[Hannibal]

Thinking about a .45 and the local pawn shop has 2 trade-ins that look like new. One is a Kimber TLE2 without rail- black stainless, nite sites. Other choice is an HK USP Tactical. Like comparing apples/oranges. Kimber is 8 rd, single action, heavy. HK is hi-cap, double action, threaded barrel, and German so accessories will be $$$ and the thing is UGLY. Plenty of options for a 1911, less with HK. Will be using this for the range, home, maybe some carry. Each priced at $800. Have shot both 1911s and USPs before- both ok in my book, HK a little big but so are Glocks. Opinions please and don't tell me to buy both- not made of money. Need to decide by Monday- both on hold and other buyers waiting. Thanks.
Han

[SnakeEater]

Well, if you've shot both types before and you're still not sure than I'd say look at something else. If you must buy one of those than I'd vote HK, simply because I like HK's. I just fired 100rds of 450SMC outta my USP45 and I'm giddy about HK's now.

[cerberus]

You just can't find a better quality/Priced 1911 then the TLEs also it will keep it's value much better then the HK.:)

[Highland Ranger]

HK - higher capacity, fairly accurate, usually a crappy trigger, probably DA/SA, so you can carry it with the hammer down (first shot DA) or cocked and locked (first shot SA); plastic which I am not liking lately. No soul.

1911 - SA only, so you'd have to carry it cocked and locked, fewer rounds, should be as accurate as the HK, probably a sweeter trigger (try both, you'll see what I mean.) Has soul and history. Metal which I favor of late.

I don't think you can go wrong here . . . . just run down the list and see if there is any deal breaker in the comparison. For me it would be the SA only of the 1911 . . . . . that and the capacity would steer me toward the HK for carry.

[45 Fu]

My vote would be for the Kimber. I am biased towards the 1911 in almost every situation. The trigger will be better, it will be more accurate, and the 8 vs. 10 round issue is really a non-issue if you can shoot.

I'm in AL, so things might be different where you are, but $800 for a used TLE II seems a little high to me even if it is in real good shape.

[Black Majik]

My opinion would be the 1911. Go for the Kimber.

[RWK]

I own both, so these remarks are based on hands-on experience. Without ANY question, I would opt for the Kimber. The H&K USP Tactical is NOT especially accurate and it is large (much less concealable than 1911A1s). I carry it, as I do my 1911A1s, in Condition One. IMHO, for approaching $1000, you can buy many better .45 ACP autoloaders.

[Chipperman]

"The H&K USP Tactical is NOT especially accurate " :scrutiny:

Accuracy is a non-issue IMO. They are both highly accurate guns.

Ergos-- HK is better for me, you may like the Kimber better. I love the HK mag release.

HK is more versatile. You can change the Variant so it has decocker, no decocker, lefty/righty etc. You can also put on a Tac light or suppressor.

HK will be reliable right out of the box. The Kimber may be also, but I've seen a disturbingly high number of Kimbers that were not.

Snake Eater has a point. If neither of them really excite you, maybe you should hold off.

My personal choice would be the HK, but there is no question that the Kimber is a great gun also.

[Highland Ranger]

With the ban expiring at midnight, the HK will now be able to hold 12 I believe.

Big difference between 12 + 1 and 8.

And yes, I would probably give the reliability nod out of the box to the HK but if you break in the Kimber and understand its likes and dislikes, should be equally reliable.

[Hannibal]

Thanks for the info/opinions..

I dislike plastic but damn, they just keep going and going. The 1911 is mighty sweet. May just have to jump and pick one. Might be some room on the Kimber. Offer less for the 1911. See what happens. Decisions, decisions.
Han

[Grunt]

Well, while I own neither a USP Tactical or a Kimber TLE2, I do own a USP-45 and a Kimber Royal Carry. My USP-45 has worked 100% out of the box from day one. The Kimber needed a heavier recoil spring before it would work. Matter of fact, I have 3 1911s and every one of them needed a little minor work done before they'd run right. I also replaced a lot of the MIM parts in the Kimber since they have a lot of bad press about hese pars. Might be nothing but there's an old saying that where there's smoke, there's fire so I thought it was a smart move to make with a defensive piece. My H&K on the other hand has seen only an ambidextrious safety, match trigger and MMC sights installed, none of these parts were necessary to replace and I have no doubts about the durability of the standard safety lever, trigger or sights, just wanted to upgrade it a little. :)
Another thing that not many people mention is the large trigger guard of the USP pistols over the rest of the competition. During -35 degree winter days, I can still get a heavy ski gove into the trigger of my USP. On my 1911s, it just ain't gonna fit and evenwith a lot of your more conventional DAs, you might have an AD at worst or more likely, the trigger won't be able to fully return forward after the first shot. NOT good!!!:eek: