Considering an HK

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gf1723

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I'm in the mood to spending some of my tax refund in the next couple of months towards a nice, reliable pistol. The primary use of this pistol would be for shooting at the range and home defense.

I've looked at some reviews online. I know most people will say to go for the Glock, but I'm not a huge fan of the looks of them. For a while I thought about the Springfield XDM series, but have come to really like the design of the HK USP. I was wanting a .40S&W caliber and really like the fact that it is a DA/SA pistol. This way I can keep a round chambered for home defense, but still have the hammer not cocked and the safety on. I checked out an XDM at a store and was not a fan of the grip safety, and didn't like the fact that I couldn't de-cock the firearm. I know HK USPs are known for their reliability so I don't think I'll have an issue there.

I was watching a YouTube video and heard one of the reviewers mention that teh USPs were discontinued in 2010? Is this true? I really haven't ever bought a used gun and like to order them brand new through my local firearms dealer. I guess I'm just too afraid that I'll end up buying a used firearm and it will have a crappy finish on it, or something won't work right. I would rather spend the extra money to have a peace of mind that it's a brand new firearm and that if something is wrong with it, it is a manufacturer defect. I guess my question is, would it be possible to still get a brand new HK USP .40? Or has this model been discontinued already? I know they have been around for a while, so I wouldn't be too surprised if they are.
 
Discontinued or not, there are still tons of them on dealers shelves, and in the ques of their suppliers... and at $800+ retail, you can bet on this remaining true for a while yet.
 
I'm in the mood to spending some of my tax refund in the next couple of months towards a nice, reliable pistol. The primary use of this pistol would be for shooting at the range and home defense.

Among my favorite range guns is a HK USP, USPc and a Beretta 92 Vertec Inox. These are all very reliable, as accurate as my ability and soft shooting, shoot all day comfy.

Other good choices would be the HK P2000 or the newest of the family, the HK P30.
 
USP's are not discontinued (yet).
Check with your local FFL, I recently bought a brand new USP 9mm for an even $700 + tax.
HK Germany has removed a few from it's web site, but not the basic USP USPc models.
I know HK USPs are known for their reliability so I don't think I'll have an issue there.
No, you won't.

If you're set on the .40, that's fine, but the USP .45 or the HK45 are some of the most accurate out of the box pistols made. Recoil is also a little softer in .45acp.
I had the USP .40 for a while, great pistol. I really liked the way it recovered so quickly from recoil and even the hottest loads were more shootable than other .40's I've tried.

Now my only HK is a USP 9mm, but I'm looking for the right deal on Gunbroker for the USP .45, the one handgun I regret selling more than any other.
 
H&K makes great pistols, and as of late I've been seeing some pretty good prices on gunbroker for the USP series. I'd recommend at least dry firing one before purchasing, as most people seem to think that it has the worst double action trigger ever made (which is an exaggeration, the M1895 Nagant has that title all sewn up). You can upgrade it with HK's drop in match trigger (or buy an HK pistol that comes with it stock, like the USP tactical). The other thing you should know is that the rail on the USP series is proprietary, so you'll have to buy an adapter for the majority of pistol mounted lights.
 
I love my USPc45. it has been 100% reliable with the exception of some too long handloads, it is accurate, and easy to ccw.
 
Yea I'm not to concerned with adding accessories, so having to buy an adapter for them doesn't bother me too much.

I think I'll call some of the local dealers around and see if they have any USP models I can take a look at. Glad to hear they weren't discontinued. Thanks for the help guys!
 
I have a USP in 40, it's nice. Im like you i dont like glocks much either. but I'd suggest looking at a S&W M&P 40. They feel fantastic, so much better than the USP. They sit lower in your hand and I can get the M&P back on target much faster than the USP. Not to mention i can CCW my M&P. Not the USP though. Although they are basically the same size the M&P feels so much smaller.

Once I got the M&P the USP went in the safe and hasn't come out actually other than to compare. I should sell it.
 
The USP line up has been cut back some due to the release of the HK45 and the P30.

I am an HK fan. USP9sd, HK45c, HK P30s 9mm.

The P30 is also available in 40. I recommend you check that one before deciding. The P30 is a great shooting gun. Not as good as the 45c, but close. IMHO.

HKFamily.jpg
 
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Just curious - I handled a full size USP in .45 and while nice and all it seemed a bit too large for CHL duty. I've carried a 1911/G19/686+ for CCW duty but the USP full size just seemed like a brick - even a G30 felt easier to conceal.

Are the USP compacts in .45 a bit smaller? How do they compare to the G30? I'd like a .45 in a different platform than my 1911's and the USP's have a good rep (I'm a fan of Collateral ...grins). To say nothing of the snob appeal I guess.
 
I have a USP .45 that I love. But DA trigger isn't as good as it should be at that price point, and I wish I had gotten the USPc so I could CC more easily, but the full-size is my nightstand gun. Never had a malf of any kind in over 5k rounds.
 
sry, had an USP 40 and got rid of it fast

rail = incompactiable with standard pistol accessories
trigger = even the LEM trigger is HORRIBLE, my SIG P228's double action is better than that
recoil = honestly shooting it and my friend's Springfield XD the XD recoils less
size = HUGEEE, my hands are medium sized and cannot reach the magazine release without flipping the pistol to its sides


also everyone advices me to not dryfire an USP due its firing pin safety system is prone to dry fire damage, do a google on USP Dryfire and see the consensus and people with broken fireing pins
 
also everyone advices me to not dryfire an USP due its firing pin safety system is prone to dry fire damage, do a google on USP Dryfire and see the consensus and people with broken fireing pins
The USP firing pin problem was fixed many years ago.
 
Those are some nice pics, thanks for sharing. I'm not even thinking about a compact pistol. I live in Illinois so CCW is not an option for me, unfortunately. I also plan on living here a while so I won't be moving anytime soon.

Now I'm also starting to think that if I'm going to spend this much on an HK, why not just get a 1911 style pistol? I don't even own one of those. Just not sure if I'm ready for a .45 yet. The biggest round I have fired is a .357 magnum. I'm actually looking to trade in my .357 for money towards a new pistol. How much you think I can get out of a Taurus 608SS6 with less than 300 rounds on it? :)
 
I held a P30 at a local gun show this weekend, it felt like an extension of my hand, I am in love.

But I just don't think I can stomach the cost.
 
The new P30 and HK45 are certainly pricey, and the magazine cost just adds insult to injury. I've had the chance to handle one at a local gun store and ergonomically they're hard to beat and I definitely plan on picking one up eventually, but at the moment I can't fit another handgun into the budget.
 
Yea, I figure now that rather than throwing money at an HK, I'm gonna look into a Springfield or Kimber 1911
 
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