[David904]

Hi guys... I tend to lurk more than participate, but I have a question that I've been agonizing over for a while.

I currently own an HK USP .40 full size frame with two 13 round magazines. I am thinking of trading it in toward a Colt 1911 or 1991/Kimber/Springfield Armory model of .45.

Am I being an idiot? If not, I would really appreciate hearing what you gus suggest as a replacement piece for me. And the restricitve parameters are that I need to stay around the $600 mark. We just had a baby (our second - I now have two little guys!) so money isn't exactly a ubiquitous commodity. I really appreciate your time and thought.

David

[FunGunner]

As long as you can keep it out of site and still get to in a hurry, that USP is your best friend. Fourteen rounds of .40s&w is more than enough to give you time to either run away or stop one, two, maybe three intruders. If it takes more than that, you were behind the eight ball to begin with, but another 13 rounds never hurts I guess. I pack a CZ75B 9mm with only one fifteen round mag and never feel under gunned.

Put the extra money into a college fund.

[Pointman1776]

I normally wouldn't consider a full-sized 1911 a carry piece...too heavy, unless you went for a smaller-sized 1911.

Keep the USP...that's a nice piece.

I love my Kimber 1911s and Springfield 1911s...hard for me to choose which one I love more, they are that good. But the real tasty ones are around $750-$800. SA Custom Loaded Black Stainless ($800), Kimber Custom II basic/stock ($625), Kimber Custom Stainless TLE II ($925), Kimber Team Match II ($1000).

So for a carry piece, may I suggest a Sig or a CZ? You've probably been spoiled by the HK, so an XD or Glock or other pistol probably won't satisfy you.
Sig P226, P220, P228, P229, or P239.
CZ P-01 or 75-BD

Good luck!

[Chupacabra]

Am I being an idiot?

Yep! :neener:

Hold on to that USP! It may not be the prettiest firearm out there, but it'll get the job done. The only reason I'd get rid of my USP is if it stopped working or it was pried from my cold, dead hands.

However, if you have your heart set on getting a 1911, save your pennies and pick up a Springfield Loaded, Kimber CustomII, or a NRM Colt. IMO, you probably get the best bang for the $$$ with those models.

[JMag]

Based upon the options you listed I would think you'd have less chance of hassles by keeping the USP.

[bratch]

Is this a case of Wannaitis or do you have a legitimate reason? Can you shoot a 1911 better? Do you feel more comfortable with the .45? Are you comfortable with cocked and locked?

A fullsize 1911 isn't bad to carry at all. I carry one. Plan on about $200 for a nice carry rig though.

[Black Majik]

The USP is a great gun, the .40 S&W is a great round.

I'd say use the $600 for defensive pistol course and become even more lethal with the USP.

But, that Colt NRM Government is still a very very nice option. :D

[WhoKnowsWho]

If for some reason, you are horribly inaccurate with the USP, and believe switching to the single action trigger of a 1911 will help, then go practice with the USP more! I don't think you have anything to gain from switching, especially if you already carry the USP without a problem and can shoot it. Those 14 rounds of .40 S&W will treat you well!

[BluesBear]

I normally wouldn't consider a full-sized 1911 a carry piece I would.

I consider it quite normal.

And I don't think it's too heavy at all.

But that's just my opinion and it's only based on 30 years experience carrying one.

[wheelgunslinger]

Keep the USP

[psyopspec]

Why are you considering the switch? Just for a change, or do you have issues with the USP?

If you're looking for a compromise, make a sideways move and change your USP out for the .45 model.

1911 or USP; either way, you're not being an idiot, but you if you have no qualms about the USP and you're comfortable with it, there's no reason to get rid of it.

[ccw007]

If there is not a problem with the HK I would keep it and save to buy the 1911. I do not like to part with any of my guns unless there is a good reason. Like not being able to hit the broad side of a barn with it or if it has major feeding problems :what:

[HKGuns]

Keep the USP!! Why would you want to get rid of such a great Pistol?

[Majic]

First why do your want to switch? Is there a real need or just a case of the "I wants"?

[schild]

Going from a USP to a 1911 is a giant step backwards.

[22luvr]

My son's first handgun was a H&K .40 cal USP compact which he got for $610. I thought he had lost his mind until we both shot it. Thousands of rounds and years later, it has been flawless. My son, bless his wise heart, bought a gun for the ages. You too, have bought a gun for the ages. It will suit your needs indefinitely. Keep it!

BTW, I shot my son's best friend's full-sized H&K .45 and pronounced it the finest handling best shooting pistol of any kind I have ever had the pleasure to fire.....period.

[David904]

Thanks for all your input guys. Actually, I do like the USP, but for some reason, I shoot the government model .45 better. I don't know why. I just do. I still want to pick up a .45; but I don't think I'll give up my USP. Any suggestions as to which brand I should go for? Thanks!

