Posted: 1/30/2013 2:38:11 AM EDT
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I am considering a new handgun purchase and the H&K USP is right at the top of my list. It is in my price range and I have heard nothing but good things about it. I will be switching between carrying it and my Glock 23 for concealed carry so I don't have to get the USP Compact. I have not yet decided between the full size and the compact. In my state, the weapon does not have to be conealed. However, I will conceal it regardless. I would not mind having some printing if I were to purchase the full size. I want the .45, but have been reading many arguments on .45 vs 9mm etc. I am still debating the caliber. Also, I have average to slightly smaller than average hands for a man. I heard that the H&K is not recommended for guys with smaller hands, but I have also heard from guys with smaller hands that they have no issue. I used to own a Glock 22 and had no problems as far as my hand size was concerned. I compared the full size USP to that Glock 22 and they were pretty much the same. The Glock was slightly longer, but the USP full size was slightly wider. My thoughts are that if I got the .45 I would have to go full size or suffer only having 8 rds. If I were to purchase the 9mm, then I would be fine with the compact as it would be smaller but it would still hold 13 rds. I plan on seeking one out at a LGS to handle/inspect it soon. Anyway, I am open to info/advice/thoughts from anyone on this matter. Keep in mind I have pretty much decided on purchasing an H&K. I just need help deciding which model would be best for me.
Thanks, Jake |
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I have a USP9 full-size and small hands and the grip gives me no issues. The compact version is slightly more comfortable though. Due to the longer cartridge length, the grip of the USP45 is slightly larger than the USP9 and 40, which are identical. The overall dimensions of the USP45 are slightly larger too. I did not find the grip of the USP45 comfortable.
You can't really go wrong with the USP series as it is a modular gun. Any one of them can be switched to any trigger/safety combination HK has by simply swapping parts. In other words, you're not locked into whatever version you actually buy. Parts can be expensive though and sometimes problematical in getting. Others will recommend the either the HK45 or HK45c for a .45 or the P30 series for 9mm/.40S&W. |
Full size USP 9mm is my favorite handgun that I own and most trusted. Im not kidding I actually kiss this gun and have feelings for it from the excellent weapon that it is and also that it came from beloved friend that was a Ranger, now Green Beret. I have used this in 3 gun, IPDA, plinking, and just now removed it from nightstand gun. Only reason I don't use it as Nightstand gun is the Glock 17 I purchased is much easier to swallow if I lose it over self defense or stolen from my house. Here is a picture of it to help your thoughts on choosing. The USP .45 will definitely be a much thicker gun all around, much more so than the G23 you use now.
After some paint work to mimic the German P8 version they carry. 
If you can score a USP compact 9mm run with it, they are very very hard to find especially in today's gun economics meltdown. |
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Full size USP 9mm is my favorite handgun that I own and most trusted. Im not kidding I actually kiss this gun and have feelings for it from the excellent weapon that it is and also that it came from beloved friend that was a Ranger, now Green Beret. I have used this in 3 gun, IPDA, plinking, and just now removed it from nightstand gun. Only reason I don't use it as Nightstand gun is the Glock 17 I purchased is much easier to swallow if I loose it over self defense or stolen from my house. Here is a picture of it to help your thoughts on choosing. The USP .45 will definitely be a much thicker gun all around, much more so than the G23 you use now. http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk168/STOCKTA/Gun/DSC07036.jpg After some paint work to mimic the German P8 version they carry. http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk168/STOCKTA/Gun/2011-09-12_20-17-45_896.jpg If you can score a USP compact 9mm run with it, they are very very hard to find especially in today's gun economics meltdown. That is a beautiful weapon you have there. I could see myself going with the 9mm. It would fit my hands better, would have a higher capacity, and ammo would be cheaper. The 9mm has a higher velocity than the .45 and can have close to the same impact energy if you buy the right ammo. Many arguments have claimed the 9mm to be just as efficient if not more efficient than the .45. |
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I have had an USP9 since 1996 and I love it. I also have small hands and found no issues with shooting. I do however, finds is full size harder to conceal. I recently purchased a P30 9mm and love that you can switch the backs and side sides to make a more custom fit.
If you go with a 45, you might want to get a USP, if you decide on 9mm, you should look at the P30. wesley |
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I can't stress enough how much I like my USP 9mm. I got mine back on Dec. 1 and have only had it out a few times since then as a result of the panic and ammo shortage. However, on my first trip out I shot it better than my Beretta M9 and still do. That's not to say that the M9 is subpar, just that the USP works really well for me. I have medium hands and am not a real big fan of the Glock grips, which to me feel like 2x4s in the hand. The USP felt a little chunky at first, but that quickly went away. The aggressive texture of the grip really helps people of all sizes get a firm hold on the full size handgun.
