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New HK USP 45c or Colt XSE 1911

What's the better carry gun right out of the box?

  • H&K USP .45 Compact

    Votes: 20 42.6%

  • Colt XSE 1911

    Votes: 27 57.4%
  • Total voters
    47
  • Poll closed .
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C

CTGunner

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May 31, 2009
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Assuming the cost is just about the same at around $900-$1000 new what do you take as a carry gun assuming that you have to live with what it is right out of the box (no additional modifications to either gun). Guns are to be used for carry.
 
Get the HK. Take it home, take it out of the box, load it with ammo, put on belt and holster, and hit the street with no worries.
 
XSE. The H&K has the capacity advantage, but with the poorer trigger you might need it. The XSE comes with a very good trigger and is adjustable for over-travel. Out of the box accuracy of the XSE is very good. IMO, it is a more shootable pistol than the H&K and I have fired them both. ;)
 
The Colt XSE is nicely slim, for a better fit in my hands, and it has the junction of the trigger guard and front strap nicely sculpted to allow the weapon to ride lower in my hands. This little feature makes ALL the difference my hands; 1911 pistols without a high-cut front strap, or undercut trigger guard, now feel strange to me.

FWIW, I have large hands, but my fingers and thumbs are medium to small.

I have had good luck with full-sized 1911 Colts, over time, so my poll choice comes with this recommendation for a full-sized weapon. It is just as easy to conceal and draw a Govt Model as a Commander, realistically. Been there, done that.
 
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I don't agree with johnnydollar. Any manufacture can make mistakes. Every carry gun should be thoroughly tested before being carried.
 
The HK45c is a fat and all-around huge 8+1 .45acp. Owned one... past tense.
 
I would go with the Colt Government as it's a much better fit to my smaller hand than an H&K USP.
 
Hk USP. It's not the easiest gun to conceal, but it is one of the best handguns you can get. And the da/sa trigger is one of the nicest factory triggers I've shot. I even prefer it to sig.

I would trust my life to a USP above most
 
Colt no doubt. IMHO the HK trigger is horrid (long, mushy, and vague), and the grips aren't particularly comfortable. Also dislike the "creative" HK magazine release. And overall blockiness.

Get the Colt :) New ones are very reliable.
 
Also dislike the "creative" HK magazine release.
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The Walther/H&K mag release style is something folks love to bi+ch about until they actually use one.

Then it becomes apparent that it is probably the best mag release design on the market. Ambidextrous, easy to reach with either the thumb or forefinger, regardless of hand size, and impossible to accidentally release in a holster.
 
The Walther/H&K mag release style is something folks love to bi+ch about until they actually use one.
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Nope, used it for a while (my regular range buddy always brings his USPc). Still hate it to this day. Don't fix what ain't broke - but if you like it, more power to ya!
 
I love the magazine release, the aggressive grip texture works for me, and I like the styling of the H&K.

But for a carry gun, I might go with the skinnier pistol that's got an identical capacity.

Honestly I'd be looking at something a little different, maybe a Glock 30 or M&P .45c, and the difference on a nice, concealed-appropriate holster and well designed carry ammunition.
 
With the HK you don't have to worry about things like "Which mags does it like?" or "That JHP has too wide of a cavity to feed properly" and "Maybe it just needs to be broken in!"

I don't care for the double action HK trigger pulls either, but you can carry a USP in condition 1 no problem.

When I carry a .45, it's a 1911, but taking one of the box and expecting it to run like a top? In my experience that honor goes to the HK.
 
Nope, used it for a while (my regular range buddy always brings his USPc). Still hate it to this day. Don't fix what ain't broke - but if you like it, more power to ya!
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Shooting your range buddy's occasionally doesn't count. I'm talking about folks who carry one and trust their life with one.

No doubt some measure of training is required if all you are used to is the 1911-style mag release location. That said, as I mentioned before, there is are many benfits to this style.
 
XSE. The H&K has the capacity advantage, but with the poorer trigger you might need it. The XSE comes with a very good trigger and is adjustable for over-travel. Out of the box accuracy of the XSE is very good. IMO, it is a more shootable pistol than the H&K and I have fired them both
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They are both 8+1.
 
Shooting your range buddy's occasionally doesn't count. I'm talking about folks who carry one and trust their life with one.
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You initially said folks "b+tch about until they actually use one". Well, he shoots his regular range buddy's USPc. Just a WAG, but I'm sure he shoots it more than just once. If that's not "use", what is it? If you like the mag release, that's just fine. Other folks don't. Variety is good for people with different styles. I just don't get it with folks with the my-way-is-better attitude.:eek:
 
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