Hmm, I like a gun I've thought I didn't- what to do? How do you like the HK USP?

[chaim]

Hmm, I doubt if I can come up with the money anytime soon (at least not before Oct or Nov) and this is kind of open ended but...

What do you all think of the HK USP?

Dangerous, probably overasked question, but...

I never really considered these very much. Just didn't do it for me. I'm more of a metal and wood or at least metal and plastic (in the grips only) kind of guy so the plastic, umm, polymer just doesn't excite me. It isn't exactly a thin gun and I do like narrow guns (and shouldn't the polymer allow it to be more narrow- why is it so thick?). etc. etc.

Well, at the MD shoot today I shot Norton's HK and well...it got me thinking.

The gun did feel good (dry fire was only ok, it has that springy feel many polymer guns have that I hate, but when firing you don't notice it and the HK trigger wasn't bad). I love the safety (like the Taurus- up for safe, cocked and locked capabilities, down to decock, center is off safe).

The main thing was that it was incredibly accurate for me. I don't know if the gun just "fit" that well, if the sights were right for me, or if it was just luck with the gun, but I shot it better than any other gun I tried today (mine or someone else's).

Actually, I might be rethinking polymer in general. I also liked SolomonShort's SIGpro. I wasn't very accurate with it (I'm not used to the "dot the I" sights) but it felt great. So, while I am thinking specifically about the HK here, I'm also thinking that maybe polymer is good. Is that a sacrilige?

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's chaim-

I had a full size .45 caliber H&K U.S.P. for awhile and
kind'a liked it! Except for being really BIG, this
pistol was exceptional. I never experienced any kind
of a problem with it; as I used it mainly for comparison
to SIG's .45 caliber P220. They both shot almost
identical groups from 15 and 25 yards out, with the
SIG P220 being a little more impressive with slightly
tighter group's. As for finish, the nod goes
to H&K's "hostile environment" finish. But, don't let
that fool you, cuz they ARE NOT rust proof! Like
the P220, one must always perform preventive
maintenance on any firearm; with proper cleaning and
lubrication.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[chaim]

They are big. I don't know if I'd get the compact to satisfy my current love of smaller guns or if I'd go full-sized for maximum accuracy (since this thing was quite accurate for me). The compact would still probably be pretty wide and that is really where I like guns to be small (I love 1911s, they are narrow but full-sized). I doubt that it would ever become a carry gun for me when I get out of MD due to the width. So full-size seems to make more sense, but like I said, I do prefer smaller guns so I just might go compact if I get one so it is as small as possible.

 

[Morgan]

I'm a vocal fan of the full size USP guns. My daily carry gun, on duty and off, is a USP45.

All the USPs I've had and seen in training and competition have been flawless. Nary a stoppage, even with crappy reloads, in thousands of rounds. Probably 10,000 through a couple of .40's, 10-15k through a 9mm, and 5-7K through a pair of .45's. Since it's free at the range, most of the 9mm and much of the .45 has been +p Gold Dots - no issues with wear. My brother's and several friends USPs have exhibited perfect reliability, as well.

I use the non-decock lever (like a 1911 - cocked and locked, but no decocking), as I carry condition one, and my department allows either decock or safety on USPs, but not both.

Try a 12lb Wolff hammer spring, especially if you shoot DA at all. No problem with reliability, and a smoother, better trigger.

I have no trouble concealing it in a FIST holster, usually a close cropped kydex pancake style, an IWB when wearing just a T-shirt.


It should be noted that I have large hands and the USP has a largish grip, though many friends with smaller hands have enjoyed my USPs, as well.

I think the USP is arguably the finest gun you can get today, though I love my Colt 1911's, CZ75's, and Smith revolvers. When it comes to hard use and the proverbial bump in the night, the USP is, by far, my favorite.

 

[Shake]

I have yet to find a autoloader that "I" shoot as well as my H&K USP .40 full sized. I have quite a few different brands/types of handguns and of them all, I shoot the USP the best. The results might be different in a vise (Kimber, CZ, Beretta Elite II might come out on top), but in my hands the USP wins.

USP's are accurate, reliable, and for me - perfectly sized. I'd recommend them to anyone who finds them comfortable to shoot.

Shake

 

[Island Beretta]

Overall the USPs are good guns and in a recent thread we debated whether out of all 'out of box' guns it got all the fundamentals right. I think so. That said Berettas and Glocks get the nod for me because:

1. They are cheaper.
2. Easier parts availability- very very important to me.
3. More accessories available.
4. Points better for me, though the USP slim grip is soooo nice.
5. I find the Beretta and Glock to be faster shooters (maybe because I have more time with them, but I notice this with others as well.)

Thanks and have a good day!!

 

[George Hill]

Big and brutal. Other than price, there is no fault with them.

 

[New_comer]

I've never found any polymer gun that would replace my USP9f.


After several thousand rounds and dry fires, the trigger can't be sweeter.

 

[OF]

The USP's exhibit the reliability that Glocks advertise.

I am a huge USP fan.

- Gabe

 

[Mikul]

Great gun: reliable, yet as accurate as most match-grade guns.

The trigger reset gets in my way, and I have had the slide stop and hammer show mild surface rust when carried in the summer. Militec-1 protects for a long time and is my recommendation.

Failures:
Slide stop retaining pin broke around 20K rounds, but it never failed to function. It was replaced with a redesigned guide rod. If the end of the guide rod is forked at the end visible from the muzzle end, it has the new design.

Firing pin broke in half around 35K rounds. It's a long story, but basically H&K will fix it for no charge.

I would buy another one.

 

[gbelleh]

My USP .45 Compact has never had a malfunction of any kind. I shoot it more accurately than any other handgun I own. It is my home defense pistol. They're big and expensive, but excellent guns that are worth every penny!

