HK USP 9mm Compact or Glock 19

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facman73

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I am planning on getting a new 9mm pistol for concealed carry. Right now, I am deliberating between HK USP 9mm compact and Glock 19. Any tips on which one is a better choice for concealed carry? I have a small to medium size hand. Thanks.
 
Welcome to the forum.

What trigger variant on the USPc would you get?

The first suggestion would be to try and find a place to rent each of them to shoot some rounds so you could get a good feel. Worst case if that can't be done, at least handle them in a gun shop.

I just picked up a USPc myself, though in my case I won't be able to carry in the state I'm moving to. I like the versatility of having the safety/decocker so I'm able to carry without safety (DA first pull), or with safety on (DA 1st pull or SA first pull aka cocked-and-locked). It's a great gun, and though I'm not a Glock fan, I will admit the G19 is a hard package to beat.
 
Shoot them both if you can to see the difference between them. Keep in mind that the "KISS" principal is important in this case. "Keep It Simple Stupid", you want a weapon that works the same way everytime you use it, not DA then SA, safety on, safety off. Draw and fire without haveing to disengage thumb safety, change grip from DA to SA. KISS
 
I'd call it a tie. Both are very good handguns, but miles apart in ergonomics and function. About the only thing they have in common is the caliber. Shoot both and decide for yourself. :)
 
Not even close in my mind. Get the HK compact.
Go check them out like others said and I would be surprised if you pick the other. I believe most of the time you get what you pay for.
 
I hold the opinion that H&K is a high quality gun but from an armorer's point of view, the glock wins out due to simplicity. I have owned glocks in the past and have trusted my life to them. I wouldn't have anything against the USP's if I could afford one.
 
ya.. def recommend trying them out.. They are two completely different guns, so something tells me you aren't sure where your preferences are. Let me help you out with what those preferences might be

I bought an hk45c recently b/c I like cocked'n locked and the grips feels very ergonomic...
I don't trust the glock safety system (or lack thereof) with my lack of experience in the "draw your gun while pissing your pants" scenario

I shoot both of'em very accurately compared to other guns but can't compare the followup shots since I was guilty of testing a .45 vs a 9mm hehe

Of the 9's I tested, glocks were easily the best for me despite the fact that I hate the grip and it hurts my hand after shooting maybe 50 rounds. I have not tested it with a handall grip on it yet.

I believe the g19 was smaller in dimension and therefore better for concealment. It also has a lot more options for concealment, is cheaper, and has cheaper parts.

Relatively speaking, they are similarly durable from the tests I've seen, tho HK would win if you take the tests out beyond the scope of what the lifetime of your gun will see in your hands.

Hope this helps...

edit: don't trust ergonomics too much either. You sound like you're in the position I was on my first purchase. Berettas and sigs felt VERY good in my hand back then.. but I just can't shoot them as well. I think the blockiness of the glocks and HKs force you to have a good, consistent grip on the gun.
 
Glock for me all you have to do is pick it up and shoot it no outside safties or long da pull for the first shot no fancy magazine release, just draw get sight picture and pull the trigger. Works everytime.
 
For CCW i'd go with the G19. I've shot both, and both are reliable and accurate.

But as one of the previous posters said, KISS. Keep it simple. Draw, pull trigger. Not draw, safety off, pull trigger. Or Draw, safety off, worry about SA/DA, etc.

Both are excellent guns but I vote glock in this situation.
 
Yeah... KISS my you know what!

Just kidding. But seriously, there are so many more Glock proponents out there than H&K simply because a lot of people can't afford the more expensive gun. Or maybe I should say they don't want to spend $750 on a gun when they can get a decent alternative for $500.

If you want my opinion check out this thread I just made the other day:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=425714

I've owned them both and can say get the H&K with confidence.

For what it's worth, the H&K can be converted to the LEM trigger, which screams "Keep it simple, stupid!" It behaves very similarly to a Glock trigger, except I like it better because you can verify the hammer isn't moving when you holster your weapon. Considering the Glock trigger safety is a joke, I think the LEM trigger system is a better and safer approach to "KISS."

I don't care what anyone says, if you have small-medium hands you will love the feel of the USPc over the Glock 19.

The point is, the H&K costs more for a reason. The Glock is still a FINE firearm. I'm not bashing it in any way because it still does what it's supposed to do. Hell, I've owned three of them and still have a glock 26. However, IMHO, H&K makes a superior polymer handgun.

If money is tight, go with a Glock. But make sure you shoot both before you decide.
 
USPc is my initial response, though as already said, you really oughtta try 'em both before you buy... Another two worth looking at are the Taurus 24/7 and the Springfield xD. For the same reasons I disliked the Glock, I dislike the xD. Walther p99 is definitely compact and a friend of mine actually picked one up for $400 new.
 
I have both guns and a P2000 9mm too. Ergonomics and grip angle are just personal preference and these two guns have the several differences between their grip angle.

The best gun in my grip is the P2000 and then the USP. The most refined guns are the HK. However, I would carry the Glock.
 
What Legion said. As far as the guns are concerned, I think the USPc is the clear winner in terms of ergonomics, reliability, function, felt recoil, and resale. In terms of concealability, I think the Glock wins out. (The USP is kind of "thick") BTW, why not go with the GLock 26?
Add the P2000SK and/or P7 to the mix, and I know the HK rises to the top again in EVERY aspect.
 
Get the G19 and buy ammo with the money you saved. The G19 is simple to work on if something goes wrong. Replacement parts are easily obtained and cheap.
 
I don't care what anyone says, if you have small-medium hands you will love the feel of the USPc over the Glock 19.


Really?

I had both the G19 and the H&K USPc 9mm. I liked the feel, the simplicity and the concealability of the G19 much better.

In my opinion, the design of the H&K was overly complicated and the gun was too blocky in comparison. As an older design, the H&K needed a decocking lever since it relies on an external hammer. With a Glock, you only have to learn one consistent trigger pull.

I had no mechanical problems with either, but comparing them side by side, the simplicity of the G19 was the superior choice for me for everyday carry.
 
My feeling with HKs, is that they are a bit thicker in the frame than Glocks, so if you're going to do IWB carry, you may want to go with the Glock. In terms of quality, you can't go wrong with either.
 
My feeling with HKs, is that they are a bit thicker in the frame than Glocks, so if you're going to do IWB carry, you may want to go with the Glock. In terms of quality, you can't go wrong with either.
Aside from any feelings, my USPc has a thinner grip than the Glock 19 I just sold. However, the slide of the USP is fatter towards the rear than the Glock, but no fatter than the frame of the Glock. The controls on the USPc do bulk up the design a bit though compared to the Glock.

That's why I would suggest the P2000 over the USPc if you are looking to carry it IWB. The tapered slide, slimmer profile dual slide release, and the fact that the grip is thinner than the Glock's makes it just as easy to carry as the Glock. Not to mention that the P2000 (or USPc) is a shorter gun and the height with a flat magazine floorplate is literally the exact same as the Glock 19 with a magazine inserted.

Just wanted to set the facts straight so you aren't mislead with the "concealability factor" of the Glock. Again, you really should shoot both the Glock and H&K before making any decisions.
 
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