HK USP compact

[rl168]

What do you guys think of the HK USP compact and using it as a carry gun? Both the 9mm and the 45 fit my hand pretty well. I have not shot them before. Anyone on here can provide some feedback? I can't find them at the local gun range for rental. I know P30 and HK45 are the latest model, but they are too $$$ and I like the USP design better.

[The Annoyed Man]

I own one in .40 S&W which I bought for carry purposes. I also bought for carry purposes, just a few weeks before the H&K, a Sig 1911 GSR Revolution Carry Stainless in .45 ACP. This 1911 is a Commander size, with a 4.25" barrel. Here's my impressions:

Comfort:
The Sig 1911 seems to carry more comfortably than the H&K USP Compact. Even though they are very similar in size, the shape of the 1911 feels narrower and flatter. It carries very comfortably in a IWB Kydex holster which I had custom made for it ($59.00 from Jim Wolfe of M&W Concealed Handgun Training). To be fair, my H&K holster is a Fobus OWB pancake, but the whole package feels blockier and bulkier than the 1911 package. I will be ordering a holster from Jim Wolfe for the H&K for IWB, and then I can give a more accurate comparison. (BTW, if you order a 2nd holster from him, he reduces the price on the 2nd one to $50.00.)

Accuracy:
I am not an expert shot. I'm an adequate shot. In my hands, the 1911 is consistently more accurate. In fact it's VERY accurate. It has a match grade barrel, match grade barrel bushing, match grade trigger group, and everything is tightly fit. The H&K is not as accurate as the 1911, but it shoots consistently, and group sizes are A) only a little bit larger; and B) well within what would be called accurate for a combat firearm.

Trigger:
Unfortunately, the H&K's trigger, even on single action, is not in the same league as the Sig's. Take up is gritty, and the let off requires more trigger pressure than the Sig's trigger, which has no take up and breaks like a glass rod. My guess is that part of the accuracy difference I experience with the two pistols is due to the Sig's superior trigger, and the effect of the H&K's trigger on how steady I can hold the pistol while shooting. One the other hand, the 1911 must be carried cocked and locked to be useful, while the H&K gives you the option of either cocked and locked carry with a single action first shot, or decocked with a double action first shot. However, that double action first pull is extremely heavy, and you may well miss your first shot because of it.

Weight:
I'm sure they are different, but subjectively, they feel about the same.

Firepower:
8+1 .45 ACP versus 12+1 .40 S&W, or 9 versus 13 rounds. Add a spare mag for each, and it becomes 8+8+1 versus 12+12+1, or 17 rounds versus 25. The difference in energy delivered to target at realistic shooting distances is a matter of a very small percentage in favor of the .45, but not enough in my estimation to make that your reason for choosing that round over the .40, and whatever advantage the .45 has is quickly negated by the larger number of rounds you can bring to bear with the H&K. ON THE OTHER HAND, God forbid you should ever have to shoot, but I believe that statistics will bear out that you will probably never fire more than 2-3 rounds should you ever have to deploy your pistol, so the available number of rounds is probably a moot point.

Dependability:
The Sig experienced a lot of jams when I first bought it. I took it back to where I bought it and had the ramp polished and an ambi-safety installed (I'm left handed). It feeds Federal Hydra-Shoks just fine now, but it still occasionally jams with hard ball. I believe it to be due to a very stiff recoil spring and not enough zoom in the hardball cartridges. The jams are of the failure to completely clear the magazine variety. The round nose-dives into the feed ramp and stops, with the cartridge rim still between the magazine feed lips. I have not continued to have this problem with the Federals. The H&K digests everything you throw at it with nary a hiccup. It has never jammed once, from day one, and I would be surprised as heck if it ever did.

Price:
I purchased my Sig from Euless Guns & Ammo. It was a CPO gun (certified previously owned) which had been completely gone through by the factory, and all worn parts replaced. It was effectively a brand new pistol with a brand new barrel. The price was $699.00, versus $1,049.95 for a new pistol. I purchased the H&K from Sportsmans Warehouse in Lewisville (before their going out of business sale). It was a brand new pistol, and I paid $739.00 for it.

