Posted: 9/13/2009 9:48:56 PM EDT
| Was the P30 meant to replace the USP? They seem to be two firearms competing against each other. I have been carrying a USP for about 10 years and wonder besides the ability to optimize the grips on the P30 is there an advantage of the P30 over my trusted USP? |
|
Quoted:
Was the P30 meant to replace the USP? They seem to be two firearms competing against each other. I have been carrying a USP for about 10 years and wonder besides the ability to optimize the grips on the P30 is there an advantage of the P30 over my trusted USP? IMO, no, why, because the P30 CAN'T accept the 31 round magazines. 
|
|
I have both with many thousands of rounds down range.
IMHO the P30 and P30L are better for engaging multiple targets quickly then any USP regardless of caliber. The P30's are narrower in the slide so when you bring it up to index your target with it you can do it much more quickly than that with any of the USP models. Especially if the targets are at longer distances. Go to a range that forces you to engage multiple targets quickly and you will see what I mean instantly. As an aside, paint your rear sight black, and your front sight red-orange. 
|
| If the P30 were meant to replace the USP, then why is the USP still part of the current lineup? There is always a place for such a classic design like the USP, but keep in mind the P30 has benefited from decades of research in ergos since the USP. IMHO, it shows that off in spades. My educated guess is that 75% of people prefer the P30 grip while 25% prefer the USP. Figure out which group you are in. One HUGE advantage the P30 has over the USP is the segmented magazine release. On the USP, the mag release can get blocked by my grip - this problem is fixed on the P30. Beyond that, the only downside I see is that P30s tend to sell for a bit more and mags and other accessories far less common (being a new design). |
| I have a USP 9mm (among a couple other HKs), and I like it but it has a lot more muzzle flip than my P226 and is not particularly ergonomic for me. It fits my hand OK and all, but the P30 fits my hand like a glove––or like my P226 fits my hand. The comment about the P30 being faster definitely has my attention. For those that have experience with both, would you trade a USP for a P30? Is it faster or does it have less muzzle flip? I have also had my eye on the HK45 as I would like an all purpose home defense/carry .45 (my Expert is a bit much), but the P30 fits my hand slightly better than the HK45. |
|
The P30 and HK45 are significant refinements over the original USP series of weapons in terms of ergonomics and shootability. Frankly I don't know why anyone is still buying the original USPs.
Are there advantages to the P30 beyond the ability to change the grip? Yes. As an example, the P30 is only supposed to need armorer attention every 25,000 rounds. The LEM system properly configured on the P30 offers a better trigger than anything you'll find on a stock USP. (DA) A useful integrated rail makes mounting lights easier. |
|
I "had" a USP 9mm and thought it was the greatest until I handled a P30. I saved up and bought one without shooting it first, and it was a great investment. Many here including JW have pointed out the refinements and advancements in the HK new styled pistols. My expereince has been simply the P30 fit my hand like a glove, balanced out better than my USP, and frankly I could 'shoot circles around my USP'. In-other-words, no matter what ammo or range distance I experimented with, I could shoot more accurately, (tighter groups) and faster (follow up shots) with my new P30 than the USP. It is for me anyway, clearly a better designed pistol for fast accurate defense use.
I like the more stout look of the USP, as the P30 does look like the "Batman" gun as it has been coined, but it is clearly an upgraded and functionally improved design. After selling my USP, (a bit off topic sorry) I missed the looks for some reason, and ran across a Sig Pro 2022. After shooting and handling it, it was like a cross between my original USP and the P30. I bought it, and that turned out to be a gem as well. It shoots as well as my P30, but looks more like my USP (to me anyway). The ergos are not as refined as my P30, but better than the USP. In any case, I like them both better than my original USP, and am lucky to own two very advanced 9mm pistols. |
|
Quoted:
So, P30 or P30L then? Depends what you're wanting to use it for... The P30 would be easier to carry concealed than the P30L, if that's your goal.. For home defense, duty, etc.. either one would suffice. I couldn't afford to own both, so I chose the P30. It fits in all my Sig 2022 holsters, so carrying concealed or open is not an issue. Accuracy wise, I don't need any better accuracy than the P30 gives me. YMMV |
|
Quoted:
Advantages are a subjective thing. I don't see them as competing against each other, I see them as complementing each other. Although similar mechanically, they have different enough functional features and different enough ergonomic features to make them complementary. I own both, shoot both, like both, but since I prefer cocked and locked carry, the USP variant ones are my favorite. Also, the USP's, both full-size and compact, fit my hands perfectly, and this allows me to shoot them faster and more accurately in timed events; not a whole lot faster, but enough to measure. Also, if the P30 were meant to replace the USP, they wouldn't still be making them. There are enough differences between the two to make them both viable alternatives to each other. Choose the one that fits best, that you shoot best, and that has the features you prefer. The P30 isn't an, "instead of", it's an, "addition to". On a side note, the P2000's, and especially the P2000SK's fit my hands really well, also.
Was the P30 meant to replace the USP? They seem to be two firearms competing against each other. I have been carrying a USP for about 10 years and wonder besides the ability to optimize the grips on the P30 is there an advantage of the P30 over my trusted USP? |
|
A shorter barrel is more accurate and faster? Interesting, seems counter-intuitive. The P30 is easier to find seems, especially locally. I would probably prefer a longer sight radius in general, but as an all-purpose pistol the regular P30 is probably better.
ETA: talking on the phone with my girlfriend and typing on ARFCOM... poorly. 
|