Heckler And Koch HK USP Compact Pistol Operators Manual

							NOTEIn compliance with NIJ Standard—0112.00, cur-
rently there are no known ammunition types that
meet the general guidelines set forth in this sec-
tion that are not compatible with the USP
Compact pistols. All USP pistols are approved
for use with +P and +P+ ammunition. The use of
+P and +P+ ammunition accelerates wear and
reduces the service life on the component parts
of any pistol, including the HK USP Compact.
NOTE
There is currently no existing SAAMI specifica-
tion +P or +P+ ammunition in caliber .40 S&W.
21WARNING
The use of incorrect ammunition in the pistol
could result in damage to the pistol and /or injury
to the operator or bystanders. Be careful not to
inadvertently mix 9mm and .40 caliber ammuni-
tion. 9mm ammunition will slide past the chamber
and into the barrel in a .40 caliber pistol. 
						

							225. Inspect chamber- inspect chamber for the pres-
ence of a cartridge or empty case by:
A. Visually viewing chamber through open ejection
port and;
B. Physically inserting finger into chamber through
ejection port to check for the presence of a car-
tridge or empty case.
Remove any cartridges or empty cases from the cham-
ber or from within the pistol.
The HK USP Compact is now considered “Clear”.
Filling and Emptying the Magazine -
NOTE
Do not attempt to load more than the
prescribed number of cartridges into the
magazine. Do not alter the shape of the
magazine housing, follower, or spring. To do so
may cause stoppages or the magazine may not
seat properly in the pistol. 
SECTION 5    INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Clearing the Pistol -
The USP Compact pistol 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 direc-
tion at all times!
2. Engage control lever (if applicable) -  press the
control lever upwards until the “S” aligns with the
reference line located on the frame.
3. Remove magazine-d
epress 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. 
						

							235. Repeat steps 1-4 until the magazine is full. The
viewing holes in the back of the magazine allow
the operator to confirm the number of cartridges
present within the magazine.
Emptying the Magazine - Exert pressure with a finger
on the base of the cartridge and push each cartridge
forward out of the magazine one at a time until the
magazine is empty. 
Loading the Pistol -
WARNING
Forcefully inserting a loaded magazine into the
USP Compact may cause the pistols slide to
close, chambering a cartridge and making the
USP ready to fire.
When inserting a magazine, always be certain
the control lever (if applicable), is in the “SAFE”
position and that the pistol is pointed in a safe
direction with your fingers off the trigger and
outside the trigger guard. Failure to do so could
cause you to unintentionally fire the pistol, re-
sulting in serious injury or death. Figure 23
Filling the Magazine - (See Figure 23 below)
1. Hold the magazine in the non-firing hand with the
back side of the magazine resting against  the
palm.
2. Using the firing hand, hold a cartridge between
the index finger and thumb with the projectile 
facing the palm.
3. Press the rim of the cartridge down against the
forward edge of the magazine followeroron the
top cartridge already in the magazine.  
4. Slide the cartridge back into the magazine under
the feed lips. 
						

							24
WARNING
On Variants 1, 2, 3 and 4 the recommended
method of lowering the hammer is as follows:
• be sure the firearm is pointing in a safe direction.
• be sure that your finger is off of the trigger and
outside of the trigger guard.
• push down on the control lever (decocking
lever) moving it into the decock position, this
allows the hammer to fall safely into the half-cock
position. After decocking, release the control
lever and it will return to the fire position. 
Any attempt to lower the hammer manually (with
a round in the chamber), will allow the hammer to
be lowered past the half-cock notch and by-
passes the passive safeties which are built into
the USP and could result in an accidental dis-
charge and subsequent property damage, injury
or loss of life. 
On DA/SA models without the decocking func-
tion in the control lever (Variants 9 and 10), it is
unsafe to lower the hammer while there is a
round in the chamber. Administrative Loading - used to initially load the
pistol before it is to be fired.
Slide rearward or forward, chamber empty
1.Make sure fingers are outside of the trigger
guard and the pistol is pointed in a safe direc-
tion at all times!
2. On safe - place the control lever in the safe posi-
tion (if applicable)
3. Insert magazine - insert the magazine firmly into
the frame.  Tug on the magazine to insure that it is
fully seated and engaged.
4. Chamber a cartridge- chamber a cartridge by
depressing the slide release or by pulling the slide
fully to the rear and releasing it. Do not ride the
slide forward!
5. Decock/On Safe - depress the control lever to
decock the hammer and/or place the control lever
on “safe”.
6. Top off- remove the magazine and top it off by
inserting one additional cartridge.
7. Replace Magazine - after topping off the maga-
zine, replace it in the pistol and ensure that it is
properly seated and engaged. 
						

