HK Left Handed Safeties

[Nightingale]

I've got an HK USP .40 with the safety on the left side. I shoot left handed, so I need the safety moved to the right side. How complicated is this?

[Apeman88]

I don't think you can simply move the safety to the other side. I have a P2000 and I had to buy an ambi safety for it... yes... I'm a lefty as well.

BTW... not many people know ambi kits are available from HK... including HK techs. had to call HK 3 times before the last guy knew the part # for it.

[libertarian]

You need to order the parts kit from HK (they probably call it something like "USP Variant 1 to Variant 2 conversion kit":

HK USA Customer Service: (205) 655-8299 from 9:00 am till 4:00 pm EST, Monday through Friday.

Then it's a "moderate pain in the ass" but not impossible. Seek out an HK Armorer or someone who is good at such things. HK can probably tell you where the certified armorers near you are.

[Nightingale]

I figured there was a conversion kit of some kind... I was more wondering what exactly needed to be done. Just trying to get to know my gun a little better.

[OCRancher]

Yeah, HK has about 8 "Variant"'s of the USP. Check their website to see which one has the ambi safety and that should narrow down the part to order.

[libertarian]

There's an ambi safety, but there's also a LH-only safety, which adds less bulk to the frame.

Heckler & Koch USP - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I haven't found any documentation of what the actual procedure involves, but here's the complete detail strip, which probably encompasses the part you'd need to do the change.

http://home.comcast.net/~turley_j/USPDD.pdf

[Spicy McHaggis]

Originally Posted by Nightingale

I've got an HK USP .40 with the safety on the left side. I shoot left handed, so I need the safety moved to the right side. How complicated is this?

To go from a variant 1 to variant 2, all you need is a new detent plate. Call HK and you can get one from them - Heckler&Koch.

[OCRancher]

Originally Posted by libertarian

There's an ambi safety, but there's also a LH-only safety, which adds less bulk to the frame.

Heckler & Koch USP - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I haven't found any documentation of what the actual procedure involves, but here's the complete detail strip, which probably encompasses the part you'd need to do the change.

http://home.comcast.net/~turley_j/USPDD.pdf

Although I note your point about bulk, I would prefer if any gun that was being retrofitted for left handed shooters be fitted with an ambi safety for two reasons. First, as a left handed shooter, you still may be in a position to shoot off hand, and second, if someone else has to use your gun, they can operate it in a normal fashion.

[Spicy McHaggis]

Originally Posted by Spicy McHaggis

To go from a variant 1 to variant 2, all you need is a new detent plate. Call HK and you can get one from them - Heckler&Koch.

I meant to change this response, but missed the edit times.

If you are going from V1(safety/decock on the left hand side) to V2 (safety/decock on the right hand side), then you might not need a new detent plate. The V1/V2 detent plate is the same part number.

I'd try giving the guys at HK Parts Online a call to see what you need. They will even have the ambi safety if you want that instead.

[sealbeach]

When my wife started shooting, she insisted she needed ambi safeties on all her guns, because she figured she was a lefty; then CCWI found out she really shoots WAY better right handed, so I am glad she could switch over, and all of her guns have ambi safeties not LH only. Also consider resale value, should you EVER sell your guns, the RH or ambi option is much more popular, of course.

Then again, its your gun and your comfort factor, nobody elses.

[1buba]

Originally Posted by OCRancher

Although I note your point about bulk, I would prefer if any gun that was being retrofitted for left handed shooters be fitted with an ambi safety for two reasons. First, as a left handed shooter, you still may be in a position to shoot off hand, and second, if someone else has to use your gun, they can operate it in a normal fashion.

Most folks will say that ambi is a "must have" for ccw. Don't think i've ever asked the guy what he thinks...

[CCWInstructor]

Originally Posted by 1buba

Most folks will say that ambi is a "must have" for ccw. Don't think i've ever asked the guy what he thinks...

MUST HAVE! I'm going to shoot left handed if I'm using cover correctly.

[Nightingale]

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

MUST HAVE! I'm going to shoot left handed if I'm using cover correctly.

Good to know. I didn't think of it that way.

[libertarian]

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

MUST HAVE! I'm going to shoot left handed if I'm using cover correctly.

That's why all my Glocks have ambi safeties!

[NikNak]

Originally Posted by libertarian

That's why all my Glocks have ambi safeties!

So do my wheel guns .....