I have been the proud owner of a HK USP .40 since mid to late 90's.... I absolutely love this gun. I was planning on getting a USP compact, thinking that other than shorter barrel and grip (capacity) it would be just like my .40 FS USP. But then I started reading there were other differences. MAINLY the compacts don't use the same recoil reduction system. Is this really true? I read somewhere that actually mechanicaly the P2000 SK would be closer than a USP compact. Doesn't make sense but I know I saw it in a few places. I am hoping some one here will shed some light on the subject. What about the HK45 Compact does IT have the same recoil reduction and mechanics of the fullsize USP? One other unrelated question...I am looking DESPERATLY for 13 round magazines for my .40 FS USP. Ant idea who actually has them in stock????? Thank you for ALL the help in advance.
Is the USP Compact really just a shorter barreled USP???? Are there other differences
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banddr2
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I have owned an USP 45 Compact, and full size and the P2000 in 40. I don't remember any difference in the recoil system between the USPs, just that the length and heighth is chopped off. I think for effeciency of size that the P2000 is a great choice, just easier to carry since it's more streamlined. All great guns if you can afford them. No Compromise!
usp9
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The biggest visible difference between the USPf and the USPc is in the recoil spring. The USP uses traditional coiled spring steel and that abreviated duel spring contraption. The compact uses a simple flat spring and a polymer buffer.
Other than that, the guns are quite similar in shape, feel, trigger, sights, takedown, etc.
The mags are not compatable.
Other than that, the guns are quite similar in shape, feel, trigger, sights, takedown, etc.
The mags are not compatable.
The P2000sk and full-size USPs have the dual-spring recoil assembly. The HK45, HK45c, P30, and all USP compacts have a single-spring design with a polymer recoil buffer. No meaningful difference between the two in terms of performance, but some say the recoil impulse is more uniform with the single-spring + buffer design, which can lend itself to quicker follow-up shots. Some people claim that the dual-spring design can cause the sights to do a "figure 8" motion upon recoil because of the 2nd spring weight kicking in during the slide's travel. Not sure how significant or noticeable this really is. My money is on the dual-spring design being slightly more robust over the long haul (beyond 2-300k rounds), but otherwise I don't really care which system is in my gun.
Something else to note is that other manufacturers also use a dual-spring on their sub-compact guns, but not on their ~ 4" compact guns. Look at the Glock 26 and 19. I have a feeling it has to do with timing and cycling reliability in different size platforms, but I really don't know. Just an observation.
The grip is also fatter on the full-size USP vs the compact. The compact has a uniform thickness from the top to bottom of the polymer grip and is a bit thinner overall than the full-size grip. The full-size grip is thinner at the top where your thumb is, but it swells out towards the middle and lower part to fill the hand better. Totally different feel in the hand IMHO.
As for your magazine issue...you are right. H&K magazines are somewhat difficult to come by these days because of all the panic buying going on right now. I saw 3 P30 9mm magazines go for $445 on Gunbroker.com the other day! Yeah...I know. 
The buyer probably bid off straight emotion and I doubt the seller will ever receive payment, but still...the frenzy is clearly still on.
The buyer probably bid off straight emotion and I doubt the seller will ever receive payment, but still...the frenzy is clearly still on.Quiet
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USP = double stack magazine = wider grip
USP Compact = 1.5 stack magazine = slimmer grip
USP Compact = 1.5 stack magazine = slimmer grip
usp9
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Can't say I agree with that statement. The mags are essencially the same width. The very slight difference probably due to the fact that one is made of polymer and the other metal.
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