.45 choice - USP FS vs. S&W 4516-1

[JesusCow]

Ok, so you may or may not have read my thread in L&P about buying a USP from an officer I work with.

Well earlier this week I was talking to the Chief and I told him I wanted it and he'd sell it for $400. The Chief now wants it... He said he won't buy it out from under me, and the only way he'll buy it is if I buy his Smith and Wesson .45 Model 4516-1.

I really like both. The Smith fits my hand better, is weighted much more, but only has single stack 7+1 capacity. On the other hand is the USP which might be a tad bit big for me, but the high(er) capacity (12+1) is very appealing. As well as the lighter weight and color.

The Chief offered me the Smith for $300.

I would like educated opinions (other opionions are fine too) about both of these guns. Also, I know the $400 USP is a good price... What about the $300 Smith?

I know that I'm the best person that could make the decision. I said, "If we go to the range I could easily make up my mind." So hopefully we'll be doing that.

Thanks for any input!

PS: I'm taking my camera to work (on lunch now) and I'll see if I can get some pictures of both.

edit:

A few things to consider are:

This would be my first autoloading handgun.
Money IS a factor! And if the Smith fits me better I'd like to save $100.
I'm a ways away from being an officer, so this isn't for carry.
Smaller size of the Smith makes it a CCW possibility. (thoughts?)

Who really needs more than 8 shots anyways.
Obviously, I'd want more rounds, but I'll take whatever fits me best.

 

[krept]

I think the key is that the Smith fits your hand better. Try manipulating the controls on both and if you find yourself fumbling with the USP because you have to shift your grip, etc. then I would stay away from it.

Full capacity "preban" magazines for the USP are shady at best. On the other thread you said

I assume they're post ban, although I'm not sure when he bought it.

meaning he probably imported them. I know doing that is a big no no, but simply possessing them might be another bad move (felony?).

Not trying to criticize you, just trying to make you aware of what I think is a really silly but nonetheless possibly enforceable law.

good luck on your choice. Again, sounds like the Smith would be the better choice for you. I have no idea if the price is a good one.

cheers

 

[JesusCow]

I think the key is that the Smith fits your hand better. Try manipulating the controls on both and if you find yourself fumbling with the USP because you have to shift your grip, etc. then I would stay away from it.

Honestly, the USP is just a little too big. Obviously, I have not had the chance to see how I function with it on the range. I think I would be fumbling, as you said, I have to adjust my grip.

Right now, this is the main reason I'm leaning towards the Smith. The $100 saved is also nice. However, I don't want something that is hard as crap to keep on target. My brother used to have a 9mm Smith Model 908 and let me tell you, that thing was horrible! The trigger pull was funny, the recoil was odd and the small size made is very innaccurate at a medium range. It was what I would judge as a womans CCW. Where you squint your eyes and pull the trigger a bunch...

Full capacity "preban" magazines for the USP are shady at best. On the other thread you said

quote:I assume they're post ban, although I'm not sure when he bought it.

meaning he probably imported them. I know doing that is a big no no, but simply possessing them might be another bad move (felony?).

Not trying to criticize you, just trying to make you aware of what I think is a really silly but nonetheless possibly enforceable law.

good luck on your choice. Again, sounds like the Smith would be the better choice for you. I have no idea if the price is a good one.

cheers

Thanks for the comments! I got myself all worked up ready to buy the USP, and now the Chief shows me his piece and says how much he wants the USP. Ugh! I want to go fire both before I decide...

 

[Chipperman]

"I want to go fire both before I decide..."

Absolutely. You may find that one feels better in your hand, but the other shoots better. The shooting is more important, especially if it's a CCW gun.

There are no legal non-LEO 12 round USP 45 mags in existence, according to HK. If you end up with the USP, wait until Sept to buy the 12 rounders.

My personal preference would be for the USP, but fire them and buy what works best for you.

 

[Josey]

You CAN buy the USP. You CANNOT even possess the ILLEGAL LEO mags for it. I cannot suggest you buy the S&W 4516 either. Keep looking. Hi-Power or 1911 clones or CZ are good first semi-autos. If you want double action or DAO try Ruger.

 

[JesusCow]

Thanks for the replies!

Before I posted I knew which one I wanted, but now I know which I am going to get.



I hope the Chief doesn't mind!


Expect pictures tomorrow!

 

[stans]

If possible, test fire both. I can tell that a gun that does not fit the hand well will not be liked and you won't shoot well with such a gun.

 

[JesusCow]

I bought the USP.

Expect pictures soon, I've had her for an hour and it's still sleeping.

 

[Norton]

$400.00 for a USP .45 is a grea price. I wish something like that would fall into my hands!

Congrats on a fine pistol.

 

[JesusCow]

Still haven't gotten my camera home!

Anywhere I can get the manufacture date by serial number on this beast?

It's 25-010177 Heh I've already memorized it.

 

[Chipperman]

The year will be from the date code on the side. It will be two letters.
A=0 B=1 C=2 etc. There is no "J", so K=9

Therefore, if the date code is KD, the gun was made in 1993

 

[JesusCow]

Ah, I see. The code is KF. So.. 1995?

Below are 4 pics I took of it. A profile, an angled profile, the three magazines and the markings. Anything special about these markings?

edit: it really needs a cleaning.. later today im gonna give it a good once over