Heckler And Koch HK USP Tactical, USP Expert Operators Manual

							31
Figure 31A
Figure 31B Civilian magazine (left)
Law Enforcement/Military magazine (right)   
						

							Figure 32A (relationship of recoil/buffer spring
assembly to barrel locking block inside of slide)
Figure 32B (recoil/buffer spring assembly and barrel
properly positioned in the slide) 
6. Hold the slide in the non-firing hand with the thumb
holding the rear end of the recoil/buffer spring assem-
bly in place on the slide.
32
Figure 32C
.
7. Check the position of the sear axle on the frame.
Ensure that it does not protrude from either side of
the frame. (See Figure 31 on page 31) 
8. Hold the frame in the firing hand. Position the rear of
the slide above the front edge of the frame.
9. Slowly draw the slide back onto the frame so that the
metal inserts in the frame fit into the grooves on the
inside of the slide. (See Figure 33)    
						

							33
Figure 33
10. Retract the slide to the point where the recess in
the left side of the slide is positioned over the hole
where the axle of the slide release will go and hold
it there.
11. Insert the slide release from left to right into the
frame until it is flush with the side of the frame.
NOTE: Assembly of the pistol is now complete. Clear
the pistol and check it for correct assembly and op-
eration. Be sure the slide moves freely on the frame
and with the pistol cleared and pointed in a safe direc-
tion, ensure all controls operate correctly. As
applicable, check double-action mode, single-action
mode, safety, decock function, slide release, and the
magazine release.  
						

							34
Figure 34
4. Gradually allow the locking plate and magazine spring
to expand out of the magazine housing.
5. Remove the locking plate, magazine spring and maga-
zine follower from the magazine housing.
Disassembly of magazines produced after October
1994 for U.S. civilian use.
1. Using a blunt pointed instrument depress the locking
insert detente located in the floor plate and hold it
there  (see Figure 34).
2. Place a portion of either hand over the base of the
magazine to control the release of the magazine spring
and locking insert.
3. With the locking detente still depressed, squeeze the
floor plate locking tabs located on the right and left
MAGAZINE DISASSEMBLY
CAUTION:Beware of the spring tension exerted by
the magazine spring while removing and installing
the magazine floor plate. Keep the base of the maga-
zine pointed in a safe direction (away from the face
and eyes) at all times during disassembly.
Different  types of USP magazines are in use, depending on
model, caliber, and after the Fall of 1994; whether the
magazines were produced for civilian or military/law
enforcement use.
Disassembly of Law Enforcement/Military restricted
use magazines and magazines produced before
October 1994.
1. Using a blunt pointed instrument depress the locking
detente located in the floor plate and hold it there
(see Figure 34).
2. Place a portion of either hand over the base of the
magazine to control the release of the magazine spring
and locking plate.
3. Slowly slide the floor plate forward off of the maga-
zine housing.  
						

							35
Figure 35B Restricted Use Magazine
Figure 35C 10 round Civilian Magazine
Magazine Follower
Magazine 
SpringMagazine 
Housing
Locking TabsLocking Insert
Locking Tab 
Recesses
Floor Plate
Magazine Follower
Magazine 
Housing
Floor PlateLocking Plate Magazine 
Springsides of the magazine.
Figure 35A   
4. Gradually allow the locking insert and magazine spring
to expand out of the magazine housing. (see Figure
35A)
5. Remove the locking insert, magazine spring and mag-
azine follower from the magazine housing.  
						

							36
4. Push the locking plate down into the magazine hous-
ing against the pressure of the magazine spring and
hold it there.
5.On 10-round magazines, push the floor plate up
onto the base of the magazine housing until the
locking tabs engage in the sides of the housing. Check
to see if the locking tabs on the floor plate are
securely locked into the housing and the locking de-
tente on the locking plate fits within the hole in the
floor plate.
On restricted use magazines, push the floor plate
over the base of the magazine housing and the locking
plate from front to rear. Make sure the floor plate is
fully seated on the magazine housing and the locking
detente on the locking plate fits within the hole in the
floor plate.
On all magazines, check the magazine for proper
assembly by insuring that the follower slides up and
down freely within the magazine housing and with
spring tension. Also check that the magazine follower
rises within the magazine housing to be nearly flush
against the bottom of the magazine lips. MAGAZINE ASSEMBLY
Figure 36
1. Place the magazine follower onto the magazine spring
with the end of the spring positioned on the left of
the follower. (See Figure 37)
2. Insert the follower and magazine spring into the 
magazine housing as depicted in Figure 36.
3. Place the locking plate, or locking insert on US civil-
ian magazines, onto the protruding end of the maga-
zine spring so that the rounded corners face towards
the front of the magazine.  
						

