Would you recommend an HK USP compact

Status
Not open for further replies.
L

leadcounsel

member
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
5,365
Location
Tacoma, WA
Never owned an HK but am considering one.

I own many different pistols ranging from 1911 to Keltec to Glock and also revolvers. I'm interested in learning more about HK. I may buy one in .40 caliber.

How are the USP and USPc to shoot? How is the accuracy and reliability?

Are they easy, moderate, or difficult to maintain, field strip, etc. What if anything is prone to failure or break?

I've done a search on this board but nothing on point comes up quickly.

Thanks,
 
Yes I would absolutely recommend the USPc!
I have a 9mm compact. It goes bang every single time (over 5000 rounds). Takedown, cleaning is a snap. They are well built, ultra reliable weapons that come in 9 different variants (SA/DA, DAO, LEM, Lefty, W or W/O Decocker, etc) to suit your particular needs. They are consistantly accurate across the board. Every HK I've shot has been spot on.
The minuses are they are a bit more expensive usually $650 new and mags are somewhat expensive $40 for full-caps although you can get 10 rounders fairly cheaply.
They have a high bore axis. Though it seems you shoot a variety of guns so it should not be a problem
 
My regular carry gun is a .40 USPc in variant 1. I've got nothing but good to say about it. As hnk45acp pointed out, they tend to be more expensive than some other very fine weapons, but if I didn't think it was absolutely reliable I wouldn't carry one.

It might be worth your while to browse around the HKPRO forums at hkpro.com.
 
I had a .40 Compact for a short time. It was well-made with nice workmanship, and proved to be reliable. Accuracy was pretty good, although not the best I have tried.

It was the ergonomics that really turned me off though. It has a really high bore axis, which exaggerates muzzle flip, and is noticeably top heavy. I had never given any thought to a pistol being top-heavy until I shot that one. It makes it feel like it wants to fall out of your hand to either side. It also has a cartoonishly-small grip. My guess is that it was designed to be used by people wearing gloves. The name “Compact” is also a misnomer – it is larger than some full sizes I have seen and is very wide.

My criticisms are based strictly on personal preference, so you may find it to be the greatest pistol ever. It has a loyal following, so others, including law enforcement, must like them. Not for me though – I sold it soon after I got it. The good news is that they retain value well, and I got what I originally paid for it.

My recommendation would be to spend some time with one before you buy, if that is at all possible.
 
I feel they work and shoot fine, but are a bit big and clunky for my tastes.

Will they work - yes.
Would I want one one no !
 
I own 4 different H&K's and have many thousands of rounds through each of them.
How are the USP and USPc to shoot? How is the accuracy and reliability?

Are they easy, moderate, or difficult to maintain, field strip, etc. What if anything is prone to failure or break?
Click to expand...
Compared to 1911's (my recent favorite), they are a bit more difficult to shoot. The trigger just doesn't compare to a 1911 trigger. That said, they can be very good; and match triggers are available for them. For me, they're hard to shoot fast. They are plenty accurate though, my full-size USP .45 is probabably the most accurate handgun I own, shooting just over an inch at 25 yards. Reliability is tops!

USP's are very easy to maintain and field strip; and they rarely break or need any parts replaced. Of my 4 USPs and all the rounds I've got through them, I had to return one to the factory (several years after I bought it) for some warranty work - which turned out to have been caused through my own negligence. But they still covered it and I was only out my shipping cost.

USP's as a carry gun are another story for me. I've tried many different holsters and cannot find one that will hide the gun sufficiently. So, I've gone to 1911's for carry purposes. A lot of this has to do with body type as there are other folks on this board that can carry them just fine. They just don't work for me. ...would I ever carry one if I had to? You betchya! As long as its in a OWB paddle or belt-slide. ;)
 
How much would you pay for a used USP compact, bought new and used heavily in 1998? 4 10 round mags. Variant 1.

Broken firing pin replaced by HK.

No other issues according to seller.
 
