HK USP Expert questions

[Landpimp]

OK, came across a good deal on a USP Expert in 45acp, it came direct from HK as a TE gun(testing and evaluation, for the press or ?) and its in great shape, i really like the gun and would like to own it but........

But heres the odd part, the USP's are suppose to have a polygonal barrel, but this one does not, its standard riffling and is a orignal HK barrel. Now here is what I am guessinig, this is a 1998 gun....so its very early, I am guessing it has the riffled barrel as this was ment to be a target/ISPC gun and with the polygonal barrel lead bullets are a no no, with the riffled barrel lead is fine.

So......is this an odd duck and if so is it a odd duck in a good way or bad way?

HK themself were baffeled when I called them......but did agree the gun came direct from them, but also showed 1999 as the 1st of the Experts.

I asked this on 2 HK boards.........but them folks are not as fast as Mudders.....and we do know everything anyway

Oh and another Mudder got a hk94 with some bling bling

[Trunk Monkey]

My USP Var. 1 in 9mm has a polygonal barrel. IIRC all USPs post 1995 have it. Here's a good resource:

http://www.hkpro.com/uspexpert.htm

[Landpimp]

hmmm........well this one is a 1998.....and it aint got it, maybe its a Euro version or something? it does have the 12 round mag with it.

I noticed Jarvis custom barrels for the USP are rifled not poly.....

thanks for the link.......been there alreeady

John

Originally Posted by FZJFillmore

My USP Var. 1 in 9mm has a polygonal barrel. IIRC all USPs post 1995 have it. Here's a good resource:

http://www.hkpro.com/uspexpert.htm

[Trunk Monkey]

US Experts were 10 round as I understand, not saying they couldn't have just found a 12 round mag somewhere.

If it is a one off Expert with a factory conventionally rifled barrel, it's def. rare, but only valuable to the right person. The only USPs I've seen that seem to still command a high price have been the SOCOMs.

Damn you've had some good finds lately.

[T Y L E R]

Originally Posted by FZJFillmore

US Experts were 10 round as I understand

I've seen this also ..


Heres a match made in heaven ..

[dieseldog]

It would not surprise me that a few early Expert models would be oddball in some way or other--like the barrel. I had one of the first USP's that made it to Houston back in 1995 (.45ACP and set up for left-handed use). The Expert was not available until several years later and I'm guessing that the serial number would tell the tale, and someone at Sterling, VA would know.

[Landpimp]

I talked to HK in both VA and Alabama......gave em the serial # and they were still baffelled.

What are your thoughts on polygonal barrel vrs the standard? in both accuracy and possible oddball collector value?(not that I ever sell anything)

as well as thoughts on the USP in general.

BTW, your 94 mags should be shiping to you soon, I picked up 6 today.

John

Originally Posted by dieseldog

It would not surprise me that a few early Expert models would be oddball in some way or other--like the barrel. I had one of the first USP's that made it to Houston back in 1995 (.45ACP and set up for left-handed use). The Expert was not available until several years later and I'm guessing that the serial number would tell the tale, and someone at Sterling, VA would know.

[White Shark]

I have a USP40 in the low 4000 range that I bought new back in 93 or 94. I checked a few years ago and they were way over the 200K serial # range.

The original mag release was too large and caused the mag to drop if you shot with a loose grip, so I sent it back and they installed the newer, smaller sized mag release, sighted it in, included the test target, and sent it back with a complete tuneup, all free of charge. Cool for sure.

My piece has the original polygonal bored barrel, the same type as the P7 series and most other H&K products. American shooters are used to standard rifling so it's no surprise that a competition unit would use this format.

[srafj40]

Pimp:

This may not be the case but let me float the idea.

As I was getting out of Ranger Battalion there was some testing of .45's going on. Needed an offensive handgun. HK won the contract as I recall reading in the press.

Could It be one of those early models?

You are close to 2nd Bat. there.

Wild idea? Yes! Dumber things have happened.

