My favorite handgun, the venerable HK USP chambered in .45acp is an ultra reliable, laser accurate sidearm that has served me well through its 15 years of service. In its current configuration, it wears a factory HK threaded o-ring barrel, as well as the necessary parts to convert it to a tactical model, which make it suppressor ready. While not quite the same as the tactical model, due to the fact that it lacks the match trigger and suppressor height sights, It does have everything which it would need to ensure continued reliable function when using it suppressed.
Those parts are a threaded barrel, and the tactical recoil spring (which is necessary, as it differs from the standard recoil spring). I believe this is due to the increases in pressure and forces exerted on the action. The secondary spring within the recoil assembly is stiffer and gives a greater damping effect on the parts. This would seem to hold accurate, as there are accounts of users attaching silencers to standard USP’s without changing the recoil assembly to the tactical version (part no. 217706), and they exhibit peening where the locking lug interfaces with the barrel after a few hundred rounds. Other than that, the USP is a great host for a suppressor, arguably one of the best. One thing to note, is that using a silencer that is not approved by Heckler and Koch will void your USP’s warranty. Many claim this is BS, and HK is just covering their *ss legally, and that most modern silencers will function fine with no issue.
This video from NFA review channel shows the problem with using a non tactical recoil assembly when shooting suppressed.
I’m currently waiting on my tax stamp for a Rugged Obsidian .45, and was sure to do what I needed to be ready to go when it arrives. Since the factory USP tactical barrel is 16x1LH threads, a matching silencer piston is also required.
There are some aftermarket barrels that use the more standard .578×28 thread pitch, so that’s an option as well, and would allow you to use the included piston that comes with most .45 cal suppressors. I prefer to stick with factory parts on defensive/duty weapons, especially critical operating components, so the European thread pattern was fine for me.
Griffin Armament makes a quick attach Cam-Lok system that uses a universal piston in your silencer, and an adapter on your different barrels, allowing you to quickly move your silencer from pistol to pistol, assuming the bullet will fit through the bore of the silencer you are using (obviously). I opted out of this system due to the fact that the adapters for .45 caliber barrels are quite large and cause the silencer to stick out too much for my liking.
The USP, while still a great pistol has some quirks about it which in some ways make it feel a bit outdated and wanting in some features. Examples of this are the relatively high bore axis, which to me isn’t a big deal, the inability to easily mount a red dot sight to the slide, and a proprietary rail system.
This is a DA/SA handgun, which means it’s hammer fired and can be carried in many different ways depending on your preference. I personally carry hammer down, safety on, and train to disengage the safety immediately upon drawing from the holster.
The trigger to me feels good in double action mode, and great in single action. The mag release is paddle style and ambidextrous, housed underneath the trigger guard, and I think it works perfectly. I like to use my index finger to actuate it, but I can use either my thumb or index finger alone or together with no issue.
The slide release and cocking serrations are large, as is the safety/decocker and give good purchase for weapon manipulation. The trigger guard is also fairly large, and all of these features make it great for winter use when wearing gloves.
All in all, this is a gun that you can count on when you need it, and with good training, good ammo and lots of practice, you can become very proficient and are sure to be ready to face whatever may come your way, and feel confident that it’ll do it’s job as long as you do yours.
Additional notes..
As far as the other things on this gun, It sports some old and very dim Meprolight night sights, and it is carried in an MDJ appendix I.W.B. hybrid holster, paired with a Foxx Holsters ultra slim I.W.B. mag carrier. I find the quality and comfort to be satifactory, however, I do intend to get a belt loop for the mag carrier, as it is often slipping off of my belt.
When worn as a duty weapon, It rides in a Safariland SLS low-ride holster on an Uncle Mikes Ultra Duty Belt. I will however be upgrading to a Ronin Tactics Task Force belt, as my modus operandi has changed since my previous station. It will wear Esstac Kywi pistol and rifle mag pouches for my primary and secondary reloads, medical kit, etc..
