RadekSkylark
Member
- Joined
- May 8, 2016
- Messages
- 136
Hello, everyone!
I'm from Latvia, Baltic States (Europe). Around 6 years ago I got my CCW permit and bought my first handgun, S&W 640-1 (cause we're not allowed to carry a round in the chamber). Recently I bought myself a used Maverick 88 Security 18,5" 12 gauge shotgun for home defense (got a great deal IMO, although it is nowhere close as good as the one I'm going to talk about next).
In one of the local shops, I found a "used" H&K USPc 9mm which to me seemed to be in basically a brand new condition (maybe shot a few times, not sure, the shop had rather poor lighting conditions but I'm pretty sure it was barely used). These guns new run for 830$ to 1000$ in local or European shops (unfortunately Glocks are around 720$ to 950$, and used ones are almost nonexistent), but I managed to arrive at a price of 200$ for the particular gun (partly because it had been in the shop for some time and the clerk really didn't know what that gun is too well (they usually sell only Glocks but USP are not too popular here, at least not in the past 1-2 decades).
I'm really excited about this deal and hope that I'll get the permit to buy it in the coming weeks, as this to me seems like a deal of a lifetime (around 25% price of a brand new one). The only reason I'm 100% sure whether I actually want to purchase it is this - there is basically no aftermarket support for it locally and in Europe as well. Also, for every handgun I purchase I need to pay taxes of 60$.
For example, there are few options to get spare Glock mags for 25$-35$, but for USP they go for 55$. There are some options for IWB and OWB holsters for Glocks and their mags, as well as aftermarket sights and other parts, there are non for USP locally. The only options I've found are some quite expensive European holsters from Falco Holsters, IIRC. Then there is the problem with flashlights (I presume I would want to mount one in the future), as there is a limited amount of flashlights that'll fit directly (not even talking about the fact that locally, including Europe, I cannot purchase an IWB holster which is light compatible (I think even Falco Holsters didn't have one). As I understand even in US USPc's doesn't have the best aftermarket support. Anyways, considering the problems with shipping from US to Latvia I really cannot get my hands on US accessories in any simple way. With regards to flashlights, I don't think I can buy and in Latvia (maybe some options for Glocks), but I could definitely buy some for Glocks in Europe, not sure about any for USP. As for adapters for USP, there are no available locally and haven't found any in Europe, so again, I would need to purchase from US, but there are basically no companies that ship to Europe.
I wanted to purchase this gun for home defense and concealed carry, as well as an entry gun I could use to start participating in local IPSC events (we don't have IDPA here), although it is nowhere close to the best choice for IPSC, it would get me started and it could try to meet all these needs reasonably well in the long run if I could source everything I need in terms of accessories (I was told that at the start for IPSC I need a total of 3 mags and of course holders for gun and mags), and doing it all at a stellar price (good investment). Considering the deal it is, it seems hard (or even stupid) to pass, when you consider that for me to get a new Glock 19, for example, costs in total of at least 780$, whereas this USPc for cost me 260$ in total (1/3 of the price, disregarding accessories). Of course, after I add in a bunch of spare mags, holsters, falshlight, etc this difference will come down a big, but will still be measurable in a few hundred $, which for me is a lot.
I would presume that for me the best bet would be to get a Glock 17 for IPSC and home defense + Glock 19 (or maybe 26 with an extended mag peace to get a good grip and extra rounds) for CCW, especially if I could get holsters that fit both guns (bot IWB for CCW and OWB for IPSC), also I could use my Glock 17 mags as backup for a CCW Glock I have. Many of the aftermarket parts I believe could also be interchangable (or maybe not). Anyways, this seems to be a better long-term prospect. The only thing I would want for all my Glocks is the back plate on the slide where you can put on your finger while reholstering so as to block full extension of the striker (maybe wrong words used but you get the point) which as I understand is even expensive in US, disregarding shipping which for me would cost a lot probably, if I even can find someone to ship it. This is one of the things I like more for USPc as a CCW, that there is a hammer I can block while reholstering (I carry AIWB, it makes me more comfortable). I can never forget that vidoe of the guy in the shop reholstering his Glock and then getting a ND while picking up something/ducking.
Basically, I'm having doubts that buying this USPc just to put it in a safe as an investment in the long run is a good choice, considering that I would still want a Glock 17 for IPSC after few years (or when a good deal pops up).
