HK pistols, specifically SOCOM?

[Drjones]

So I'm interested.

I looked up the SOCOM on a couple of the gun auction sites and the few listed were close to $2k.

Is that the average price for those? What makes the SOCOM so special compared to a USP?

Opinions in general on the HKs? (As if I need to ask....its like asking for opinions on a Rolls... )

 

[Reason]

I looked up the SOCOM on a couple of the gun auction sites and the few listed were close to $2k.

Is that the average price for those? What makes the SOCOM so special compared to a USP?

That's about right. If you look around, you might be able to find one for around $1,800.

They're big and they're (somewhat) rare. Also, they're the only handguns designed for offense from the start.

Opinions in general on the HKs? (As if I need to ask....its like asking for opinions on a Rolls...)

I think you answered your own question there.

 

[Tamara]

What makes the SOCOM so special compared to a USP?

While there are some different features, what accounts for the difference in price is one thing, and one thing only: rarity.

(As if I need to ask....its like asking for opinions on a Rolls... )

No, Rolls-Royces are hand-finished by craftsmen.


Seriously, they're fine pistols. While the P7's are truly unique, top drawer firearms and high on my list of favorite pistols, I find I prefer the svelter Walther P99 to the somewhat-clunky USP (if I had to run out and buy a plastic gun tomorrow, that is... )

What dismays me was that HK used to be known for cutting edge and outside-the-box. Their latest offerings are just plain-ol-guns, just like everybody else makes. Where's the gas-delayed, roller-locking, squeeze-cocking, caseless HK of yore?

 

[10-Ring]

I had a chance to shoot a SOCOM last year. WOW is it big...think Desert Eagle big As big as it is, it shoots great. For me, the biggest difference between the SOCOM & the most similar USP, the Tactical, is the SOCOM's ability to shoot 45 super w/o modification. Sure, many have shot 45 super from their USPs w/o harm, but it's not covered by the factory.
It will reall depend on your intended use, there are other options in the USP line up that may fit your needs better than your want of a SOCOM.

 

[Quintin Likely]

What makes a SOCOM special?

It's big. Bigger than some small cars. It's scary accurate. It's big. It's got an evil threaded barrel on it. It's big. Shoots a cartridge that starts with "4". It's big. It's got that little "H&K" logo on it. It's big.

I handled one in person at Eastman's Gun Show a couple months ago. H&K says it's the first pistol officially design for offense. Sounds about right, I guess if you ran out of ammo, you could bludgeon someone to death fairly easily with the big mofo. From what I've read, it seems that special ops spooks favor USP Tacticals over the SOCOM, since they're smaller. The gun store I frequent had one going for $1600 And surprisingly, it didn't stay in the case very long after they got it. Exclusivity seems to be the name of the game with H&K. Compared to garden variety Glocks, Sigs, 1911s, etc. H&Ks are fairly oddballs, especially given the way they treat their dealers. Maybe that'll change with a US based H&K plant, who knows. I'd like to have one just so I can say that I've got one though.

 

[cool45auto]

I guess if you ran out of ammo, you could bludgeon someone to death fairly easily with the big mofo.

I'll second that! When I finally got to handle one it was a lot bigger than I'd imagined, but didn't weigh near as much as it looks like it would. I want one bad.

 

[BerettaNut92]

No one's brought this up yet, but it's an 'assault weapon' in California because of the threaded barrel. :banghead:

Senator Perata
Gray Davis
Democrats
Alameda County

 

[cool45auto]

Man, Skunk, you guys can't have anything can you?!?!

 

[10-Ring]

The SOCOM I saw last year, here in CA, was for sale. It ended up going for $1800 because the original owner SAWED OFF THE THREADS!

That is just wrong for so many reasons! :banghead:

 

[pale horse]

Are you kidding me if you get a Socom you are a mullet away from being Solid Snake.

 

[Sean Smith]

It is an overgrown USP with some extra goodies that is made in small numbers. Under $2,000 for a new one is pretty good. I have a friend who really wants one, but they are a big yawner to me.

No pun intended.

 

[harrydog]

For those of you who complain about the standard USP's being overpriced, they pale in comparison to the Mk23.
There is no way that it costs that much more to manufacture this pistol than it does the standard USP. It's simply a matter of HK keeping the price artificially high and the availability artificially low.
It won't really do anything that the Tactical model won't, but it is bigger and more unwieldy, if that appeals to you.
I think for most people, whether they admit it or not, owning one is more the novelty of having something somewhat exclusive that was built for the military special forces than for any other reason.
As big as they are, they still seem to have more muzzle flip (without a suppressor) than they should in my opinion.
But then, that's only my opinion.