Springfield XD or HK USP?

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Lone

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I'm tryin to decide what to buy and I've come to these two. I'd like to hear some advice/reviews from real people on one or both.

Thanks
Lone
 
This is probably only gonna be answered after you shoot each one. I've never owned an XD, that being said all of the reviews and the owners are singing their praises. I have owned (own) some USP's. They are great pistols that will work every time, although I believe a tad overpriced. Don't forget SIG.
 
From holding both of them at a store, I liked the USP much more, though, I haven't shot a USP, so I really can't give you any helpful advice... For some reason though, I felt I had to post a reply... :scrutiny:
 
The X D when it comes out in .45 G A P ,
if you HAVE to have something right now ,
the U S P in .45 acp.

or
both when you can afford them:D
 
Close to 5000 on my USP9, no hiccups. All types of bullets, including lead


Much more accurate than I am. Won't hesitate on getting a 45USP...


That is, if the wallet permits ;)
 
I have two 45's that have been 100% reliable - a H&K USP and Les Baer. All my others (Colts, Kimbers, Sigs and Glocks) have had a problem.
 
Either way you end up with an ugly plastic pistol. The main difference is one of the makers doesn't overcharge you for it.

I'd rule out the HK not only for the obvious reasons that many do, but also because of the nearly retarded safety lever if you choose to carry one C&L. Up is "safe," down is "fire," even more down is "accidental decock under stress."

I briefly had a USPc .45 a handful of years ago I gladly sold mainly because of that "feature."
 
No matter which you choose, you'll get a great gun, but I'd recommend the XD over the HK. I've had three HKs; all are gone. I have four XDs, and I'm looking for more.

* Both are big guns, but the HK seems even more big and "blocky" than the XD; the HK seems to have a lot more sharp edges as well.
* I think the XD has a better grip/grip angle, and the mag release is easier and faster.
* The HK has a slightly higher bore axis relative to the grip, and since you can't get the web of the hand as high on the HK, I think the HK delivers more felt recoil.
* Both are easy to take apart and maintain.
* I think the trigger pull on the XD is marginally better than the HK.
* The HK is wildly overpriced in my opinion; XD prices are fairly reasonable.
* If you want a true 45, the HK is the only option.

I am faster and more accurate with the XD than the HK, because the XD simply fits me better. Not everyone has the same results, which is why you really should try them both before you buy.

Good Luck!
 
I'm new here, in fact I think this is my first post, but my two cents ought to spend the same as anyone elses. I agree with what's already been stated, before you take the leap and spend you hard-earned money on either an SA XD or HK USP you should hold and fire both and then get the one that feels the most comfortable to you. Whatever your choice, I don't think you can go wrong.

That having been said, I own two XD's (XD-9 and XD-40) and would not hesitate to purchase another. In fact when the .45 GAP is available I have a sneaky suspicion there'll be one with my name on it. They are very accurate out of the box, and in my experience and gauging from other's posts, very reliable. I've put about 5000 rounds combined through my XD's and never once had a hiccup in either. I also tend to like the grip safeties on the XD's. I've seen a lot of debate in one forum or another re: whether the grip safety is a hindrance or not, but in my experience I've found that I really don't even notice it's there.

You'll be happy with whatever you choose I'm sure. You could get two XD's for the price of one USP, maybe then you'd be twice as happy.
 
I have both the XD40 and USP40 decock only.

Both feel good in the hand, the angle agrees with me on both of them. The checkering on the plastic is a bit sharper feeling on the USP.

I prefer the mag release on the USP, it is faster for me to reach as I do not have to shift my grip to hit it. To eject a fully loaded mag in the XD takes a ton of pressure. The XD mag release is more a standard design, though both are ambidextrous. Some people don't like the paddle type release of the USP(same on the P99).

The USP feels a bit blockier in the slide, though both are more blockish than most pistols anyways.

The USP has a polygonal grooved barrel, so no-no on lead. Though my USP is one of the first that came out, so it has a standard land and groove barrel. Neither have a history of kabooms, but if you hotrod the .40 S&W, nothing will be safe.

The XD trigger feels a bit squishier than the SA trigger on the USP. Maybe it will be better after a couple 100 more rounds. The trigger on the USP feels wider too, which is helpful for the first full double action shot. I don't have a problem firing quickly with either one. The reset feels about the same on both.

There is no safety on my USP, just decock. So no confusing up for safe, like a 1911, and down for fire and more down for decock. Though there are tons of options for the safety type (decock only, safe and off safe only, D/A only). And now, you have the option for the LEM type trigger on the USP which is more like a SA only type function (like a Para Ordnance LDA the internal hammer is already cocked, so though you have to pull the trigger a full Double Action distance, the weight to pull it back is much much lighter, more like a Single Action pull). Though I am not sure if there is a second strike ability (hammer falls, no boom, pull trigger again?) in an emergency though, loading the next round would probably be better anyways. The XD is simple in that there are just the normal slide release and mag release. With the added striker cocked indicator (kinda like a hammer is cocked, you can see it) and loaded chamber indicator (the new USPs, the extractor functions as a loaded chamber indicator).

