Went by the gunshop today and they have a USP compact and a 4003TSW, both got my attention. The 4003 looks brand new comes with 4 mags, the USP looks like its been shot a bit, and the slide had been polished looks kinda "different" I guess. Both guns are a little over $500. What are your thoughts on both? Which would you get and why? I have read that the HK's have a well supported chamber, but know nothing of the 4003. Can anyone help me out there? Thanks a million, Lee.
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HK USP compact vs Smith and Wesson 4003TSW
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Guitargod1985
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The HK USP40c I used to own was (for me) the best handgun I ever owned and I regret selling it. I shot it better than any other handgun with similar barrel length and I never had any failures of any kind with it.
Plusses for HK:
-It can be carried hammer down/safety off, hammer down/safety on, or cocked/safety on.
-It also has an incredibly durable finish and was pretty soft shooting for a .40 cal.
-I also liked the fact that the grip was just the right size for me (I have smaller hands), and I prefer the HK style mag release to the traditional one.
-Polygonal rifling means easier cleanup and longer barrel life.
On the other hand, Smith and Wesson no longer makes the 4003 pistol, while HK still manufactures USP compacts, so you may want to pick up the Smith while you have the opportunity.
Plusses for HK:
-It can be carried hammer down/safety off, hammer down/safety on, or cocked/safety on.
-It also has an incredibly durable finish and was pretty soft shooting for a .40 cal.
-I also liked the fact that the grip was just the right size for me (I have smaller hands), and I prefer the HK style mag release to the traditional one.
-Polygonal rifling means easier cleanup and longer barrel life.
On the other hand, Smith and Wesson no longer makes the 4003 pistol, while HK still manufactures USP compacts, so you may want to pick up the Smith while you have the opportunity.
andcam
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USPc...I've got one and it's my favorite. There's nothing wrong with the 4003 though.
I own (or have owned) almost every brand of polymer handgun out there. This includes everything from a couple Glocks, a couple XDs, to H&K.
My H&K USPc .40 is by far the best shooting, most reliable, most accurate, and overall my favorite polymer gun that I've ever owned. There is no hype with H&K, despite what some people might think. The entire design is well thought out, and the manufacturing process doesn't include any shortcuts. Everything from the robust design, perfect tolerances, and even control placement is perfect IMO.
I also have never had a gun that feeds every type of ammo so smoothly. Even when it's dirty, it feeds anything without a hiccup. Now, you shouldn't make a habit out of it, but if you guide the slide forward and chamber a round slowly the USPc will feed any type of round so much smoother than any of my other guns, including my Glock 19 with FMJ ammo. Shooting it is the same story. Flawless, solid performance.. You can just tell from how it recoils that H&K knows how to build handguns. Maybe it's the built-in recoil buffer system H&K uses? I'm not sure. But I find that shooting .40s&w from my H&K is more pleasant than shooting 9mm from some of my other guns.
Some people hate on H&K because of the premium price, but the price is easily worth paying for what you get.
To be fair, if there is ONE complaint I have with H&K it is the factory SA trigger pull. Don't get me wrong. It is much better than a factory Glock, XD, or M&P trigger pull for example, but it isn't as crisp as a Sig or finely tuned 1911 trigger. However, a trigger job can be performed to make the trigger much better. Other than that, and the rather beefy slide (but it's beefy for a reason), H&K really offers you a gun with "no comprimise." Definitely go with H&K. You won't regret it.
My H&K USPc .40 is by far the best shooting, most reliable, most accurate, and overall my favorite polymer gun that I've ever owned. There is no hype with H&K, despite what some people might think. The entire design is well thought out, and the manufacturing process doesn't include any shortcuts. Everything from the robust design, perfect tolerances, and even control placement is perfect IMO.
I also have never had a gun that feeds every type of ammo so smoothly. Even when it's dirty, it feeds anything without a hiccup. Now, you shouldn't make a habit out of it, but if you guide the slide forward and chamber a round slowly the USPc will feed any type of round so much smoother than any of my other guns, including my Glock 19 with FMJ ammo. Shooting it is the same story. Flawless, solid performance.. You can just tell from how it recoils that H&K knows how to build handguns. Maybe it's the built-in recoil buffer system H&K uses? I'm not sure. But I find that shooting .40s&w from my H&K is more pleasant than shooting 9mm from some of my other guns.
Some people hate on H&K because of the premium price, but the price is easily worth paying for what you get.
To be fair, if there is ONE complaint I have with H&K it is the factory SA trigger pull. Don't get me wrong. It is much better than a factory Glock, XD, or M&P trigger pull for example, but it isn't as crisp as a Sig or finely tuned 1911 trigger. However, a trigger job can be performed to make the trigger much better. Other than that, and the rather beefy slide (but it's beefy for a reason), H&K really offers you a gun with "no comprimise." Definitely go with H&K. You won't regret it.
andcam
Member
+1 on the HK trigger pull. It was easier for me because it was my first handgun. I'm used to it...lots of practice = fun and competent.
I was thinking HK myself, the only thing that is bothering me is the abused slide. It wasnt polished to the point where all the finish is removed, its more like a black chrome look. It also looked like it had a bazillion rounds through it. It could be that it wasnt cleaned very well. As for the 4003, it looks brand new.. I would be suprised if there is more than 100 rounds through it, the only turn off is it has TACTICAL written all over the slide. Thanks for you input, I will take a better look at the HK when I go back.
gudel
Member
if you like the HK, and bothered by the slide, you should just get a new one and get it over with. What's wrong with tactical written all over it?
zx12rider
Member
I own both
If the smith is mint, go for it. They are very under rated and quality guns. I do love my USP 40 fullsized but it's not that much better of a gun that I would buy a beat one.
If the smith is mint, go for it. They are very under rated and quality guns. I do love my USP 40 fullsized but it's not that much better of a gun that I would buy a beat one.
Yikes.. I almost overlooked how bad your description of it was before I began my rant on how great H&K guns are LOL. They really are amazing, but if the one you are looking at is a beater I'd pass on it. Then again, the USP can take abuse and very high round counts, so maybe it only looks bad?? I'd go check it out again, but maybe you are better off getting the Smith.
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