H&K USP Compact .45ACP vs. ???

[40SWHero51]

Okay - so I did a few searches to try and find what I am looking for from this post, and I got tired of looking at threads from 2004 and digging to find anything on the H&K USP Compact .45ACP.

I am extremely intrigued by a polymer pistol that costs as much as the H&K does. It vexes me - beckons me - calls to me. I prefer Autoloaders and I do conceal-carry/open-carry. My gun of choice is the M&P .40. I love her - she's my best pal. But that H&K looks like it don't take no sh*t, and that counts with me.

I want to carry the .45ACP round now. I'm going to buy a Storm Lake 9mm conversion barrel and retire the M&P to the range only. So, here's the deal:

1. I Want a .45ACP for Carry
2. I Prefer High-Capacity Mags (USP Compact is 8, I know)
3. I like Features and Technology
4. I Want a Hammer-Fired Weapon this Time, No Firing Pins
5. I Like Comfort in the Grip/Feel
6. Width is Not an Issue
7. Needs to be Consistently Accurate within 3 - 15 Yard Range
8. Can be Metal or Polymer
9. Budget < $1,000
10. Must Go "Boom" when I Pull the Trigger

Quirky Triggers don't much bother me, by the way, as long as they work.

So, sell me on the H&K USP Compact .45ACP or convince me to buy something else. I'm all ears...

 

[psyopspec]

It's a good pistol, but I didn't really think it was a great pistol. I moved on after finding pistols that fit me much better for less cost.

What I liked:
-It could be carried in condition 1.
-I'm a fan of the HK mag release. Smaller hands, and I don't have to shift my grip or take the weapon off target to change magazines.
-No problems finding holsters.
-Never any problems with reliability.

What I disliked:
-HK style rail instead of standard one.
-Aggressive checkering on the backstrap was a little unpleasant on the hands for extended range sessions.
-Expensive, both the gun and the magazines.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Most complaints about the USP Compact 45 are addressed if you look at their follow-on model the HK45c. It is a modernized USP with the ergos from the P2000

 

[alaskanativeson]

I can't complain, I got my USP Compact .45 Auto the day it came available in the pawn shop, the dealer got a screaming deal (the owner pawned it for $250 and paid 2 months financing before losing it since he never came back) So the pawn owner was out $200 on a gun that goes for a LOT more. He passed the savings on to me, a good and regular customer. I paid $450 for the gun, that inclluded taxes and paperwork. Since I have my concealed carry permit I could bypass the more complicated background check, which always saves me $12.

So $450 for an INCREDIBLE gun. I have to say, it pointed better than anything I had to that point. My later acquisition of a USP Tactical was better, but that compact is really great.

Pros:
- Mag release is the best located and most user friendly I've seen.
- It is an extremely natural pointer for me.
- Accuracy was more than acceptable for a compact.
- Trigger was beautiful, and I was told if there's a problem they can be smoothed over easily and fine tuned like a Maseratti
- Never jammed, stovepiped, no malfunctions of any kind.
- Sights were clear and easy to acquire.

Cons
- 8 round capacity.
- Not as comfortable as later USP Tactical
- Great "gun" feel may make you spend a fortune on ammo

That last one I list because I felt like I needed 3 things. The guy before me was right in one thing, as nice as it felt, the HK45 c did have better ergos, but the USP Compact was quite comfortable for me. I have no problem saying it was money well spent.

 

[Demitrios]

Well, one thing you may want to consider is the Bul Ultra X. A pretty good gun, I own one, for a pretty decent price.

http://bultransmark.net/images/BULM5UltraXWeb.jpg

 

[GZOh]

H&K makes a great gun... and the USP Compact is an excellent, flawless shoot!
Had one a while back and eventually sold it for a SIG P220 Carry. At heart I'm a 'all-metal' guy and love the feel and dead-on accuracy of the SIG.
If you can, check one out... hold one, shoot one and see what you think. Alot of good choices out there but you wouldn't go wrong with either.
H&Ks and SIGs are 'top-of-the-line' guns!!

 

[HKGuns]

I've owned a USP 45c for quite a while, you'll never hear me say a bad word about this pistol.

It is accurate as he!!, utterly reliable and built like a tank. You can buy 10 round magazines for them now, but they are a bit on the large side. I never felt under gunned with 8 rounds of 45ACP. The magazine release is FAR superior to the "standard" button style and more ergonomic than the thin Walther style mag releases.

I shot mine in IDPA for a couple of years and put a ton of rounds though mine between matches and practice, without a hiccup.

The recoil characteristics of the pistol are quite good as well.

I don't mount crap on my pistols so the rail is no concern to me and the stippling never bothered me a bit shooting lots of IDPA matches.

All that said, the HK45c is newer and extremely well regarded. I'm extremely partial to my USP but there may be an HK45c in my future as well.

 

[40SWHero51]

psyopspec - what were some of those guns to which you moved on?
alaskanativeson - Great feedback. I'm pleased to hear good things about this weapon.
Demitrios - Do you carry anything that is SA/DA or just the Bul?
GZOh - I do like Sigs, but have heard both good and bad things about them. I have never fired a 220 - looks like a need to.
HKGuns/9mmepiphany - Looks like I need to take a gander at a few H&K models.

