View Full Version : Anyone ever have a 9mm USP magazine failure?
I previously had a 9mm USP, and as we all know - the 9mm and 40 cal USPs have polymer bodied magazines. And, the polymer USP mags are NOT metal lined (like Glock mags are).
Well, when I had my 9mm fullsize USP years before - I had two 9mm rounds get sandwiched together inside of the mag as I was firing the gun. The polymer body of the mag apparently bulged and let this happen - and all the rounds underneath jumbled around loose in the mag. To clear it, I had to take the bottom of the mag off, and use a cleaning rod to knock the rounds loose. They were sandwiched in there so good it too several hits to get them loose.
I called HK afterwards and had them replace the mag. It never happened again, but I didn't keep the gun long after that. I always wondered if it would happen again. I felt like I couldn't trust the gun anymore. What if that happened again, but in a self defense situation?
Anyone ever had this happen or heard about such an incident before? In fairness - in 10 years time on all sorts of gun forums, I've only ever seen this mentioned one other time. So, it seems uncommon enough. As tempting as it is to get one again, I will always wonder if it would happen to me again if I did.
I previously had a 9mm USP, and as we all know - the 9mm and 40 cal USPs have polymer bodied magazines. And, the polymer USP mags are NOT metal lined (like Glock mags are).
Well, when I had my 9mm fullsize USP years before - I had two 9mm rounds get sandwiched together inside of the mag as I was firing the gun. The polymer body of the mag apparently bulged and let this happen - and all the rounds underneath jumbled around loose in the mag. To clear it, I had to take the bottom of the mag off, and use a cleaning rod to knock the rounds loose. They were sandwiched in there so guy it too several hits to get them loose.
I called HK afterwards and had them replace the mag. It never happened again, but I didn't keep the gun long after that. I always wondered if it would happen again. I felt like I couldn't trust the gun anymore. What if that happened again, but in a self defense situation?
Anyone ever had this happen or heard about such an incident before? In fairness - in 10 years time on all sorts of gun forums, I've only ever seen this mentioned one other time. So, it seems uncommon enough. As tempting as it is to get one again, I will always wonder if it would happen to me again if I did.
I have a USP 40 with polymer mags for 10 years. No problems to date, but I rarely shoot that gun.
No. Never had it happen to me or my USP. Never heard of anyone else having this issue. However, that said, magazines for any platform are wear items and will wear out and break. Some more so or sooner than others. When this happens replace the mags. I have several mags fail on varioys platform from ARs Glocks 1911 and others. They became marked training mags, trashed, or became targets. One bad mag would not have me deadlining a platform.
I have 9 and 40 for years. Mags always loaded ni problems. I've never even heard of this problem. Sounds like you had a fluke.
If you're hung up on trusting the gun after that one fluke I'd recommend you sell all guns. Every gun ever made has had some issues. Glock mags don't typically have issues but it's not unheard off. Even the guns have had problems periodically. Even AKs have had plenty of documented problems including broken bolts
I’ve got a USP 9 and 40 with a combined ~5k through them and it’s never happened to me.
It has happened, though, in my wife’s M&P, which are metal mags. I marked the mag as to keep an eye on it and not use it for defense, but it only happened that one time and hasn’t happened since… and that was years ago.
MichaelVain
02-26-15, 13:46
Having shot my USP9's in many flavors including full, compact, expert, match, SD. I've never had any issues with mags loading or bullets getting stuck or sandwiched in them. When you say that the side bulged to allow the bullets to jam up, I've never even heard of that happening.
Having shot my USP9's in many flavors including full, compact, expert, match, SD. I've never had any issues with mags loading or bullets getting stuck or sandwiched in them. When you say that the side bulged to allow the bullets to jam up, I've never even heard of that happening.
Well, by not having a metal lined mag, the mag must have bulged to be able to fit 2 rounds side by side. The gun had been fired a few rounds before it happened.