[Trunk Monkey]

Originally Posted by Landpimp

as well as thoughts on the USP in general

Love mine. Never could get to liking Glocks or Springfields. I'd put HK on par with Sig for pistols, very well made. My USP 9 has had a lot of rounds through it, I should be replacing the barrel soon, but it still shoots really well. Everything on it still feels crisp and functions like it did years ago.

[1shot1kill]

Larry at http://www.ccfa.com/ should have your answer, as he has sold many Euro-USPs.

[dieseldog]

John, if you asked my preference, I'd definitely vote for polygonal barrel as it is far more efficient and accurate. I can't see you shooting many lead rounds so it's not an issue for you, correct? As far as collector's value goes, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that if you have the proper provenance for the barrel being original (as well as the rest of the gun), then it should carry more value down the line.

For those that love the USP product line, you have good reason. They are well-made and very accurate. Having said that, keep in mind that they were a concession to the American Marketplace. They are not made to the same level of manufacturing perfection as the P7 product line and thus the prices reflect much more of a bargain. There IS a reason that most everything H&K manufactures demands a premium price. Quality is not inexpensive. I guess my point is that if you love the USP, you would go bonkers over the P7 line and would immediately detect the difference. Some things are designed with no limitations in mind, others are designed so that they will be a commercial success.

[White Shark]

Don't get him into P7's. They are worse than a crack habit. Coolest 9mm's ever made. They go for about $1300 these days, but are worth every cent.

Most IH8Mud'ers would like them due to the squeeze cock grip. They are super cool. You squeeze the grip to cock the gun and deactivate the safety. The cocking lever also makes the P7 very simple to operate and shoot. Pulling back the slide is simple and safe, for the pistol cannot fire as long as you don't compress the cocking lever. During firing, the pistol is automatically rendered safe immediately when the cocking lever is released. The cocking lever is also the pistol's slide stop, for like many auto pistols, the P7's slide is locked open after the last shot has been fired. Releasing the cocking lever and then compressing it will permit the slide to close. All this can be done while the pistol is being held in the normal fashion. This feature, combined with the magazine catch on both sides of the frame and the absence of any manual safety, makes the P7 completely ambidextrous.

The magazine steel is reinforced and strong enough to drive a truck over without malfunctioning (the reps used to do this in their demos). The mags are not cheap as a result, but they last forever.

The 9mm P7M8 has 8 round capacity and the P7M13 has 13.
The .40 cal P7M10 has a capacity of 10 rounds and is essentially the same gun sized up to handle the .40, but the barrel in this model has standard, non-polygonal rifling. (A good H&K info site) http://remtek.com/arms/hk/civ/p7/m10.htm


A site with some sweet P7's that are for sale.
http://mactec-militaryarms.com/hkp7.html

[dieseldog]

Shark, it's too late. I've already gotten John "into" P7's (or at least boosted his habit). He's mentioned that he bought consecutive serial number P7M8's for him and Connie. LOL!!!

There is no sweeter double-tap gun in existence than a P7. Believe that.

[Koffer]

John
its like most of your cruisers ,cool and rare so stop being cheap and buy it

[Landpimp]

yeah but is it rare like a 83 fj40 with drum brakes or like a 83 fj40 with OEM AC, PS and vent windows ?

Originally Posted by Koffer

John
its like most of your cruisers ,cool and rare so stop being cheap and buy it

[Landpimp]

no, it came from HK direct to my dealer,. There is suppose to be a T&E Socom coming. As well as a pair new HK P&M13's.....but they will prolly never show.

JOhn

Originally Posted by srafj40

Pimp:

This may not be the case but let me float the idea.

As I was getting out of Ranger Battalion there was some testing of .45's going on. Needed an offensive handgun. HK won the contract as I recall reading in the press.

Could It be one of those early models?

You are close to 2nd Bat. there.

Wild idea? Yes! Dumber things have happened.

[Landpimp]

I did. and you are correct, I will not be shooting lead out of it, only lead I shoot is 38.

