I bought an HK45 (BC date) that was originally a V1, had been converted to LEM, but included the original parts. I also own a V3 USP 45 (BG date). I own a P30 LEM and a P2KSK LEM. I’m familiar with the system, the parts and I converted the P2K, so I’m not totally inexperienced with LEM conversions.
I pulled the LEM parts out of the HK45 and returned the pistol to V1. I’m not crazy about it. I figured I would either sell it or give it another shot later. I had in mind a USP 9 Compact acquisition, and use the kit in it (I see more V1’s for sale than LEM’s). But, I have an elk hunt coming up this fall in big bear country. I got caught up reading the ‘field pistol’ thread and started thinking my USP, in LEM and shooting 45 Super might be worth trying, since I had the spare kit. So l did a quick post just to be sure ‘hey my LEM kit out of my HK45 will go right into my USP right?’ and I was assured it would.
I put it into my USP and it wouldn’t fit correctly. I could get the parts into the frame, get the pin in (parts didn’t want to line up) but they were obviously a tight fit and wouldn’t function. The hammer would go back and release off the sear, but wouldn’t fall. I took them out and tried again, same result. Then I took it out and put it back in my HK45. Perfect fit and function. Back to the USP, wouldn’t function. I had no problem in and out of the HK45 twice. The only hitch I encountered with the USP was that the trigger bar was harder to keep in place on top the plunger, but I was doing the work under the lights at my fly tying table and a hackle plier worked to hold it in place. That and the hitch that the damnable thing wouldn’t work: parts installed in order, per instructions, hammer assembled correctly, etc, and again, I installed it back in the HK45 twice without difficulty. Both these guns have the newer 2-piece catch.
Not a huge deal. The HK45 was local and priced right. I like the V3 USP, and wouldn’t have left it LEM anyway. But, I’d like to use the parts eventually to convert a compact. Thus the questions:
Was there an early version of the LEM kit that isn’t interchangeable between HK45 and USP models?
Any ideas?
Thanks for any help.