USP-Compact.....sight problem...

kjmbear67 · November 29, 2005, 11:38 PM

I have a USP-Compact .40, and I am having a problem. My POI is consistently lower than my POA. I'm not sure what the problem is. I'm wondering if it is the ergonomics of the gun in conjunction with my particular grip that is causing the problem. I am a fairly experienced shooter and am generally a good shot. My POA ,for the most part, is consistent with my POI with every other gun I've fired.

I mentioned it to the guy at my local range/gun shop the other day, and he said that he has heard of other people with a similar problem when dealing with the USP-Compact.

My questions are:

Has anyone on this board ever experienced anything like this?

and..

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to adjust the fixed sights (Meprolight) on the gun to compensate (.i.e. raise the rear sights or lower the front post)?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

wardog · November 30, 2005, 01:15 AM

Hello there,

I have the exact same problem with my USP compact in .357 SIG.

At first, I thought maybe it was just me, I'll try it out some more with different ammo. I had my dealer add night sights and tried again. The problem became even worse. I thought maybe it was still me. Later I discovered that the night sights were made for a USP full size. So, took those out (and put them on my full size) and put the original sights back on. Tried it again. Still shooting low, about 4-5" at 7 yards.

I'm trying to get a lower front sight right now from HK, but I seem to be caught in voice mail hell. Check your owners manual and take a look at the schematic. There is only 1 front sight that is lower than the stock front sight. That's the one I'm trying to order. I'm hoping this will get it where it needs to be. There are no taller rear sights, and all the other (4 or 5?) front sights are taller. Why, why, so many taller front sights?

I've given up on trying to get night sights for this gun. Apparently Meprolight makes different size night sights, for Sigs, Glocks, but not for this gun. (so I'm told, I'd love to be wrong here)

So, you're not crazy, IT IS THE GUN! Don't believe everyone saying "you're flinching" etc...

jimmybruno · November 30, 2005, 08:57 AM

Just bought an HK compact. Same problem. Time to trade it back

XavierBreath · November 30, 2005, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to adjust the fixed sights (Meprolight) on the gun to compensate (.i.e. raise the rear sights or lower the front post)?

Ahha! For a while you could not get aftermarket or nuke sights for the Compact, but everyone wanted them. The ones for the fullsize would fit though. The only problem is the different sight radius. The shorter sight radius of the Compact will cause low hits.

If this is the case, the dots will never line up. You can't really raise the rear sight without a LOT of smithing. The best solution is new sights specifically for the Compact.

The British Soldier · November 30, 2005, 09:59 AM

Have you considered fitting a smaller foresight? Given that this is your personal weapon, if you are shooting low then the height of your foresight blade needs to be reduced.

It's the old zeroing adage 'foresight into the error'. Most manurfacturers supply different sized sights to enable you to shoot point of aim = point of impact at your chosen range.

kjmbear67 · November 30, 2005, 10:34 AM

Quote:

At first, I thought maybe it was just me, I'll try it out some more with different ammo. I had my dealer add night sights and tried again. The problem became even worse. I thought maybe it was still me. Later I discovered that the night sights were made for a USP full size. So, took those out (and put them on my full size) and put the original sights back on. Tried it again. Still shooting low, about 4-5" at 7 yards.

Quote:

If this is the case, the dots will never line up. You can't really raise the rear sight without a LOT of smithing. The best solution is new sights specifically for the Compact.

I went through almost that EXACT scenario as Wardog. The only difference is that I think that the sights I have from Meprolight are indeed intended for the compact (at least that what it says on the package XavierBreath).

I can't believe that one can't simply purchase a shorter front sight!

Wardog....you say that you have not gotten anywhere with HK?

This stinks....I really love the feel of this gun! But it does me no good if I am not accurate with it.

wardog · November 30, 2005, 11:27 AM

kjmbear67,

Yeah, I talked to a guy at HK customer service but apparently he was just answering the phone for whoever was supposed to be there. He took my info on what I needed and said he'd pass along the info. He said if I didn't hear anything to call back (800) 821-3021 and talk to John. When I called back after a few days I got passed on to a voice mail, and I haven't received a call back. Maybe my sight is in the mail, who knows. While it would be nice to get this for free under the warranty, at this point I really don't care. I'll pay the $10. Oh wait, this is an HK, probably be $40

Supposedly the 6.2mm sight is standard. (part number 215824) I'm trying to get part number 215823 which is 6.0mm. This is the only shorter front sight. They have 6 other taller front sights, 6.4, 6.6, 6.8, 7.0, 7.2 & 7.4, why I have no idea.