							25
On Variant 9 and 10 pistols, to lower the hammer
on an empty chamber, the following steps must
be followed with extreme care. remember: lower-
ing the hammer manually on the USP pistol
requires pulling the trigger. The action of pulling
the trigger bypasses the passive safeties which
are built into the USP. If there is a round in the
chamber when the hammer is being lowered
manually, and if the hammer slips, the gun could
discharge causing possible subsequent property
damage, injury or loss of life.
1. Point the pistol in a safe direction and put the
manual safety in the “on” or “safe” position by
moving the control lever fully upward. 
2. Remove the magazine.
3. While keeping your finger off of the trigger and
outside of the trigger guard draw the slide to the
rear and push the slide stop up to lock the slide in
the open position. Inspect the chamber visually
and manually to ensure that there is no round in
the chamber.4. Release the slide by pressing down on the
slide stop.
5. Disengage the manual safety by moving the
control lever downward to the “fire” position.
6. Hold the pistol firmly in one hand as if you
were going to discharge the firearm. Using the
thumb of the hand which is not holding the
pistol, draw the hammer slightly to the rear.
Using the index finger of the hand which is
holding the pistol, pull the trigger to the rear. 
Lower the hammer SLOWLY, while at the same
time releasing the trigger, removing your finger
from the trigger and placing it outside of the
trigger guard. Continue to lower the hammer
SLOWLY until it has come to a complete rest
against the back of the slide. 
Draw the hammer back slightly until it comes to
rest at the half cock notch position.  WARNING (continued) 
						

							26CAUTION
Single action mode trigger pull is lighter & short-
er  than double action mode. Keep your finger off
the trigger & outside the trigger guard except
when firing the pistol.
Double-action mode -  (Hammer uncocked)
1. Disengage control lever (if applicable) -  disengage
the control lever by pressing it downward with the
firing thumb so that the “F” on the lever aligns with
the reference line located on the frame.
2. Aim- aim at the target.
3. Fire- fire the pistol by pressing the trigger straight
the rear with gradually increasing pressure.
4. Decock or engage control lever -  fully depress the
control lever (if applicable) to return to the double-
action mode or place the control lever on safe to
remain in single-action mode.
NOTE
Variant 7, the double-action only model of the HK
USP Compact does not have a control lever. The
hammer of this variant (and variants 5 & 6) will au-
tomatically return to the uncocked position each
time the slide returns to its forward position. 
Firing the Pistol -
WARNING
1. Be sure of your target and what’s behind it! A
bullet from a pistol travels as far as a mile. It
can easily penetrate wood or plasterboard
walls or even a car door. 
2. Be sure that your hands and all parts of your
body are kept away from the muzzle of your pis-
tol at all times!
3. Always wear eye and ear protection when 
firing the pistol.
Single-action mode -  (Hammer cocked)
1. Disengage control lever-  disengage the control
lever bypressing it downward with the firing thumb
so that the “F” on the lever aligns with the reference
line located on the frame.
2. Aim- aim at the target.
3. Fire - fire the pistol by pressing the trigger straight to
the rear with gradually increasing pressure.
4. Reengage control lever -  reengage control lever in
“safe” position to remain in the single-action mode
once firing is completed. 
						

