H&K USC-45 vs FN PS90

What to buy?

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Maverick223

Maverick223

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It's about carbine/SMG time...Thinking of ordering a HK USC45 and getting the "UMP Kit" for it...however I like the idea of a bullpup (love my M17S). Great to have a that [comparatively] long barrel in a short package. I also like the idea of a HK SMG in .45ACP, especially IIRC the mags are the same as the ones for my full size HK USP. So opinions? Also, any thoughts on the effectiveness of a .45ACP out of a 16" bbl vs. whitetail deer (within 100yds.) If the answer is dead deer I think I found me a gun. :D Feel free to suggest other CQ pistol/rifle caliber guns (no AKs, AR variants, etc).
 
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i had both, sold both cause neither were anywhere as good as an AR15.

but if i had to choose, i'd go with the USC/UMP.
 
Thanks for the fast reply...

Any thoughts on the knock down power of the 45 ACP on a deer...I know it is more than sufficient for BGs. ;)
 
I owned a USC for a few years but sold it due to the fact you couldn't use high cap mags in it and to convert to a UMP clone was way too expensive.

I now own a PS90 and I'm extremely happy with it.
 
People have killed deer with the .45 ACP before. Just place your shots and know your gun.
 
People have killed deer with the .45 ACP before. Just place your shots and know your gun.
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This is true but seeing as though there is currently no AWB the fact the gun is still in post-ban configuration seems really sad to me. If HK is still manufacturing the gun then why are they still acting like the ban is in place. If they re-released the USC in in a non-ban configuration I would be all over it!
 
Interesting...

I owned a USC for a few years but sold it due to the fact you couldn't use high cap mags in it and to convert to a UMP clone was way too expensive.

I now own a PS90 and I'm extremely happy with it.
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Thanks for the reply, I definitely like the capacity of the PS90 better,30-50rnds vs. 10-12rnds; and the cartridges are of lesser weight. But less [projectile] weight = less energy delivery (generally).
 
I'd go PS90, just because it's more unconventional and a bullpup.

They both look a little silly with the extended 16" barrels, but the FN barrel notably less so. Plus the FN barrel is at least helping with velocity, whereas I'm under the impression that the .45 ACP starts to decrease in velocity from a 16" since that's more barrel than it needs to burn powder.

Before folks come in with price, I'll point out that .45 ACP is running around 36c a shot for even West Euro-made (Fiocchi) ammo, while 5.7 is running 39c a shot, so they're really about the same price. Further, as established as .45 ACP is it's not going to get any cheaper relative to 5.7, but if a major US manufacturer starts producing economical 5.7 (as Federal is rumoured to be considering), 5.7 could well drop below .45 in the near future.

Plus, seriously, bullpup.
 
People have killed deer with the .45 ACP before
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I have heard of polar bears taken with a .22lr :scrutiny: (supposedly eye shots), but that doesn't mean I want to try it. What would be a good comparison? (e.g.: better than 30 carbine, but worse than 7.62x39) Thanks for the reply.
 
I wouldn't be too worried about high cap, I think 10 rounds of .45 would likely put down a deer or two. If not you've got a serious crank problem among your deer herds or you need to go back to the range. Maybe HK will release a high cap USC mag? Please......?????
 
I voted PS90, mostly because of the mag issue. And because they fit me like a glove, are really cool, and ammo is available around here. Funny thing, i can get large NE and H&H cartridges, but sometimes i can't get more than one type of .223, 52gr stuff!
 
Over at the hunting forum there have been many threads showing people killing deer and hogs with 1911s in .45 ACP.

Just put the bullet in the right place. Not saying its ideal, and I wouldn't go out further than 50 yards to be honest.

Go with a lever-gun in .357, .45 Colt, or .44 mag if you want to be sure.
 
45 ammo is a lot more abundant than the 5.7 is.i have a usc, & it puts rounds into one small hole at 25 yards. its very accurate & reliable....
 
Though choice. I own both and wouldn't part with either. They are two very different weapons.

As to why HK keeps the sporting configuaration even though the ban is over, they have to as the guns are made in Germany and are subject to import restrictions and 922(r). And yes, they do make a 20 round mag for the USC. It's $129 which is still cheaper than any of these USC/UMP conversions. I will be keeping my USC stock. Ten rounds works for me, and two can be mag cinched together. I'll eventually pick a 20 rounder. I just got a 20 round mag for my SL8, which I also keep stock.

The word is that the USC and SL8 are no longer being imported. But, wait a few years and they might bring them back just like they did with the newer black ones after the gray ones first came out.

Again, a very tough choice as they are two very different weapons. I suppose I'd give the edge to the USC due to caliber, but only if not turned into a UMP look-alike.
 
Thanks all for the replies...

It's $129 which is still cheaper than any of these USC/UMP conversions.
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So you cannot use USC/USP mags after the conversion? :cuss: One of the things I like about the USC is the ability to take USP mags IIRC (gotta check on that). :banghead:
 
my USC/UMP conversion was done so that it takes grease-gun mags which are awesome (but weigh a ton)

keep in mind that the actual UMP is double-stack and the USC is single-stack
 
i would go with the ps90 higher capacity, high velocity, no recoil at all, and it is imho one of the coolest rifles on the market, look wise as well as the mechanics of the system, and how it operates.
 
keep in mind that the actual UMP is double-stack and the USC is single-stack
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So I must be incorrect about it taking the same mags, b/c the USP is twin stacked. Is it the UMP that uses USP mags, or am I just all wrong? Grease mags sound good though...should be available and cheap. Thanks for the info.
 
dunno, maverick. i bought mine years ago just after HK stopped making them and stopped importing them.

a couple years later, i started seeing all these "factory black" models wandering around but i never got my hands on one. so maybe they solved that problem and are compatible with something standard-capacity. i'm just saying i'd look into it before dropping a chunk of change
 
So I must be incorrect about it taking the same mags, b/c the USP is twin stacked. Is it the UMP that uses USP mags, or am I just all wrong? Grease mags sound good though...should be available and cheap. Thanks for the info.
Click to expand...

USC mags are single stack ten rounds that only fit the USC. USP mags will not fit. Conversions will allow for the grease gun mags or UMP mags. There are also the aftermarket USC single stack 20 round mags.

To me 20 rounds of .45 is more than I want to lug around on a carbine. Folks will trust their life to ten rounds or less of .45 with a handgun, but when it's a carbine they will spend thousands to avoid what can be easily be accomplished with a mag change for another ten rounds. I don't get it. Unless you have to have a UMP look-alike (a conversion will never be a UMP) or a folding stock, leave the USC as it is, preserve the warranty, and if you have to have 20 rounds buy the aftermarket mag or get a mag cinch. I know that guys have a lot of fun converting their USC, and quite a little aftermarket has sprung up around it, but I see the money spent on an already expensive weapon to be of questionable value, other than the enjoyment factor. Same with the SL8 to G36, especially if the new 20 round mags work out, taking away the major drawback of the weapon (to some).

If you are looking to convert the HK, buy the PS90, you will be money ahead.
 
I have owned both, and for me personally I liked the HK more. The ammo for .45ACP is more readily available, it is already subsonic, has some serious knock down power, and will slow down if going thru a wall better (no scientific data to prove this) than the 5.7x28mm. That said, both weapons are excellent.

If it is a cost issue, I would go with the PS90 for the shear fact that it is a complete package ready to go (i.e. high cap mags). The USC needs to be converted to the UMP platform to handle high capacity magazines but if done is a super-compact unit.

You won't go wrong with either one, both are priced about the same, and ammo is similar in cost, too. Have fun with whatever you end up with & enjoy!
 
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