If you're hung up on trusting the gun after that one fluke I'd recommend you sell all guns. Every gun ever made has had some issues. Glock mags don't typically have issues but it's not unheard off. Even the guns have had problems periodically. Even AKs have had plenty of documented problems including broken bolts
I understand guns have occasional issues. I've dealt with that on a few guns, but usually if gun isn't 100% or as close as you can get, I don't keep them.
But, I realize it is a mechanical item. However, this isn't an issue of an extractor issue, need to replace the recoil spring, under powered ammo, etc. It makes sense that this can happen in a polymer bodied mag with no metal lining. As it did happen to me, and I saw i with my own eyes - it isn't a stretch to think that it could not be that uncommon of an issue. It bothered me enough that I didn't want to rely on the gun.
But here we are 8 or so years later. And, like I said, I've only seen one other person mention this. But I will admit that I haven't cruised HK threads in a while. I've gotten back into HK handguns again. Anyway - I was simply asking because I may have missed it. I also couldn't find anything on google about it. So, it does seem like a fluke. But, I just wanted to gauge any possible re-occurring problems by asking a few places. I've always liked the looks of the fullsize USP. The 45 ACP version is just too big for my smaller hands. The 9mm one feels great, but I am always reminded of that issue I had...
Well if you couldn't find anything on Google that would mean it was a fluke. With how fast people bitch online today if this was a common problem you'd have found hundreds of pages about it. Instead, since 1994 or so when the USP came out, you found one other person who had this problem. Two people in two decades is as close as you get to 100%. There maybe more people who've had this problem but the lack of info about it means that it's a very very uncommon issue
I'm not trying to bust your balls but in today's online world if you can't find a complaint it's usually cause there isn't one.
but I am always reminded of that issue I had...
One could also be reminded of the generally good track record of the USP line, and the fact that ALL mechanical objects are subject to malfunctions.
I've heard more people complain about defective ammo than the problem you're describing.
kantstudien
02-26-15, 18:52
Unless you live in a ban or socialist state, there is no reason to choose the USP over the P30 or VP9.
Even the P2000 would be an ergonomic upgrade to the USP.
Unless you live in a ban or socialist state, there is no reason to choose the USP over the P30 or VP9.
Even the P2000 would be an ergonomic upgrade to the USP.
Hardly. How is that even on topic?
I've had no issues like this with my polymer USP magazines and have never heard of this type of issue before your post.
I’ve got a USP 9 and 40 with a combined ~5k through them and it’s never happened to me.
It has happened, though, in my wife’s M&P, which are metal mags. I marked the mag as to keep an eye on it and not use it for defense, but it only happened that one time and hasn’t happened since… and that was years ago.
Well, by not having a metal lined mag, the mag must have bulged to be able to fit 2 rounds side by side. The gun had been fired a few rounds before it happened.
Not necessarily.
Unless you live in a ban or socialist state, there is no reason to choose the USP over the P30 or VP9.
Even the P2000 would be an ergonomic upgrade to the USP.
I actually have a P2000 and P2000sk. In the past, I have owned a previous P2000, a USP 9mm, USPc 9, USPc 45, P30L, HK45 and HK 45c. So, I am very familiar with HKs
El Vaquero
02-26-15, 22:53
I once purchased some used USP .40 mags that were slightly bulged and would not eject easily. They were old L.E. trade in mags so no doubt spent most of their life fully loaded. I chalked it up to just used polymer mags. Mags aren't meant to outlive the life of the pistol. I own several H&K's and that's the only time I've had an issue.
I have had one magazine fail in my USP 40 full size. I just ordered some Wollf extra power springs and and replaced all of my older ones problem solved.
I had a full size USP 40 from late 90's converted it from DA/SA to LEM and never had an issue with mags. HK USP are strong reliable guns and should work for a long time.That being said, don't fall in love with any particular mags. If a mag, or mags, are giving you some issue pick up some others new ones, confirm it is indeed the mags that are the issue, then deep six the bad ones. More than likely, doing so will probably solve your issue.
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