Advice on potential compact .45 purchase

M

MadCat

Inactive
I'm a relative newcomer to the world of guns - I've had my Glock 17 for only a year and a half now. It's been a great pistol for target shooting and I'm very happy with it - but on a recent trip to a local gun store I caught the bug - I want another gun! A salesman was showing me the HK USP compact .45 and I took an instant liking to this handsome pistol - especially the stainless slide version. However, the price is a little steep for me at almost $ 700.00.

When I bought my Glock I really wasn't thinking about CC, and the 17 is a little too bulky for this task. So I definitely want a more compact pistol, and my heart is pretty much set on the .45 caliber. I'll be going to ranges to rent some different guns and try them out, but I'd really appreciate any advice you all could give me. Specifically:

Is the HK worth the price? Is it as reliable as the salesman says?

Are there other options I could consider at lower price without sacrificing reliabilty?

For people who own both 9mm and .45 pistols - which do you prefer for home defense/concealed carry and why?

I appreciate your time!



[This message has been edited by MadCat (edited May 22, 2000).]
 
I personally think the HK USP compact is worth every cent that it costs, its an awesome gun- very accurate, very well made, love the trigger, HK customer service is the worst thing about the gun.

If you don't want to spend the $600-$700 on the HK, then try out a Glock 30, fantastic gun also- real nice for CCW.

Its personal preference. Some claim the HK is king and while others vote for the Glock.


I like them both, but I have a weak spot for HK's.

[This message has been edited by JG (edited May 22, 2000).]
 
HK'S are great, but if you want something just as reliable and just a well made, look into the sig-pro.

Im not sure about concealed carry though, the sig-pro is kinda big for that, at least i think so, and im 6 ft 3 225. But then again, as a wise man once said, "carrying a gun isnt supposed to be comfortable, its supposed to be "comforting"


Tim :)
 
I like them. I had a full sized USP .45 that while I liked it, I felt it to be too big. The compact version is ergonomically friendlier, as far as I'm concerned. If you like it, get it. You shouldn't be disappointed.

I've got a G17. It's a great gun. But most consider it a little large for daily carry. But that all depends on what you wear, how you wear it, and your size.

I'll be the token guy to suggest a compact 1911. They can disappear, dispite their "size."

Good luck!
 
You can go with the SIG P245 Compact. However, one of Sig's biggest drawbacks is magazine capacity. I shot the P220 full size .45 and love the thing to death but the most you can get is an 8 round mag with 1 in the chamber. The Sig is much slimmer than either the Glock or the HK.

Yes, I think the HK is worth the $700, especially if it's going to be for CC. What does saving a couple of hundred bucks mean if you're dead?

You won't go wrong with either the HK, Sig or the Glock. Of the three I think the Glock will give you the most rounds. Unless you go with the new Glock single stack .45

Best of luck
 
I have a Springfield ultra compact,very good
pistol, accurate, feeds all loads, small
enough to conceal, a little on the heavy
side as I have the steel frame, they do
sell one with a lite wt frame. I paid $500.
6 round mags. but you can get 7.To me the 45 is the best.!

------------------
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JG:
Some claim the HK is king and while others vote for the Glock.


I like them both, but I have a weak spot for HK's.

B][/quote]

Blasphemy! Princes perhaps, but the 1911 is King! :D

RJ

------------------
"Never turn your back on the crew."
 
The HK is worth the coins but you can get a good and dependable pistol for less.

You're going to have to make the decision on single, double, or double action only by trying some rental pieces at the range. Your next consideration will probably be if compact or ultra-compact have acceptable recoil to you in 45acp. When you determine what size and action type you're comfortable with, then you can start looking at what's available and price ranges.

In single action, the 1911 is the way to go. I would suggest a Colt,Springfield, or Kimber for good quality. These will run in the $500 to $600 range used, and the $600 to $700 range new, depending on your selection of bells and whistles.

In double action, there are quite a few:
CZ or Baby Eagle in the $400 range.
S&W in the $500 range.
HK in the $700 range.
Many others...

In double action only, there is the Glock but the G30 is thick and bulky to me. The G21 is big for carry. The new G36 is very concealable but you sacrifice some in the recoil dept. ParaOrdnance now makes a Light Double Action which is fine but again in the $700 range. I think you can get the HK in DOA too. Again, there are others I'm not thinking of right now.

At any rate, the best advice I can give you is to find what you shoot the best, spend the money to get it, and practice continually until you can shoot it second-nature because that's how you will need to shoot it if needed in an emergency.

Good Luck,

Dave

PS.: I carry eihter a Kimber Custom Compact in 45 or S&W 9mm single stack w/ a Keltec P32 as a back-up.
 
Two Words. Colt Defender.
If you can find one get it. I can honestly say it is the best Concealed gun I own. VERY, VERY acurate and very concealable.
If you can't find a Defender I am sure that Kimber makes an equivelent model. I can't remember the name of it though. Maybe someone else can help with this. But I wuld highly recomend the design.
 
Kimber Ultra Carry CDP. The Glock 30 is also good. The Kimber isn't inexpensive however @ $1150.

------------------
It is far better to dare mighty things, though riddled with failure, than to live in the dull grey of mediocrity.
 
I own a G30 and love it. For price, durability, reliability, shootability, capacibility, oops - got a little carried away there - meant capacity and accuracy the Glock 30 can't be beat. If you are practiced with the 1911 platform, any compact from the major manufacturers listed above should suit you well also. I have no experience with the HK. Good luck!


Frank
 
If you want a serious carry pistol get a Kimber Ultra Carry :cool: It a grwat pistol and with every penny. A real MAN's gun :D
 
Madcat,

>Is the HK worth the price? Is it as reliable as the salesman says?

Yes and yes. :) While I don't have the compact version I've been -seriously- impressed with the full size USP 45 I picked up a little while back. Worth every penny.

>Are there other options I could consider at lower price without
>sacrificing reliabilty?

Others have mentioned a lot of good choices but one was missing. The new Beretta 8045 is a bit cheaper (though not much) and I have found mine to be very reliable. It's not quite as small as some of the other choices but it's not a full size pistol either. Definitely worth a look.

>For people who own both 9mm and .45 pistols - which do you
>prefer for home defense/concealed carry and why?

Tough question. Which one do I prefer? What day of the week is it? :) Seriously though, depends on how small I need the pistol to be for the situation. I carry a little Kel-Tec 9mm when size is an issue and the Beretta 8045 if I'm wearing a jacket or vest. Sometimes I just open the storage area and just choose whatever looks good at the time. I feel protected with either and am comfortable in knowing I can hit what I am aiming at with either. That's really the key, being able to hit the intended target. Caliber selection (to me anyway) is a secondary consideration.

Joe/Ga
 
Borrowed an HK USP Compact .45 at the range a couple weekends ago. It outshot my Springfield Full Size loaded .45 and another borrowed Kimber Gold. The HK put 8 shots into one inch at 10 yards.

It vaulted up to first place on my 'gotta have' list.

I never thought they were worth the money.


Until I shot one.

------------------
Take the long way home...
 
What about the EAA (Tanfoglio) Polymer Compact? 8 rounds, light(er) weight, and can accept full size 10 round mags. Don't forget the Glock compact .45. Since you have been using your G17, this may be easier for you to transition into. Mike
 
Thanks for all your input!

What about the Ruger P97? It is considerably cheaper...Rob96 was the only one that mentioned it - does anyone else have experience with this gun? I know it's not as compact as some others on the market, but for the price....

[This message has been edited by MadCat (edited May 23, 2000).]
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top