My HK USP .40 Jams a little too much.

[Tiako]

Hey, I have an HK USP .40 that I bought used and everything seems fine. I have taken it apart and cleaned, almost no wear but the gun is pretty old. Anyways I have been shooting Winchester white box ammo and I would say it jams once or twice every 50 rounds. That seems a bit high... Any reasons this is happening?

[HKUSPc40]

Once or twice every fifty rounds is way too much. I'd advice to see an HK armorer and have them detail clean it, especially since you bought it used. A lot of crud can build up in unreachable places, such as behind the extractor. Also, while the armorer takes it completely apart he can check all the components.

I bet a thorough cleaning will solve the problem.

[NonConformist]

What kind of 'Jam'

Stovepipe?

DOuble feed?

[Tiako]

Double feed

[loupav]

Are the magazines in good condition? Do you have some mags that you have not used yet?

[Reoze]

Are you slamming the magazines home hard enough to drop the slide release?

[Tiako]

Are you slamming the magazines home hard enough to drop the slide release?


Nope..

[softmentor]

I don't think slamming it makes any difference.
This may be something like what I have with one particular mag. For some reason that one mag will not always load/stack correctly and will take one less round than it should. When that happens, it will mis-feed. What I do is count out the rounds into my hand first, then load the magazine. That way I'm sure to get the right number. (I find counting as I load it's easy to mis-count) If the rounds do not all go in, I simply unload and reload. They seem to load correctly the next time. When I do this I never have a problem.
Another possible problem is you may be riding one of the control levers or the slide with your grip, causing the expired casing to fail to eject.
Anyway, there are a couple of possible reasons.

[Tiako]

I have 3 extended mags holding 13 rounds each and they all seem to do it. Is there a gunsmith I can take it too and have this problem solved?

[softmentor]

Well, then, if it's not a grip issue, then HK has a lifetime warintee. I'd have them take a look at it.

[Tiako]

Well, then, if it's not a grip issue, then HK has a lifetime warintee. I'd have them take a look at it.

I am sure they have some clause of acceptable jam ratio.

Also, my friend was saying that I should send it back and get them to replace all the springs and what not. Not sure what this service is called.

[orfeo]

USPs start having jamming problems most often due to mag-springs.

[NonConformist]

Id say its most likely a mag as well

[Reoze]

[QUOTE=softmentor;592047I don't think slamming it makes any difference. [/QUOTE]

if you slam the magazine home hard enough the rounds will literally fly out of it, which could be inferred as a double feed or a stovepipe depending on what happens.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

I can't believe nobody has mentioned trying some different ammo. I'm certainly not saying HKs are infallable, but you simply must rule out ammo as the cause of the malfunction. And WWB isn't exactly premium spec. ammo either. :rolleyes:

That being said, both my USPs eat almost nothing but WWB with zero failures to date. There is no "acceptable jam rate" and if it doesn't work, make HK fix it.

[Tiako]

Whats another ammo I can pick up at walmart?

[NonConformist]

Blazer Brass or Remington UMC can be found here as well as WWB

[bordercop]

I disagree with it being an ammo issue. I'll jump on the boat with those who are chanting against the mag's. Take 'em apart and clean 'em up. If that doesn't work try replacing the mag springs.

[twisted954]

double feed...most likely culprit mag related although it would have to be a major alignment of some ungodly forces or seriously exacting use for all three mags to be jamming the same way. Perhaps the mags have the same use through them and are exactly the same age...double feeds are likely mag though...if you have a new mag handy or a friend with the same gun, hit him up

[kbrhk]

you should try to rule out all things before calling it a "gun " issue. check your stance, grip, condition of mags(feed lips, base pad seated properly), mag springs(buy some new ones and replace just to make sure), PROPERLY CLEAN(get some CLP powder balst and blast your gun to remove all possible grease and dirt from your gun. then, spray it with some CLP break free to lube and protect.) and never use white box winchster. it is bad ammo. i know it's cheap wally world ammo, but try something a little better. at least to rule out the ammo. and visually inspect the extractor. it might be "dull" or has lost it's edge.......if after alll that you still have problems, buy a revolver! lol just kidding, good luck.:).....also, make sure your feedramp is clean and your barrel too.

[bordercop]

I have 3 extended mags holding 13 rounds each and they all seem to do it. Is there a gunsmith I can take it too and have this problem solved?

I'm still sticking with this being a mag issue, primarily because of this statement. Are they HK factory extended mags? I've not yet heard of such, if they are. Likely the problem lies in that these are either non-factory mags or were factory mags with a non-factory modification done on them.

[orfeo]

I'm still sticking with this being a mag issue, primarily because of this statement. Are they HK factory extended mags? I've not yet heard of such, if they are. Likely the problem lies in that these are either non-factory mags or were factory mags with a non-factory modification done on them.

Not sure, but I think he is referring to the pinky extension baseplate mags as opposed to the flat baseplate mags. Probably has regular factory mags with the pinky rest.

Historically, most jams with USPs are fixable with new mag-springs. You can test and see by removing one mag-spring and stretching it out an additional 35% or so (taking care to keep the coils aligned and straight) and re-install it in the mag, and test it. Chances are good that you will see an immediate improvement. If it works, then you should replace all the mag-springs. I recommend Wolff +10% mag-springs, but be forewarned: they are VERY strong and will last a long time!