							37
Figure 37  
“Civilian use” 10-round magazine (left), Law
Enforcement/Military “restricted use” magazine
(right)  
						

							38
Normal Cleaning- Performed after each firing or every
twelve (12) months.
Major Cleaning- Often referred to as “detailed cleaning”.
Performed after the firing of 500 cartridges or when the
pistol is exposed to, or laden throughout with sand, dust,
water (especially salt water), or other visible contaminants
or foreign matter.
Normal Cleaning
Slide 
• Gently scrub all internal surfaces of the slide using the
nylon toothbrush moistened with solvent.
• Remove all loose fouling from all surfaces of the slide
using a rag and cotton swabs.
Recoil/buffer spring assembly 
• Remove all visible fouling using solvent, a nylon 
toothbrush, a rag and cotton swabs.
Barrel(with locking block) 
• Moisten a bronze bore brush with solvent and scrub
the bore from chamber to muzzle at least six (6) 
passes, back and forth.
•  Remove the loose fouling from the bore using clean-
ing patches.SECTION 7  CLEANING & MAINTENANCE
NOTE:The service life and performance of your HK
USP is dependent upon the correct handling and
proper care by the operator.
Materials Required- At a minimum, we suggest the
following materials to properly clean the HK USP.
• Cleaning rod with handle and patch holder
• Nylon toothbrush
• Bronze bristle bore brush (in the appropriate caliber)
• Cleaning patches (in the appropriate caliber)
• Lint-free wiping rag
• Cleaning solvent/lubricant
• Cotton swabs
CAUTION: Use safety goggles when using solventsand exercise care if using compressed air.
Modular Pistol Cleaning Kits (HK article no. 701956 9mm,
7011957 .40 S&W, and 701958 .45ACP) are available from
Heckler & Koch for thorough cleaning of the HK USP and
other firearms.
Cleaning Intervals- There are two types of operator
cleaning for the USP. Normal and Major cleaning. 
						

							The parts can then be dried using compressed air or
with a rag and cotton swabs.
NOTE: All parts of the HK USP can be immersed in
any cleaning solvent that it is safe to put your hands
into, including ultrasonic cleaning solution. Painted
surfaces of the pistol (i.e. control lever, frame, and
extractor markings) can be removed by using
ultrasonic cleaning machines.
Inspection  
During and after cleaning visually inspect the pistol and its
components for any irregularities that may cause problems
or stoppages during its operation. Generally, you should
keep a watchful eye out for the discrepancies listed below.
Always clear the pistol before conducting your inspection!
•  Damaged or missing parts
•  Improper assembly or function
•  Absence of free movement, where applicable
•  Absence of spring tension, where applicable
•  Unaccustomed looseness
•  Parts exhibiting signs of cracks, burrs, dents, or 
obvious signs of damage or stress
39
•  Gently scrub the exterior of the barrel and locking
block with the nylon toothbrush moistened with 
solvent.
•  Remove all loose fouling from the exterior of the
barrel using a rag and cotton swabs.
Frame
•  Gently scrub all internal surfaces where carbon foul-
ing is present using the nylon toothbrush moistened
with solvent. Concentrate on the area normally 
covered by the slide.
•  Using a rag and cotton swabs, remove all loose fouling
from all areas of the frame.
Magazine 
•  Gently scrub the top of the magazine, concentrating
on the follower and feed lips, using the nylon
toothbrush moistened with solvent.
•  Using a rag and cotton swabs, remove all loose fouling
from all surfaces of the magazine.
Major Cleaning 
Major Cleaning is the same as normal cleaning except that:
•  The magazine is disassembled for cleaning.
•   All parts should be rinsed with, or immersed in
solvent and thoroughly scrubbed with a nylon brush. 
						

							40
•  Presence of stops or tactile clicks, where applicable
•  General overall cleanliness
•  Presence of sufficient lubrication
•  Presence of corrosion or degradation of surface finish
CAUTION:This pistol has been developed by capable
and experienced engineers. Its present design repre-
sents an optimization of a combination of safety,
speed of deployment, accuracy, dependability, and
durability. Do not attempt to make this pistol
“better” by altering any of its components. Altering
any part of the pistol or magazine may cause injury or
death and will also void any Heckler & Koch warranty
on the product.
Lubrication
Metal surfaces of the USP are treated with HK’s special
corrosion & wear resistant Hostile Environment (HE) finish.
However, this surface treatment does not completely reduce
the friction between moving parts and it is recommended
that a lubricant be applied to the pistol to ensure proper
functioning. Any type of high-quality, medium weight lubricant
(oil) specifically designed for use on firearms will work well
on the HK Universal Self-loading Pistol. Do not use
lubricants that boast of their ability to penetrate metal as
these substances may deaden primers.
Where and How Much
No Lube
Surface is dry and not slippery to the touch
•  All plastic components
Light Lube
A finger run across the surface yields little or no lube
•  Bore, chamber, and exterior of barrel; including 
O-ring and muzzle threads if applicable
•  All metal parts
•  All internal parts in slide and frame
•  Magazine spring
•  Recoil/buffer spring assembly
•  Sights
•  USP .45 ACP magazine housing
Medium Lube
A finger run across the surface yields some lube but lube
does not run down surface when it is held in a vertical 
position.