Updates to the USP

[HenryHyde]

Hi,

I'm looking into purchasing a USP and was curious about some of the updates to the USP over the years. There are two changes I'm most interested in:

1) Did the USP 9/.40 ever acquire the rubberized hammer ? According to the FAQ entry at: http://www.streetpro.com/usp/uspfaq.html the rubberized hammer is only found on the USP 45.

2) The new firing pin, firing pin block and hammer

Any information on the date codes/serial number etc. when these changes took place would be really appreciated.

Thanks.

Cheers,
Henry

[Fooboy]

I think AF date codes have the new firing pins ... mine is an AF with serial 24-x... and its got it.

Edit: Found a good post on it.

http://hkpro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34956&highlight=notch+hammer+spring

[Big Bore]

This is what I have in my trivia folder:
Here are some of the dates

USP
1993 Original USP9 and .40

1994 Reduced the slide weight by 1.1 oz.
Reason: improve reliability with training rounds and make gun easier to carry.

1994-95 Change to a polygonal barrel
Reason: Glock

1994-95 Change trigger transfer bar
Reason: Improve reliability in cold weather and dirty environments

1994-95 Change recoil guide rod to a "captured spring version"
Reason: Glock

1995 Change trigger mechanism.
Reason: Improve drop protection, reduce manufacturing costs, eliminate hammer over travel

1995-96 Add rubber spur to hammer
Reason: Required to pass some institution's drop test.
?? on date-change size of magazine release to current smaller button.
Reason: to prevent inadvertent mag releases?

1995-96 Change angle on slide lock
Reason: customers don't want slide to close automatically when a mag is inserted

2000 Add locking feature to hammer strut support:
Reason: attempt to pacify safety Nazis

2001 Converted captive recoil spring retainer from c-clip to
Machined end on Compacts.
Reason? C-clip prone to breakage on the Compacts.

[HTN]

1) Did the USP 9/.40 ever acquire the rubberized hammer ?

My USP9F has the rubberized hammer spur. Date code AA.

[Fooboy]

wow, never noticed ...

my hammer is rubberized as well.

[HenryHyde]

Thanks for the responses folks.

This will be my first HK and I'm really excited.

After all the reading, I'm thinking of going with the USP40. I'll post a range report as soon as I get it.

Cheers,
Henry

[Caligula]

Great post BB, this is exactly what i was looking for. Im also looking to pick up a USPc in the next few weeks and was curious to all the progressive changes that had been made to the USP over the years.

The last change you mentoned involving the spring retainer failing. How common was that really? Is it something you can easily swap out with the updated part? I ask because im looking at a date code AB model right now which as i understand does not guarantee 100% that this model had the updated part.

:49:

This is what I have in my trivia folder:
Here are some of the dates

USP
1993 Original USP9 and .40

1994 Reduced the slide weight by 1.1 oz.
Reason: improve reliability with training rounds and make gun easier to carry.

1994-95 Change to a polygonal barrel
Reason: Glock

1994-95 Change trigger transfer bar
Reason: Improve reliability in cold weather and dirty environments

1994-95 Change recoil guide rod to a "captured spring version"
Reason: Glock

1995 Change trigger mechanism.
Reason: Improve drop protection, reduce manufacturing costs, eliminate hammer over travel

1995-96 Add rubber spur to hammer
Reason: Required to pass some institution's drop test.
?? on date-change size of magazine release to current smaller button.
Reason: to prevent inadvertent mag releases?

1995-96 Change angle on slide lock
Reason: customers don't want slide to close automatically when a mag is inserted

2000 Add locking feature to hammer strut support:
Reason: attempt to pacify safety Nazis

2001 Converted captive recoil spring retainer from c-clip to
Machined end on Compacts.
Reason? C-clip prone to breakage on the Compacts.

[Shakey]

Thanks for the responses folks.

This will be my first HK and I'm really excited.

After all the reading, I'm thinking of going with the USP40. I'll post a range report as soon as I get it.

Cheers,
Henry

Which version are you getting? Mine is a full size USP 40 with the LEM trigger and night sights. It's a really great pistol and I carry mine frequently. Recoil reminds me of a hot 9mm. My AE coded 40 has the rubberized hammer.

[piebiter]

Which version are you getting? Mine is a full size USP 40 with the LEM trigger and night sights. It's a really great pistol and I carry mine frequently. Recoil reminds me of a hot 9mm. My AE coded 40 has the rubberized hammer.

I'm with Shakey on this. The USP 40 is a great place to start with HK. I would recommend trying some Corbon DPX 140gr. ammo for personal defense.

[.45ACP]

Is the 1995 trigger change when they added the half-cock feature that the decocker drops the hammer to?