The Heckler & Koch USP, or “Universal Self-Loading Pistol”, has been in service around the world with militaries, law enforcement and civilians since the early 1990s.  There are several variants that include the Compact, Compact Tactical, Tactical, Expert, Match, Elite, Combat Competition, and P8.  It’s been chambered in 9mm, .40 S&W (as shown here), .357 SIG and .45 ACP, with an option of converting to .460 Rowland as TFB covered last year.

I was first introduced to the HK USP during my college days with a Police Science major.  They had a number of semi-automatic pistols for us to learn with, which included a couple of USPs.  The USP is quite easy to disassemble, as is typical for modern semi-auto service pistols.

REMEMBER the four rules of gun safety:

1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

TFB FIELD STRIP: H&K USP

Step 1.

Eject the magazine and open the action to inspect the chamber to make sure the weapon is safe.

Step 2. 

With the slide in the forward position, move the slide rearward to the takedown position.  The takedown position has a notch in the slide (highlighted yellow) that needs to be moved to allow the takedown pin (highlighted orange) to come out of the left side of the USP.  The takedown pin is also the same as the slide stop.  Once the notch in the slide is in position, push on the takedown pin protruding from the right side of the frame.  I prefer to grasp the gun with my right hand over the slide and with my thumb on the back strap.  Once the takedown pin is loosed, it can be pulled out from the left side. 

Step 3. 

Once the slide stop/takedown pin is removed, the slide can be slid off the front of the frame. 

Step 4. 

Next up is the recoil spring assembly.  It’s under tension so grasp it firmly, but a death grip isn’t required.  Push the recoil spring assembly slightly forward, then down and out. 

Step 5.

Once the recoil spring assembly is out, the barrel needs to be pulled down and then out to the rear. This is as far as the USP needs to be disassembled.  Reassemble in reverse order and complete a function check before putting back into service. 

We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.