Heckler And Koch HK USP Compact Pistol Operators Manual

							1
Operators Manual 
Calibers .45 ACP
.40 S&W 
.357 SIG
9mm x 19
HK USP Compact Pistol
In a world of compromise, some don’t.
® 
						

							SAFETY RULESPlease read this operators manual before handling your firearm. The following safety rules are placed in this manual by Heckler & Koch as an impor-
tant reminder that firearms safety is yourresponsibility. Firearms can be dangerous and can potentially cause serious injury, damage to property or
death, if handled improperly.
1. Never point a firearm at anyone, or in any direction other than a SAFE direction, i.e. downrange.
2. Treat all firearms as if they are always loaded.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside of the trigger guard until your sights are aligned on the target and you are ready to fire.
4. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside of the trigger guard while loading or unloading the firearm.
5. Keep your finger off the trigger and outside of the trigger guard while pulling the firearm out of the holster or while returning it to the
holster.
6. Be sure of your target and the back stop beyond.
7. Never give a firearm to or take a firearm from anyone unless the action is open and the magazine and/or chamber are free of any
ammunition or brass.
8. Be sure that the ammunition you are using is factory loaded, is of the correct caliber for the firearm in which it is to be used, and that
it is not damaged in any way.
9. Before firing, remove the magazine from the firearm, lock the action open, make sure the chamber is clear of any ammunition or brass,
and check the barrel of the unloadedfirearm for any possible obstructions.
10. Before firing any firearm that is unfamiliar to you, make sure that you understand exactly how it functions.  A lack of familiarity with
the firearm can result in serious accidents.  Attend a certified training course on any firearm which you intend to use or with which you
are not sufficiently familiar.
11. Always wear hearing and eye protection when using your firearm.
12. Keep all body parts, especially the hands and fingers, away from the muzzle to avoid injury or burns.
13. Be sure that no part of either hand touches or interferes with the slide.  The slide is moved backwards by the recoil force of the pis-
tol during firing and may cause serious injury.
14. Firearms should be stored separately from ammunition and beyond the reach of children, and/or any untrained individuals.
15. Avoid the use of any alcoholic beverages or drugs before and during the use of any firearm. 
16. Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead, a substance
known to be associated with birth defects, reproductive harm, and other serious injury. Have adequate ventilation at all times. Wash
hands thoroughly after exposure. 
						

							STOP! Know how to clear this pistol before attempting to operate.
Clearing the Pistol  The HK USP Compact  is not considered “clear” or safe unless:
1. The control lever (if applicable) is on “SAFE”  and; 
2. The magazine is removed from the pistol and;
3. The slide is locked to the rear and;
4. The chamber is free of brass or ammunition
To Clear the HK USP Compact:
1. Make sure fingers are outside of the trigger guard and the pistol is pointed in a safe direction at all
times!
2. Engage control lever (if applicable) – press the control lever/safety lever upwards until the “S” aligns with the
reference line located on the frame.
3. Remove magazine- depress the magazine release lever and remove the magazine from the pistol.
4. Open and lock slide-  while pointing the pistol in a safe direction,lock the slide open by pulling the slide
rearward as you press the slide release upward. Watch for a cartridge or empty case to be ejected from the
pistol.
5. Inspect chamber- inspect chamber for the presence of a cartridge or empty case by:
• Visually viewing chamber through open ejection port and;
• Physically inserting finger into chamber through ejection port to check for the presence of a cartridge or
empty case.
Remove any cartridges or empty cases from the chamber or from within the pistol.
The HK USP Compact is now considered “Clear”. 
						

							© Heckler & Koch, Inc., 9/96, 8/97, 6/98, 6/99 (revised May 2000) 
All rights reserved
21480 Pacific Blvd.
Sterling, Virginia 20166-8903 
United States of America
Telephone (703) 450-1900 • FAX (703) 450-8160 • www.hecklerkoch-usa.com
Specifications and models subject to change without notice. 
® 
						

							This manual applies to pistol types USP9 COMPACT (9mm), USP357 COMPACT (.357 SIG), USP40 COMPACT
(.40 S&W), and USP45 COMPACT (.45 ACP). The handling and operation of all three pistols is identical. 
The illustrations show the USP40 COMPACT. All USP Pistols comply with NIJ Standard – 0112.00
WARNING
A firearm has the capability of taking your life or the life of someone else! Be extremely careful with your firearm.
An accident can occur at anytime and is almost always the result of not following basic safety rules.
HK USP Compact Operators Manual 
Calibers .45 ACP
.40 S&W 
.357 SIG  
9mm x 19 
						

