An avid 1911 fan's review of the USP 45...

[JLStorm]

Ok...so my SA 1911 has just reached a point where the frame needs to go back to the factory for some work due to reliability issues that are beyond my abilities to fix. This being my main carry gun, I decide to get something new. After all I had heard about Sigs lately from my buddies, I wanted a SIG SAO (left handed safety), but could not find an all black model, I then remembered that at one time I really wanted an HK. I called my dealer and he called the HK distributor and they had one full size 45 variant 2 in the country in stock (Im left handed and I wanted the safety and decock lever factory installed on the right side) and it was an LEM model, which at the time just meant to me that I got 3 12 round mags with the weapon, which for the price seemed like an ok deal.

At any rate, I took it to the range on friday and then to a nice outdoor range on saturday and I have to say...WOW! First off, having a 12 round magazine is really nice as long as you arent concerned about IWB carry, which I really am not at the moment, the grip is just wonderful and I have very average size hands for a guy. Secondly the recoil is almost non-existant and what little recoil there is is straight back, follow up shots are very easy. Lastly the trigger pull is very smooth, much smoother than I expected! I have only put around 350 rounds through it, but I am VERY VERY impressed, this weapon far exceeded my expectations. I was doing some friendly competition with some buddies who all shoot 9mm and for the first time I didnt feel like the 45acp round was a drawback for follow up shots compared to the guys with the full size 9mm.

So...I guess I am just hooked...I still love my 1911, and for IWB carry, it definitely takes the cake. But between my 1911 (once its back from SA and well tested), the HK and my little 340pd ankle revolver, I think I have all the bases covered.

I highly suggest anyone who has thought about an HK take the time to try one, they really are really unique weapons!

 

[BrennanKG]

USPs are great pistols.
The one currently on my "list" is the USP45CT.
The compact grips is a nice fit, while the extended/threaded barrel brings the length closer to that of a FS. I think the USP45CT will be a perfect addition to my handgun collection with a compact ambi safety (lefty too).

Oh, and regarding the P220SAO, I surprised you've found them at all. I haven't found a single dealer who is actually carrying them yet.

B.

 

[10-Ring]

When I was trying to determine which gun was going to be my 1st 45 acp, I had a few on my list. The USP 45 was the second 45 acp I purchased & it has proven to be the most accurate gun I own and easiest to shoot accurately. Then, I evolved towards the 1911 - now after a bit of an adventure, I have a Colt XSE that I just love.
I guess that's my way of saying that the 1911 and the USP 45 are great guns that represent the 45 acp well

 

[vanilla_gorilla]

I was very deliberately shopping for a USP v1 to replace my 220ST until I found a sweet BHP yesterday. Now I'm STILL shopping for a USP.

 

[DogBonz]

I love my 1911 too,

but my USP 45 is my nightstand gun. Can't speak highly enough of them. Enjoy.

 

[gudel]

I told you it's better than that heavy brick jamomatic. I too had to send my NIB SA 1911 back after a mere 400 rounds. with USP45, 400 rounds is nothing, it's begging for more.

 

[Smurfslayer]

One of my USP 45's managed to get through a class of 850 rounds w/o a single malf. about half had some kind of problem and I was expecting to have a failure of some type... On a bet, I took the gun shooting my very next range session and pumped another hundred through it again without incident. It was pretty dirty, but was still functioning well. Mine are both LEM no safety lever, and I like them a lot.

One nice thing about HK, if you don't like the variant, the factory will change it for you...

 

[Shipwreck]

Yes, the USPs are great guns. I had a fiullsize 9mm one, but it was too big of a grip for my hand. I got rid of it, but I got a compact USP 9mm which fits my hand much better (the USP compact grip is not as wide from front to back and side to side)

 

[SoCalShooter]

Welcome to the USP club...its my nightstand/ all around weapon. I love the pistol shot pretty well with it at a conventional 3 gun match. At 50 yards though the group aint so great but at 25 its dead on and you dont notice the recoil in rapid timed fire.

Word of advice. I loaded my own 200gr SWC with 4.5 bullseye power make sure you seat the bullet far enough in the casing otherwise it will not cycle the round in your HK...a bit damn touchy in that area.

On a side note any of you guys know where I can get a light for mine? I looked at surefire but the problem is that darn thing requires an adapter to mount something and I was hoping you guys knew of a lighting system that mounts directly to the weapon.

 

[crunker]

USP is awesome. Great tactical pistol, but for CCW go with something a little smaller and lighter.

 

[GroovedG19]

Own a USP 45 fullsize that I thoroughly enjoy shooting and handling.Its my back-up pistol to my G17 when "things get ugly".

 

[SpookyRCON]

An avid 1911 fan's review of the USP 45.

Hi everyone! I work as an Armed Security Officer in VA and i am faced with a dilema. I am trying to choose between picking up a Springfield Armory 1911A1 Lightweight Operator or an HK USP (Full Size Variant 1 in .45 ACP) to carry for work. I currently carry a Glock 23 and I also own and have carried a SA 1911A1 Loaded in Stainless Steel. My tradeoffs are as follows. In favor of the SA Lt. Operator: I have a Blackhawk SERPA holster, plenty of extra mags, an Insight M3 tactical light I can add on and its standard with tritium sights. In favor of the HK USP is that it has a hostile environment finish, a decocking lever for the DA/SA trigger and it holds 12+1 instead of 7+1. On the down side I am going to have to invest more money to get Tritium sights on the HK, a new holster (probably Safariland 6280) and a different tac light. SoCalShooter...The Insight M2 Universal Tactical Light is designed specifically for the propritary rails of the USP...no adapter needed. I love shooting the Springfield and all but I just wanted other people's input because I have never shot HK before and no ranges around here have one I can rent to try out....so any thoughts anyone?

 

[Autolycus]

If I was a security guard I would go with the larger gun. I am also an HK fan myself. Though I would get a .40 instead of a .45 (Please dont ask).

 

[JLStorm]

My take...

I work in the private sectory and I use my 1911 for personal protection, but I use my HK for both work and personal protection now that I have it. I am always playing with my 1911's to make them work better or trying this part or that part. With the HK it functions as well as I want it to bone stock and it holds four extra rounds over my 1911's. Basically, if I have to wear body armor....the HK will be coming with me

Don't get me wrong 1911's are used by some of the most elite groups within the military and several federal agencies. I just think to get a 1911 to function as well as an HK you will end up paying around four times the price for a semi custom like that of Wilson Combat. I have an SA loaded model and the HK USP, and I can tell you that the loaded model just cant keep up with the HK.

Just my two cents, chances are you'll end up getting both eventually anyway

 

[SpookyRCON]

Thank You Everyone

Hi everyone. Thank you to all who responded to my questions. I am actually going to get both...but I am going to start with the Springfield. The reason being is that I am (hopefully) getting picked up by the NYPD in January. I won't need the HK for duty since NYPD restricts carry to 9mm in Glock, Sig Sauer or S&W. Off duty I think is restricted to Kahr, Glock, S&W and SIG. If anyone knows specifics on NYPD regs for duty weapons I;d appreciate the heads up. Thnaks again.

 

[DogBonz]

I love my HK

And my 1911. My USP (V1) is my night stand gun though. They are fantastic.