Proper cleaning

eddie_kawasaki · 03-25-2002, 03:58 PM

I recently purchased a HK USP40 Compact with the "Hostile Enviroment" coating, the seller did not have the owners manual. 1.What do I use to clean the outside of the slide and frame with? 2.Where are the proper oiling points? 3.Do I have to disassemble the frame for cleaning everytime I clean the barrel and slide after a day of shooting? PLEASE help me with this, I do not want to damage the special coating on this fine piece of hardware.

larryw · 03-25-2002, 05:56 PM

Don't worry about damaging your HE finish; that stuff is super durable and impervious to just about anything. Ditto with the polymer frame.

I use M7Pro cleaner, but BreakFree CLP and other gun cleaners work just as well; just a matter of choice. I also use non chlorinated brake cleaner (NOT carb cleaner) to blast gunk out of the nooks and crannies.

Oiling is easy, 8 drops total:

1 on the outside of the barrel, use your finger to spread it around.
1 on the recoil spring near the front, it will get spread around when you rack the slide a couple times after assembly.
1 on the bottom of the barrel's locking block (angled area where the recoil spring assy. fits into).
1 drop in both slide rails (channel) near the rear of the slide. It will get spread about when you assemble.
1 drop on each of the rear slide guides located either side of the hammer. These are the small metal points on the frame rails near the rear of the frame; the slide moves on these points.
1 drop on the extractor near the pivot point. Extractor is right behind the ejection port. Put the drop on the crack and use your finger to slightly pivot the extractor, this will work the oil in.

Reassemble and rack the slide a couple times to work the oil about. Then wipe off any excess on the outside of the frame and slide. Do not over oil as that can cause malfunctions and other problems.

I choose to field strip and clean all my guns after each shooting session, but I know others that clean every 1000 rounds or so and don't mind putting guns away dirty. Field stripping, breaking the USP down to its five major parts (excluding mags), is quick and easy; any further disassembly is not required and not recommended for those without formal training.

I disassemble and clean the mags after a few hundred rounds through the mag. No oil here.

You can download the USP Compact manual from <http://www.hecklerkoch-usa.com/pages/pdf/uspc_man.pdf>. There you will find instructions on safety, use, ammo, field stripping, etc.

eddie_kawasaki · 03-25-2002, 07:20 PM

Thanks for the info. I tried to download the online manual from that website already but found that there are roughly 20 pages missing at the end of the online manual (table of contents verified the missing pages). Can I use the full size USP manual for the missing pages? A friend showed me the brake cleaner trick, but it turned the HE coating into a white marks and streaks, I used oil to coat it and rubbed out the streaks, is that? Do I need to put a drop of oil into the firing pin hole after spraying the slide with brake clean?

larryw · 03-25-2002, 09:05 PM

I strongly recommend non chlorinated brake cleaner for a couple reasons. One is it minimizes that ugly streaking that wipes off (non chlorinated cleaners also streak, but not as bad). But more importantly, the chlorinated cleaners can have serious health consequences. A doctor friend was telling me about a lady who took a dietary supplement that caused the chlorine in her system (from her dry cleaning business) to release to gaseous form with fatal consequences. As I put myself through school doing brake jobs (many, many moons ago), this was a source of concern.

Do not oil the firing pin hole; it can cause malfunctions. I make a habit to hit the hole with the brake cleaner to make sure I blast out any MKP7 or CLP.

Go to the FAQ section on the HK web site. There you will find a phone number to call to ask for a replacement manual, I'd be surprised if they charged for it.

Enjoy your USP, as they say, "you chose wisely!" :smile:

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03-25-2002, 03:58 PM	#1
eddie_kawasaki Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 2	I recently purchased a HK USP40 Compact with the "Hostile Enviroment" coating, the seller did not have the owners manual. 1.What do I use to clean the outside of the slide and frame with? 2.Where are the proper oiling points? 3.Do I have to disassemble the frame for cleaning everytime I clean the barrel and slide after a day of shooting? PLEASE help me with this, I do not want to damage the special coating on this fine piece of hardware.

03-25-2002, 05:56 PM	#2
larryw Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 29	Don't worry about damaging your HE finish; that stuff is super durable and impervious to just about anything. Ditto with the polymer frame. I use M7Pro cleaner, but BreakFree CLP and other gun cleaners work just as well; just a matter of choice. I also use non chlorinated brake cleaner (NOT carb cleaner) to blast gunk out of the nooks and crannies. Oiling is easy, 8 drops total: 1 on the outside of the barrel, use your finger to spread it around. 1 on the recoil spring near the front, it will get spread around when you rack the slide a couple times after assembly. 1 on the bottom of the barrel's locking block (angled area where the recoil spring assy. fits into). 1 drop in both slide rails (channel) near the rear of the slide. It will get spread about when you assemble. 1 drop on each of the rear slide guides located either side of the hammer. These are the small metal points on the frame rails near the rear of the frame; the slide moves on these points. 1 drop on the extractor near the pivot point. Extractor is right behind the ejection port. Put the drop on the crack and use your finger to slightly pivot the extractor, this will work the oil in. Reassemble and rack the slide a couple times to work the oil about. Then wipe off any excess on the outside of the frame and slide. Do not over oil as that can cause malfunctions and other problems. I choose to field strip and clean all my guns after each shooting session, but I know others that clean every 1000 rounds or so and don't mind putting guns away dirty. Field stripping, breaking the USP down to its five major parts (excluding mags), is quick and easy; any further disassembly is not required and not recommended for those without formal training. I disassemble and clean the mags after a few hundred rounds through the mag. No oil here. You can download the USP Compact manual from <http://www.hecklerkoch-usa.com/pages/pdf/uspc_man.pdf>. There you will find instructions on safety, use, ammo, field stripping, etc.

03-25-2002, 07:20 PM	#3
eddie_kawasaki Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 2	Thanks for the info. I tried to download the online manual from that website already but found that there are roughly 20 pages missing at the end of the online manual (table of contents verified the missing pages). Can I use the full size USP manual for the missing pages? A friend showed me the brake cleaner trick, but it turned the HE coating into a white marks and streaks, I used oil to coat it and rubbed out the streaks, is that? Do I need to put a drop of oil into the firing pin hole after spraying the slide with brake clean?

03-25-2002, 09:05 PM	#4
larryw Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 29	I strongly recommend non chlorinated brake cleaner for a couple reasons. One is it minimizes that ugly streaking that wipes off (non chlorinated cleaners also streak, but not as bad). But more importantly, the chlorinated cleaners can have serious health consequences. A doctor friend was telling me about a lady who took a dietary supplement that caused the chlorine in her system (from her dry cleaning business) to release to gaseous form with fatal consequences. As I put myself through school doing brake jobs (many, many moons ago), this was a source of concern. Do not oil the firing pin hole; it can cause malfunctions. I make a habit to hit the hole with the brake cleaner to make sure I blast out any MKP7 or CLP. Go to the FAQ section on the HK web site. There you will find a phone number to call to ask for a replacement manual, I'd be surprised if they charged for it. Enjoy your USP, as they say, "you chose wisely!" :smile: