HK USP and .45 Super

[GJM]

With the rebate, a USP .45 is $642 new. Anyone have experience with the USP and .45 Super? I have had friends recommending .45 Super for a while, as an Alaskan creatures load.

[Dr. No]

I ran quite a bit of it back in the day with no issues. It felt a lot like a hot 10mm.

You don't have to change anything on the gun to run it. If you're going to shoot a LOT of it, it would be worthwhile to put a different recoil spring in - either a new stock one or a heavier one.

I shot a pig with it from about 30 yards. Hit her above the front leg (she turned when the shot broke) and it went through and through easily. I imagine it would have good penetration for a bear.

[BLR]

With the rebate, a USP .45 is $642 new. Anyone have experience with the USP and .45 Super? I have had friends recommending .45 Super for a while, as an Alaskan creatures load.

Yup.

I have seen the slide out run the mag a few times with hot stuff. That happens when you get outside the designed operating envelope. +P is solidly in that envelope, and Super is borderline at best.

YMMV.

[GJM]

Dr. No, thanks for that. I would plan to shoot just enough Super to confirm reliability, and then carry it with Super in the field, but otherwise shoot it with .45 acp.

It comes DA/SA. Thoughts on that, installing the match trigger, or some LEM conversion?

I would plan on Trijicon HD sights, so thinking the standard model versus the Tactical would make sense, since it is less cost, and the threaded barrel and adjustable sights don't fit what I am doing. Unless there is some magic to getting it with the match trigger in from HK?

[Chuck Haggard]

I had a couple of USP Match pistols with the longer barrels that I ran some Triton ,45 Super through, and some other brand but I forget what it was. All 230gr stuff.

Muzzle blast was .44 magnum-ish, recoil stout but controllable. It felt like the slide was really bottoming out hard again the frame.

On one of those guns I was running a Sure Fire legacy 6volt light with a DG switch. The Super kicked enough to compress the batteries inside the light and cause the light to quit due to lack of contact with the now visibly shorter batteries. I'll note I haven't seen that happen on any other gun I've sure a SF light on, not even 14" 870s and 590s with slugs.

[1slow]

How about 45 super in a HK45 or HK45C? Are they as strong as the USP 45?
What is velocity with 230 gr.

[NerdAlert]

In case you haven't seen this

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xlEi9_UBPD4

Cliffs notes: Buffalo Bore 45 super runs 1150 fps out of a USP. Hornady 45 +p runs about 1050. Seems like 45 super would be good bear medicine with that platform. MUCH hotter than 45 ACP

Sent from my iPhone, I apologize in advance for typos.

[1slow]

I appreciate the link.
230 gr @1150 fps.
Guy hit his chronograph top arch, his gun handling makes it likely an ER visit is in somebody's future.

[Dr. No]

Dr. No, thanks for that. I would plan to shoot just enough Super to confirm reliability, and then carry it with Super in the field, but otherwise shoot it with .45 acp.

It comes DA/SA. Thoughts on that, installing the match trigger, or some LEM conversion?

I would plan on Trijicon HD sights, so thinking the standard model versus the Tactical would make sense, since it is less cost, and the threaded barrel and adjustable sights don't fit what I am doing. Unless there is some magic to getting it with the match trigger in from HK?

I really liked running my USP's cocked and locked. LEM isn't a bad idea if you don't like a frame safety, but if you're used to running 1911 style guns C&L is very natural. Match trigger is a very nice upgrade and it cleans up the pull quite a bit. I'm pretty sure you can just buy the match trigger kit and install it yourself. The only real booger is the trigger return spring, which has enabled me to invent new cusswords that make sailors blush.

I wouldn't discount the tactical sights though - they are tall (for over a suppressor) and all blacked out, and quite a bit finer than the normal sights. I found them to be quite accurate. I'm a big fan of the Dawson sight picture these days, but I shot meprolights exclusively until I moved to the P30 platform.

[Dagga Boy]

This is easy......USP Expert .45. It is one of my all time favorite pistols. Has all the Match stuff from the factory, O ring match barrel, over travel stop, melted match sights (which I like much better than the tall ones on the Tactical), and the long slide/extended barrel will get some more velocity and slide weight. Also, I believe if you convert it to a LEM, you get the best LEM trigger out there due to the combination of match trigger parts. The controls are also Ambi. Easily my favorite of the USP series and stupid accurate. Heck I even took second in an IPSC match with mine with only a guy with a full open gun beating me. The only negative is size. The only time in my marriage when my wife said "No Way" was when I showed up to pick her up from work wearing the Expert in a special fanny pack that was made for the NSW SWCC guys for the MK 23 while running the boats. I guess it did look ridiculous:cool:.

[Guinnessman]

Dr. No, thanks for that. I would plan to shoot just enough Super to confirm reliability, and then carry it with Super in the field, but otherwise shoot it with .45 acp.

It comes DA/SA. Thoughts on that, installing the match trigger, or some LEM conversion?

I would plan on Trijicon HD sights, so thinking the standard model versus the Tactical would make sense, since it is less cost, and the threaded barrel and adjustable sights don't fit what I am doing. Unless there is some magic to getting it with the match trigger in from HK?

GJM,

If you are going with the LEM on a USP, look into the Combat Competition trigger with the hybrid Match/LEM trigger. If you are going to carry C&L, look into the variant with the safety only and no de-cock function. With a lot of leverage riding on the safety of the USP you can inadvertently de-cock the pistol. Just my 0.02 cents. A USP in .45 Super sounds like a lot of fun.

[GJM]

I still have some V9 variant plates around.

This hybrid match LEM sounds interesting. How do you get that installed and with what source of the parts?

[WilsonCombatRep]

I still have some V9 variant plates around.

This hybrid match LEM sounds interesting. How do you get that installed and with what source of the parts?

I shot lots through a USP and even a USP compact. Only problem I had was occasionally the compact would dump a magazine during recoil.
That is when I started mistrusting the paddle release.

[GJM]

I shot lots through a USP and even a USP compact. Only problem I had was occasionally the compact would dump a magazine during recoil.
That is when I started mistrusting the paddle release.

I had that happen, years ago, with one of the two P2000 sk .40 pistols I have. Sent it back to HK, they replaced a defective spring, and the problem went away for ever.

[Dr. No]

I still have some V9 variant plates around.

This hybrid match LEM sounds interesting. How do you get that installed and with what source of the parts?

Direct from HK works. Tell them you want the match LEM kit. Basically it's a match hammer, leaf spring, overtravel stop, and all the lightest LEM springs available.

I learned from youtube. ;) You can also have HK install it.

HKParts.net might have it too (if he's not in jail) but you may have to find all the pieces yourself.

[1slow]

How much of the match LEM is available for HK45, P30 ?

[WOLFIE]

How much of the match LEM is available for HK45, P30 ?

That is a good question. I prefer the HK45 to the USP 45 although I do like the USP 45. Does the USP 45 Tactical come with a match trigger ?

[WDW]

Be careful...if you read the fine print, the rebate starts Nov. 1. They almost got me. I too plan on getting a USP .45