Heckler And Koch HK USP Tactical, USP Expert Operators Manual

							 










HK USP Operators Manual 
USP 9mm x 19mm • USP Caliber .40 S&W
USP Caliber .45 ACP 
In a world of compromise, some don’t.
®
Including USP Tactical and USP Expert 
						

							SAFETY RULES
Please read this operators manual before handling your firearm
The following safety rules are placed in this manual by Heckler & Koch as an important reminder that firearms safety is your
responsibility. 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.
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 slide open, make sure the chamber is clear of any ammunition or
brass, and check the barrel of the unloaded firearm 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
pistol 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 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:
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 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 keeping the pistol pointed 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 Universal Self-loading Pistol is now considered “Clear”. 
						

							© Heckler & Koch, Inc.,1993, 6/95, 3/97, 11/97, 5/98, 5/99, 11/99, 4/00 
(May 2001 Edition) 
All rights reserved
HK, Inc., 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.
® 
						

							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 Operators Manual 
 










USP  9mm x 19mm
USP  Caliber .40 S&W
USP  Caliber .45 ACP
includes USP Tactical and USP Expert 
						

							6
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................................7
Section 2 Description ....................................................................................................................................................................................12
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 ..............................................................................................................................................................................................24
Unloading ......................................................................................................................................................................................25
Selection and Use of a Holster....................................................................................................................................................26
Storage and Transport  ................................................................................................................................................................27
Section 6 Disassembly and Assembly  ........................................................................................................................................................28
Section 7 Cleaning and Maintenance  ........................................................................................................................................................38
Cleaning ........................................................................................................................................................................................38
Inspection ....................................................................................................................................................................................39
Lubrication ..................................................................................................................................................................................40
Troubleshooting Problems and Repair ......................................................................................................................................41
USP Accessories  ..........................................................................................................................................................................42
Section 8 Exploded View and Parts List  (.40 S&W & 9mm)....................................................................................................................44
Exploded View and Parts List  (.45 ACP) ..................................................................................................................................46
Section 9 USP Tactical ..................................................................................................................................................................................48
USP Expert  ..................................................................................................................................................................................52
HK LOCK-OUT Device ..............................................................................................................................................................56
Firearms Service Record   ..........................................................................................................................................................58 
						

							7
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of an HK USP pistol. The
Heckler & Koch USP (Universal Self-loading Pistol) is the
first HK pistol designed especially for the demanding needs
of the American shooter.
Features favored by US civilian, law enforcement, and military
users provided the design criteria for the USP. Its controls
are uniquely American, influenced by such famous and
successful designs as the Government Model 1911 pistol—
and like the Model 1911, the USP can be safely carried
“cocked and locked”.
The control lever, a combination safety and decocking lever,
is frame mounted and quickly accessible; unlike the slide
mounted safeties common on many pistols. The USP control
lever has a positive stop and returns to the “fire” position
after decocking.
Using a modified Browning-type action with a patented HK
recoil reduction system, the USP is built to take the punish-
ment of the most powerful +P loads.
The polymer frame of the USP was designed using technical
experience gained by HK engineers in the development ofthe world’s first composite material pistols, the VP70Z and
P9S.This same high-strength and corrosion free material is
used in the Mark 23 .45 ACP pistol designed by Heckler &
Koch for the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
Major metal components on the USP are also corrosion
resistant. Outside metal surfaces are protected by an
extremely hard, nitro-gas carburized black oxide finish.
Stainless steel models are also available. Internal metal parts
are coated with a special Dow Corning anti-corrosion
process that reduces friction and wear. The HK USP is
presently available in calibers .40 S&W, 9mm Parabellum,
and .45 ACP.
The design characteristics of the HK USP provide a wide
range of flexibility for users. By using a modular approach to
the internal components, the control lever function of the
HK USP can be switched from the left to the right side of
the pistol to accommodate 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 (DA-Only) modes. 
						

							The USP is available in the following trigger/firing mode 
configurations (see Figure 9).
NOTE:Trigger/firing mode conversion can only bemade by a HK certified armorer.
DA/SA with “safe” position and control lever (manual 
safety/decocking lever) on left side of frame
DA/SA with “safe” position and control lever (manual 
safety/decocking lever) on right side of frame
Variants and 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.
DA/SA without “safe” position with control lever
(decocking lever) on the left side of frame 
DA/SA without “safe” position with control lever 
(decocking lever) on the right side of frame 
Variants  andprovides 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
8
to prevent the pistol from firing when the trigger is pulled.
DA-Only with “safe” position and control lever (manual
safety) on the left side of frame  
DA-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 ,, and 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 and have a
manual safety lever.
No control lever is provided on variant .
	 DA/SA with “safe” position and control lever (manual 
safety) on the left side of frame 
➓DA/SA with “safe” position and control lever (manual 
safety) on the right side of frame 
Variants 	and➓allow the user to carry the pistol in a 
single-action mode (cocked and locked) with the manual
safety engaged. Unlike variants and , the control lever 
						

							9
Figure 9
Fire Modes and Control Functions by Variant
Variant 1      
Variant 2
Variant 3
Variant 4
Variant 5
Variant 6
Variant 7
Variant 9
Variant 10  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
USPFIRE MODES 
& CONTROL 
FUNCTIONS
(conversion by 
HK certified
armorer
only)
.45 / .40 / 9mm
.45 / .40 / 9mm
.45 / .40 / 9mm
.45 / .40 / 9mm
.45 / .40 / 9mm
.45 / .40 / 9mm
.45 / .40 / 9mm
.45 / .40 / 9mm
.45 / .40 / 9mm
can not be used to decock the hammer. These variants are
the ideal choice for users who prefer shooting the pistol in
single-action (SA) mode with the thumb placed on top of
the manual safety. This same pistol, without modification, can
be carried in the double-action mode and provides second
primer strike ability to single-action shooters.
Due to this innovative design approach, it is possible to
modify an HK USP into any one of the listed variants.
Changing the trigger/firing mode of the pistol is accom-
plished by installing a different set of component parts. Not
only can the control lever function (safety/decocking) be
switched from one side of the pistol to the other, it is
possible to have a single-action/double-action (SA/DA)
version converted to a double action only (DAO) version, or
to any other configuration listed. Optional ambidextrous
controls are available and are standard on USP Expert
models.
This unique design allows the HK 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. 
						

							In addition to a wide selection of trigger/firing modes, the
HK USP has an ambidextrous magazine release lever which
is shielded from inadvertent actuation by the design of the
trigger guard. It is possible to depress the magazine release
lever with the thumb or index finger of the firing hand, in
most cases without adjusting the firing grip.
The metal reinforced polymer magazine is stronger and
lighter than conventional metal magazines and will still drop
free of the frame when the magazine release is actuated. By
using metal magazines in the USP .45, grip size is kept to a
minimum. Magazines have a series of viewing holes on the
back side for counting the cartridges remaining inside.
Magazine floor plates can be easily removed 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 magazine
lock-out device.
CAUTION: The USP will fire if the magazine is
removed, a cartridge is in the chamber, and the
trigger is pressed.
One of the most important unique design features of the
10
HK USP is the mechanical recoil reduction system. This
system is incorporated into the recoil/buffer spring assembly
located below the barrel. Not only does this system reduce
the felt recoil to the shooter but it also reduces the recoil
forces to the components of the pistol, thus greatly extend-
ing the life expectancy of the USP.
This recoil reduction system buffers the impact of the slide
on the frame as the barrel unlocks and when the slide
travels rearward. This same system was incorporated into
the HK .45 ACP Handgun designed for the US Special Oper-
ations Command. Its buffering effect plays a major role in
extending the service life of the HK USP, especially when
considering the punishment inflicted on any pistol when
firing powerful +P cartridges.
The recoil reduction system employed in the HK USP is 
insensitive to ammunition types and requires no special 
adjustment or maintenance. It functions effectively in all
models of the USP.
Two metal inserts are molded into the polymer frame on
which the slide recoils. These inserts are not subjected to
the full recoil forces of the cartridge due to the buffering
action of the recoil reduction system.
The HK USP is an extremely safe firearm, with no less