By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
Quite a few folks have a tactical type firearm designated as an emergency gun.
It should be a long gun and a firearm that makes the most of the shooters abilities. The firearm should be proofed for reliability and the shooter must practice with the firearm. A tool capable of slaying dragons isn’t effective if the user is not skilled in its use.
Among my favorite carbines is the HK USC .45 caliber. While many of us prefer a .223 or .308 caliber rifle the pistol caliber carbine makes a lot of sense in some applications. Many shooters don’t have access to a range longer than one hundred yards. Others fire their guns in indoor ranges. The pistol caliber makes sense for recreation. If you own .45 ACP caliber handguns and have ammunition on hand the pistol caliber carbine solves a lot of ammunition supply problems. Recoil is modest and the caliber is effective in personal defense to at least 100 yards.
The HK USC is among the least well known of HK’s many excellent products. The HK USC is a semi-automatic version of the UMP submachine with changes in the stock and barrel length. The USC was intended as a more affordable firearm than the excellent but pricey HK MP5 type SMG.
I have not been happy with many of the semi-automatic versions of famous submachineguns. The USC, on the other hand, turns out to be well balanced, reliable, and useful for defensive duty. When the USC was designed the Crime Bill was in force, hence the stock design. As it turns out the stock is ergonomic and useful in close quarters drills as well as long range drills.
The USC features a 16-inch hammer forged barrel. The frame is a reinforced polymer. This frame will stand use and abuse and remain in service. HK designed the USC .45 to operate with a blowback action. The safety is well designed and falls under the well effortlessly during handling, while the bolt racking handle is standard HK, pull it to the rear and release. The bolt handle may be used to lock the bolt to the rear and there is also another receiver mounted bolt release. The magazine release is an HK type paddle. The carbine uses 10 and 20 round magazines. I used HK and ProMag magazines with excellent results.
The sights include a hooded post front, among the finest all around combat sight ever designed. When you use this simple sight you will realize how efficient a hood post may be in rapid engagement at close range. The rear sight features an open sight leaf for close combat style shooting. An aperture sight flips up for longer range work. You may purchase an HK rail for mounting red dots and optics. I have not done so; I find the carbine just fine as issued. The rifle is delivered in a high quality drag bag with generous accessory pockets. The trigger action is clean and useful. It feels lighter than it actually is. The trigger action measures ten pounds on the Lyman electronic trigger gauge.
Firing the HK USC isn’t a revelation if you have used pistol caliber carbines. Recoil is modest. Ergonomics are well suited to rapid fire off hand. The USC moves between targets quickly. Rapid follow up shots are easily accomplished. I have attempted range work with UZI semi auto carbines with far less impressive results.
The Thompson carbine is a fine recreational self-loader as well but the slow trigger reset and handling are far less handy than the HK USC- not to mention the Thompson’s greater weight. The HK Universal self-loading carbine has proven reliable with a wide range of ammunition. I used a good supply of hard cast bullet handloads in proofing the carbine. I have fired a good quantity of 230 grain FMJ loads and several type of jacked hollow point loads. Some calibers pick up considerable velocity with a 16-inch barrel. The 9mm picks up a couple of hundred feet per second and the .357 Magnum even more. The .45 ACP enjoys a more modest increase of 50-70 fps.
A hard hitting load such as the Black Hills Ammunition 230-grain JHP exits the HK USC’s barrel at over 900 fps. The balance of expansion and penetration with this loading is ideal for defense use.
The USC would be a fine home defense carbine. Recoil isn’t a consideration and muzzle blast isn’t as deafening as the .357 Magnum or .223 Remington carbine. The ability to quickly swing the carbine on target, a rock solid three point lock up, and easy handling make the carbine much more effective than any handgun.
The HK USC is a serious defensive firearm. It is also a fun gun. Firing at targets at known and unknown distances and connecting more often than not builds skill better than firing at only paper targets. The HK’s light recoil and easy accuracy make practice enjoyable. As for absolute accuracy the carbine has greater accuracy potential than I was able to demonstrate. The sights are excellent battle sights but the front post subtends small targets at 50 yards or more. The carbine is difficult to bench rest because of the long stick magazine. I fired several five shot groups just the same from a standing barricade with good results. 230 grain FMJ loads will put five round into four inches or just a little less at 50 yards. The HK USC is an interesting firearm and among the most overlooked options in an emergency firearm.
Specifications
Overall length 35. 4 inches
Width 1.17 inches
Height with magazine 9.75 inches
Barrel Length 16 inches
Sight Radius 12.87 inches
Weight Empty 6.0 lbs
Sights Post front, aperture sight rear
Average retail $1,350
Beware scalper prices! If you encounter a used example the addition of spare magazines- the USC is supplied with a single ten round magazine- and the Picatinny rail may make a used USC a better value.
