[Tecolote]

Trying to decide between a HK USP Full Size or a Compact. Are they equallly reliable and accurate? Is one all around better than the other?

[10-Ring]

I have both full sizes & compacts in my collection & they're equally accurate, reliable, durable, & fun to shoot. Is one 'better' than the other???? Depends. Recoil systems are diff't, but all USPs are +P+ rated from the factory so that's not an issue; there might be more options available for the fullsize and the compacts tend to be a bit more expensive...
But honestly, get the one that fits you better to be begin with or the one you can get the better deal on and you'll be okay ;)

[mpthole]

10-Ring nailed it. :) Finding a more reliable, accurate, durable, ergonomic and comfortable gun than the USP (full or compact) series is hard to find.

If you're looking for a concealed carry piece, you'll probably want to go with a compact - but the full-size versions can be concealed well also, depending on your body type.

If you're looking for a home defense / range / IDPA type gun, then I'd go with the full-size version.

By the way, what caliber are you looking at? 9mm, 357, .40, .45?

[Tecolote]

Debating between 9 or 45. :confused:

[10-Ring]

If you're looking at the 9 mm or 45 acp versions, also consider that the 45 acps a fractionally larger than their 9 & 40 counterparts also fullsize 45 mags are metal mags not plastic (that does make a difference to some).
If it were me, I'd go w/ the USP 45 1st, then USPc 45 then get the USP 9 & then later a compact 9...problem solved ;)

[psyopspec]

I've got the full size 9mm and the compact .45. I'm happy with both, each one is easy to conceal and both are equally accurate out to 25 yds. Can't comment on further distances because that's about as good as I am right now.

I started with the compact and bought the fs version when I started to like the action and hungered for more. They're both great pistols, and I carry both depending on attire and astological allignment. You'll probably be satisfied either way, and in any caliber.

[SnakeEater]

I have to recommend the fullsize USP45. I love mine so much it's my CCW gun. I can carry IWB using a Milt Sparks VM2 with shorts and t-shirt no problem. You can install the match trigger in fullsize models, not so in compacts. The match trigger is around $100 and fairly easy to install. I'm sending mine off to Bruce Gray for the ultimate trigger job next week.

I'm also buying Bruces one of a kind, highly customized USP Expert .40 :evil:

[plnkr1234]

Hi,

If you're considering a 40 or 357Sig, I'd go with the compact USP. Then, you can get another barrel in the other caliber and shoot either caliber in the pistol without any reliability issues.

Trying to do this in the full sized USP is not as reliable, at least according to they guys over at Parkcitiestactical.com

Also, if grip size is an issue, the compacts have reduced grip circumferences and use different (not just shorter) magazines compared to the full sized.

[mpthole]

Just to clarify:also fullsize 45 mags are metal mags not plastic (that does make a difference to some). The USP 9 compact mags are metal also - even the 13 round ones, but the 9mm full-size are plastic, both the 10 and 15 round.

[10-Ring]

For more on this subject or other HK firearms related subjects, go check out www.hkpro.com :cool:

[Tecolote]

HK Pro is responsible for my dilemma. :evil:

[Kitt]

My daily carry is the 40 compact loaded with the Corbon 135 gr bullet. My house gun is the Tactical 45 loaded with the Hornady XTP 200 gr +P, my Tactical has the Mk II light and the CCF Vortex flash suppressor.

[SouthpawShootr]

Unless you've got some big mits, I'd go for the USP compact. Seems to balance a little better and you have a shot at trying to conceal it.

[Coltdriver]

I went from full sized .45 1911's to a HK USP Compact in .45.

The compact is hardly compact, unless you compare it to the full size HK!

The accuracy of my compact is excellent. I don't think you give up anything in accuracy for a slightly smaller package.

There are lots of 9mms out there and the HK is certainly one of the best. But I think the HK in .45 is in a class by itself.

[P0832177]

I carry the compact, just waitingt for HK to get the ten round compact magazines out on the market! I love my fullsize and compact HK USPs. They are two of the most accurate guns I have owned. I have over 10k of rounds through the fullsize. It has been through three classes. Only failures so far have been ammo (reloads with a non primed round made to the ammo can) related and induced with dummy rounds. Buy with no hesitation! Accuracy! Softened Recoil!

[Mikul]

My compact USP is my most accurate handgun.

My second handgun was almost a USP 45 full-sized, but I decided to try a 9mm CZ instead. The full size .45 is big, but concealable. It also give you 10+1 capacity. That's a lot of power.

