Buying first handgun: Sig P226 or HK USP?

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swenis

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Hi everyone,

Pretty soon I'm going to be buying my first handgun. Originally I was going to buy a Glock because I like them, but my budget turned out to me higher than I originally thought so now I'm looking at either the Sig P226 or the HK USP. I'm having a hard time deciding between the two because of all the good things I've heard about each one so now I come seeking your aid, fellow highroad-ers. I don't want this into a "my gun is better than your gun" thread; I just want to hear why you prefer said firearm. Thank you all! :D
 
I'd suggest going back to the Glock idea. Easy manual of arms, the trigger pull stays the same instead of DA/SA, great guns and the extra $$ can be spent on ammo, magazines etc.

I'm not a Glock owner...I actually have a Sig 226, but a company I worked for issued it so I bought one of my own to get more practice with one. If I were in your situation I would get a Glock.
 
Get the one you like best. Honestly...it's six of one, half a dozen of the other. As long as it goes BANG when you pull the trigger....


Sheep
 
Get what fits your hand best and is of a weight to your liking...

That said and since you asked: My preference would be for the Sig - I've got a P220 and the P226 is on my list of future acquisitions.

The Sig P226 - all metal construction, grip is more ergonomically shaped (IMHO) than the H&K and is (again IMO) a bit more reliable than the H&K.

OTOH the H&K is a bit lighter (about an oz I think) and will, right out of the box, all things being equal, be inherently a bit more accurate than the Sig but not by much and probably not by enough that anyone other than an expert would notice the difference.

The Sig is a bit less expensive too - last time I checked. Here in OKC the Sig can be had w/o Night Sights for about $730 and the H&K (if you can find one) for about $790 or so.
 
Thanks guys, I think I've narrowed it down to a USP or a Glock. I'm gonna have to see what each feels like in my hand, but the USPs are sure sexy. :p I've located some detailed guides on Glock cleaning, but I have yet to find anything on how to fully clean the USP perfectly including products used, etc. Does anyone know where I can find this info?
 
I own a 228, 226, and HK USP Compact 45. The Sigs feel quite differently in the hand than the USP 45 and of course the manual of arms is another difference. Have you been able to put both the Sig and HK in your hands? Have you shot them or can you do so? Without doing so, you really aren't choosing...

FWIW :scrutiny:
 
226...if your going to get a plastic gun....get the glock.

Go rent them out and see what you like.
 
I like the H&K USP pistols.
I don't own one,,,yet, but have fired several differnt versions and have been impressed by each and every one.

The 9mm is actually an excellent choice.
The guns are reliable with just about everything available on the market and the felt recoil is much softer in feel than the .40 and .45 caliber versions and that isn't saying those guns kick like mules either in this handgun.

I have owned three SIGs, a 226 and two 220s and haven't had the good luck with the guns that others have had.
Reliabilty and accuracy was very good with the 226, less so with the two 220s and all three pistols suffered from problems with slide stops and decocking that was attributed to poor and off tolerence machining of the parts.
I was able to repair all three guns with parts replacement and some refitting but never became warm and fuzzy to them afterwards.

Anyway, between the two choices, I would give serious consideration to the H&K pistol.
 
I have not fired the sig, but I own a USP-T, and am very pleased with it :cool:. I don't care for plastic framed pistols to much (primarly because of the glocks I have fired) but the HK really works well with my hand. I vote for the HK, but I say go with what fits your hand, and what you like the most :p
 
Many, many years ago, I had the same choice...

I chose the HK USP, and I'm glad I did. Cocked and locked (with high thumb grip - varient 9) has become my preferred method of carry, and this method is not an option with SIG. In my experience the USP is more reliable than either the SIG or the Glock - the SIG being more spring sensitive, the Glock more ammunition sensitive.

That said, pick the one that feels best - they're all good. Try to shoot them first, if you can.
 