 

[10-Ring]

I've got 4 USPs in various sizes & calibers and have approximately 25,000+ rounds through them collectively. I like them ALOT!

 

[caz223]

What gbelleh said, and my USP compact cost me $830 + 6% sales tax.
Worth every penny.

 

[Sox]

Chaim, look into the P2000 just out. Give em time to come down in price. They are basically an updated USP compact. They are trim. They are more aggressively tapered starting at the top of the slide about 23mm to the grip about 29mm- about as wide as a Glock 36. They offer a choice of 4 backstraps. The LEM is a sweet design, which can be fired very quickly. Go to HKPRO.COM to look em over and see the reports filtering in on the P2000. I think you will like it. The compact, however, is a better value and can be found used for 525.00 or so. Good luck.

 

[Erik]

Fine pistols depsite their size and marketing-driver inflated price tags.

I picked one up back when they where marketed as an affordable alternative to the Glocks.

I sold it after deciding it was far from size efficient. The fact that folks would give me close to what I paid for it new because of the new pricing helped seal the deal.

 

[Bugs66]

Without a doubt my HK USP 45 full size is the finest pistol I have ever owned. The accuracy is stunning. I always surprise my friends of its accuracy when at the range with other 45s. The field strip is so simple it's laughable.

It's my Cadillac and a keeper.

Bugs

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

chaim: www.cdnninvestments.com has a catalog for download. Used USP 40 used but in very very good condition for about $400, I got the one with night sites and nickel finish for $460. I wanted a USP and this deal was too great to pass up, check it out.

I really enjoy my USP, I think I have actually fired it more than any of my other guns, and I still only have one magazine for it, just haven't gotten around to getting more. Accurate, soft shooting, comfortable, nice in every aspect.

 

[Norton]

Chaim,

Sounds like you are having the same experience that I had with MDShooter's CZ97.....

I love my USP9f and I can be sure that any inaccuracies on the target are my fault and not the gun's.

It was also one of the few guns in 9mm that feels even remotely comfortable in my huge hands. Even with the Hogue grips, I find myself wishing for a little more material on the backstrap. Hmmm.....maybe that means a SOCOM with a grip would work?

Better not let my wife know....she might miss that money from the checking account

 

[jason10mm]

I've always wanted one, especially after shooting a friends tactical with the 1911-esque safety system like Morgan was describing. The trigger was perhaps the best I have ever felt on a polymer pistol. Light, yet crisp and predictable. I still feel like I am shooting a 2x4, but it is a nice shooting 2x4 One of these days....

 

[BerettaNut92]

Poser!

OK I've had two over the years.

Good guns I just bought them in configurations I didn't end up liking (40 fullsize, 45 compact)

 

[Shake]

Though most would disagree, if you compare actual sizes of the firearms in question, the H&K compares very favorably with most of the other polymer framed autos on the market. The USPc will be smaller in some regards than some of the other "compacts" on the market. Likewise, the fullsized version is also very similar in size to it's counterparts. Look at the numbers.

Shake

 

[BWC]

They may cost more than a Glock. But are better built and more reliable. Think in some ways of them as the VW of the gun world. You know it will go boom when you pull the trigger, even with shoddy upkeep. They swallow up just about every type of ammo you can stuff into it and send it down range with solid accuracy. Yes the trigger leaves a little to be desired, and yes it is a polymer gun, and kind of bulky. But think of where it came from: the Mk23 Mod 0 SOCOM pistol, something that HAD to work under the worst conditions. Maybe not the prettiest (but certainly not the ugliest), but does the job, nicely.......

I have one, use it a lot, and would buy another, if I thought I needed it.

 

[jercamp45]

They work well!

My USP experience is limited, to shooting three I believe. But they all worked ok and the owner of those three swears by them!
I found them fairly accurate and easy to operate.
But I also found them fat. Even the compact, really is not.
Even though the design is laid out like the 1911, is certainly does not feel like one in my hand! Though I do appreciate the simularity of controls, if I were ever 'required' to get a handgun with a 'decocker'.
I was required to get a pistol with 'decocker' or DAO for a security gig a couple of years back....I looked very seriously at the USP Compact .45, the SIG 245, the Glock 30 and the Para LDA Companion. Since I knew the gig was not a forever thing, I wanted a piece I could use as a CCW when it was over. And since I collect 1911's, LOVE my Officer's models and had holsters and Wilson mags out the whazzo(and because I LOVED the sweet trigger and the very familiar 'feel' of the Officer's model)..I chose the ParaOrd Companion. And I have had only had one problem with it, when I did not change my recoil spring soon enoughabout 1500 rounds)..it started malfunctioning. Now I change it every 800-1000 rds and it works with all ammo and is very accurate.
In fact, in the current gig I CAN carry 'cocked and locked',but I still pack the Para...it is a work truck and more rust resistant! And I won't be as grief stricken if an on-duty shooting leaves it setting in a police evidence locker for 6 months(of no cleaning!).
The USP would have been a fine pick too!
Jercamp45

 

[echo3mike]

Tough to find anything bad to say about my 9 year old USP 9F. Much easier to field strip and clean than my 1911, cheap as all get out to shoot, if I've had any FTB/FTF's I can't remember them and I CANNOT find an ammo brand/type that it isn't accurate with.

OTH, it is a little bulky (you'll get used to the double stack) and the front strap checkering is a little sharp (but I'm pretty sure you know how to use sandpaper or do as I'm doing and take the callouses as a sign of ultimate tacticality). The polymer bit isn't that bad...doesn't feel quite right but it gets the job done.

S.

 

[boing]

You damn people are going to cost me a lot of money.