HK USP Compact vs Sig P239 Range Report

[az_gun_lover]

Just a quick range report between my 2 semi-autos. I went to an advanced CCW class and brought my HK UPS Compact 40 SW (DA/SA) and my Sig P239 9mm SAS (DAK).

Well for the advanced CCW class, we had plenty of drills where we had to do emergency magazine drops and reloads. My fingers were not quire long enough on the HK USP Compact to use the right hand to drop the magazine. I had to use my left hand for assistance, or really reposition the firearm for my right thumb to get to it. This made the emergency drop and reload on the HK a little longer than the Sig P239. The Sig P239 SAS was smaller and is a single stack so it's easier to replace the mag.

Accuracy, both the HK and the Sig P239 were accurate and I would not hesitate to carry either in a CCW scenario. I found that once I got used to the DAK trigger and a breathing rhythm established, it seemed that there was time for last minute corrections as the DAK trigger was pulled. This made the Sig P239 slightly more accurate in my hands than the USPC.

We had to do almost all of our drills with a loaded fully cocked handgun in our holster. For example, we had to rack the first round, shoot, then replace the cocked firearm into the holster for the next drill. We had to either count or use the emergency magazine load procedure during the drills.

Well I did well with the HK USPC in the morning but I felt much more at ease when I used my Sig P239 in the afternoon. Since the DAK can safely be carried with a round in the chamber without cocking, it felt safer than a cocked DA/SA ready to go in the holster. We had to speed draw and I just felt safer and more at ease when I used the Sig DAK system.

Again, both are good weapons, but from my personal experience on this day, the nod goes to the Sig P239 SAS DAK.

You would have to weight this against what you would be giving up, i.e. the HK uses a higher caliber bullet and has a higher magazine capacity, 12 rounds of 40 SW vs 9 rounds of 9mm.

 

[hksw]

Welcome aboard.

My fingers were not quire long enough on the HK USP Compact to use the right hand to drop the magazine. I had to use my left hand for assistance, or really reposition the firearm for my right thumb to get to it. This made the emergency drop and reload on the HK a little longer than the Sig P239.

One of the beneficial features of the USPc is the ambidextrous mag release. One of the techniques carried over from the HK P7 (non-PSP) is the ability to drop the mag with the trigger finger. Instead of depressing downward the mag release on the thumb side of the gun (by either the strong or weak hand), try taking your trigger finger out of the triggerguard and depress the lever on the trigger finger side with it. Not only is it easier to reach this way, but it also insures that your finger is off of the trigger while reloading.

 

[az_gun_lover]

Thanks, I had not thought of that. I'm going to have to practise that one.

 

[benderx4]

What hksw said! One of the beautiful features of the HK is where that ambi mag release sits in relation to your trigger finger.

Upon mag change, that forefinger is coming out of the trigger guard anyhow, and guess what it pretty much falls on? The mag release. Plus, I love how the mags on all my HKs fall completely out w/o hanging up on anything.

Give it a try, I think you'll beat your times over the Sig.

 

[Marcus L.]

Might I ask why you are using the DAK trigger? The Sig is at its most refined with the standard trigger and in DA/SA. If you want a safe condition, that is why you decock it after firing so that it returns to DA. The DA/SA trigger on the Sig is probably the best on the market in both DA and SA. I recommend trading your Sig in for a standard 239 model.

As far as the H&K goes, it takes a little time to get used to using the index finger for the magazine release.

Both pistols have their strengths and weakensses. However, both are top of the line when it comes to quality and performance. I tend to prefer the Sigs over the H&Ks though....I prefer the better trigger and decocking system.

 

[1SOW]

The Sig is at its most refined with the standard trigger and in DA/SA

I respectfully disagree with the above quote. I have the standard P239 in 9mm and like it a lot; BUT that long first DA pull with the much shorter SA pull is something you have to adjust to. I have and won't trade it.
The DAK has the same pull all the time, the reach is shorter than the DA reach, and the reset is also shorter/faster with the DAK. It's simpler and has the same trigger pull for every shot.
To me, refined has always meant reducing the short-comings of the former version

 

[az_gun_lover]

Marcus L.

During the drills of my advanced CCW class, we were told to not decock the weapon. We were allowed to put the safety on however. Since speed, timing and accuracy of the draw were being tested, I did not use my safety when I used the HK DA/SA. I was basically drawing from an IWB holster, a fully cocked weapon and trying to hit a target while on the run. There's a lot going on simultaneously and keeping your finger off the trigger until you had acquired the target was paramount.

I felt safer with the Sig DAK. Knowing that the firearm took a deliberate smooth pull of the trigger before firing somehow let me relax more and focus on the target and the instructor while running and firing.

The DA/SA vs DAK discussion I guess boils down to personal taste. Both are good shooters. But when seconds count and you are in a high preassure real gun fight, the fewer things you have to mentally worry about the better IMHO.

Thanks all for the comments

 

[nuffsaid]

Thanks for the post az gun lover. It's amazing how a guns potential disadvantages, differences so up when under real world scenarios.

 

[Rinspeed]

I've owned both and prefer the Sig slightly more as well.