Other:
As a gentleman's carry weapon, the 1911 is superior. It is a nicer pistol in fit and finish, and you can do worse than the classic lines of the 1911 type. It came equipped with Novak low profile night sights with tritium inserts, perhaps making it marginally better for shooting in the dark. However, the tritium dots are not very sharp in good light and they are harder for my eyes to pick up then. Also, it is tightly fit. I don't want to try it, but my impression is that, if I left it soaking in mud overnight, I would experience some failures to function. Conversely, If I was going into battle, I would pick the H&K, where ugly don't matter, but reliability does. The white 3-dot sights contrast very well against the black finish of the pistol, and I am able to see them very well in all but the darkest conditions. On the balance, I like both pistols very much, but I have elected to to sacrifice a tiny modicum of reliability for carry comfort and have decided that I will most likely carry the 1911 most of the time, and use the H&K as a home defense weapon.

Hopefully, this information will help you to make your choice a little bit easier. Sorry about the length of it all.

[CJATE]

I absolutely love my H&K USP compact also chambered in 40S&W. although 1911 is my next purchase (make not yet decided on). I will agree the H&K is fat, as is the glock and XP ect…. The reliability, fit and finish of the H&K is to my liking. Before I bought it, I was not a fan of plastic guns, but I have grown to like this one. I carry it every day, IWB with cheep-o nylon holster and a good belt. I have never talked to any one who did not like their H&K, I can’t say that about many other makes.

I have mistreated this gun (riding 4 wheelers, not cleaning, been swimming) and it runs like a top,

[78641]

I am a long way from expert, but:

I have owned an HK USPc .45 for eight or nine years. Several thousands of rounds down the pipe, it has NEVER had a malfunction of any kind, using a wide range of ammo, both ball and HP. When trying SD rounds I would shoot about 300 rds of ball, then load miscellaneous HP rounds in the dirty gun, trying to get a failure, it never happened.

I have been carrying that gun every waking moment for about 4 months, in one of these: http://www.comp-tac.com/catalog/product ... ucts_id=95
Once the holster is a little broken in, I don't even feel the gun. A good belt is important.

I am not a good enough shot to comment on accuracy, but the trigger pull on DA is long and heavy.

There might be better, more comfortable, concealable guns out there, but this one is just fine for me.

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

My USP Compact in 9mm is a great gun. I love it, and have used it to teach many people how to shoot handguns with it. It's not the MOST accurate, but like said above, it's more that adequate. I don't carry it much anymore because I have others, but I feel it's a good choice. If it fits your hand and you're comfortable with it, I say go for it.

[78641]

If you go with the .45 I can give you a good deal on a Galco OWB holster, barely used. I wore it maybe twice before I got the MTAC.

[rl168]

Thanks for all the feedback.

TAM,

Thanks for the nice detail comparison. I really appreciate it. I own a commander size 1911 too, unfortunately, it will spend more time in the safe. Currently, my carry gun is a Springfield Armory XD-9. I want my carry gun to be a rugged piece which I don't have to worry about scratches and abusing it. I think the HK USP fit the bill. Now if only I can get a chance to shoot both the 9mm and the 45 so I can make a decision.

78641,

Thanks for the offer. I carry my XD in a MTAC and I love it. If I get the USP 45c, probably will get another MTAC.

[rl168]

Anyone willing to "rent" your USPc 45 to me for a range session?

I would like to try it first before making a decision. I'm in the Willowbrook mall area, close to Shiloh shooting range. We can meet over there, I'll cover your range fee and will bring my own ammo...

[dustyb]

This is a little off subject, but have you thought about the USP in .40 S&W? I have the full size USP in .40 and really like it. It is a little on the big side for concealed carry, a H&K USPc in .40 is on my wishlist.

[frreed]

I have a full size in 9mm and am going to try carrying it. I am big enough that I can carry a larger pistol and have carried my Sig Pro on occasion. While the slide is fatter than a 1911, it is no longer and is lighter than most.

As for the compact, if it is anything like its big brother, you cannot go wrong.

[jdh2580]

I have a USPc chambered in .357sig that I originally purchased for carry. Great gun but I have not been able to find a holster to combo with it to work for me. Seems I keep returning to subcompacts to carry. You might look at the p2000 if you want to stay with H&K.

Good luck with your decision.