I hear H&Ks are heavy in law enforcement - is that a good thing or a bad thing? At the cost, I would assume good.

 

[HKGuns]

HK's are not heavy in LE work. They cost too much for the municipalities to afford. Not that it matters anyway.

 

[40SWHero51]

Just got back from my favorite gun store, Adventure Outdoors. Handled a USPc 9mm, USPc .45, and a 2000 9mm. Have to admit that the 2000 felt much better in hand - about the same weight as the USPc, but the ergos felt about 50% better. The 2000 has a full hammer rather than a bobbed, and has no safety - still has the de-cocker though. Both looked and felt like they were top of the line guns. I suppose I could get the 2000 in .40, today's trip is making it hard to choose.

Need to check the rental counter at my range - can't remember if they have HK or not, never really looked.

 

[HKGuns]

If you like how the 2000 feels you owe it to yourself to fondle one of these.

 

[psyopspec]

psyopspec - what were some of those guns to which you moved on?

After the .45 C, I went to a P2000 for better ergonomics and less expensive ammunition. I carried that weapon for years, shot IDPA, lots of range sessions. Again, never a problem. As general commentary, I can say that about almost every HK I've ever owned (P2000, .45C, 9mm USP). I had an old P7M8 once. I was the second owner in the 25 years since it had been manufactured. The first time I fired it the extractor flew off. Ever heard that rumor about the P7M8 being able to function just fine without an extractor? Yeah, that's not true. Anyway, took it back to the store. They contacted HK, who sent the parts to the gunsmith who installed them. I had the gun back and at 100% in less than a week for free. I've found most of the "you suck and we hate you" crowd to have been people who have never owned HK or never dealt with their service.

One day about 3 years ago I fired a friends Glock 19 better than my P2k. Add to that the fact that you can do all your own end user maintenance on Glocks, parts are cheap, mags are cheap, trigger pull is the same for every shot, and that was the route I decided to go.

After I get back from overseas this time I'm considering switching to a 1911. I shoot it well, and have gotten to a point in my life where I can again afford to shoot .45 ACP on a regular basis. Also, I figure I have to grow up at some point. We can't carry 9mm plastic pistols forever.

 

[el Godfather]

As previously stated above, I would also recommend HK45C. Although, I would also take a look at Beretta Storm in 45.

I have three HKs at the moment: Mk23, P30 and a USP 45.

Regards

 

[Pilot]

First decide if you really, really must carry .45 ACP. If so, there are few better than some of the ones mentioned here, like the newer HK 45, and the Sig P220. I think the USPc would serve you well also.

Most of my .45's are 1911's, except for an HK UPS Tactical .45 because eventually I want to get a supressor, and the gun is already set up for that. It is accurate and reliable, but I wouldn't say the ergos are the best. I find the grip blocky and unnatural for me but I am sure I'd get used to it if I shot it a lot.

 

[furiousbeen]

I splurged a few years ago and bought an HK USP 45. Read all the reviews, watched so many videos. took it to the range and WOW what a let down ! It felt like a brick, to me wasn't accurate and I could've had 2 glocks for the price I paid. I sold it and tried a low end Rock Island CS 1911. Money well spent, everything the HK was supposed to be at half the price minus the round count. Not a HK fan anymore. But that's my persoan;l preference.

 

[Dean1818]

Why not just get an M&P 45 Compact?

(You already have an M&P)

They are incredibly reliable, accurate, and easy to carry

 

[40SWHero51]

Dean181 - Looking to mix it up. I really do like my M&P and that's not a bad idea, but I'd like to fiddle with a few different weapons.

I haven't been able to put my mits on an HK45c, definitely is a combo of 2000 and USP - the slide is less pleasing to the eye than the USP or 2000 to me, but I'm not trying to charm any assailants to death with looks...

 

[HKGuns]

I splurged a few years ago and bought an HK USP 45. Read all the reviews, watched so many videos. took it to the range and WOW what a let down ! It felt like a brick, to me wasn't accurate

I've read a lot of things about HK's, never that they weren't accurate. In fact, they're known for their accuracy. Looks to me like you spent more than you could afford and really wanted a gLoCk anyway.

 

[CRF450808]

+1 on the sig p220 or the 220R ( has the accessory rail) You can get them SA/DA or SOA with a 1911 style thumb safety.. The 220 elite is just beautiful if you want to add sexy to the list, the Short Reset Trigger on the elite models is pretty awesome.. The elite's have more features.

I'm not experienced with the hk 45...yet

This doesn't really fit the bill so just fyi..and it may be too heavy/ large for comfortable CCW for most folks, but my favorite shooting .45 is the CZ97BD, 10+1 round capacity. Its a real tack driver and the felt recoil is more like a 9mm, very smooth..Main downside is some can be finicky with HP/JHPs...CZ will repair that for free if you get one that is, they are a great company to work with.