And Then There Were Two: USP45 or CZ85B

N

Nightcrawler

New member
So, after much pondering, asking, research, and probing, my handgun choice has come down to either the Heckler & Koch USP45 or the CZ 85B.

One's 9x19mm, one's .45. The .45 can handle powerful .45 Super loads; the 9x19mm has preban factory mags in 15 round capacities available for the same price as 10 round USP mags.

I'm currently leaning toward the CZ85B. I like capacity. The fact that this one ad in the Shotgun News, for FAWCO (www.fawco.com), has 20 round CZ75 magazines, well, that's just icing on the cake.

But, I might decide in the end to get the USP. But the CZ has benefits, though. For one, it costs about half the price of the USP. For another, magazines are cheaper.

One question about 9x19mm. What kind of performance do you get out of +P+ ammunition? Like the +P+ Hydra-Shocks. What bullet weights and muzzle velocities? Just curious.
 
Well, you can order some Winchester Q4280 127gr +P+ SXT for $15/50 from Botach Tactical.

http://www.botachtactical.com

Advertised at 1250 ft/sec, which works out to 440 ft-lbs at the muzzle. Actual chrono results tend to be slightly higher from full-sized guns, ~1280 ft/sec. Very accurate, 100% reliable and low flash from my CZ-75B.

As for choosing between the two, I dunno. Both are really good, and very different from each other. Odds are you like one better than the other. Get that one. :D
 
First of all, both are excellent, excellent pistols. Ya just can't go wrong. What a nice quandary to be in.
I've had both. A CZ85 for a short time a few years ago. No complaints what-so-ever. Have a CZ75 now and love it. I must say comparing the USP with a high-cap CZ is an apples and oranges type thingy. As far as a high-cap 9 mill the CZ is an awesome "value" AND so are their high-cap mags. Their high-caps are probably the best "value" in the industry.
My shootin' buddy and I both bought USP 45's when they first came out. Like a dummy I sold mine for who knows what but he still has his and he thinks it's the finest pistol made. I must say I can't really argue. I don't EVER remember a malfunction of anykind of all the thousands of rounds sent downrange. USP 45's are fine, fine weapons and I'm a witness.
Which one? I'll never tell...Oh, that's cold:D
 
If you like the CZ-85B, you might want to look at the CZ-85 Combat. Same basic gun, but without the firing pin block (the "B" in the model name), adjustable sights, and a trigger over-travel adjustment. Very nice gun. (I've got one, and I love it.)

And like the standard 85B, has ambi controls and drop free mags (which aren't standard with the DA/SA 75B.)
 
Hello. The following are based on 10-shot averages from a CZ75 with standard, factory bbl. It might help answer your question concerning +P 9mm performance:


CorBon+P 125 gr JHP: 1220 ft/sec (ES: 36 ft/sec!)

Triton 115 gr Hi Vel +P JHP: 1337 ft/sec (ES: 10 ft/sec!)

9mm Remington 88 gr. JHP: 1504 ft/sec

9mm Remington 124 gr. Golden Sabre +P: 1169 ft/sec

9mm Hornady 115 gr. XTP: 1167 ft/sec (ES: 7 ft/sec!)
(ES: 23 ft/sec)

9mm Remington 115 gr. JHP +P: 1265 ft/sec
(ES: 24 ft/sec)


A couple of these are standard velocity, but might be of use.

Best.
 
I have been 100% satisfied w/ my USPs & have recommended them to MANY people. 2001 alone, I put 5000 rounds through my USP 45 and almost 3000 rounds through my Expert 45 w/o a single hiccup of any kind & absolutely scary accuracy.
I usually go off the premise that most people end up buying multiple guns. In your case, if you have a short list of 2 guns, buy the USP 1st and the CZ later because HK has regular price increases to keep the value of their line higher...you'll actually save money by purchasing your HK sooner rather than later ;) CZ's seem to have held pretty steady in price. :)
 
Nightcrawler - go to the dealer and try both of them in your hand, compare the size side by side, after all it will be YOUR gun :) I absolutly love the look of USP and fully respect the performance and reliability of them, but it (both 9mm/.40 and .45 frame size) does not fit my hand comfortably. The sharp pattern on front and backstrap is way worst for me than nice slick curved and steel cool CZ 75/85! Also the USP in .45 is bit bigger, which may not make such difference on the desk, buy may do in the holster on your hip - just size, not the weight, as USP have plasctic frame. Only one metal framed gun fits my hands as good as the CZ - the Sig 226 with its fine frontstrap horizontal lines.
 
If you don't currently own a gun go with the CZ, 9mm is much more versatile than .45 (and I am a HUGE .45 fan). .45 ammo is expensive. 9mm runs the gammut from cheap practice ammo that is comparable in price to loading your own to high quality, very effective, self defense loads.

The CZ line (all of them) are some of the best bargains in the gun world. They are very well made, durable, reliable and ACCURATE. Now they are also quite inexpensive, however they seem to be getting more popular so who knows if that will stay the same (I hear Ruger is getting a big price increase soon).

My advice, if you can afford the HK and it is double the cost of the CZ, buy two CZs (no, I am not joking). One in the very versatile 9mm and one in .40. The .40 cal round is a high velocity round like the 9mm and it is a big bore caliber like the .45, I wouldn't have it as my only caliber (I am a big .45 fan and coming back around on 9mm) but it is a great caliber. Even people who don't trust the 9mm round usually don't feel undergunned with the .40 and you will also have a 9mm for cheap practice and lighter recoiling, effective, defense rounds. Better yet, spend a little more (if you can afford to) and get the CZ85 in 9mm and the new CZ97 in .45acp (probably the best deal in a .45- no big surprise:D). However, the CZ97 is a big gun, and probably not well suited to CCW tasks. While the 9mm CZ85 with the right ammo could easily be up to the task of personal protection, if you happen to be one of those who are uncomfortable with the round go with the dual CZ85s in 9mm and .40 and carry the .40 (assuming you have/are getting your permit).
 
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CZ: I've decided.

I'm getting the CZ-85. It might take me awhile before I actually have it (waiting on a fat check with which to pay for it), but I've already ordered two 20-round aftermarket mags from Cheaper than Dirt (they were out of stock, but I back-ordered). Yes, I know, aftermarkets don't always work, so I'll test 'em. If they work, I might buy more, if not, I'll stick to the factory 15 rounders.

Dang it, if my car weren't in the shop AGAIN, I'd buy some more mags, but expenses are running high this month *sigh*.
 
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