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lead bullets in an H&K USP

telohftelohf Member Posts: 912 ✭✭
edited January 2017 in Ask the Experts
Hello all and happy new year. I have a question for someone who hopefully knows better than I do.

I have a 1st Gen H&K USP in 9mm that I bought in 1995 before attending the Oregon Police academy. I have shot many rounds through it but cannot remember if I have ever shot any lead bullets in it.

I know that lead bullets will destroy a Glock and the USP has similar rifling groves...will lead bullets hurt the barrel in my USP?

Thanks for your time.
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Comments

  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think it's only an issue for people than don't clean their guns properly, but that just me.

    So scrolling down here http://hk-usa.com/hk-models/usp/ you get to a link for downloading the manual for a USP in PDF auto-loading format.

    Page 13 of the manual page 7 of 27 in the pdf is section 4 ammunition. No warning for lead bullets.
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  • 62fuelie62fuelie Member Posts: 1,069 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have been shooting a full-size USP .45ACP since 1997. I have used lead alloy, plated and jacketed bullets in the polygon bore with no difficulty. As mentioned above, clean your pistol after use.
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  • M1A762M1A762 Member Posts: 3,426 ✭
    edited November -1
    Don't believe the fairy tale. I shoot cast bullets in Glocks with no issues. Even better is powder coated cast bullets, even cleaner. Just make sure you clean the bore after you shoot cast bullets as stated above.
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  • rsnyder55rsnyder55 Member Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a first generation USP40 and the barrel was conventionally rifled, not polygonal.

    I contacted HK and they advised early ones did not necessary have polygonal rifling. They also said they would not replace the barrel unless the original barrel failed. I couldn't even order a barrel at the time.

    This may have only been the 40's which were the first ones to come out.
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  • bpostbpost Member Posts: 32,669 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If your barrel has cut rifling it will have no issues shooting lead bullets. It is best to size them about .001 above groove diameter to reduce leading. That is why slugging your bore is important with lead projectiles.

    However, if the barrel has polygonal rifling it may not shoot lead well. My Glock 21 would not shoot lead at all it sprayed it like a shotgun pattern, that is why I now have a cut rifling barrel in it.
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