[Lightsped]

Is the HK USP Compact a good CCW gun? I originally wanted to buy a G30 or a compact 1911, but am having difficulty finding either of these in my area.

[uglymofo]

I bought an HK USP 45c that I intended as my 'confiscatable' carry gun. I'm partial to the "1911'" format-- true 1911's, KZ45's (and the KZ 45c) and Kimber Ultra Ten II. The reason I went with the HK was it was so much cheaper than any of the other 45's I own (I paid half of what one of my used KZ's cost me).

It was a pleasure to shoot, and functioned flawlessly. However, even with an IWB holster, it hung on my belt like a boxcar. It was just so damn wide that I had a time concealing it; it printed constantly, moreso than even the UT II (which has never been detected), and I gave up on it as my CCW. I couldn't even get passable results using a Mexican carry. A shame. It was such a great gun in all other respects.

[Skunkabilly]

I used to carry a USP45C, but I found it hard to shoot. It seemed 'unbalanced' to me to have a .45 in a little gun.

My only problem with carrying it was that if I had an untucked shirt and I was driving, the grip texture grated against my back.

[uglymofo]

Skunk,

You're not meaning you carry your guns at the kidney, are you? That's a bad place to carry because of the possibility of injury (either spinal or organ) during a fall. It is suggested that the gun be moved farther away (in either direction [for LH or RH) from 6 o'clock.

[Skunkabilly]

I push it out as far as possible so it won't contact my spine. My body type keeps me from concealing well at 3:00

If I fall, I'm sure my pointy head will break the fall before my spine does :o

:D

[WT]

I like the USP .45 Compact Variant 9 in a Blade Tech IWB holster. Perfect reliability and fantastic accuracy. I can shoot Silvertips in a 1.75 inch group. Maybe somebody with better eyes and coordination can do better.

Okay, so its 1/8th inch wider than a 1911. My waistline can handle it. I don't think such a small difference in width matters. But to each his own.

The sights are downright outstanding. I wish I could have similar sights on my other pistols.

Yes, it has a little more muzzle flip than a full size 1911 but I've trained myself to handle it. The reset on the trigger takes a little longer than the 1911. Then again, a good 1911 trigger can't be beat.

I hate decockers. I think they are an accident waiting to happen. I like the 1911 manual of arms, cocked and locked. That is why I went with the Variant 9.

[KMKeller]

I carried one for a year in a Mitch Rosen 5JR-EXP at about 3:30 - 4 O'clock. Never had an issue and everything worked out just great.

[Silent Bob]

I carried a .40 S&W HK USPC for a brief period of time, I liked the gun a lot but felt it was little too bulky for extended carry and a little bit on the big side to be "compact gun". Nice gun though. I wish I had kept it.

[George Hill]

Great gun. I carried the full sized version concealed for years with a pancake holster with little problems. The compact version would only be better.

[Chupacabra]

I carry a compact 40 IWB occasionally, especially in the summer months.

It is a tad more bulky than my 1911 but it is a lot lighter and easier to carry when I'm wearing shorts.

[Redlg155]

I carried one for a good bit and it was a nice handgun (USP C .45). Super reliable, but the accuracy was nothing to brag about. I ended up getting rid of her because she wasn't as accurate as I wanted or needed.

She also felt pretty thick in an IWB holster. I definitely had to pay attention to clothing selection.

It is a good gun for the right person. I tried for a close to a year before finding out it just wasn't for me. In a leaner, taller person it might fit a lot better. I'm 5'5 and 195 lbs so I'm a pretty stocky guy. :D

Good Shooting
Red

[Airboss]

My .02 worth I have and carry a HK Compact .45 in a Wild Bill IWB and it works well the gun is light and I can hit with it and most importantly its reliable ie.it goes bang every time the trigger is pulled.
Do I carry it every time?NO but if I had to pick one gun out of all the guns I have the HK would be it.

[gbelleh]

If you can pull it off, any HK USP would make a great carry gun. My USP .45 Compact is unbelievably accurate. Never ever jams, but it's relatively big. If I could carry, I would try my best to find a way to conceal it!

I really wish HK would make a single stack actual pocket sized gun!

[Erik]

They are a bit chunkier than they need to be, and the finger perch prints readily.

But they are fine, servicable pistols. (I carry one when I have to - for work.)

[10-Ring]

I like my USPc 9 for CCW. Small enough for carry & big enough to hold, control & shoot proficiently.

[obiwan1]

I have one on right now. A USPc LEM .40 in an Aker flatsider holster. My normal off duty dress mode is dockers, colored t-shirt, tropical (Hawaiian-ish) shirt on top left unbuttoned and untucked - like a sport jacket. It's the compromise that I have chosen to make to be adequately armed. It's a good choice for me 99% of the time. The other 1% I carry a P11 in a pocket holster.

[caz223]

I really thought it was too big to carry for a while.
But I couldn't think of a handgun I'd rather have when the SHTF, so I lug it around when I can.
Mine's 100% reliable, scary accurate, and a pleasure to shoot.
8+1 of .45 acp makes me feel better.
My 228 is easier to carry, and 13+1 of 9mm is comforting, but the USP compact was my first love.

[webley455]

I would take a USP over a Glock every time. I have small hands and USP's fit better in 45 40 9. I also much prefer the HK manual of arms. In my experience the USP is more accurate.

[XavierBreath]

I carry a USPc .40 in a Don Hume JIT holster at 4:00, but I have to wear a jacket to do it.

With only a shirt, I carry a Para C6.45LDA in a Galco USA. I can pack that at 1:00.

My prefered weapon is the HK, but the hot summers here do not make it a viable option until October.

[tetchaje1]

I carry my USP 40 Compact more frequently than my SIG 239. It is really not much thicker than the 239, and you get 10+1 of 40S&W as opposed to 7+1 or 8+1 (9mm) in the 239. Mine has been flawless from day one and is extremely accurate. I did a home fluff-and-buff trigger job, and now the trigger pull is nice and smooth -- well worth the 1.5 hours effort.

Highly recommended if you don't have trouble concealing it.

[Sox]

Tetch, can you describe your trigger job? I took my fullsize usp all the way down, just didn't know what to polish etc. and couldn't find the link. Thanks, Dave