One of my theories was that my gun simply has one of these taller sights installed instead of the standard 6.2 mm and I actually need the 6.2mm sight. I'm starting to disbelieve this theory as I read about others having the same problem. I'll have to wait and see what the 6.0 does for me.

If it doesn't move my POI high enough I'll consider grinding it down a little (would have to blacken all the white dots since they won't line up anymore) and refinish the sight. I really hope I don't have to do all that!

Like I said, I've given up on night sights. Sure, you could grind a little, but then the dots won't line up, so what's the point?

It's times like this that I wish HK's were as popular as Glocks.

HK offers 8 different size front sights, but Meprolight believes that 1 size will fit all? [color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color]!!!

Ares45 · November 30, 2005, 12:48 PM

Are you guys covering the target with the front sight or using the "pumpkin on a post" method?

IIRC most "american" sights are designed so that POI will be just above the front blade. HK's aren't made that way. You've got to cover the target with your front sight. POI sould be behind the front sight dot, not above the front post.

If it's not technique related then you've got the wrong front sight height.

Quote:

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to adjust the fixed sights (Meprolight) on the gun to compensate (.i.e. raise the rear sights or lower the front post)?

Again if it's not technique then you've got the wrong sight. I've got Meps on 5 different HK's (incl a USPc40) and POI = POA on every one. I've never had to touch the elevation after install. Windage maybe but elevation no.

If you're still looking for a more in depth analysis you should head over to the HKPro board. They can give you the math and everything.

Quote:

why, why so many taller front sights?

USP 45 = 1 specific height
USPc45 = 1 specific height
USP 9mm & 40 = 1 specific height
USPc9 & 40 = 1 specific height
USP45 Tactical = 1 specific height
USP40 Tactical 1 = specific height
And on and on and on...

They don't make eight different heights for one gun. It's just that they list all available heights for for all USP's in the owner's manual. Last I heard the were simplifying the procees with the P2000 and up series. Of course, that means less flexibility to mount suppression cans, etc.

wardog · November 30, 2005, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Ever shot a suppressed handgun? You can't see over the can without taller sights.

Yes, I have, and that is a very good point. (in fact I'm out the door right now to do the paperwork on a Gemtech Outback II that just came in yesterday

) But, they should offer taller rear sights too if that were the purpose of offering the taller front sights. And, I don't think the difference of .2mm increments would be enough to clear suppressors. The total height increase from the standard
6.2 mm to the tallest, 7.4 is only 1.2 mm.

(I hope this didn't sound like a smart a$$ reply, it wasn't meant to.)

kjmbear67 · November 30, 2005, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Are you guys covering the target with the front sight or using the "pumpkin on a post" method?

No "pumpkin" here...I've been covering up, and most times elevating my front site to form a "triangle" with the front and rear dots to account for the problem.

Ares45 · November 30, 2005, 01:24 PM

Quote:

(I hope this didn't sound like a smart a$$ reply, it wasn't meant to.)

No it didn't sound that way. No offense taken. After reading my post I decided the wording didn't make much sense so I revised it excluding the suppressor comment. My duh.

The taller "can" sights only come standard on Tactical & M23 models.

kjmbear67 · December 1, 2005, 04:44 PM

Any other experiences/suggestions?

wardog · December 1, 2005, 06:26 PM

I got through to HK customer service. Supposedly they're sending me a new smaller front sight, for free.

kjmbear67 · December 2, 2005, 03:48 PM

Well....thanks to Big Bore over at HKPRO Boards.

In one of his posts, he recommends sights by MMC. MMC makes a fully adjustable tritium rear sight that will allow me to adjust for the problem.

It costs about $100, but it's better than either shooting off target or trading in the gun.

http://www.mmcsight.com/hk.htm

kidcoltoutlaw · January 8, 2006, 04:15 PM

Does it hold its zero. Is the windage holding or did the screw strip out ?

