USP Compact 45 accuracy/recoil vs. 40S&W?

[RyeDaddy]

I'm wanting to hear from those with experience about the difference in accuracy of a USP Compact in a 40 vs. 45. The thing is that I have a Compact in 40, and truth be told I just don't shoot it well. I like everything about this superb pistol, except that it just isn't as accurate as my brother's full frame 45. I'm wondering if this is a function of the 40's pronounced recoil, and would a 45 alleviate this problem, or is it that it's a short barrel with less slide mass to cushion it?

I've got over 1,000 rounds through this pistol now, and my accuracy hasn't shown any improvement. I have heard from others that a full frame USP and it's compact counterpart don't feel or shoot very different at all, despite the full frame's recoil reduction system. My brother's 45 is a tack driver. I shoot all kinds of pistols well, including 44 mag, just not my 40. I've tried all different methods to correct it, and it just isn't coming together.

Anyway, my real question is can anyone comment on the difference in accuracy and recoil of a USP Compact in 45 vs. 40? Alternatively, knowing that I like the way the full frame 45 shoots, can anyone comment on how it compares in accuracy to the Compact 45?

I don't have any concerns about the other differences beetween the pistols, like the capacity of the compact 45 or anything, I'm comfortable with 8 rounds. I'd love a full frame 45, I just can't come to grips with the size of it, and I'm kinda hoping the compact 45 shoots just like it's larger sibling. I don't know anybody around here that has a compact 45 that I could try, other than to just go ahead and buy one, and hope for the best, but I'd like to ask around a bit before I go about selling my 40 and all that.

Thanks.

 

[Ares45]

USPc45:
Sight Radius = 5.8"
Bbl Length = 3.8"

USPc40:
Sight Radius = 5.3"
Bbl Length = 3.5"


Technically the 45 should shoot a little better because of its longer sight radius and longer barrel. Real world I doubt you could tell the difference free hand.

I own both and shoot well with both, but when it comes to driving a gun combat/IPSC style I shoot the 45 better because the recoil is more of a slow push as opposed to the 40's quick snap.

The USP45 will handle better than either the c45 or c40 because of the longer sight radius, longer barrel, and greater slide mass.

 

[10-Ring]

Recoil is diff't in both, one feels more like a snap while the other more of a roll...I prefer the HK USPc 45 hands down vs. anything 40 S&W

 

[pablo45]

My .40 compact hk actually has more recoil then my .45 compact hk. Why i have no idea.

 

[RyeDaddy]

Pablo, do you notice any difference in accuracy between the two?

 

[pablo45]

Well my .40 shoot's a little low and to the left. On the range i can maybe score an 80 from 25 yard's to 7 yard's including retention drill's. The .45 has done well with the bigger hole's i have hit a 97 at best with all single action shot's. The .40 feel's better in my hand but the .45 shoot's better. I do not understand it. I do think the .45 is a better round for this gun but for carry purpose's the .40 is more comfortable.

 

[Bentonville]

I have had both and I can say this with certainty; both guns, .40 C and .45 C, are equally very accurate. It's the shooter that is not accurate.There are many factors that prevented me from shooting the .40 well such as; flinching due to the expectation of the snappy recoil that actually twisted up and a little to the right in my hand; not spending enough time dry-firing in order to get a consistent trigger pull, etc. I really liked the way the grip of the .40c felt in my hand, however, I sold it. I shoot so well with the .45c that I surprise myself. The other posters have already described the felt recoil. Can't wait for the HK45. Good luck to you. I don't regret getting rid of my .40c. I have so many that I may have to sell some others if the crunch happens this upcomming season.

 

[RyeDaddy]

Thanks all for the replies. Just to wrap this thread up, I sold my 40c this weekend, and bought a 45ct. Huge difference! Right out of the box, first magazine, all dead center. This may be due to the 45 feeling like an old friend to me, as I've shot it more than anything else in my life, or it could be sight radius difference between the two guns, or the barrel length of the tactical, or any one of many other factors. Bottom line is that I'm happy with the 45 now, and although I agree the 40c was more comfortable in the hand, it didn't shoot as well in my hands as the 45ct does, and that's worth the world to me.

-Sean

 

[HGUNHNTR]

PABLO its because the 40 operates at much higher pressures than the 45

 

[Shoney]

I have to agree with Bentonville, but only on the accuracy issue. Had a friend who couldn’t hit a bull in the but with a banjo when shooting my USPc40. He could shoot the 45 at 5” groups at 25 yards. So, I loaded up a dozen dummy loads (empty primer pockets are filled with ShoeGoo, no powder and same bullet as he would shoot).

When I loaded the first mag with only three dummy rounds and didn’t tell him, he would flinch badly when they cycled in. The second mag contained 8 dummy rounds, cartridges #8 and #10 were live (he only knew there would be some dummy rounds), and he flinched badly on the first 4, not so badly on 5 and 6, and was very steady on 7. # 8 was dead center high ½”, #9 had a small flinch and #10 was 1” off at 10 O’clock. After 10 mags of various dummy numbers and placements, he was shooting 3” groups at 20 yards.

He finally convinced himself that he need to adjust the screw that was loose behind the gun. He now shoots better with the 45 as well.