usp compact 9mm vs sig 228 9mm vs usp full size .45

[Xmm]

for carry and general range use, what are the pros and cons of each....obviously the full size usp is bigger...but size isnt really a concern since i susessfully carried a glock 21 for awhile..

 

[DogBonz]

Wow, this is a tough one

I have the full size USP45 and it has proved to be my most reliable pistol. I absolutely love that HK. I have put close to 10K rounds through it in the almost 8 years that I have owned it and it is just great. That said, I have carried it, mostly in the winter, and have found that it is less than optimal as a carry gun.

I have the Sig229, which is not much different than the 228, in 9mm. It too is a wonderful firearm. Accurate, reliable, and has a great trigger for an “out of the box gun”.

I have not fired a USP9 compact, so I cannot comment on it.

You may also want to look into the HK P2000 if you want a 9mm carry gun. I fired one a few weeks ago and they are phenomenal. I don’t like DAO guns, but the P2000 with the LEM trigger is very nice and silky smooth. Of course, you can get the other variants with the safety/ de-cocker. They also come with 3 different backstraps so that you can fit it to your hand. I would definitely take a look at the P2000. It is just as good as the other HK’s, but is a bit more carry friendly.

 

[psyopspec]

I own/have owned: SIG 229, USPc .45, USPf 9mm, P2000 US 9mm.

Any would make great carry/range guns in the right hands. For me, the P2000 is now my go-to gun. I carry larger and smaller guns as situations dictate, but with the right rigs I've made this a carry gun for all seasons. All the guns you listed have great reputations of reliability and craftsmanship, but the P2k (cousin of the USP9c) is a great measure of capacity, size, and weight. It's extremely accurate, and the changeable backstraps made it fit my hand perfectly.

However, if size and weight were no consequence for me, I'd love to pack a high-cap full size .45. Really, you need to weigh all factors and go with what works for you, but your short list is full of great guns.

 

[BBsteel]

They're all great guns. I have limited experience with Sigs as I favor the HK line of guns. I have a USPf 9mm, USPc .40 and a P2000SK 9mm. I really like my P2000SK and would like to get my hands on the P2000. The USPc line is a great compact frame for those with larger hands.

Good Luck

 

[10-Ring]

I prefer the HK polyguns too over the SIGs -- I prefer the way they fit my hands, the accuracy & the reliability. For range use & occasional carry, I would go w/ the USP 45

 

[gudel]

if you're used to G21, you'll do great with USP45.

 

[GroovedG19]

All three are superb choices.Go with the pistol that fits your hands best.

I own a USP45 fullsize and a P229 40/357 and both have been excellent shooters.I don't doubt the USP Compact in 9x19mm is as well.

 

[SteveS]

I have a P228 and owned a USPc, though it was a .45. Both are great guns, though I found the USP grip to be less comfortable than the Sig.

 

[Jason_G]

You won't go wrong with any of those guns. They are all great shooters and have great quality construction.
FWIW, I have the USP45 and love it. I highly recommend it, as long as you can get your paws around the double stack comfortably. It is a bit large for carry. It can and has been carried, but it might be a bit uncomfortable. For carry, it might be a good idea to get one of the ten round California mags that have the flat base plate, as this is the most "print-causing" part of the weapon. If you do get a ten rounder, don't drop it onto concrete or any hard surface. They have had issues with the ten rounder base plates breaking when dropped repeatedly. The twelve round mags are awesome and don't have that problem as they retain the base plate differently.
Fit and finish, for a polymer framed handgun, is good. I recommend V1, which can be carried condition 1, a la 1911 or DA hot. The DA trigger pull on the USP is l-o-n-g. It takes about a hundred rounds or so to get used to it, but once you do you'll be on target with it. I can shoot just as well in DA as SA now. The gun is accurate, more accurate than me by far, and super reliable. The downside is they are not as cheap to buy mags for as Glocks, etc. Stay away from Promags, it's better to just fork over the $ for the HK mags.

Jason