Heckler & Koch USP40 Variant 1 .40 S&W – First-Year German-Made, Early Slab-Sided Slide
Manufactured in 1993, this Heckler & Koch USP40 is a first-year production pistol identified by its KD date code and early slab-sided slide profile. Built around the then-new .40 S&W cartridge, it features HK’s cold hammer-forged chromium-steel barrel with conventional six-groove right-hand rifling used only on the earliest USP barrels. Matching serial numbers on the slide, frame, and barrel, combined with crisp German eagle/N and Ulm antler proofs, add collector appeal while confirming its German origin.
Condition
Overall Condition: Excellent condition, showing only faint signs of any prior use or handling.
Bore Condition: Excellent – Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Rifling Condition: Excellent – Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There are minor, superficial scratches and blemishes on the exterior surfaces. The bore remains clean and shiny.
What’s Included
- HK factory gray plastic pistol case
- Operator’s Manual for HK USP Pistols (.40 S&W/9mm)
- 2 × 13-round HK factory steel magazines
This USP40 is a Variant 1 configuration, providing a DA/SA trigger with a left-side frame-mounted safety/decocker. The modular fire-control group can be re-configured to any of the nine USP trigger variants, offering flexibility for future customization.
The frame is molded from glass-fiber-reinforced polymer and incorporates HK’s proprietary accessory rail with a single locking lug. A recoil-buffered guide-rod system reduces felt recoil and component wear, traits that helped establish the USP line’s reputation for durability.
The 4.25-inch barrel is cold hammer-forged from chromium steel, delivering long service life. Unlike later USP barrels that switched to polygonal rifling, this early example retains conventional rifling, a detail prized by collectors tracking the model’s evolution.
Fixed three-dot sights sit in dovetails front and rear, while the ambidextrous paddle-style magazine release allows intuitive operation with either hand. The external spur hammer and textured polymer grip with front- and back-strap serrations round out a design focused on control and reliability.