HK45 compact vs USP compact 45ACP?

[roach4047]

HK45 compact vs USP compact 45ACP?

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I'm in the market for a .45 semi-auto pistol for concealed carry purposes. I'm leaning toward a Glock 30 due to the known reliability of Glock and it's competitive price. A second pistol that caught my attention after reading what others had to say about it was the HK 45 compact. Well once discovering the HK 45c I quickly took note that HK offered several compact pistols chambered for the 45 ACP.

I know that if I decide on the Glock it will simply be because of the savings that it offers. I'm debating if I should drop the extra cash and go with one of the HK compacts instead. I would totally trust either one with my life or I wouldn't even consider it as an option.

What I don't know is this. I'm not as familiar with the HK products so I'm at a loss as to which direction to go. I understand that the HK45c is made here in America. I'm not positive but I'm under the impression that the HK USP compact is made in West Germany.

Are both equally worthy of carry? The few dollars of difference between the 2 models isn't worth consideration. What I'm mainly interested in is top notch performance and absolute reliability.


Does one particular HK compact stand at the head of the line?

The reason that I ask is that I purchased a Sig P220 years ago that was made here in the USA and was very dissapointed in the number of malfunctions that the gun would experience and have since ready many other complaints about Sig 220's that also complained about reliability issues with the American made versions of the product. I fear possibly the same scenario might be the case with the HK45 and the HK45c that are made here in the States. Perhaps I'm wrong but my gut instinct is that the USP compact would be the better option so far as craftsmanship and dead on reliability though maybe not as visually refined on the surface (bells whistles) ie forward slide grasping grooves.

So what's the general conscensus regarding the comparison of the HK45C vs the USP compact? With the highest priority being placed on reliability, durability, accuracy, and overall craftsmanship?

I'm mainly interested in hearing from those of you that have extensive knowledge of the 2 HK compact models that I've mentioned here. Does either stand out as clearly superior?

Roach

 

[roach4047]

Anybody care to comment.

Roach

 

[Bentonville]

I own a bunch of HKs. The USPcompact and full size have just too big a grip for me. They are reliable, accurate, easy-to-maintain but just too big for my hands.The HK45C with the interchangeable backstraps fits like a glove. It's as accurate as any .45 I have owned and it is also a soft-shooting .45 imo. It is very well made and worth every penny to me. If you don't get it now, and you eventually shoot one, you will be sorry you didn't buy it. If you follow what I am saying. Go ahead and get it. You'll never look back.

 

[HK-Freak]

The only advantage that a USPc will have over an HK45C is that LEM conversion kits are more available (if you've never tried HK's LEM trigger, you're missing out). The HK45C is an outstanding pistol. All of the parts are made in Germany, it's just assembled in the U.S. because of DoD requirements. Unlike SIG, HK-USA actually has their sh*t together. There have been absolutely ZERO complaints from HK owners over lack of quality control with U.S. made HK45's and HK45C's.

 

[Quiet]

US Navy SEALs have adopted the H&K HK-45C Tactical to replace the Mk23 Mod 0.

 

[nwilliams]

IMO the HK45c is the best .45acp on the market short of a 1911.

The USP is a nice gun and I owned a USP 45 Tactical for a while and it was incredibly accurate and reliable. However the problem with the USP 45 is that it's an enormous gun with a grip that just feels too big for me and a lot of other users out there. The HK45c is just as accurate, just as reliable and has a smaller grip that can be customized with different backstraps to feel just right.

The only other problem with the HK45c is that new they are quite expensive, around $1k. I was lucky and found one used in almost like new condition for a little over $800, still expensive for a used gun but it's definitely a gun that is worth the hefty price tag.

 

[badbadtz560]

reliability, durability, accuracy, and overall craftsmanship

for those reasons above, I'd say you should be on equal footing w/ your two choices. the uspc has certainly built a reputation over time - i can only assume the hk45c is similar enough.. some pistoltraining website has a 50k(or something ridiculously high) round challenge on the full-sized hk45 - it was an interesting read.

I sold my uspc .40 and kept my hk45c because I liked the grip, thinner slide, mag release button, and springy mag release that it offered over the uspc.... my springy mag release I mean it seems to push that magazine out a little

I also shot it better, but I have a hunch it's more to do w/ it being a .45 than just ergos since neither felt particularly bad

I am having trouble finding the LEM kit or variant9 detent plate for hk45c - slight issue for me b/c I once decocked on a draw.. and my other pistols are all LEM

so basically.. I'm saying that it's all about ergonomics. it seems like you've done all your homework already.... now which one fits better in your hand and shoots better?

 

[pursuit0226]

I recently purchased a USPc 45. I was between that and the HK 45c. I chose the USP because it was $250 less, came with true night nights (not luminesent) and was actually a little smaller and I wanted to use for CC. The USPc 45 fits some of my P2000 holsters and is very easy to carry. I have also been amazed at how accurate it is! I am not saying that it would be better then the HK 45c but I am thrilled with the purchase.

 

[benderx4]

You won't go wrong with either of these guns. In fact, the internals of both guns are VERY similar, but the HK45c wins the prize for ergonomics. (But remember that the grips of the HK45c and the HK45 are NOT the same.) I use the Hogue Handall on my USPs which make them extremely comfortable for my hand. Otherwise, the big difference between the two guns is price.

 

[carbuncle]

I had an H&K USP compact in .45 about a decade ago and I loved it. Shot well, carried as well as any gun of comparable size and I loved the flexibility of the Variant 1 configuration. Had to sell it due to a shortage of funds, but I still want to pick up another one.