The HK USP (Universal Self-loading Pistol) is the first HK pistol designed especially for American shooters. Features favored by the U.S. military, law enforcement agencies, and civilian users provided the design criteria for the USP. Its controls are uniquely American, influenced by such famous designs as the Government Model 1911 pistol. The USP control lever, featured on many variants of the USP, USP Compact, and USP Specialized models, is a combination safety and/or decocking lever. The control lever is frame mounted and quickly accessible, unlike the slide mounted safeties common on many semi-automatic pistols. The USP control lever has a positive stop and returns to the fire position after decocking. A key advantage of the USP control lever is that it allows many USP models to be safely carried cocked and locked.