							27presence 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”.
If the pistol fails to fire, clear and disassemble it and
check for:
1. Obstructions in the chamber, bore or frame.
Remove obstructions.
2. Bad ammunition.Try new ammunition.
3. Unserviceable magazine. Replace magazine.
4. Fouling or lack of lubrication. Clean and lubricate
the pistol in accordance with the instructions con-
tained within this manual. 
5. Evidence of severely worn or broken parts.
Contact your authorized HK dealer or unit armorer.  Unloading the Pistol -
To unload the pistol, follow the “Clearing” procedure.
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 Pistol:
1. Make sure fingers are outside of the trigger
guard and the pistol is pointed in a safe direc-
tion at all times!
2. Engage control lever (if applicable). Press the
control 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 slidewhile 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  
						

							28 If your pistol still fails to operate correctly, contact your
unit armorer, authorized HK dealer, or Heckler & Koch’s
Customer Service Department for guidance.
WARNING
If a cartridge is assembled without powder (a
fault of the manufacturing process), the primer
alone has enough power to propel the bullet
into the bore. A bullet lodged in the bore may
cause damage to the barrel and/or pistol if
another cartridge is fired and could cause
personal injury or even death. This event is
commonly called a “squib load” or “pop and no
kick” and is characterized by a reduced report
and little or no movement of the slide. An alert
operator could notice the occurrence of this
event in time to avoid firing the next cartridge.
Selection and Use of a holster 
Selection. When selecting a carrying holster for the HK
USP Compact, it is important to consider the following
points:
1. The holster must not make contact with or actuateany of the operating controls. This includes the
hammer, slide release, magazine release lever,
and most importantly the control lever and the 
trigger. The design of the holster must also not
actuate these controls when the pistol is carried in,
drawn from, or returned to the holster.
2. The holster should not cause the slide to move
(unlock) when the pistol is returned to the holster.
3. Accommodations must be provided in the holster
for any accessories that might be present on the
pistol.
4. Choose a holster designed specifically for the HK
USP Compact pistol.
Returning the pistol to the holster.The USP
Compact  must be made “safe” (or cleared) prior to re-
turning it to the holster. The pistol is considered safe to
return it to the holster when:
1. All fingers are off of the trigger and out of the trig-
ger guard and;
2. The pistol is “clear” or;
3. The hammer is in the decocked (down) position
and/or;
4. The control lever is engaged in the safe position
when the hammer is cocked. 
						

							29 WARNING
The pistol must never be returned to the holster
unless the above procedures have been fol-
lowed or injury or death could occur.
Storage and Transport -
1. Store or transport the pistol and its components
clean and lubricated.
2. Store and transport the pistol withoutcartridges in
the chamber, magazine, or in the storage container.
3. Store and transport the pistol with the slide forward
and the hammer down (uncocked).
4. Clean and lubricate the pistol and it’s components
at least every twelve (12) months during storage.
5. Store the pistol and it’s components in a clean, dry,
dust-free environment with regulated temperature
controls.
6. Store the pistol and ammunition separately under
lock and key. 
						

							30
SECTION 6 DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY
Clear 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 direc-
tion at all times!
2. Engage control lever (if applicable). Press the
control 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 slidewhile 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 car-
tridge or empty case.
Remove any cartridges or empty cases from the cham-
ber or from within the pistol.
The USP Compact is now considered “Clear”.
Disassembly (Field stripping) Pistol -
1. Depress the slide release and allow the slide to
move forward.
2. Using the firing hand, retractand holdthe slide to
the rear so that the axle of the slide release is visi-
ble through the recess in the left side of the slide
(See Figure 31A).
3. With the non-firing hand, completely remove the
slide release from the left side of the frame by
pressing on the axle of the slide release from the
right side of the frame.