Posted: 2/4/2007 11:32:30 AM EDT
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I think I'm gonna start using my recent purchase of the used USP full size 9mm as my second IPSC gun. Given that I have no idea how many rounds were on it before I bought it, I'm going to replace the recoil springs. My question is, how hard is it to do? I am by NO means an amateur gunsmith. I clean my guns & do NOT work on them!  The c-clip at the end of the guide rod is already giving me the heebie-jeebies just thinking about pulling it off. I can see it flying off to who knows where in the garage..........  Any & all input is appreciated...................... |
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Bob, two routes to go. First, if you want to maintain a captive recoil spring, is to contact Marc at OPS2 and get a few of those c-clips ahead of time. While you are at it, order the recoil spring(s) also. Honestly though, the recoil spring is not something that needs to be replaced very often if ever on the USP(C) pistols. But if you feel better doing it, by all means proceed. Once you have the new springs and c-clips in hand, just pop off the c-clip and wear glasses. It is not a hard job to do and after the clip comes off all that you need to do is self evident (to remove the inner buffer spring you will need to remove a roll pin). Now, the other way. If you don't mind the recoil spring not being captive (which makes cleaing more of a PITA) just leave it off. When you take the old c-clip off you will more than likely not be able to use it again, so that is why I advise getting the clips ahead of time if you wish the springs to remain captive. But you will do no harm to the pistol if you leave the clip off and use the gun without the recoil spring being captive. Just don't forget about it when you go to clean it and send the damned thing flying across the room! |
What makes their springs different from all the others??? So many rds are all a spring is designed for, I would think, no?
Much like all other semi's, IMO. I can't think of too many that are captive springs???? |
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On another note ... my friend has a USP9 full size and his birthday is coming up. I was thinking about getting him a replacement recoil spring from Wolff, but I don't own an HK myself, so I had no idea the recoil springs were held captive with a c-clip. My question is in two parts: What benefits/advantages are there to getting an extra power spring? Where can I get a hold of an extra c-clip for him? Thanks. |
No need for an extra power spring. Stick with stock weight. C clips...no idea. But the good news is, if you lose one, the gun will still work fine. The original USP models did not have captive springs. My buddy lost his, and we've been shooting it non captive for the last year wtih NO issues at all. Scott |
If you wanna get him a nice present, get him some wolff XP magazine springs. They are the weak link of the platform. |
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Praetor; Link for c-clips is posted in my first post. Bob. The way HK has designed the springs (recoil spring and buffer spring) in the recoil reduction system used in the USP and the spring and nylon buffer system in the Compact, combined with the slide weight tuned with the spring weights make the recoil springs seem to last forever. I have over 11,000 on my carry Compact .45 and it feels just like my Compact CT .45 that only has a few hundred through it. With my only full size 9mm, the 9SD, the cases do not eject very far from the pistol at all and only go about a foot or two off to the side. If the recoil spring was weak from use you would likely see the slide coming back harder and the cases being ejected a lot further. I am not sure if all 9mm full size USPs have the relatively weak ejection (as when compared to the .40 or .45) but I would say if your pistol is tossing the brass only a couple or three feet then your spring is fine. If it is slinging them like the .45 and .40 do, then you may have a spring that has indeed seen better days. I can only imagine how many rounds it would take to wear out a recoil spring on the HK. In the Armorers manual there is no mention of replacing the recoil spring and buffer spring as a part of routine maintenance; they only mention replacing it when there is a problem. The one problem they list as being recoil spring related is a failure to feed with the recoil springs being broken or bent. Other than that it seems HK's approach is if it ain't broken, don't fix it. |
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Owning a number of HK USP's, I prefer the Wolf extra power springs. 2lbs over stock, I find the slide not to slamb back as hard on the frame, more positive cartridge feeding and action lockup. This is my personal preference, it's only a $8 experiment to see if it works for you. Bill |
To be honest, I've not ever looked at the ejection pattern. Not the thing to do while shooting a match...................
Not that I disagree, but given my love for all things H&K, I would hate to make myself have a hysterical crying jag should something happen to one of my USP's.........  Since I bought this one used, any thoughts on H&K waranty transferring to me????? |
However, an extra power spring will make the slide slam forward harder.............. You're not gaining anything there on a polymer frame, IMO. Steel or alloy frame, perhaps, but not polymer. My .o2 |
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I got the c-clip on my Mark23 off, and on again... was a HUGE PITA tho. If you dont need to replace it, then dont. a guy on HKpro has put 100,000 rounds through his USP, changing the recoil spring once. That was at 80,000 rounds, BUT he said to do it way sooner, like 40,000 or 50,000 rounds, depending on if its still working good. The USP is a very well built pistol, so i wouldn't worry about springs, except mabey mag springs. HK will usually not bother asking questions about warrenty, as long as theres not a bulged barrel from a KB or a hacksaw mark on the frame
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The official HK blurb is the warranty is only for the first buyer. However, the reality is that if you have a legitimate warranty claim HK doesn't care a lick about who owns it. The only time they are going to be checking the warranty card is if you turn it in for repair with something really off the wall. Claims like bent hammer strut from the lock in the lanyard loop being left on, broken or chipped extractors, broken firing pins, weak mag springs, broken recoil springs, and other normal wear and tear or known problems do not raise an eyebrow and HK just fixes them. Now, crack the slide or frame, bulge a barrel (as mentioned before and nobody warranties an ammo related problem, that always goes back to the ammo maker), or some other really odd problem that raises flags and then HK "might" get a little more picky. Dollars to doughnuts that if you sent the gun to HK for a general check up they would go through it and fix any problems no-charge except for shipping. Call first to make sure though! I'd call and tell them that I have an old USP pistol that has God knows how many rounds through it and I would like it to receive a general check-up. See what they say, they may ask if you are the first owner but probably not. I wouldn't lie but I also would not volunteer the info. It has been my experience with HK CS in the last year or two that they will bend over backwards to help you out. |