That said, the .45 version is slightly larger overall than the 9mm. Its hard to see in pictures when the two aren't next to each other, but the .45 is bigger. Because of this, the 9mm (or .40 if that's your thing) would be my recommendation. Shortly before buying the 9mm fullsize, I handled a .40 compact and found that while the grip circumference is smaller, it isn't a huge difference. The recoil systems are different between the fullsize and compact, but having never fired the compact, I cannot say what practical difference this makes. As is always the case, if you can try both out before you buy that will be the way to go. I should also mention that mine is a V1 SA/DA and I have not tried the LEM trigger which seems to get high praise. To me, the USP trigger is pretty damn good, but you will hear some whine about it. Pics! 
Untitled by ncthorn, on Flickr 
Untitled by ncthorn, on Flickr |
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The USP, especially the .45, is a big, bulky brick. The mag capacity in 9mm and .45 isn't what I feel it should be, given the size of the grip, and the mags are expensive to boot. The trigger is OK and it can be carried cocked and locked, which is helpful for 1911 users. The Compacts make a little more sense in my opinion.
Unless you are constrained by budget, I would recommend looking at the P30 and HK45 since they have addressed a lot of shortcomings of the rather dated USP, most notably the accessory rail. |
my pictures arnt as pretty because I use my cell phone but mine is an 06 USP 45 V1 that I just converted to a ambidextrous version. I just got it and havnt had a chance to shoot it yet but I only paid $600 used. Everything I have read about 45 says they are nearly bullet proof. I read on the HKpro.com forums someone said Glock is like a Chevy and HK is like Ferrari
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| Hk is great for people with small hands. That's my gripe with them. There a 1 1/2 stack as opposed to a double stack like glock. Usps have never filled up my big paws. So even though thy beat out glock in everything they are to skinny for my hands so I went glock. |
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...I have not yet decided between the full size and the compact. ...45 vs 9mm etc. USP 45 Tactical, USP 45, USP 45 Compact, USP 9mm... get (at least) one of each. http://imageshack.us/a/img43/7310/img4075o.jpg That is a nice collection you have there. It looks like all I can find in stock is USP 9 and USP 9c right now. Ill have to get a .45 later. |
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Your biggest problem going with a USP would be that it is blockish in the hand, and the trigger will be totally different from what you are used to.
The trigger reach seems a little longer too. There are benefits, especially if you like manual safeties and decock variants, as the lever is well placed. The full size USP45 is a noticeably bigger gun than the .40s&w and 9mm. You will notice the blockiness, width, and lack of taper at the front of the slide, when you go to reholster the gun. The P30 is definately something to look at. My only gripes with it are the placement of the decocking lever and the length of the slide release levers. They are a bit too long. |
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Your biggest problem going with a USP would be that it is blockish in the hand, and the trigger will be totally different from what you are used to. The trigger reach seems a little longer too. There are benefits, especially if you like manual safeties and decock variants, as the lever is well placed. The full size USP45 is a noticeably bigger gun than the .40s&w and 9mm. You will notice the blockiness, width, and lack of taper at the front of the slide, when you go to reholster the gun. The P30 is definately something to look at. My only gripes with it are the placement of the decocking lever and the length of the slide release levers. They are a bit too long. Well I am used to Glocks. To me, a Glock is pretty blockish also. Ill have to compare them side by side when I get one though. Ill be able to decide from there if I want to get a USP .45 in the future or just an HK 45. |
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The ergos on the USP work better for me than a Glock. I love my USP9.
The compact will have a smaller grip than the full-size, but then you lose rounds. The P30 holds 15 rounds in a surprisingly compact package. You wouldn't be disappointed with either. H&K makes good handguns. |
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I have the USP 40 full size. It's a hand full. Shoots good but is large and heavy for a daily carry. I recently switched to a Glock 27. Probably should have gone with the Glock 23, but the 27 is much easier to carry and shoots well too, for a sub-compact. I consider my HK USP 40 my home defense gun, although I usually have my 27 within arms reach. I just like the .40 cal. |
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I've been carrying a USP 40 fullsize on duty and running one in competition for about 6 years now. I find that with the right holster it's not hard to conceal a full size gun, and really the inch on the grip is the only thing you're having to contend with. The larger grip allows me to get on the gun better, have more control, and with a jet funnel I can go with 17 rounds in the gun, which is very nice.
YMMV, but you can't go wrong with the USP's in general. They are tanks. |