HK USP 45 vs. Glock 21

[BluedRevolver]

I'm considering both of these, and the fact that the HK costs more is not a factor.

From what I understand the Glock is simpler and perhaps stand up to abuse better

The HK USP seems to also be ultra reliable and durable as well, though some will argue the Glock will stand up to abuse better, but I don't abuse my guns anyway.

I HAVE shot both, the Glock seemed to have a little less muzzle flip (lower bore axis?). I like the Glock AND HK, but I want to get whatever's better.

Which is better?

 

[NOLAEMT]

Its really a matter of preference.

I have a USP compact that I absolutely love, but thats not to say there is anything wrong with the Glock.

I have never been able to warm up to the glock grip angle. the HK has the same grip angle as a 1911, and is more natural for me.

you just need to decide which one you like best based on feel, looks, or whatever is important to you, because they are both excellent guns that will outlast you no matter what do try to do to them.

 

[Inebriated]

It's preference. Both perform great.

I prefer the Glock.

 

[jmr40]

Based on it's design features I like the HK better. Bought one, and it didn't perform nearly as well as the Glock. At the same price, I'd buy Glock.

 

[25cschaefer]

Pick the one that fits your hand better.

 

[dprice3844444]

glock is lighter,too

 

[Jason_G]

Get the one you shoot best. Both are reliable. I have the USP45, rather than a Glock, mostly because I like exposed hammers. I like to know what my gun is "thinking". Silly, I know, but I have my quirks. Glocks point high for me anyway.

If I were going to forgo my perclivity for an exposed hammer, and go for a striker-fired weapon, I think the M&P would be my personal choice.

I HAVE shot both, the Glock seemed to have a little less muzzle flip (lower bore axis?).

My personal hypothesis for explaining the extra "flip" with the USP is not that it has a high bore axis, but rather more rearward travel of a fairly heavy slide. The USP's bore axis is about as high as that of the venerable 1911, which is probably the metaphorical yardstick that easy-shooting pistols are measured against.

I like the Glock AND HK, but I want to get whatever's better.

Which is better?

Whichever one pointed better for you and can be shot with accuracy in rapid fire, would be the one you should take home.


Jason

 

[SOUTHPAW]

Pick the one that fits your hand better.

Pick the one you shoot better?

 

[PO2Hammer]

I always felt like my USP .45 was as good as polymer getsm accurate and reliable, but the ergonomics didn't work for me.

The Glock was accurate enough, but only liked plain FMJ and would fail occasionally with HP or SWC ammo. Ergo's were very nice, but it was too picky on ammo.

I ended up selling both.

 

[SOUTHPAW]

The Glock was accurate enough, but only liked plain FMJ and would fail occasionally with HP or SWC ammo. Ergo's were very nice, but it was too picky on ammo.

Wow, that's the first time I've ever heard of a 21, or any Glock for that matter, choking on ammo. My Gen3 21 has a little over 1,300 rounds thru it, granted only 100-200 of those are JHP, but it's yet to choke. Hell, my Glocks will cycle peanut shells!

 

[PO2Hammer]

Have you considered the HK45? The reliability of the USP and ergonomics that are close to a 1911. The grip is kinda' ugly, so I wrapped some friction tape over it.

 

[mnhntr]

Whichever you shoot best and are comfortable with. I prefer the hammer fired and SA/DA of the HK. I also like the take down of the HK, the ergonomics, and the grip size.

 

[memphisjim]

the hk45 feels awesome in hand

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Definitely. Friction tape makes it look a lot better.

 

[GLOOB]

Glock is simpler

I ran several mags through the USP 45 Compact a month ago. I loved it. Nice trigger pull, DA and SA. Recoil felt light, and the gun was fast to get back on target. Doubletaps were tight.

But if you ride your thumb high, beware. I managed to accidentally hold the decocker down... twice in the span of about ~ 50 rounds. When you do this, the trigger disconnects. You won't realize you're doing this until the gun fails to fire. Quite annoying.

 

[Feanor]

The G21SF is half the price of the HK, has better, less expensive magazines, that hold more ammo, is lighter, and actually smaller, while offering far less muzzle flip, along with less percieved recoil. Parts availability is almost ridiculously abundant, as are armorers, almost any good sized LGS has everything you need right there.

The HK? Forget it, its oversized, heavier, holds less ammo in far more expensive, inferior magazines, with razor sharp feed lips, has terrible ergonomics, and eccentric, over-engineered controls that clutter up the pistol, and force the shooter to adapt, or modify their shooting technique. Parts availability is a real problem, as is finding anyone to work on the thing. They are well made, but considering all of the above, and their exorbitant price, the G21 is a far better pistol.

 

[psyopspec]

For a lot of years I was an HK guy for pistol carry and competition. At the range one day I shot a friends Glock much better than my P2000, and then went that direction. For full sized .45's, I've owned a Glock 21, USP Compact .45 (despite the name I still consider it a full sized, or at least "service size" pistol), and a Springfield XD 5". While I am indeed still a Glock guy who has a soft spot for HK in his heart, among the full sized .45s, the XD was the easiest to be accurate and consistent with for me. A little large for carry though, so the Glock remains in the holster.

That's my long way of saying to go with what works for you.

