HK USP 45 field pistol

[Arbninftry]

I tried the BB .45 Super, 230 FMJ-FP load that runs in the USP and HK45C, in the USP Compact. I had a stoppage in each of the two magazines I fired, and gave up on it. I would go Hk45C for a smaller format pistol that can run Super reliably, if not as a steady diet, as it doesn't have the dual recoil spring of the USP FS.

Thanks, I went back through and found your post 338. An HK45C with 45 Super probably would need springs changed regularly.

[KneeShot]

Im picking up a USP "Field Pistol". I however have a predicament. I live in Anchorage, Ak. No one has 45 super and I will not be able to acquire it before my moose hunt (week long, remote). I can acquire the BB 45ACP 255 LFP @ 900 some fps (per the box), but I just read a few posts back that they may not be reliable in the USP.

My other option is to use a 44mag S&W Trail Boss. I put a few cylinders of 305gn HSM Bear loads through it and it didnt seem that bad, I was actually surprised at the speed I could shoot it. I didn't time it but for reference I normally shoot (cold) mid 30 splits w/ a 9mm glock and low 40splits with a 45acp 1911 (Bill Drills). The 44mag rounds were all in the A zone at 21' and the recoil recovery felt smooth, that long DA let me really focus on the front sight.

I will have another opportunity or two to mess with the Trail Boss and I will break out a timer and open the distance. Not too excited about the minimal capacity....especially since I will have a USP and no AMMO!!

So my question is picking in between 44mag, 305gn, 6 rounds OR 45ACP+P (what I can find), 12 rounds.... Either gun will be carried in a HPG kit bag.

Thanks for any advice.

Jeremy

[GJM]

While I love my USP pistols, and I can imagine how you want to use your new pistol, without time to properly vet it, your revolver is probably the way to go. I have the same issue with a new Wilson .458 AR, no ammo here in AK, and no way to get some in my time frame, so it is now a next year proposition. I am getting low on Super ammo, and out at our remote cabin 160 SW of you by plane, for moose season. If you got here, I could give you 12+1 rounds, but unfortunately not the quantity you need to vet it.

[paul105]

Picked up my full size .45 USP yesterday. Pulled the barrel and “plunk” tested various ammo I had around the house.

The HK USP 45 seems to have a short/tight throat.

Buffalo Bore 45 ACP +P 230gr JFP – no go.
Underwood 45 ACP+P 255gr LFP – no go.
Winchester Ranger T 230gr JHP (std not plus +) – OK
Federal American Eagle – 230gr FMJ RN (1.265”) – OK
Remington 180gr Golden Saber -- OK
Handload – 230gr FMJ RN – OK
Handload – 200gr LSWC (H&G Clone) – 1.245” – MAX (slight resistance)
Handload – 200gr LSWC (H&G Clone) – 1.235” – OK
Handload – 265 gr LSWC (Beartooth Bullets) seated to 1.200” – OK
Dummy – 250gr Berry Plated (1.200” per Accurate Powder data) – no go.

Note: The BTB 265gr LSWC was resized with a Lee .451” push thru die. The load is 6.5gr Longshot in Starline +P cases. It chronos 920 from my 4.5” M&P45 and 850 fps from my 3.6” “throated” Kahr CW45. Both 5 long paces from muzzle and 70 deg F and 50 deg F respectively. I haven’t found a gun that this load doesn’t function in (except the unthroated Kahr).






After above, took the gun out for trial run. Ran 4 full mags of assorted ammo that passed the above plunk test (ammo was mixed within each magazine) thru the gun without a hitch.

My thought is that the short/tight throat could cause some ammo to be problematic – I plan to have mine throated.

FWIW,

Paul

[KneeShot]

While I love my USP pistols, and I can imagine how you want to use your new pistol, without time to properly vet it, your revolver is probably the way to go. I have the same issue with a new Wilson .458 AR, no ammo here in AK, and no way to get some in my time frame, so it is now a next year proposition. I am getting low on Super ammo, and out at our remote cabin 160 SW of you by plane, for moose season. If you got here, I could give you 12+1 rounds, but unfortunately not the quantity you need to vet it.

Thanks GJM, I appreciate the offer! I have a few buddies with airplanes, maybe if my HK'itis flares up enough Since it's an HK I'd vet it with a few hundred ball rounds and and a few boxes of the BB 45 super and call it good.

Alaska Ammo said 45 super is on order but can't guarantee a date. BB refererred me to them.

Gotta do some more training w/ the Trail Boss.

paul105 - that is great data! Thanks for the details. I know all chambers can be different, but your Data is an outstanding starting point! Thank you for sharing your testing!

I read on the interwebz there was some Hornady ammo from around 2012 that wasn't feeding well into the USP.

Thanks for everyone's informative info

Jeremy

[okie john]

My thought is that the short/tight throat could cause some ammo to be problematic – I plan to have mine throated.

Who does this kind of work?


Okie John

[paul105]

Member "DougGuy" on the http://castboolits.gunloads.com/ . He will throat to your specs if you have a specific bullet in mind (send him a couple of dummies. I had him throat a CW45 for this bullet:



Actually ended up seating the bullet deeper as the Meplat was to wide to function thru the magazine.

His work is reasonably priced and well done.

Here's a link that covers the advantages of "throating" .45 ACP bbls.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...1911-Throating

Paul

[GJM]

Great link!

I would like to try this with a Jarvis barrel. Might make the USP with Super even more super, if the combination proves reliable.

[Dagga Boy]

Great link!

I would like to try this with a Jarvis barrel. Might make the USP with Super even more super, if the combination proves reliable.

I was going to recommend the exact same thing. Save the HK barrel,for factory anti personnel stuff and do a conventionally rifled Jarvis set up specifically for the super anti bear loads.

[coldcase1984]

Sure wish somebody had police trade-in HK USP FS available. Tryna figure out what to sell to get one.