							6 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................7
Section 2 Nomenclature  ..................................................................................................................................................12
Specifications ..................................................................................................................................................13
Section 3 Function and Operation  ..................................................................................................................................14
Clearing ............................................................................................................................................................14
Operating Controls and Components  ............................................................................................................16
Sights and Sight Adjustment ............................................................................................................................19
Section 4 Ammunition ......................................................................................................................................................20
Section 5 Instructions for Use ..........................................................................................................................................22
Clearing ............................................................................................................................................................22
Filling and Emptying the Magazine  ................................................................................................................23
Loading ............................................................................................................................................................23
Firing ................................................................................................................................................................26
Unloading ........................................................................................................................................................27
Selection and Use of a Holster ........................................................................................................................28
Storage and Transport  ....................................................................................................................................29
Section 6 Disassembly and Assembly  ............................................................................................................................30
Section 7 Cleaning and Maintenance  ............................................................................................................................40
Cleaning ..........................................................................................................................................................40
Inspection ........................................................................................................................................................41
Lubrication ......................................................................................................................................................42
Troubleshooting Problems and Repair  ..........................................................................................................43
USP Accessories ............................................................................................................................................44
Section 8 Exploded View (.40 S&W, .357 SIG, 9mm) ....................................................................................................46
Parts List (.40 S&W, .357 SIG, 9mm) ..............................................................................................................47
Exploded View (.45 ACP) ................................................................................................................................48
Parts List (.45 ACP)..........................................................................................................................................49
HK Lock-Out Device ........................................................................................................................................50
Firearms Service Record   ..............................................................................................................................52 
						

							7
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
The HK USP Compact is a small frame pistol capable
of firing the most powerful cartridges in .45 ACP, .40
S&W, .357 SIG, and 9mm x 19; including all +P 9mm
ammunition. Based on the full size HK USP (Universal
Self-loading Pistol), these handy pistols are a 
reasonable synthesis of compact size and effective
shooting capabilities. Unlike some subcompact semi-
automatic pistols that use a difficult to shoot “two-finger
grip” frame, the HK USP Compact uses a narrow, full
hand grip frame. This makes the pistol easy to shoot
without sacrificing concealability.
All variants of the USP Compact have a modified
contoured slide and frame for effective concealability.
Several variants also have a no snag, bobbed hammer.
The frame mounted control lever, a combination safety
and decocking lever, has a slimline profile for com-
pactness but is still quickly accessible, unlike the slide
mounted safeties common on many semiautomatic
pistols. 
The USP control lever has a positive stop and returns
to the “fire” position after decocking. The control lever,featured on many variants of the USP and USP
Compact allows these pistols to be safely carried
“cocked and locked”. 
Derived from the full size Heckler & Koch USP intro-
duced in 1993, the USP Compact is designed with the
demanding needs of the American shooter in mind.
Features favored by US civilian, law enforcement, and
military users provided the design criteria for the full
size USP and the USP Compact. Controls are uniquely
American, influenced by such famous and successful
designs as the Government Model 1911 pistol. And like
the Model 1911, many variants of the USP and USP
Compact can be safely carried “cocked and locked”. 
Using a modified Browning-type action, the USP
Compact is built to take the punishment of high energy
+P loads. But unlike large frame USPs, the Compact
does not use the patented USP recoil reduction system.
To reduce the size of the slide on the USP Compact,
the mechanical recoil reduction system found on large
frame USPs has been eliminated, replaced by a
specially designed flat compression spring contained in
the captive recoil spring assembly by an absorber
bushing made of a high strength polymer.  
						

							8 The polymer frame of the USP Compact was designed
using technical experience gained by HK engineers in
the development of the world’s first composite material
pistols, the  HK VP70Z and P9S. These same high-
strength/corrosion free materials are used in the MK 23
.45 ACP handgun produced by HK for the U.S. Special
Operations Command.
Major metal components like the one-piece, machined
steel slide are also corrosion resistant, treated with a
special “HE” (Hostile Environment) protective finish. The
HE finish is an extremely hard, nitro-gas carburized
black oxide coating, and resists even the worst types of
corrosion and wear, including prolonged exposure to
salt water. 
Stainless steel models are also available for those who
prefer metallurgical corrosion resistance and the con-
trasting appearance of these materials.
The HK USP Compact pistol is presently available in
calibers .45 ACP, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, and 9mm x19.
Large frame USP models are also available in the
same calibers with the exception of .357 SIG. 
The design characteristics of all HK USPs provide a
wide range of flexibility for users. By using a modular
approach to the internal components, the control lever
function of all USPs can be switched from the left to the
right side of the pistol for left-handed shooters. All USPs
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 (DA-Only) modes. 
Both large frame and Compact USPs are available in
the following trigger/firing mode configurations (see
Figure 10).
NOTE
Trigger/firing mode conversion can only be
made by an HK certified armorer.
DA/SA with “safe” position and control lever (manual
safety/decocking lever) on left side of frame
ÀDA/SA with “safe” position and control lever (manual
safety/decocking lever) on right side of frame
Variants and Àallow the user to carry the pistol in a
single-action mode (cocked and locked) with the control
lever/manual safety engaged. This same pistol, without
modification, can be carried in double-action mode, with 
						

