FNP 45 or HK USP 45...cant decide???

[dso970]

my first post...i want to get a new .45. i dont like 1911's (have had 2 and sold 2). i want to get a big ol' combat with high capacity fighting gun. i've narrowed it down to 2. an FNP or a USP. both feel "blocky" in my hand (i like blocky), but the usp feels better. as far as price, the fnp is about 170.00 cheaper. extra mags for both are nearly identical. the hk felt and looked a little more refined over the fnp. i know of the usp's track-record as being unstopable, but also read the fnp is just as good.
One of the major requirements is it has to eat winchester white box. my employer (i'm a deputy sheriff)will supply all the 45 i could want, but it is wwb. I know the hk will eat it, but fhn (so i heard) doesn't like it as much.
before anyone says "get the hk45"...i had it in my hand. i liked the ergos. but hated the 3 dot bright yellow sights and the price (almost 300.00 more than the usp).

what should i do?

 

[NOLAEMT]

I would go with the HK, it has a very strong track record of durability, and is used by police, and the german military in afghanistan. the FNP feels good to me too, but its more unproven.

If it were my money, I would go with the HK, but like they say, opinions are worth what you pay for them, and this one comes pretty cheap.

 

[fehhkk]

The HK45 only holds 10 rounds, comes with 1 mag only. Its more expensive by around $300. But, its a dream to shoot. The spidey grip is well contoured and the mag release is on the perfect spot. Well worth the price.

Havent fired the FNP, but it was high on my list. I have read it might be finicky with certain ammo, unlike the HK which will handle anything out of the box.

 

[gearhead]

The FNP doesn't like ammo that's loaded longer than SAAMI specs. Many people have reported that many lots of WWB vary all over the place for overall length, I've read problems on more than one brand-specific forum where WWB was a problem. They DO make WWB in 185gr, it has a flat nose like .40S&W FMJ. That should feed without a problem.

I really love my FNP-45, even if I do have to avoid 230gr WWB.

 

[wow6599]

The FNP doesn't like ammo that's loaded longer than SAAMI specs.

As it shouldn't, IMHO. I think the real problem are the older magazines. Not long after I bought my FNP 45 USG, I drove 45 minutes to their CS center in Arnold, MO and had them swap out the mags with new ones (and polish the feed ramp).

The old mags (2010 and back?) had weld seams that caused a lot of problems, and I think that since most folks who don't reload buy WWB from WM........well, it made a nice excuse for FNH. I ran a couple hundred rds through mine before the mag swap and I had several FTF - but all of the WWB (and my handloads) were well below 1.275". When I first contacted FN, guess what they told me was the problem? Yep, "WWB aren't within SAAMI specs". I then told them that all of the WWB I fired were personally inspected with my calipers and were in spec. Then the truth came out about the magazines and the seam.

Anybody who buys any FNP/X should call FN's CS and ask about the date of manufacture and their mags. Mine has been 100% since I got all new mags.

YMMV

 

[dso970]

well, i found a used 1996 USP .45. the owner wants 500.00 for it. 3 10 round mags, case, and manual. he said he pointed out the "blemish" spots. got some pics of it. is this a 500 dollar hk usp 45? the sights look a little rough too. they would be replaced with some meprolights.

 

[wow6599]

I'd get a NIB FNP 45 USG with (2) 14 rd mags and (1) 15 rd mag.

CDNN had them for around $590 deliverd. FN gives a 5 year warranty.
Davidson's has them (Gun Genie) for about $630 deliverd, and they give a lifetime warranty.

I'm biased because I own the FNP, but I have shot the USP - and hated the trigger.
FNP/X's are very underrated.

YMMV

 

[Bentonville]

How many rounds have been put through this gun? I, personally, would keep looking for a gun with a better finish and not much more money. That's just me. I realize that a gun gets blemishes when carried a lot but I would like to put the marks on it myself. Unless it's a police trade in like my P7. I believe they haven't been shot a whole lot like a range gun. Look on the hk gun boards too after checking here. What do the internals look like?

 

[NOLAEMT]

I would probably pay 500 for that, provided it came with at least two mags. The guns last forever, and the HE finish (similar to tennifer) goes into the metal, so there is no risk of rust, etc.

 

[Mr.Blue]

I'm not sure if you've watched this guy's videos, but he is excellent. He is obviously ex. Military and an experienced shooter. Here is his comparison of the two pistols:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG09ef6n3nY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[harmon rabb]

is this going to be your duty gun? if it is, i'm afraid i have to say spend the coin for the hk45. that's a weapon proven in combat.

... and i'm no h&k fan, mind you, and i own a fnp and a fnx.

 

[38SuperMan]

For $500.00 if you don't buy it, I will! $500.00 for a used HK USP45 is a good price. That gun looks just fine to me. You won't regret it, trust me. I would buy that gun ALL DAY LONG @ $500.00

 

[HOOfan_1]

I'm not sure if you've watched this guy's videos, but he is excellent. He is obviously ex. Military and an experienced shooter. Here is his comparison of the two pistols:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG09ef6n3nY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

He is comparing the HK45 (different gun than the USP 45) to the FNP 45

 

[tlatoani]

My FNP45 shoots great-VERY soft. It has had a few WWB rounds stick in the mag. I'm working on getting the newer mags (for free i'm told). Other ammo feeds fine.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I just picked up an FNP-45 on Saturday and shot it on Sunday. It is really accurate, a soft shooter, and holds a lot of ammo. I was recently faced with the same decision the OP is, and just decided I liked the FN better. I like the two tone, polymer and stainless look. Mine came with the shooters pack. two backstraps, 3 14rd mags, a kind of crappy (but functional) Bladetech paddle holster, and a training bbl.

I only got to put 120 rounds through it though. It fed federal champion FMJ's with no problems, and Hornady CD with no failures. My one gripe is that it was throwning brass on my chest arm and one hit me in the face. I read on the FN forum that this is a break in issue and should stop around 400 or 500 rounds. I've also been cycling the slide a lot to help speed this along.

I haven't shot the HK, but I think you'd like the FN. It's plenty blocky, but is a great buy for the price. I argee that these are underated pistols.

I will probably get a holster from Crossbread for it though. I'd like to find one that will accept a laser on the accesory rail as well, since I just ordered a Lasermax.

Hope this helps.

 

[JustinJ]

I'm generally a fan of HKs but i do like the FNP45 tactical. In the nontactical version the biggest advantage of the FN is a 15 round mag over the HK's 12. In the tactical version the red dot mount with iron sight cowitness is awesom.

Have you considered a Glock 21? I couldn't be happier with my 21sf and with current mag extensions you can have 14 or 15 round mags in addition to the 23 rounders.

 

[Viper]

The HK45 only holds 10 rounds, comes with 1 mag only. Its more expensive by around $300. But, its a dream to shoot. The spidey grip is well contoured and the mag release is on the perfect spot. Well worth the price.

Havent fired the FNP, but it was high on my list. I have read it might be finicky with certain ammo, unlike the HK which will handle anything out of the box.

I would go with the HK. BTW, my HK45c came with two mags.

 

[fehhkk]

I ordered my HK45 today. cant wait! Im definitely trying an FNP-45 to compare.

 

[clang]

Buy the used HK. If you don't like it you can always sell it for little or no loss and get an FN.