USP Match

USP Match Weapon Statistics
First seen:	Chapter Three, Route Kanal
Ammo type:	9mm
Capacity:	18 rounds, 150 carried
Damage:	5
Primary fire:	Fire pistol
Secondary fire:	N/A
Best at range:	Any

Half-Life 2's standard pistol, it is the first projectile weapon the player receives ingame. Throughout, it remains a steadfast and efficient sidearm. The USP match has a standard rate of fire and a large magazine, making it an indispensable part of Gordon Freeman's inventory.

Description

The HK USP Match is a standard semi-automatic 9mm pistol, with a black polymer frame and stainless steel slide. The magazine holds 18 rounds, allowing for a substantial amount of fire (for a pistol) to be put downrange before needing to reload. The weapon has an advanced compensator which greatly reduces perceived recoil. It also has green tritium sights.

Use

The pistol is one of the weaker weapons in the game. Its damage output per bullet is 5, just above the H&K MP-7, and with a smaller magazine, but its semi-automatic nature and precision make it a handy firearm to have at the ready. Because of unique and effective recoil buffer system HK designed for the USP Match, the gun has almost no recoil, making it able to put bullets within a small target area in rapid succession. This has translated over to Half-Life 2, where the USP is among the most accurate weapons in the game. Its accuracy holds at close, medium, and even long distances. It is accurate enough to gain headshots with ease, which greatly increases the usefulness of the otherwise relatively weak pistol. Using the HEV's zoom function, one can even pick off faraway targets with the pistol.

Like the MP-7, the pistol is also a good choice when conserving ammunition for more powerful weapons, or to deal the killing shot to injured enemies. The gun really shines, however, when used to place a few well-aimed bullets into an enemy from long range.