'94 USP full 9mm

[welkers]

hi there, first post here. bought a used '94 USP full in 9mm a couple weeks ago. wanted to stop putting mileage on my 1911 Series 80 Gold Cup that I've had for over 25 years. i also wanted to use my USP for IDPA even though there seems to be more preferred options, ie., Glock and many 1911 derivatives.

i decided on a USP after checking out a USP 40 and an XD 40 rentals side by side at a gun range. neither had been cleaned in some time with thousands of rounds through them.

the XD felt very cheap with a very crappy feeling trigger pull. the USP 40 was very crisp and extremely accurate for at 25 yards to 7 yards.

i didn't realize my USP was a '94 model until I checked out the serial number codes on the HK web site. it shows some wear but nothing major and it still shoots very well.

OK...so enuff intro:

1) are there any issues I should be aware of with the initial USP offerings like I have? any recalls?

2) does anyone know of a HK gunsmith in Colorado Springs that I can take my USP to for a possible match trigger upgrade? and expected costs associated with such an upgrade?

3) all of my mags are plastic? i thought the initial releases were all steel/metal framed mags? I have a stock 15 rnd and 2 - 10 rnd mags all plastic. Any concerns with these vs the steel based mags?

4) how can you tell if there is excessive rail guide wear on the frame? i paid $520 for my pistol at Peterson's in Albuquerque and have been wondering if I should have just paid $690 for used USP 9 they had with visibly less wear?

all inputs are welcome. thanks in advance.

[Miku]

1) are there any issues I should be aware of with the initial USP offerings like I have? any recalls?
There aren´t any recals that anyone knows of. There was some issues with one spring, if I do remember correctly but mine (KE dated USP9) has been flawless. I can´t remember what the issue was.
Early KE USP9´s had land an groove barrels. It was changed to polygonal at the end of the 1994. This changes nothing except the catridges used on the pistol. On polygonal, lead rounds cannot be used/is not recommended. Also the catch is in one piece which can create minor dificulties on installing the LEM and Match trigger kit.

3) all of my mags are plastic? i thought the initial releases were all steel/metal framed mags? I have a stock 15 rnd and 2 - 10 rnd mags all plastic. Any concerns with these vs the steel based mags? All full size USP 9mm and .40 mags are plastic. .45´s are metal.

4) how can you tell if there is excessive rail guide wear on the frame? i paid $520 for my pistol at Peterson's in Albuquerque and have been wondering if I should have just paid $690 for used USP 9 they had with visibly less wear?If the small metal bits are visible alone, there is nothing to worry about. The inserts are molded into the frame and are in one piece together.

[welkers]

Miku, thanks for the info. In short, I should have nothing to worry and helps reassure me I have one solid pistol. I'm off to the range this morning to try out the hogue grip slip. Rock on guys.

[bspring]

Your USP is too early for a match trigger kit, most major parts do not interchange. I can set you up with a trigger job, I'm in NE Co springs. I would get a 14lbs Wolf recoil spring, its 2lbs heavier than stock, but provides better lock up and feeding reliability. Also check your mag springs to see if they are in good shape, Wolf carries these as well.

Bill
wspringfield@comcast.net

[welkers]

Bill that sounds cool. I'm in NE COS as well. I'll email you directly. Appreciate the info. Scott

[welkers]

FYI, here's the URL to the gunsprings for USP's:

http://www.gunsprings.com/SemiAuto/HecklerKochNF.html#USP

[C-Class]

... Your USP is too early for a match trigger kit, most major parts do not interchange...

Bill

Ditto...
Also, the LEM trigger cannot be installed either...