My normal carry gun (when I am in the states) is a USP45c. Great gun very accurate. I had some difficulty with my magazine followers getting gouged by the rims of the cases and causing type 2 jams on the last round in the magazine occaisionally. I replaced the stock H&K magazine springs with Wolf +10 springs and that seems to get the last round up in place quick enough to have solved the problem.

I would really like to find some metal magazine followers for mine, I know they are out there somewhere.
 
I had a USP 9 fullsize stainless:

A)Never had a problem with it

B)It was accurate

C)It was well built

D)Trigger was ok DA, better SA

E)The Stainless version looks good

F)Very easy to field strip and clean (the fullsize version anyway)

G)I didn't enjoy shooting it

H)I've decided I don't enjoy shooting 9mm

and finally

I)recently sold it and bought something(s) else
 
I have a 40compact and like it quite a bit. It is my primary carry piece and it serves that function very well. It is light weight and small enough to conceal easily.

Shootability is okay. It took me a bit of practice to get good with it. The aggressive stipling on the grip makes it uncomfortable to shoot during long sessions. The double action trigger is horrid. I would rate the single action trigger as okay to good.

Accuracy is scary good if the shooter does his/her part.

Maintenance is a snap. Very easy to field strip and clean.

Reliability is off the chart. In nearly five years I have not had a single malfunction of any kind. This gun will eat anything I feed it and ask for more. Not a single part has broken or failed.

They are expensive. I don't regret my purchase though. :evil:

For a heavily used one... I might pay $450 or thereabouts.
 
How much would you pay for a used USP compact, bought new and used heavily in 1998? 4 10 round mags. Variant 1.

Broken firing pin replaced by HK.

No other issues according to seller.
Click to expand...


I paid $600 for mine new with 2 10 round mags. 10 round mags are only $10 - $14. If it has several thousand rounds through it, discount accordingly. The USP should have a life of at least 30,000 rounds. If the gun has, say 5,000 rounds down it, maybe offer $500 and see where to go from there.

BTW, these are solid, very well made firearms, worth the extra $$ they cost, IMHO. Go for it
 
I sold mine

Just as kasTX commented, I found the feeling of top heaviness so much to deal with that I had to struggle with the gun.

My 45ACP was moderately accurate, but I must confess this was more the interface between me and the gun, than any inherent accuracy the pistol had.

The trigger; standard one, was spongy in DA, and seem to let off in slightly different lengths of pull, SA, -to me.

I had no jams in approximately fivehundred rounds fired, but did have too many failures to go to battery. That is complete slide closure.

The double column magazines were a strain to insert the last two rounds, though I have good strong hands. Someone with only moderate or average
strength, such as your child or wife would not be able to fully load them.

The decocking mechanism is a plus, and the sights are good.

In summary though, I do not think they are worth the price.
 
I have a USPc 40. It has performed perfectly. I haven't fired it much, but it has worked everytime. Quality is top notch. I also like the size, the grip seems to fit my hand well. I like the decocker feature mine has.
 
Yes, I would recommend the USPc. They are great little guns. However, I would recommend the P2000 over the USPc's. The DA and SA trigger seems to be smoother on the P2000, you get 4 backstrap pieces and the ergonomics seem slightly friendlier.

I will carry my USPc but not over my P2K. I will use my USPc as a backup to my Sig when I'm carrying in a potentially hostile situation.
 
If you want the mercedes of service pistols you want the USP. I see people posting that they were not that accurate! I do not know what they are talking about! My well worn USPf in 45ACP is the most accurate gun I shoot! And, the projected service life of the springs for a USP is 40K, so saying the life expectancy is only 30K is bs! They are built like a tank! They are not going to suit everyone! The nay sayers come up with all kinds of excuses. Simply put go try one for yourself! Get a good holster! Most members of the 1st chairborne commando brigade do not invest in good leather or suiting their clothing to carry a gun well! That means good leather or kydex and proper belt. Upsizing your pants for IWB carry!

When did WI get concealed carry ?
 
HK P-2000 in .357SIG

I'd check out the HK P-2000. It's available in .40S&W but I'd get the .357SIG model. If you want to use it for protection/CC, get the LEM model. It's standard issue for several LE depts and has been highly rated by firearm experts. The HK P-2000 has an ambi safety and mag release and can also use lights/lasers. The HK P-2000SK is a smaller model that is more concealable.