[SnakeEater]

It also give you 10+1 capacity. That's a lot of power.

Make that 12+1 capacity. :)

[River Wraith]

I have been contemplating the almost exact same decision, but 9 vs 40. To me, the full size is not much bigger than the compact and it holds more bullets, so problem solved. The 9 or 40...I came to the conclusion that I needed one of each. Now if I can just save enough money to actually buy them...

[wally]

fullsize USP45. I love mine so much it's my CCW gun. I can carry IWB using a Milt Sparks VM2 with shorts and t-shirt no problem

Unless you are 300+lbs I have a hard time believing this. I'd love to see a photo, video would be even better as I have a really hard time believing it wouldn't be obvious you were packing when you moved.

The USP is even bigger than my CZ95.

--wally.

[SnakeEater]

Sure, I'll go to the trouble of making a video to prove that I carry a fullsize USP :rolleyes: Wally I don't mean this in a derogatory manner but your statement leads me to believe you don't have much experience with concealed carry. I'm 6'2" 230lbs. FYI. Larger fellas in the 300lb. range usually have a more difficult time concealing IWB because, frankly, the fat pushes the against the gun making it protrude outward more than normal.

[Mikul]

It IS 12+1. I thought it would go up after the AWB expired but I couldn't find anything to back my theory up.

Well, if I ever get a .45 it will officially be a USP full-size.

[wally]

SnakeEater, Let's just say I've lots of experience with concealed carry well before concealed carry was legal here and was amoung the first batch to be made legal. Are you talking about wearing a T-shirt or a tent? I mean the full sized USP 45 and a holster is a lump that'd be hard not to see, especially when you move around.

I'm 5'11" 210 lbs and even my Kimber Ultra carry is pushing the limits of what I can hide unless I dress like a Gansta Rapper -- which ain't gonna fly in my job.

I understand dressing around the gun (if you can) but you said no trouble with T-shirt and shorts, I'd need to see it to believe it.

Before www.ktog.org got hacked, there was a photo posted of a guy in a T-shirt bragging about how easily he concealed his Bersa .380 in a "belly band" holster -- he was deluding himself as others quickly pointed out.


It'd make a fun thread to post some headless photos and let people vote packing or not, and then disclose if so, which gun/holster and where the gun is carried in the photo. Its very easy to pass in a still photo, its movement that generally gives you away -- that people don't pay attension to you if you don't "act suspicous" is probably 90% of the battle. But I have to not be made despite handshakes and hugs -- I work with a bunch of antis :( Other than that its a great job :)

Before we had CCL "better to be tried by twelve than carried by six" was my rational, now, if I get fired for violating policy I'll get a new job if and when the time comes -- just be hard to find such a sweet deal as I have now.

--wally.

[Jeff]

I have a full-sized USP .45 and I don't understand why everyone thinks it is so honking big. It might be larger than 90% or 95% of all large framed pistols, but it's not likes it's significantly larger.

It also depends what your body-type is. I could probably conceal my USP under a tee-shirt because I have quite broad shoulders and chest, allowing my tee-shirts to NOT "hug" the lower parts of my abdomen, like on a slighter framed male. My shirts hang loosely around the trunk because of the size of my upper area.

[SnakeEater]

Wally,

Jeff mentions a good point. I too have broad shoulders and a 34" waist so that helps alot. Instead of debating I'll get some pictures up in a day or two. I'll start a new thread titled "Concealing a fullsize USP". My normal summer wear is khakis and polo but I'll take some shots with a plain t-shirt on too.

[coltrane679]

I just got a USPc357. Fits my hand (decent size) just perfectly--came with two 12 round mags. I have no knock on the fullsize USP, but it just doesn't fit the mitt as well.

[Todesengel]

I'll start a new thread titled "Concealing a fullsize USP". My normal summer wear is khakis and polo but I'll take some shots with a plain t-shirt on too.

Did you already take some pics? Just curious because I never had a Problem concealing a USP40F when I owned it...

[SnakeEater]

Funny thing happened after I wrote that. I fired a G32 and fell in love so I bought it. Then I sold the USP because I'm now a Glock fanboy.

[357SIG]

I am 5'11" and 170 lbs. I conceal carry a full sized HK USP .45 with no problem under an untucked shirt. My clothes fit properly, so it is possible without baggy shirts, etc.

[Todesengel]

No matter which gun one chose for carry, a good Holster and Belt are very important to conceal a Handgun propper. I highly recodmend HBE or Milt Sparks Leather.