USP Expert Trigger Issues

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Hi all,

I finally got around to breaking in my BNIB USP Expert .45, although I have owned it for a year or so. About two magazines of single action only shooting went perfectly. When I attempted the first double action round, I got a "click."

I waited shortly to make sure it wasn't a hangfire. The ammo was all brass cased new ammo. Initially it was the ""Perfecta" brand, but the same issue also occured with Federal and Speer. Every double action round failed to fire, while every single action round functioned fine. Both pulls are smooth.

In each case, there was no discernible mark on the primer, so I believe it is safe to rule out light hits or bad ammo / primers. I don't think the hammer was making any contact with the primer at all.

A secondary issue was the realization that that the pistol cannot be put on "safe" while the hammer is down. I have an older USP .45 and that pistol can be put on safe with the hammer down, and has never had any of the above issues.

The only modification that has been made to the USP Expert was the swapping of the black target sights for Meprolight night sights, which wouldn't have anything to do with this issue.

If I am missing something obvious, please let me know! Since we all know that "This thread is worthless without pics" I can post pictures of anything specific that may be useful in resolving the problem.

Thanks,
BR

[DAVO]

Interesting, I've got one of these in jail right now.

Has it always had this problem or is this new?

How many rounds through the gun?

Have you cleaned it?

[Nephthys]

A secondary issue was the realization that that the pistol cannot be put on "safe" while the hammer is down. I have an older USP .45 and that pistol can be put on safe with the hammer down, and has never had any of the above issues.

Interesting. I went to check my Elite, which I can only guess their construction being the same, and mine goes into safe with hammer down or cocked. I don't know when it was made if that matters, but I bought it new last year in November/December.

...now that I think about it, maybe the problem is linked somehow? Maybe a linkage internally is activated already with the hammer down, which is why you can't put the safety on? It decocks perfectly fine, right?

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Thanks for the replies. This was the first range visit and it was bought new. The pistol was disassembled and lubricated prior to shooting. I am familiar with the USP platform, and I concur that the DA and safety problems may be somehow related.

[P5Ret]

That's a tough one. I just went through my USP armorer's manual and can't see anything that is obvious that would cause those issues. Is the detent plate seated properly? That's the only thing I can think of that could cause both issues.

[nitroxdiver]

[nitroxdiver]

[nitroxdiver]

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Thanks Nitro for the photos, very much appreciated. If it isn't something easy to do, I will send it in. I am about as far from being a gunsmith as humanly possible.

[nitroxdiver]

Thanks Nitro for the photos, very much appreciated. If it isn't something easy to do, I will send it in. I am about as far from being a gunsmith as humanly possible.

[nitroxdiver]

[Bobby Ricigliano]

I finally got around to calling HK customer service today. Not an ideal experience:

First call holding time: 13+ minutes. A person finally picks up, mumbles something I could not understand, and hangs up on me.

Second call holding time was only about 2 minutes: A very curt gentleman with a southern drawl picks up. I briefly explained the issue and asked for a return authorization.

He runs the serial number and says "That pistol was sold back in in February, 2017"

Yes, it was. To me.

With a disbelieving tone: "You have had the pistol since then and this was the first time it has been shot?"

Yes. Feel free to examine the pistol to verify it is devoid of any sign of wear.

Hmm. It sounds like the trigger bar is bent. That happens when someone forces the key into the lock and forces it open or closed (I am paraphrasing here, but the trigger bar and safety "key" were what he was referring to.)

O.K. So can I send it in?

"Yes...Send it to ........."

No return label was offered, thus I am expected to eat the postage, presumably. I will probably use the "Ship my gun" service. Otherwise I have a fabulous looking $1000 paperweight sitting in my safe.

I suppose I could throw it at a bad guy to buy enough time to grab something that works. So, there's that.

[559BearDown]

Wow, terrible service. Cut your losses and go with Glock. 👍

[newbie1234]

WOW, this is a really scaring, I just Dros the HK USP Elite yesterday, one of the reason I bought the USP Elite is "Life time warranty"

https://hk-usa.com/warranty/

And difference from you, I always shoot couple hundred rds on all of my new guns to break-in during the first year.

Hmm. It sounds like the trigger bar is bent. That happens when someone forces the key into the lock and forces it open or closed (I am paraphrasing here, but the trigger bar and safety "key" were what he was referring to.)

For sure he was fishing, he just find a stupid reason and blame it on you. He is a BAD rep.

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Wow, terrible service. Cut your losses and go with Glock. 👍

I am holding out for a successful resolution of the HK, but Glocks are near and dear too. There probably isn't anything the Expert can do that can't be accomplished with the G41.