I'll check the barrel again, but I can't imagine HK shiping a pistol with a non HK barrel. Funny I asked Doug "this has a polyagon barrel like the P7's right?" "yes it does" ............."ummmmm then what would you call this?" .............. " ummmm a riffled barrel......WTF?"

and yes I(we) have a pair of new HK P7M8's with consecutive serial #'s

damn you.......

Originally Posted by dieseldog

John, if you asked my preference, I'd definitely vote for polygonal barrel as it is far more efficient and accurate. I can't see you shooting many lead rounds so it's not an issue for you, correct? As far as collector's value goes, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that if you have the proper provenance for the barrel being original (as well as the rest of the gun), then it should carry more value down the line.

For those that love the USP product line, you have good reason. They are well-made and very accurate. Having said that, keep in mind that they were a concession to the American Marketplace. They are not made to the same level of manufacturing perfection as the P7 product line and thus the prices reflect much more of a bargain. There IS a reason that most everything H&K manufactures demands a premium price. Quality is not inexpensive. I guess my point is that if you love the USP, you would go bonkers over the P7 line and would immediately detect the difference. Some things are designed with no limitations in mind, others are designed so that they will be a commercial success.

[Landpimp]

as Dog said......its too late



AF date code(2005) consecutive serial #'s

Originally Posted by White Shark

Don't get him into P7's. They are worse than a crack habit. Coolest 9mm's ever made. They go for about $1300 these days, but are worth every cent.

Most IH8Mud'ers would like them due to the squeeze cock grip. They are super cool. You squeeze the grip to cock the gun and deactivate the safety. The cocking lever also makes the P7 very simple to operate and shoot. Pulling back the slide is simple and safe, for the pistol cannot fire as long as you don't compress the cocking lever. During firing, the pistol is automatically rendered safe immediately when the cocking lever is released. The cocking lever is also the pistol's slide stop, for like many auto pistols, the P7's slide is locked open after the last shot has been fired. Releasing the cocking lever and then compressing it will permit the slide to close. All this can be done while the pistol is being held in the normal fashion. This feature, combined with the magazine catch on both sides of the frame and the absence of any manual safety, makes the P7 completely ambidextrous.

The magazine steel is reinforced and strong enough to drive a truck over without malfunctioning (the reps used to do this in their demos). The mags are not cheap as a result, but they last forever.

The 9mm P7M8 has 8 round capacity and the P7M13 has 13.
The .40 cal P7M10 has a capacity of 10 rounds and is essentially the same gun sized up to handle the .40, but the barrel in this model has standard, non-polygonal rifling. (A good H&K info site) http://remtek.com/arms/hk/civ/p7/m10.htm


A site with some sweet P7's that are for sale.
http://mactec-militaryarms.com/hkp7.html

[Landpimp]

Alrighty.....I went ahead and picked it up

Serial #'s all match, the frame, slide and barrel......so its the real deal from HK.....and an odd duck with the riffled barrel. Its a KI date code, so 1998 production, but it also has the HK lockout in the grip.....which didn't come out untill Oct 1999. Box it came in from HK was a 40cal box but the slapped a new tag on it with the serial # of my gun.............so all the bits match.

Range opens at 4pm.......

[wesintl]

I always kick myself for not buying a mark 23 when I had a contact in sterling...

[dieseldog]

Good deal, John! HK's rock. Oh, and you have a PM.

[wesintl]

You guys are killin me with these hk threads. just as addictive as cruisers and storage is better.

[Landpimp]

yeah but the fuel for em is almost as spendy just dumped 250 rounds of 45acp and 250 of 9mm......

the Expert ROCKED!!! very very accurate, prolly as much or more than my SA 1911, the P7 is about on par with both......that thing is amazingly fast and accutate, damn near no recoil. Had to laugh......to old guys asked me if I was a cop........nope just started shooting again a few months ago........its the guns......its not me

Originally Posted by wesintl

You guys are killin me with these hk threads. just as addictive as cruisers and storage is better.