Cadillac or Lincoln? I'd opt for the Rolls Royce: CZ 97!
Click to expand...
Lincoln all the way, but maybe I am partial, I have the linc emblem tattooed on my left arm. Anyway, the CZ97 is a awesome deal for the money. It was a very good fit for my hands, shot awesome, and the only thing I didn't like about it was the grips. The CZ97 is the next firearm I am going to purchase :D
 
hksig9is.jpg


This is a comparison of 9mm HK USP and Sig P226. Both will serve you well, but HK is slightly blockier, but lighter, while Sig is heavier but slimmer. Both have high bore axis, so make sure you realize that. You can't go wrong with either, but Sig cost abit less if you get some LEO trade in. Also I believe nonplastic guns will last you longer.
 
I own a bunch of Sigs, and I've shot the USPf and USPc in 9mm. I have to say that I was not as impressed by the USPs as I am with my Sigs. The main reason has to do with the grip feel. The guns were plenty accurate (much moreso than me), but that checkering feels like 60 grit sandpaper in the hand. Also, the Sig grips, while almost always thicker, felt less blocky because of their contour.

Now, the P2000 is a different story (yeah, I know.. no .45). I held one of those in my local gun shop last month, and i'm impressed. Every ergonomic concern I had about the USPs has been taken care of in the P2000. I just wish it didn't cost so much more than the USPc's.

I also own a Glock 19 - I bought it 3 years ago mainly for nostalgic purposes. My first gun was a G23, and I ended up giving it away 7 years ago. I've found that it is much easier to transition to more "traditional" steel/aluminum guns from the HKs because of the grip angle. I own a 1911 and a bunch of Sigs, and I find it really tough to shoot my glock after I've shot the other guns because of the bore axis and the grip angle.

... So, the Glock rarely gets shot.

My opinion is that you can't really go wrong with either the Sig or the HK, but if you're looking for a cheaper polymer framed pistol that is more "compatable" with other guns gripwise, try out an XD.
 
I think the HK is a best bet for a first handgun. The HK is the only gun mentioned that allows you to either shoot DA or SA locked (or any other way you can think of). The HK is the only gun that gives you the ability to change your mind without completely changing your gun or brand after you've made your purchase. For example, if you buy DA (V1) HK and later decide it’s not what you expected, you can switch to one of approx. nine other variants (some lefty friendly) without having to buy a completely new firearm. I wish I would have had this luxury when I bought my first gun, a Glock 23.
 
Which features do you most like?

Both are well made guns, accurate, reliable and both come from reputable manufacturers.

As the PP has mentioned, one nice thing about the USP is that if you don't like the "variant 1" version, you can get the factory to change it to what you do like - decocker only, cocked & locked only, double action only or the "LEM" trigger, which I like. The Sig is designed around a right handed shooter, and it's manual of arms is significantly different than all others.

I've shot both, own the USP's so I've shot them more. I've also shot both the LEM trigger and DAK trigger from Sig. Both are really slick...

The DAK is very revolver like, the LEM adds an incredibly short, positive reset to the equation.

Try both, buy what you like most. Buy the other one later :p
 
I've owned a couple of 226's. Of all the 9mm's I've ever owned they were the best. I've fired USP's and like them and have considered buying one in .45 but for a 9mm I'd go for the SIG. Your best bet with most guns is to try to find a range with the guns and drop a few bucks and rent them. You'll be happy either way. As for the Glock, I'm not real thrilled with them. I can't stand the looks, feel or trigger. The only reason I keep mine is that I hit what I aim at and it goes bang every time.
 
In my opinion, the two finest handguns made today. Forget Glock, they're junk compared to these two thoroughbreds. I struggled like you are between these two handguns.

Went to the range and rented both. I originally wanted a Sig because like you I had heard good things. BUt then it kept misfiring. Wouldn't eat factory ammo. It could have been dirty and I didn't take time that day to clean it but very frustrating. Even very dirty, I expect guns in this class to keep firing. Sig flunked.

Fired the USP (in 40 S&W) and it was love at first shot. Sets up perfect, VERY accurate, completely reliable. Whatelse is there (very expensive?)?

Either gun will be a fine choice but the USP would be my choice. And I couldn't be happier. HK's motto says it all- "In a world of compromise- some men don't". Good luck!!
 
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