David

[Chupacabra]

I do like the USP, but for some reason, I shoot the government model .45 better. I don't know why. I just do.

hehe! Me too! :D

It's the single action trigger. It has spoiled us with it's goodness. :evil:

The USP just takes more practice to get better with. Some dry fire practice and more range time and you'll be shootin' it better.

:cool:

[Pointman1776]

If 1911...can't go wrong with Kimber or Springfield Armory. I love each of my 1911's from both the companies. Probably 50-60 variations of the 1911 under $800-$900 between the two companies.

[jmilliron]

Keep the USP.

I have a Springfield 1911 (mil-spec) but just bought a used USP9c to augment it. HK knows how to make a handgun.

-jason m

[Marko Kloos]

You'll take a bath on the trade any way you slice it.

I like the Springfield Milspecs, but there's no way I'd trade a USP with two proper un-neutered magazines for a basic 1911.

The gun trading jones can be powerful, but that's one trade I think you'd regret. 1911s are fine weapons, but the lower-end models can be temperamental. The USP is boringly dependable, and a better "do-everything" gun.

[mec360]

If your reason for switching is that you shoot the 1911 better, and you don't believe you are going to get any better with more practice with the USP, then get the 1911. I had that issue with Glocks; they worked perfectly but despite a couple of thousand practice rounds I could just not shoot them as well as a 1911 b/c of the trigger. The 1911 was much easier for me to shoot accurately.

Which one? The Springfield PX9109L wholesales for under $600 (check Shotgun News or Google the model number):
http://www.springfield-armory.com/images/pistols/PX9109LLarge.jpg
and is pretty much good to go out of the box. Note that the gun in that picture appears to be the blued version; this gun is parkerized. Mine works very well indeed. They also make an alloy version if you must go lighter. Also see http://www.signaturegrade.com/sg/which1911.html

Since this is for carry, you will want a good rig to carry it in. I like leather and use the Sparks VMII holster on a Sparks belt. Sadly it is expensive, but there is a long wait, so it must not be too expensive... :) I can carry 8-10 hours in mine without much discomfort.

[Nick96]

It's been said many times - never sell a handgun. The reason is that eventually you will come to want the features of the gun you got rid of. It's happened to me on at least three occassions.

If you want a .45 - - - and can afford a .45 - - - go get it. In the grand scheme of things - it's a pretty minimal purchace.

The botom line is though - - - after many years - - - many handguns - - - many situations where you wish you had a handgun and didn't have one with you - - - you WILL come to this conclusion - - - - all you REALLY NEED is a small frame, light weight .38Spl revolver.

[bugeater]

Just get a Makarov as a carry gun they're a whole $150. Small, cheap and shoots as straight as anything.

[Obiwan]

Hang on while I quickly don my nomex undies

The following is merely my opinion (take offense at your peril)

HK's are fine weapons, but they have a couple weak spots

One is that they are LARGE...they and Ruger seem to overengineer everything

Even their compacts are BIG...if you ever run out of ammo, the club factor may be a plus, but otherwise...they are BIG...real big

Also...they have some issues with broken firing pins...known issue ask any HK armorer. ( Yes, I realize that YOURS may not have broken......not yet)

You may not shoot yours hard enough for that to be a problem, but rest assured that if it happens it will probably be at a bad time

Other than that weakness however, they are pretty reliable...helps to be overengineered.

Many people shoot 1911's better than other pistols....really

If you buy a S/A milspec you will have enough extra $ for holster, leather, practice ammo.

And you would still have your HK

Did I mention that they are LARGE??

[Brass Balls]

I like buying new handguns as much as the next guy and my favorites are 1911s, however the gut feeling I get from reading your post is to stand pat with your H&K for now.

Consider the additional expense of holster(s) and the fact that you will be spending a little more money for .45 ammo and at least initially you would want to practice more to get used to a new pistol.

I'm of the opinion that every handgun collection should have a 1911, but the H&K is a solid, reliable hangun that can essentially accomplish any task that a 1911 can. Also since you're used to the quality of an H&K you might be happier with a better 1911 than $600 can buy when the time comes to purchase one.

[David904]

I appreciate all the input from everybody here. I wish I had this forum at my disposal a few years back.

I used to have a Colt .22 (what a great pistol.) Unfortunately, somehow in the night as I was sleeping, my head slipped up my rear end and I came to the conclusion that I wanted to trade the Colt for a different model of .22 that more closely resembled my CCW piece - the HK USP.

So (and I STILL cringe when I think about this) I went to the gun shop and traded my Colt for a S&W .22 that I thought looked intriguing. I still periodically kick myself over doing that. It galls me so.

Anyway, I think you guys are absolutely right. I'm keeping my USP. It's a great gun and you really can't go wrong having more than one. I'm going to save up for a nice .45 of some type. At least it will give me time to do ample research and make an educated purchase. Did I mention that I wish I still had that Colt .22?

*KICK*