an Elite with one, and the main difference is when fired single action, very light and crisp; almost 1911-esque. Just curious, did you have a match grade trigger installed on your HK45? They don't come standard:

http://www.hk-usa.com/civilian_products/hk45_general.asp

You can see the over-travel screw:

http://www.hk-usa.com/-images/products/usp_elite/lg_usp_elite.jpg

[IronKnight1991]

I would definitely ask them about the firing pin upgrade. The only breakages I've ever heard of was after LOTS of dry-firing without snap-caps. I have a few pre-AF, and haven't bothered, I always use snap-caps. If it's a match trigger, it will have an over-travel screw about half-way to the end. I have an Elite with one, and the main difference is when fired single action, very light and crisp; almost 1911-esque. Just curious, did you have a match grade trigger installed on your HK45? They don't come standard:

http://www.hk-usa.com/civilian_products/hk45_general.asp

You can see the over-travel screw:

http://www.hk-usa.com/-images/products/usp_elite/lg_usp_elite.jpg

That answers my Q: The clouds have parted. My USPf .45t has the match trigger. The other HK's I have are standard. They all shoot great so no need to tinker with the triggers.
I will get me some snap-caps for dry fire. Your opinion is highly appreciated.

Thank you much.

Hoowa!! :95:

[coto20]

Not bad for your first time! You may also have a quick fix. I notice your pattern is 70%/30? low of the bullseye. i learned from the great members on here that the HK is setup to have you cover the point of aim with your front dot. Previous to having an HK I always shot with the top of the sight blade at 6 o'clock on my point of aim with the same result as your target. Cover up your point of aim with the front dot vs the top of the blade and you may find you will be putting them closer to the red. My range also has a great chart that describs why you may be shooting to the right as well. Others on hear can better explain this than I and they were a great help to me in this area.

If you have already thought about what HK will be your next purchase, you are in the early stages of HKitus. If you are looking around at things in the house that you could sell quickly..... I'm afraid you are already in Stage IV, considered uncurible in the U.S. at this time of HK pistol development. The only proven way to slow the progression is to avoid ANY posts that have P7 in the subject line.

[SIGtrarian]

That answers my Q: The clouds have parted. My USPf .45t has the match trigger. The other HK's I have are standard. They all shoot great so no need to tinker with the triggers.
I will get me some snap-caps for dry fire. Your opinion is highly appreciated.

Thank you much.

Hoowa!! :95:No problem, I'm no Big Bore, but I'm working on it.:43:

[IronKnight1991]

No problem, I'm no Big Bore, but I'm working on it.:43:

Yeh Big Bore is the Man. That Bendexr4 guy too. All of you guys just keep on keeping on. I'm learning a ton. :56:

To the Brother that started this tread. See how nutty we get when we're talking H&K....HEHEHE!!!

That's a real nice one you got there..enjoy..:56:

[DougsHK]

Wow talk about a wealth of information gentlemen I thank you so much for all the fantastic info

[SIGtrarian]

Yeh Big Bore is the Man. That Bendexr4 guy too. All of you guys just keep on keeping on. I'm learning a ton. :56:
P7PSP questions? Wulkyrie is amazing!

[SIGtrarian]

Wow talk about a wealth of information gentlemen I thank you so much for all the fantastic infoWelcome aboard. You now need a full-size, maybe something with a match trigger and 'O' ring barrel, and a P7 of some type. You won't be able to control it. I was a SIG/ Glock guy, and only bought a N.I.B. USP40f because it was a great deal: night sights, three magazines, large agency over-run, $675 out the door. One trip to the range for a side-by-side with my P229 and G22, I was hooked. That was twelve other HK's ago. I haven't bought another brand since.:43:

[Cylinder Head]

I'm not sure what some of you guys are talking about with all of this "no difference between date codes" business. My AH dated HK45 came with a back-up camera, LED lights and ABS brakes all stanadard. The previous model year didn't even have AM/FM radio.

[coto20]

I'm not sure what some of you guys are talking about with all of this "no difference between date codes" business. My AH dated HK45 came with a back-up camera, LED lights and ABS brakes all stanadard. The previous model year didn't even have AM/FM radio.

Dude, should have waited for the airbag. Makes a difference in CQB!!!:90::90: