Reality Check Please -- My first pistol purchase

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JT1JT1

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I'm thinking of buying an H&K USP compact in 9mm or something like it as my first pistol.

My rationale will follow. Please be very free with the criticism or alternative suggestions.

The back story:

I grew up in a gun-friendly neighborhood (think parents on the block had gun rooms, not gun safes) a long, long time ago. As youths, we shot .22 rifles and shotguns for recreation--i.e., plinking, busting clays and bird hunting. However, I never really thought of guns as self-defense tools and I had no real exposure to pistols.

As an adult, I've worked mostly overseas, where gun ownership is problematic at best. I recently returned to the US and may soon be settling in a shall-issue state.

Pistols now have an appeal they never did before. :>)

Here's the thinking that leads me towards the H&K USP Compact 9mm:

1) 9mm because my pistol marksmanship needs work so I need to shoot a lot.
2) The guns I knew as a kid had external safeties. (although I appreciate the design of the Glocks, etc.)
3) USP because I don't yet have enough experience to know what I prefer. The USP can be shot DA/SA, can be carried cocked and locked, can be retooled (I think) to HK's DAO variant.
4) USP Compact seems big enough to be range-friendly, but small enough to CCW. (I think)

I realize that most of you have MULTIPLE guns. Hopefully, that will be me in the future. But now I'm looking for a gun that can help me improve my marksmanship and develop my pistol preferences, serve as an HD piece and allow me to CCW.

Does the HK USP compact in 9mm make sense? What else should I consider? A CZ?

I've been visiting my local range, but mostly shooting full-size Glocks and Sigs, as well as a Ruger .22. I know I should find a range that rents compact nines...that will be the next step.

Thanks in advance for your wisdom.
 
Its good to test the waters and make sure that you will like the pistol when you decide to make a purchase. H&K's are good pistols, and you can't go wrong with a 9mm. Just take your time and make sure you get what you want.
 
My first gun was a used USP 40 fullsize, I love that gun. Go for it and enjoy. Seems like you have some pretty solid reasoning to me, so no worries. CZ makes some very good pistols as well,I have a PCR (compact alloy framed decocker 9mm) and a 40B(oddball gun they designed and built for Colt before Colt backed out and left them with the guns, not a regular item but they cost much less than they probably could charge) and I love them. Also, with the CZ you can buy aa Kadet kit to stretch your budget even further while learning the trigger. Not cheap cheap, but a great way to get extra range time in.


Solid choice though.
 
no fault in your reasoning so far. However keep open to other options, when you get to a good gun shop with a decent selection (gun show is great for htis) then pick up and fondle a bunch of guns, find what feels good in your hand.
 
Your reasoning process sounds excellent to me. I have never owned, or fired an H&K, but I believe your choice is a good one and will serve you well. Once again, I think for someone, who has never been "exposed" to handguns, your reasoning is sound, and well thought out!
 
It's a lot better than my reasoning when I bought my USP- I just wanted a pistol and the USP was my favorite, and I liked the concept of the .40, so I saw a used one and I bought it immediately.
 
Sounds like you did your homework! I think it's an excellent choice for all the reasons you mentioned and then some. When the time comes that you do want to trade it for something else, it has EXCELLENT resale. Used ones are plentiful and, in my experience, HK owners tend to take meticulous care of their weapons. (I've got close to 20 HKs now, and I've only bought one new.)

If you find a great deal on either a used HK P2000 or P30, they are both incredible weapons as well that come in various configurations. (P30 is an ergonomic work of art)

When you get further on down the road, I use two USP45 Tacticals to guard the house (one on each story), a P2000SK for the car, and I carry a P7M8 in the winter. The Mark 23, HK45, and P30L are wonderful range toys!

Good luck and happy shooting!
 
Sound Logic...

I have never owned an H&K, I imagine they are superb pistols. One tip, I always try to buy a holster and pistol rug (padded zip up case) when I buy a pistol. Even if the holster is cheap, it is something and you just never know when you might need it.
 
Good logic. I bought the CZ75BD in 9mm early in my pistol career. Bought the Bersa Thunder as my first. Not a mistake, I still have and use it, but 9mm is a better choice.

Immediately put the Kadet Kit .22 conversion on the CZ. Great to have the 9mm and .22 from the same frame, same trigger, same controls. 200 9mm and 500 .22 for a range session will take you a few hours of fun and reduce flinching/anticipating recoil.

Remember, a first gun is just that, there is lots of time to branch out with other calibers and platforms.

CZ has a couple 9mm compacts which will hold the .22 kit. Glock has a .22 conversion. Not sure about the HK.
 
Also, the FNP-9 is a great gun, I have the compact version, it doesn't feel as "expensive" as my USP does, but they are solid and I like the trigger more than my USP. The decocker feels pretty cheesy on my compact, but I think the style is different on the fullsize FNP pistols.


Not trying to make this harder for you.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far.

I know I listed "rational" reasons for my possible choice.

I should add the one time I held the said pistol while visiting a distant gun shop I had an immediate "YES, THIS IS THE ONE" reaction.

My wife makes fun of me for over-analyzing various decisions (and I make fun of her for deciding strictly on emotion.) But I can't help but trying to do my due diligence. So thanks for all current and future suggestions...I'm going to explore them to the extent possible...
 
i love my usp compact (lem), and have let many many friends shoot it over the last couple of years and they really like it. of course, if i was in the market for a new 9mm and looking at an HK, the P30 would be really hard to pass up. I really like the adjustable sized grips. you really can't go wrong with any HK it seems.
 
My USPc is more accurate than my Glocks but not so it would matter for SD. The Hi-Caps are expensive and only add 2 with .40. I just use the 10rd and they are dirt cheap.
Top notch quality but at a price.
I have heard that HK service is kinda poor but that is second hand and you should research that statement, never had a hiccup with mine. Same lead bullet issue as the Glocks but I just keep it clean when shooting lead.
 
I would definiety consider a CZ with the Kadet 22 conversion. Great way to practice and a solid gun at a very attractive price.
 
HK: solid, accurate, reliable. Just fine for CCW.

Same can be said for many brands. But, if it fits, then get it.

9mm: great for practice and defense (with quality ammo). Even 9mm is getting stupidly expensive.

You may wish to consider getting a gun that has 22 LR conversion kits available.
 
You should try and handle both the HK USP and a CZ-75. I own both (not compacts) and I can tell you I prefer the CZ-75 line. If you get a chance to handle both you should be able to make the right decision for your situation.
 
Go with the H&K. If you pick something else, you'll go back and then have two pistols. Which is not all bad...
 
I just picked up a USPc in 9MM and shot it the other day - it performed flawlessly.

I think it could easily do both duties in carry and range use. But I think you may want to look at getting a slightly smaller gun for carry and slightly larger one for the range. Yes, it's 2 guns, but you'll be better off (in my opinion).
 
Great choice! I initially wanted a manual safety, but later decided I wanted no external safey by DA/SA action.

I settled on (and love) my HK P2000SK in 9mm DA/SA. USPc mags work so you can get 13rds and a full grip of the gun for range/home, but it is a dream to carry.

Great idea to get an HK, and even a USPc, but do some additional research on the action/variant - I love DA/SA, but most don't, and prefer the LEM action.
 
JT1JT1; If cocked and locked is an option you must have, as far as I know, the HK and CZ are your only options. (Unless you are OK with single-action only - then I'd suggest a Browning Hi-Power.) If you are open to traditional double action, a lot more options open up for you, notably among them certain Sigs and 3rd generation S+W's. The Beretta is a fine and beautiful gun but if concealed carry is a consideration, there are better options - it's a pretty big gun.

You are fine with a nine for range and self defense.

It is smart in your current status to look at something to serve a dual purpose. Just about everything mentioned in this thread so far would be a good option. They're pretty much all reliable and accurate enough.

Most importantly is how you personally feel with it in your hand. You seem to have just about convenced yourself to get the HK. An excellent choice among many mentioned. If you like it, it pretty much fills all criteria.
 
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