[H&K 4 LIFE]

I notice the mag. springs in both my USPs are much softer then the mag. springs in my Glock mags. Theres no doubt in my mind that after extended use these can become too soft and cause feeding issues. I truly feel you should try some other types of ammo (Blazer Brass or UMC as mentioned) and see if the pistol continues to jam in the same manner. If it does, then there is an even stronger case made for weak mag. springs because ammo has simply been ruled out.

[Sobriquet]

Out of curiosity.. I've been using Wal-Mart WWB in my HK45. Is this "dirty" ammo? I always hear about Wolf being dirty.

My gun's pretty filthy after only 200 rounds or so.

[jtaliani]

WWB definitely isn't the most dirty but it certainly isn't clean either.

[Hector45]

Most likely your mag springs are worn, I had a similar problem not quite as frequent as described, but i replaced all my mags with Wolff +10% mag springs, and eliminated my problem. Trying different ammo types should not matter if the gun is working properly. These pistols have been designed to eat even the most foreign rounds without failure, you should be able to shoot WWB all day long.

[Daiv]

A double feed problem is caused by a failure to extract the spent case from the chamber. Have a look at your extractor to see if there is any damage to the claw (such as nicks or gaps).

[H&K 4 LIFE]

Out of curiosity.. I've been using Wal-Mart WWB in my HK45. Is this "dirty" ammo? I always hear about Wolf being dirty.

My gun's pretty filthy after only 200 rounds or so.

Not really dirty, just not really quality. After shootin WWB I always notice alot of brass shavings in almost all the guns I clean. This is due to the aggressive extractors pulling off pieces of the soft brass from around the rim of the case and throwing it back into the action. I haven't noticed any more "smoke" (unburnt powder) coming from the barrel then with any other ammo, but given the brass shavings I wouldn't classify it as the cleanest ammo either.

If you want to see "dirty" try shooting .45 LC lead cowboy action loads through a revolver. Smokey! :)

[Sobriquet]

I've seen the unburnt powder after firing WWB. I'm too new to this to know whether all brands do the same thing.

I wonder how bad that junk is to breathe in after being at an indoor range for a few hours.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

I've seen the unburnt powder after firing WWB. I'm too new to this to know whether all brands do the same thing.

I wonder how bad that junk is to breathe in after being at an indoor range for a few hours.

You indoor range should have adequate ventillation to deal with this.

[orfeo]

I've seen the unburnt powder after firing WWB. I'm too new to this to know whether all brands do the same thing.

I wonder how bad that junk is to breathe in after being at an indoor range for a few hours.

It is REAL bad to breathe in. Don't just assume your range has adequate ventilation. One indoor range I've shot at was so bad that I actually had to buy N100 level (will also filter vaporized lead particles) respirators in order to shoot there. At most indoor ranges, everything is covered in a fine layer of vaporized lead, which is also in the air. It will also especially stick to your lips, and you may unintentionally ingest it by licking your lips or by smoking a cigarette. Lead is very dangerous to breathe-in or to ingest, but few realize it may also be absorbed through the skin.

[Sobriquet]

So do you wear gloves to load your mags, too? I was thinking of getting one of those magazine loaders to make life easier on my thumbs. This would just be another good reason to do so.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

So do you wear gloves to load your mags, too? I was thinking of getting one of those magazine loaders to make life easier on my thumbs. This would just be another good reason to do so.

If your shooting FMJ ammo (like you should be) theres no need to worry about getting lead on your fingers when you load. The lead bullet is wrapped in a copper jacket.

Air contamination is a good reason why I still like to shoot outdoors. When indoors, you want to hear those air movers running.

I sometimes wear gloves when shooting, but only for a slightly tighter grip and protection from the usual cuts and abrasions. :72:

[Sobriquet]

What is the black stuff you end up with on your index finger and thumb after loading a lot of rounds? Gunpowder residue? I'd imagine there's some nasty stuff in there, too. I ordered a MagLula loader from Midway today, so I guess this is a moot point.

I really wish I could shoot outdoors, but that just really isn't an option when I'm in Los Angeles. I actually had some black residue in my nose from the range I've been going to here. I haven't had that problem when I shoot back in LA. I think the range here is too old to be properly ventilated. It was built in the 1950s. I'll be back in SoCal for good in about a week so I'm not going to bother to try and find another range.

[Scooter]

Lead is every where unless you shoot lead free ammo which cost $$$. The moment you fire that first round, there's lead particles in the air, on the gun, AND ON YOU. Majority of the lead is from the primer. FMJ will also put lead into the air due to the exposed base.

Shooting indoors is one way to drive up lead count in your blood. We had a guy who was tested for lead before and after shooting indoors. Lets just say his doctor wasn't too happy about what he saw.

There are outdoor ranges in LA county. Most are within a 45 minute drive.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

No doubt the sport we love is filled with contaminates, this is just something we cannot escape from. As Scooter pointed out "green" rounds aren't exactly cheap either.

I shoot airguns alot also and the soft lead pellets leave residue all over my fingers. The tin says in virtually a single breath "this is known to cause cancer" and "wash your hands after use". So combat potential cancer with hand-washing I guess. ;)