Check www.hk-usa.com and www.gunsamerica.com

Rusty S

:cool:
 
On HKs site, it states something to the fact that they're good for 20,000 rounds...

I don't recall the exact language at the moment...
 
You know, my best friend bought a USPc, and to this point, he has been pretty satisfied with it. To be honest, I had never really thought about them much, but it has some things going for it. Chief of which is that you can alter the set-up on it in such a variety of ways. Plus, when we took it out and shot it, I ran about 50 rounds through it and it was as accurate as I can shoot and comfortable to boot. Not really my cup of tea, but from my limited experience, I would recommend it.
 
leadcounsel said,
On HKs site, it states something to the fact that they're good for 20,000 rounds...

I don't recall the exact language at the moment...
Click to expand...


The only reference to 20,000 that I find seems to be touting the "captive recoil system...extending service life beyond 20,000 rounds."

There is much anecdotal claim to 30 and even 40,000 rounds attained. These are quality works, yes they do wear out, but they will last as long or longer as any current firearm on the market.
 
Buy with confidence...

My son shot for the moon on his first gun purchase almost 10 years ago. He bought an H & K .40 cal USP compact and paid over $600 for it back then. I thought he'd lost his mind until I handled and shot it. It made me a better shooter and it has been 100% reliable with every kind of ammo shot through it. Beautiful ergonomics, incredible accuracy from a smaller than service-size auto and excellent workmanship throughout. He still has it and probably always will. I told him if he ever wants to part with it to call me first.
 
I would recommend it for the following reasons:

1) My CCW is a HK .40 USPc and I have shot 3 other HKs (many rnds) without
a single problem.
2) I have intentionally skipped cleaning it for long periods of time to see how
it affected the performance. No change was noticed after approximately 2000 rnds
over a 6 month time frame. (used alt CCW at that time also HK).
3) I have intentionally limp-wristed it to cause a FTF or jam of some sort without
success.
4) The grip and size fit me fine (but that is not the case for all).
5) Very easy to clean (as are many others).
6) Even with HV rnds the recoil is easily controlled.

See if you can rent one and put a lot of rnds down range.
 
I had one in 357SIG--a fine gun with GREAT controls, never had any real problems with it.

That said, I sold it and when with another Sig for carry (a p229--I already had a p226 on the nightstand). If you like the feel of a USPc, there is no reason not to love the gun. I just prefer a Sig.
 
ABSOLUTELY!

I started out with a USPc45 in 1999. Since then I've added a USP45, USPc40, USP45 Tactical, and a pair of P7s. I've had several operator/ammo related failures but never gun related. My USP45 has upwards of 20,000 rounds thru it without a single glitch. My 45 Tactical will shoot 3" 5 shot groups at 25yds freehand. I'm sure it would do better from a rest but I've never tried it. As far as field stripping I haven't found a gun out there thats any easier. Pull the slide back 1/4 of the way, push out the slide stop pin, remove slide/bbl/recoil assembly, the end.

Accuracy in the compact models suffers a bit (at least for me) because of the shorter sight radius and more felt recoil (lower slide mass and less sophisticated recoil buffer). My only complaint about the USP is the DA trigger pull. I swapped out the standard trigger for a Match Trigger and it helped.

FWIW my carry gun is a USPc40 chambered in .357Sig. I trust it with my life.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
Tell me about the .45 HK USP Compact AG
Replies
8
Views
2K
Sean Dempsey
S
Tecolote
  • Locked
HK USP Compact or HK P2000
Replies
4
Views
636
10-Ring
1
Tecolote
  • Locked
Browning HP Vs HK USP Compact?
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
WonderNine
W
D
  • Locked
HK 45 vs HK USP 45
Replies
7
Views
1K
MarshallDodge
MarshallDodge
C
  • Locked
Why would you choose the HK USP 45 Compact?
Replies
8
Views
923
Archie
Archie
Back
Top