Anyways, a lot of words said, but I'm still rather new to firearms and was hoping that you guys here with way more experience could help me with some advice considering the circumstances I've laid out. <edited>
I'm from Latvia, Baltic States (Europe). Around 6 years ago I got my CCW permit and bought my first handgun, S&W 640-1 (cause we're not allowed to carry a round in the chamber). Recently I bought myself a used Maverick 88 Security 18,5" 12 gauge shotgun for home defense (got a great deal IMO, although it is nowhere close as good as the one I'm going to talk about next).
In one of the local shops, I found a "used" H&K USPc 9mm which to me seemed to be in basically a brand new condition (maybe shot a few times, not sure, the shop had rather poor lighting conditions but I'm pretty sure it was barely used). These guns new run for 830$ to 1000$ in local or European shops (unfortunately Glocks are around 720$ to 950$, and used ones are almost nonexistent), but I managed to arrive at a price of 200$ for the particular gun (partly because it had been in the shop for some time and the clerk really didn't know what that gun is too well (they usually sell only Glocks but USP are not too popular here, at least not in the past 1-2 decades).
I'm really excited about this deal and hope that I'll get the permit to buy it in the coming weeks, as this to me seems like a deal of a lifetime (around 25% price of a brand new one). The only reason I'm 100% sure whether I actually want to purchase it is this - there is basically no aftermarket support for it locally and in Europe as well. Also, for every handgun I purchase I need to pay taxes of 60$.
For example, there are few options to get spare Glock mags for 25$-35$, but for USP they go for 55$. There are some options for IWB and OWB holsters for Glocks and their mags, as well as aftermarket sights and other parts, there are non for USP locally. The only options I've found are some quite expensive European holsters from Falco Holsters, IIRC. Then there is the problem with flashlights (I presume I would want to mount one in the future), as there is a limited amount of flashlights that'll fit directly (not even talking about the fact that locally, including Europe, I cannot purchase an IWB holster which is light compatible (I think even Falco Holsters didn't have one). As I understand even in US USPc's doesn't have the best aftermarket support. Anyways, considering the problems with shipping from US to Latvia I really cannot get my hands on US accessories in any simple way. With regards to flashlights, I don't think I can buy and in Latvia (maybe some options for Glocks), but I could definitely buy some for Glocks in Europe, not sure about any for USP. As for adapters for USP, there are no available locally and haven't found any in Europe, so again, I would need to purchase from US, but there are basically no companies that ship to Europe.
I wanted to purchase this gun for home defense and concealed carry, as well as an entry gun I could use to start participating in local IPSC events (we don't have IDPA here), although it is nowhere close to the best choice for IPSC, it would get me started and it could try to meet all these needs reasonably well in the long run if I could source everything I need in terms of accessories (I was told that at the start for IPSC I need a total of 3 mags and of course holders for gun and mags), and doing it all at a stellar price (good investment). Considering the deal it is, it seems hard (or even stupid) to pass, when you consider that for me to get a new Glock 19, for example, costs in total of at least 780$, whereas this USPc for cost me 260$ in total (1/3 of the price, disregarding accessories). Of course, after I add in a bunch of spare mags, holsters, falshlight, etc this difference will come down a big, but will still be measurable in a few hundred $, which for me is a lot.
I would presume that for me the best bet would be to get a Glock 17 for IPSC and home defense + Glock 19 (or maybe 26 with an extended mag peace to get a good grip and extra rounds) for CCW, especially if I could get holsters that fit both guns (bot IWB for CCW and OWB for IPSC), also I could use my Glock 17 mags as backup for a CCW Glock I have. Many of the aftermarket parts I believe could also be interchangable (or maybe not). Anyways, this seems to be a better long-term prospect. The only thing I would want for all my Glocks is the back plate on the slide where you can put on your finger while reholstering so as to block full extension of the striker (maybe wrong words used but you get the point) which as I understand is even expensive in US, disregarding shipping which for me would cost a lot probably, if I even can find someone to ship it. This is one of the things I like more for USPc as a CCW, that there is a hammer I can block while reholstering (I carry AIWB, it makes me more comfortable). I can never forget that vidoe of the guy in the shop reholstering his Glock and then getting a ND while picking up something/ducking.
Basically, I'm having doubts that buying this USPc just to put it in a safe as an investment in the long run is a good choice, considering that I would still want a Glock 17 for IPSC after few years (or when a good deal pops up).
Anyways, a lot of words said, but I'm still rather new to firearms and was hoping that you guys here with way more experience could help me with some advice considering the circumstances I've laid out. <edited>
Last edited by a moderator: