Heckler & Koch USP
USP Compact
Overview
H&K USP
Left side view of full size USP9 pistol.
Source: www.imfdb.org -
© copyright lies with original owner
1996 for USP Compact
Greece - ELBO
German for "Universal Self-loading Pistol"
P8 (USP in German military service)
P10 (USP Compact in German police service)
Description
Introduction
The Heckler & Koch USP is a modern pistol of German origin. Development started in the early 1990's and many features of the Mk.23 SOCOM pistol are present in the USP.
Design
The USP is a semi-automatic pistol that uses the short recoil mechanism. The frame is made out of polymer. An unique feature of the USP is the recoil reduction system, consisting of a buffer under the barrel. Accessory rails are fitted in front of the trigger guard. The USP is available in a variety of calibers and versions. Most of these are available with more than 10 types of trigger and safety systems.
Firepower
The USP was developed to fire the .40 S&W round from a 13 round magazine. Later on the 9x19mm and .45 ACP versions were developed with 15 and 12 round magazines respectively. The USP Compact is the only model available in .357 SIG. All versions of the USP are semi-automatic and have an effective range of a few dozen meters.
Users
The USP is widely adopted among both law enforcement agencies and military users. It is used around the world, but mainly in Europe and the USA. Due to is reputation for ruggedness and reliability the USP remains on offer alongside newer striker-fired pistols.
USP
H&K USP
Left side view of full size USP9 pistol.
Source: www.imfdb.org -
© copyright lies with original owner
Heckler & Koch USP
The full size USP was derived from the Mk. 23 pistol and contains many of its features, including the same unique recoil reduction system. The USP is available in 9x19mm, .40 S&W and .45 Auto, with the latter having slightly larger dimensions. The USP is available in 11 different safety and trigger setups. In the USA the Custom Combat version is available. This is a full size USP with Novak fiber optic sights and the jet funnel magazines of the USP Expert.
USP Compact
H&K USP Compact
Left side view of USP40 Compact. Note the shorter barrel and slide.
Source: www.imfdb.org -
© copyright lies with original owner
Heckler & Koch USP Compact
The USP Compact is the compact version of the USP family of pistols. It is available in the same three calibers as the full size model. Unlike all other USP models the Compact is also available in .357 SIG. The USP Compact is smaller in length and in height, resulting in a smaller magazine capacity. The USP Compact also features a recoil reduction system as on the full size USP. It is a simpler system of a totally different nature.
Variants
Heckler & Koch USP Tactical
Variant of the USP for special forces use. Features many elements of the Mk 23 while being smaller and lighter.
Heckler & Koch USP Expert
Long barrel variant of the USP intended for target shooting and specialist use.
Heckler & Koch USP Match
Civilian USP model with long barrel and compensator.
Heckler & Koch USP Elite
Long barrel variant of the USP intended for competition shooting.
Related articles
Heckler & Koch Mk 23
Many design elements of the USP are derived from the Mk 23 pistol introduced several years earlier by H&K.
Heckler & Koch SFP9
The SFP9 is a new striker-fired pistol introduced alongside the USP.
SIG Sauer P226
The SIG P226 is one of the main competitors to the USP series of pistols.