November 29, 2005, 11:38 PM	#1
kjmbear67 Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Posts: 44	USP-Compact.....sight problem... I have a USP-Compact .40, and I am having a problem. My POI is consistently lower than my POA. I'm not sure what the problem is. I'm wondering if it is the ergonomics of the gun in conjunction with my particular grip that is causing the problem. I am a fairly experienced shooter and am generally a good shot. My POA ,for the most part, is consistent with my POI with every other gun I've fired. I mentioned it to the guy at my local range/gun shop the other day, and he said that he has heard of other people with a similar problem when dealing with the USP-Compact. My questions are: Has anyone on this board ever experienced anything like this? and.. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to adjust the fixed sights (Meprolight) on the gun to compensate (.i.e. raise the rear sights or lower the front post)? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

December 2, 2005, 03:48 PM	#14
kjmbear67 Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Posts: 44	Found a solution... Well....thanks to Big Bore over at HKPRO Boards. In one of his posts, he recommends sights by MMC. MMC makes a fully adjustable tritium rear sight that will allow me to adjust for the problem. It costs about $100, but it's better than either shooting off target or trading in the gun. http://www.mmcsight.com/hk.htm

January 8, 2006, 04:15 PM	#15
kidcoltoutlaw Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: bluefield Posts: 735	MMC how is it working for you ? Does it hold its zero. Is the windage holding or did the screw strip out ?

November 30, 2005, 01:15 AM	#2
wardog Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 46	Hello there, I have the exact same problem with my USP compact in .357 SIG. At first, I thought maybe it was just me, I'll try it out some more with different ammo. I had my dealer add night sights and tried again. The problem became even worse. I thought maybe it was still me. Later I discovered that the night sights were made for a USP full size. So, took those out (and put them on my full size) and put the original sights back on. Tried it again. Still shooting low, about 4-5" at 7 yards. I'm trying to get a lower front sight right now from HK, but I seem to be caught in voice mail hell. Check your owners manual and take a look at the schematic. There is only 1 front sight that is lower than the stock front sight. That's the one I'm trying to order. I'm hoping this will get it where it needs to be. There are no taller rear sights, and all the other (4 or 5?) front sights are taller. Why, why, so many taller front sights? I've given up on trying to get night sights for this gun. Apparently Meprolight makes different size night sights, for Sigs, Glocks, but not for this gun. (so I'm told, I'd love to be wrong here) So, you're not crazy, IT IS THE GUN! Don't believe everyone saying "you're flinching" etc...

November 30, 2005, 08:57 AM	#3
jimmybruno Member Join Date: October 17, 2005 Posts: 20	Just bought an HK compact. Same problem. Time to trade it back

November 30, 2005, 09:59 AM	#5
The British Soldier Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2005 Location: England...that green and pleasasnt land. Posts: 295	Have you considered fitting a smaller foresight? Given that this is your personal weapon, if you are shooting low then the height of your foresight blade needs to be reduced. It's the old zeroing adage 'foresight into the error'. Most manurfacturers supply different sized sights to enable you to shoot point of aim = point of impact at your chosen range.

November 30, 2005, 11:27 AM	#7
wardog Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 46	kjmbear67, Yeah, I talked to a guy at HK customer service but apparently he was just answering the phone for whoever was supposed to be there. He took my info on what I needed and said he'd pass along the info. He said if I didn't hear anything to call back (800) 821-3021 and talk to John. When I called back after a few days I got passed on to a voice mail, and I haven't received a call back. Maybe my sight is in the mail, who knows. While it would be nice to get this for free under the warranty, at this point I really don't care. I'll pay the $10. Oh wait, this is an HK, probably be $40 Supposedly the 6.2mm sight is standard. (part number 215824) I'm trying to get part number 215823 which is 6.0mm. This is the only shorter front sight. They have 6 other taller front sights, 6.4, 6.6, 6.8, 7.0, 7.2 & 7.4, why I have no idea. One of my theories was that my gun simply has one of these taller sights installed instead of the standard 6.2 mm and I actually need the 6.2mm sight. I'm starting to disbelieve this theory as I read about others having the same problem. I'll have to wait and see what the 6.0 does for me. If it doesn't move my POI high enough I'll consider grinding it down a little (would have to blacken all the white dots since they won't line up anymore) and refinish the sight. I really hope I don't have to do all that! Like I said, I've given up on night sights. Sure, you could grind a little, but then the dots won't line up, so what's the point? It's times like this that I wish HK's were as popular as Glocks. HK offers 8 different size front sights, but Meprolight believes that 1 size will fit all? [color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color][color=#FF0000]█[/color]!!!

December 1, 2005, 04:44 PM	#12
kjmbear67 Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Posts: 44	Any other experiences/suggestions?

December 1, 2005, 06:26 PM	#13
wardog Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 46	I got through to HK customer service. Supposedly they're sending me a new smaller front sight, for free.