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When Heckler & Koch introduced the USP (Universal Selbstlade Pistole in German, or Universal Self-loading Pistol) in 1993, it marked the first time HK chose to incorporate many traditional handgun design elements in one pistol. Two principles guided its development - the first being the use of molded ploymer material, the second being the creation of a "pistol paradigm."
Heckler & Koch attemped to observe the strong points of its previous successful pistols for insight as to developing "the best" pistol. Previous HK pistol innovations include the unique squeeze cocking mechanism of the HK P7 , the precise roller locked bolt of the P9S , and the double action only used by the VP70Z . In contrast to these ambitious designs, the USP uses a Browning linkless locked breech action, developed by John Browning for use in the Government Model or M1911. Much like the 1911, the USP can be safely carried "cocked and locked".
The USP was origionally built in .40 and 9mm models, but later evolved into a .45 variant and .357 (compact models only). The USP was based on the SOCOM MK23 MOD 0, .45 ACP handgun designed by Heckler & Koch for the US SOCOM. The frame and slide of the USP45 are slightly larger than those found on the USP40 and USP9 , much like the MK23.
Major metal components on both the USP and Special Operations Pistol are corrosion resistant. Outside metal surfaces, such as the steel slide are protected by a nitro-gas carburized black oxide finish. Internal metal parts, such as springs, are coated with an anticorrosion chemicals ro reduce friction and wear.
One of the remarkable features of the USP is the wide variety of the trigger styles avalible, which may be quickly swapped. There a 9 commercially avalible modifications..
By using a modular approach to the internal components, the control functions of the USP can be switched from the left to the right side of the pistol for left handed shooters. The USP can also be converted from one type of trigger/firing mode to another. This includes combination double-action and single-action (DA/SA) modes and double action only modes.
Variants I and 2 allow the user to carry the pistol in a single-action mode (cocked and locked) with the manual safety engaged. This same pistol, without modification, can be carried in double-action mode, with or without the manual safety engaged. Variants 3 and 4 provide the user with a frame-mounted decocking lever that does not have the "safe" position. This combination only allows the hammer to be lowered from SA position to DA position. It does not provide the "safe" position to prevent the pistol from firing when the trigger is pulled. For the double action only user, variants 5, 6, and 7 of the USP operate as double action only pistols with a bobbed hammer always returning to the DA position (forward) after each shot is fired. To fire each shot, the trigger must be pulled through the smooth DA trigger pull. Variants 5 and 6 have a manual safety lever. No control lever is provided on variant 7. Variants 9 and 10 allow the shooter to carry the pistol in a single-action mode (cocked and locked) with the manual safety engaged. This same pistol, without modification, can be carried in double-action mode (hammer down), with or without the manual safety engaged. The single action mode offers a second strike/double action capability in case of a misfire. The control lever has no decocking function on variants 9 and 10.
In addition to a wide selection of trigger/firing modes, the USP has an ambidextrous magazine release lever that is shielded by the trigger guard from inadvertent actuation. The rear of the USP grip is stepped, and combined with the tapered magazine well, makes magazine changes faster due to lack of user-assisted-guiding. Finger recesses in the grip frame also aid in magazine removal. On 9mm and .40 caliber USPs, magazines are constructed of an stainless steel reinforced polymer. Magazines on the USP .45 are all metal. All USP magazines will drop free of the pistol frame when the magazine release is actuated. Also, the HK USP does not have a magazine lockout feature. You can fire a chambered round even with the magazine removed. An extended slide release lever is positioned to allow easy operation without changing the grip of the shooting hand.
One of the most important of the HK USP is the mechanical recoil reduction system. This system is incorporated into the recoil/buffer spring assembly located below the barrel. Designed primarily to buffer the slide and barrel and reduce recoil effects on the pistol components, the system also lowers the recoil forces felt by the shooter. The USP recoil reduction system is insensitive to ammunition types and does not require adjustment or maintenance. It functions effectively in all USP models. Using this same recoil reduction system, one of the HK .45 ACP Special Operations Pistols fired more than 30,000 +P cartridges and 6,000 proof loads without damage to any major components. Abuse and function testing of USP's have seen more than 24,000 rounds fired without a component failure.
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