 

[Autolycus]

Which ever one you like better. I am a Glock fan but the HK is a nice gun. How about renting them both and shooting them? Then decide from there.

 

[HKGuns]

The HK? Forget it, its oversized, heavier, holds less ammo in far more expensive, inferior magazines, with razor sharp feed lips, has terrible ergonomics, and eccentric, over-engineered controls that clutter up the pistol, and force the shooter to adapt, or modify their shooting technique. Parts availability is a real problem, as is finding anyone to work on the thing. They are well made, but considering all of the above, and their exorbitant price, the G21 is a far better pistol.

You're certainly long on opinion and short on facts. You should stick to things you understand before making yourself look foolish by posting all of this nonsense.

gLoCk = Plastic guide rod - Plastic sights - Plastic magazines - crap trigger and numerous problems with the new "generation" - Produced by a curtain rod MFG - "One" action and trigger alternative unless you're a NYC cop - Highest number of ND's of any pistol ever produced, because of their appeal to the lowest common denominator and least experienced shooters. - Grip angle unlike any other Auto pistol on the market - Ergonomics of a brick.

HK = Steel guide rod - Steel sights - Reliable, high quality steel magazines - Lots of trigger and action alternatives. No problems with their new generation of pistols - Produced by a Military firearms MFG with a long history of producing high quality rifles and pistols. Parts are readily available as well. -Grip angle consistent with every other auto pistol on the market with the exception of gLoCk - Ergonomics far exceed that of most other pistols on the market today - Controls are well placed and easily reached.

 

[qcsmitty]

This.

Both are outstanding pistols.

 

[qcsmitty]

Have you considered the HK45? The reliability of the USP and ergonomics that are close to a 1911. The grip is kinda' ugly, so I wrapped some friction tape over it.

I'm glad to see others who are utilitarians.

 

[PO2Hammer]

How are liking the G-36 gqsmitty?

 

[psyopspec]

You're certainly long on opinion and short on facts. You should stick to things you understand before making yourself look foolish by posting all of this nonsense.

gLoCk = Plastic guide rod - Plastic sights - Plastic magazines - crap trigger and numerous problems with the new "generation" - Produced by a curtain rod MFG - "One" action and trigger alternative unless you're a NYC cop - Highest number of ND's of any pistol ever produced, because of their appeal to the lowest common denominator and least experienced shooters. - Grip angle unlike any other Auto pistol on the market - Ergonomics of a brick.

HK = Steel guide rod - Steel sights - Reliable, high quality steel magazines - Lots of trigger and action alternatives. No problems with their new generation of pistols - Produced by a Military firearms MFG with a long history of producing high quality rifles and pistols. Parts are readily available as well. -Grip angle consistent with every other auto pistol on the market with the exception of gLoCk - Ergonomics far exceed that of most other pistols on the market today - Controls are well placed and easily reached.

Got a long wait for a plane, so I'll play. Both of you are being a little silly.

Not to suggest that you should just stick to things you understand, but my USP came with plastic magazines. When the extractor flew off of my P7M8, I couldn't find one of the "widely available" replacements you mentioned. To give credit where due, HK hooked me up for free and with reasonable turnaround after I exhausted my own search. To also give credit where due, Glock has yet to sell me a pistol who's extractor flies off.

Take a basic part like magazines - very easily found for a Glock in most chain sporting goods stores around the country that sell guns. HK not so much. Also, those magazines would be more expensive if found.

What were you getting at with the ND/lowest common denominator statement? Are you trying to say that's a reason to eschew the brand? Why shouldn't a particular shooter just go with what works for them? Would you jump ship on HK if they appeared in more rap videos?

 

[daytodaze]

this is one of the only match ups that I wont pick up a glock (carry weapon and nightsand gun is a glock 27). I own many glocks, but the USP .45 is one of my favorite weapons. It's very large, very expensive, and you can basically buy two glocks for what it costs, but a little range time convincex me that it is superior. Also, glock mags cost half as much as hk mags...

With that said, the hk should be just a durable, gives you sa/da capabilities if you get the right varient, and I've found that i can shoot tighter groups out of my USP. My USP is also very controllable and i notice very little muzzle flip. If money isn't a factor here, you definitely need to own a USP (sorry glock...).

 

[Jason_G]

Not to suggest that you should just stick to things you understand, but my USP came with plastic magazines.

The HK? Forget it, its oversized, heavier, holds less ammo in far more expensive, inferior magazines, with razor sharp feed lips...

Just to clear up the mag confusion, the USP45, which is the one the OP asked about, has steel mags (12 rounders, except where 10 rounders were forced by law), and the feed lips are not razor sharp. I've loaded plenty of mags, one after another, without the aid of a speedloader, with nary a blister. They aren't that bad. The other caliber USPs came with plastic magazines. Yes the HK mags are more expensive than the Glock mags, and the magazine springs, have, in some instances, come from the factory on the weak side, causing failure of the slide to lock back after the last shot in some pistols.

If we nitpick, we can find faults in either pistol, even though they are both solid firearms, but I see little use in being a brand whore. The OP just wants to know if either pistol will serve him well. All-in-all, both are fine pistols. There are things I would change about both of them, but they are both good, solid choices for HD/SD.

I would add though, and I don't think it's been mentioned, that both would be very tough to conceal in warm weather clothing, if that's a possible role the weapon will serve.


Jason