HK USP tooling marks in slide?

[Slugz]

Looking at USPs lately and i can't help but notice they all have lines going down the slide. The lines are crisp and clearly part of the manufacturing process. It's been years since i handled one but i don't recall them being like that before. Perhaps its old age and becoming more attentive to detail and more "picky" about my wares. This is ugly. I don't understand why a company that puts out such high quality products for such outstanding premiums with a plastic frame of all things, would have such shoddy looking finishes on their slides. Was in the market for a nice stainless compact but instead of having a nice, smooth, shiny compact stainless slide i end up looking at these deep grooves all over the slide that looks like they just didn't opt for the final finishing process or something. And this was present on every usp ive looked at, regardless of caliber, color, or place i looked.

What am i looking at exactly? Is this new for them? Does it serve some function or purpose? Is there a special process they use to make the slides that has this drawback or is it just crappy machining?

[ENTHUSIAST]

I don't have any marks you speak of on my pre-2010 USP.. Haven't bought a new one in a while so I can't comment without pics of said upsetting tool marks?

I remember a similar thread a while back where someone made the same complaint but HK are known for reliability and high prices not being "tool mark free". Inspect prior to purchase if it bothers you that much there a plenty of older HK USPs NIB and very low round counts so it is not like they are rare or impossible to find check the date codes.

[ziconceo]

Looking at USPs lately and i can't help but notice they all have lines going down the slide. The lines are crisp and clearly part of the manufacturing process. It's been years since i handled one but i don't recall them being like that before. Perhaps its old age and becoming more attentive to detail and more "picky" about my wares. This is ugly. I don't understand why a company that puts out such high quality products for such outstanding premiums with a plastic frame of all things, would have such shoddy looking finishes on their slides. Was in the market for a nice stainless compact but instead of having a nice, smooth, shiny compact stainless slide i end up looking at these deep grooves all over the slide that looks like they just didn't opt for the final finishing process or something. And this was present on every usp ive looked at, regardless of caliber, color, or place i looked.

What am i looking at exactly? Is this new for them? Does it serve some function or purpose? Is there a special process they use to make the slides that has this drawback or is it just crappy machining?

Not sure what you're talking about...do you have any pics? I have a stainless 45 usp from 1997, nice and smooth all around the slide Wanna buy it? its the best looking one you've ever seen! 2000$

[Slugz]

Hard to see it in pics

[Slugz]

https://www.google.com/search?q=usp+compact+stainless&client=ms-android-verizon&prmd=ivsn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjG2J68w-zKAhUY12MKHc0CCugQ_AUIBygB#imgrc=oF24Kw0iD9EbhM%3A

[Slugz]

Look at the top of the slide bevel. It's that, but all over.

[Slugz]

https://www.google.com/search?q=usp+compact+stainless&client=ms-android-verizon&prmd=ivsn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjG2J68w-zKAhUY12MKHc0CCugQ_AUIBygB#imgrc=vogxp1kpxdQS0M%3A

[sealocan]

I think the hipsters are calling it the "straight Damascus pattern".

It tells the world that you are cool enough that you don't care if your firearm is finished through all of it's polishing stages.

[ziconceo]

Look at the top of the slide bevel. It's that, but all over.

Ah, I totally see what you're talking about. I'll upload a pic of mine and show you what the older ones look like

[ENTHUSIAST]

https://www.google.com/search?q=usp+...xp1kpxdQS0M%3A

Gotcha mine doesn't have that but it doesn't look bad pretty damn even and symmetrical line pattern. Not that big of a deal to me but if it bothers you OP hunt down an older one.

I have a feeling the tool marks show more because of the stainless slide.

Both examples you posted are 2004 date code.

[Slugz]

Yea i was thinking maybe they used some special type of folded steel or something that created that effect. But it really does seem to me like cheap, shoddy craftsmanship.

[galaxius]

My USP Stainless has these, and every stainless USP that i've ever handled had these serrations/mill marks, always thought it was the norm.

[Slugz]

No they show just as bad on the black slides. Just more noticeable from further away on stainless. Definitely present in equal degree on both.

[ziconceo]

yep, mines perfect

[IMG][/IMG]

[Slugz]

Nah i don't recall seeing them in older model usp's and a few of the guys here have stated theirs don't have it which just strengthens my suspicions. It scares me. I want to believe they are still quality guns but with such a flagrant disregard for quality in their product on such a clearly visible level, i have to question what corners they have cut internally where no one can see. I mean hell... Even hi points don't have that kind of milling visible..