Accuracy, most magazine reviews give the edge to the USP. The XD is combat accurate, the USP can easily be made match accurate on top of its already great accuracy. Though you do pay for it.

Recoil, the double spring recoil design on the USP40 works wonders. It is the only .40 my wife will shoot, it works so well you can feel it slow down the slide. The XD is a bit snappier, but not painfull, though there is enough of a difference so my wife doesn't want to fire it much. She can fire the USP all day, and has, as I have stood there and loaded the mags for her.

Price, used USPs are usually pretty reasonable around here, I would never buy one new. My piece cost $469 with night sights and nickel (not stainless) slide. My XD40 Stainless was $450 like new. Mags for the USP are pricey though, cheapest I have found for 10 rounders is $29. Hopefully high caps will drop in price after the ban, instead of $69 and up. The XD has the bonus of being able to use Beretta mags with a simple modification. Though I don't know about the 40 caliber one. Putting a 9mm Beretta 92 mag in the XD40 bent a feed lip because of the ejector hitting it.

Both have been reliable but I haven't fired the XD much yet. I have put about 1000 rounds through my USP but only about 200 through the XD. Full metal jacket and lead semi wadcutters.

Looks, USP, sorry, I just like it a ton more in the looks department! Though the stainless XD doesn't look like it was hit with the ugly stick like the OD green XD.

Good luck, try and fire both, but both are fine in the end I think.
 
I'd rule out the HK not only for the obvious reasons that many do, but also because of the nearly retarded safety lever if you choose to carry one C&L. Up is "safe," down is "fire," even more down is "accidental decock under stress."

I briefly had a USPc .45 a handful of years ago I gladly sold mainly because of that "feature."
Oh, now, that's BS. You can change out a safety on HK, takes 5 bloody minutes, swap one little part. You did not have to get rid of the gun.
 
I love my USP45f. Never shot that other gun. You are as right as rain Rival. By the way Lone the usp 45f is a severe duty handgun. I am not sure the XD can handle the +P+ loads. The USP can and thats straight from the factory.
 
Oh, now, that's BS. You can change out a safety on HK, takes 5 bloody minutes, swap one little part. You did not have to get rid of the gun.

Ah yes, just go with Variant 9 or 10. I would have still had a very ugly and chunky gun that was uncomfortably stippled and had ridiculously priced spare magazines though.

I did say that I sold it mainly because of the Variant 1/2 safety, not that such was the only reason. Besides, why complain? Disenchantment with these uncompromising products is how almost every used H&K winds up on the secondary market. The remainder wind up there from individual microeconomic misfortune no doubt.
 
My experience has been with the HS/XD line of pistols. I've carried my duty piece for over 3 years & 10,000 plus round without malfunction.
I simply trust the gun!
 

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I went to look at an XD today 4-in service model .40. It slipped into my hand like it was supposed to be there all along, it was a beautiful fit. It was $480 for the gun and 2 clips. is that a good price? I know the MSRP is 500 so I thought that was kinda high. any help?
 
is that a good price?

It really depends on where you are located. New 4" .40 S&W caliber model from one of my dealers is $433 but the wait for it could be a while. Used, I usually see them at about $400. Most shops have them new for around $450 for the standard finish.
 
I took my USP45 and my Les Baer Premier II to the range last Saturday.
Fired approx. 150 rds. from each pistol. A combination of hardball and various types of hollowpoints. The USP was every bit as accurate as my LB.
Of course the trigger and ergonomics were'nt as good, and the recoil was a bit more, but it was just as accurate, and of course stone cold reliable.

Also, love the mag release on the USP's.

Kind of suprised me in the accuracy department. I gotta vote USP.
 
Lone, it looks like you're leaning towards the XD. It is a solid pistol and I think you'll like it. I have a couple of XDs and a USP. Great guns. Polymer framed pistols represented a small portion of my collection until I got my concealed carry permit. Now roughly half my autos are polymer framed. They're not as pretty as stainless steel pistols, but I really didn't buy my carry pistol to match my belt buckle or shoes. Good luck with your selection!
 
For what its worth I own a xd9 subcompact and love it. A friend owns a usp compact 40 and i never liked it. I paid $415 in oregon for my xd.
 
I haven't shot an XD yet but plan on getting one in the near future, I do however own a USP 9mm, the pistol is about 9 years old and has had almost 70,000 put through it, still fires like a dream and is straight and accurate with no malfunctions...
 
hey

Hello,
I have had the Xd 45 shot it about 20 times or more but for me the Hk is it for me I sold my Xd and getting a USP 45 full its fits my had a lot better plus for the 45 xd is a lot heaver but thats just me like everyone say try them both and and you will see what works for you everyone is different....
I still like the XD over the glock though hands down
 
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