							9 or without the control lever/manual safety engaged.
à DA/SA without “safe” position with control lever
(decocking lever) on the left side of frame 
ÕDA/SA without “safe” position with control lever
(decocking lever) on the right side of frame 
Variants Ãand Õprovides 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.
ŒDA-Only with “safe” position and control lever
(manual safety) on the left side of frame  
œDA-Only with “safe” position and control lever
(manual safety) on the right side of frame  
– DA-Only without control lever (no safety/decocking lever)
For the DA-Only user, variants Œ, œ, and –of the USP
operate as double action only pistols with the 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 Œand œhave a manual safety lever (control lever). 
No control lever is provided on variant –.
æDA/SA with “safe” position and control lever (manual
safety) on the left side of frame 
øDA/SA with “safe” position and control lever (manual
safety) on the right side of frame 
Variants “and”allow the user to carry the pistol in a
single-action mode (cocked and locked) with the manu-
al safety engaged. Unlike variants  andÀ, the control
lever cannot be used to decock the hammer. These
variants are the ideal choice for users who prefer
shooting the pistol in the SA mode with the thumb
placed on top of the control lever/manual safety.
Variants “and”also use a spurred hammer, unlike
other USP Compact variants.
This same pistol, without modification, can be carried in
double-action mode, with or without the control
lever/manual safety engaged, and provides second
primer strike ability to single-action shooters.
Due to this innovative design approach, it is possible to
convert a USP Compact into any one of the listed
variants. Changing the trigger/firing mode of the pistol is 
						

							10all USP Compacts have an ambidextrous magazine
release lever which is shielded from inadvertent
actuation by the flared trigger guard. 
The magazine release lever can be pressed with the
thumb or index finger of the firing hand, in most cases
without adjusting the firing grip.  
Low profile 3-dot sights, adjustable for windage and
elevation, are standard on the USP Compact. Optional
tritium sights are also available.
The USP Compact uses metal magazines to keep grip
size to a minimum. These magazines have a series of
viewing holes on the back side for counting the 
cartridges remaining inside.
Two different interchangeable floor plates are available
for the magazines of the USP Compact. A standard flat
floor plate and an extended magazine floor plate with a
finger extension provide a choice of grip options with
each pistol. Magazine floor plates can be easily re-
moved and changed without tools during disassembly. 
The extended slide release is positioned to allow easy
actuation without adjustment of the grip of the shooting
hand. Another useful feature is the absence of a  accomplished by installing a different set of components. 
This unique design allows the HK Compact Universal
Self-loading Pistol to be configured for a variety of
purposes depending on the requirements of the user,
without having to purchase a new pistol.
Figure 10   
Fire Modes and Control Functions by Variant
In addition to a wide selection of trigger/firing modes, 
all USP Compacts have an ambidextrous magazine
release lever which is shielded from inadvertent
actuation by the flared trigger guard. 
The magazine release lever can be pressed with the
Variant 1      
Variant 2
Variant 3
Variant 4
Variant 5
Variant 6
Variant 7
Variant 9
Variant 10  Bobbed Hammer
      Double Action & Single Action
         Double Action Only
            Control Lever (Left Side)
               Control Lever (Right Side)
                  Control Lever (Manual Safety)
                     Control Lever (Decocking)
                        Control Lever (No Decocking)
         Caliber Availability
USP COMPACTFIRE MODES 
& CONTROL 
FUNCTIONS
(conversion by 
HK certified
armorer only)
.45, .40, 9mm, 357 SIG
.45, .40, 9mm, 357 SIG
.45, .40, 9mm, 357 SIG
.45, .40, 9mm, 357 SIG
.45, .40, 9mm, 357 SIG
.45, .40, 9mm, 357 SIG
.45, .40, 9mm, 357 SIG
.45, .40, 9mm, 357 SIG
.45, .40, 9mm, 357 SIG