A few thoughts...
No "issues" that I know of, but a couple of things to consider:
1. According to my local gun guru, the regular finish *is* stainless, just blackened.
2. The stainless series has been discontinued and is a bit pricey.
3. The recoil reduction system in the compact's is significantly different than in the full size. The full size uses a two-spring recoil spring setup while the compact just uses a tough plastic bushing which sometimes rattles a bit.
4. The .45c is a bit bigger than the 40/9mm which use the same size frame AIC.
5. USP checkering can be a bit harsh unless you take a little sandpaper to it and nock off the edges.
Otherwise, they are dandy weapons and for a mid-sized compact are really nice. Excellent durability, reliability and ergonomics with a manual of arms like the full-sized.
I havent posted this in a while, but I shot a USP45f next to a USP45c and wrote up a review, so maybe it will help with my shooting impressions.
JT
as usual, FWIW, YMMV, IMHO, and all that...
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3/6/2000
*****HK USP45 compact*****
What a great concept! Make a compact .45 with more capacity than a 1911, able to carry cocked and locked, decocker lever, and rounded off controls! but with small size comes compromises and I didnt particularily care for the ones made here.
I have one heck of a blood blister from slamming part of my palm home with a new clip. While the grip does allow for a tight three finger hold (as opposed to 2 finger), the third finger is on the magazine lip. and the meat of your palm (below your pinky finger) hangs below the magazine well. If you are not careful, PINCH!
Recoil was noticeably sharper. More that tne full size .40, .45, or sig. I got both a heavy push, and a twisting snap on each round. Again, not "punishing" to an average size man, but it was a little distracting and I doubt I would feel comfortable handing this pistol off to my 5'5", 120lb wife.
Controls were USP tight, but that issue with the safety was even more a concern. Althoguh I never accidentally engaged it (having learned on the .40cal) I did have to positin my thumb lower than I am accostomed to. Perhaps that contributed to my medicore shoting with the gun. Not as bad as the full sized .40cal but no where near the USP45, much less the Sig 220.
A cute gun, and a very well made .45 compact. I would much rather fire this one than a lot of those "compact" .45's that look like .25 cals, thats for sure. It also performed flawlessly like all these guns but it was only marginally fun to shoot and after my hand started throbbing from the blood blister I was glad the day was about over.
*****HK USP45 compact *****
PRO: shares good controls with the USP. You can actually get 8 rounds in a compact .45cal! Three finger grip, pretty easy to shoot with both eyes open. Snag free versions of the full sized controls and a bobbed for concealed carry.
CON: It bit me! Recoil is a bit sharp, accuracy is middle of the road, I dont carry concealed so the tapered controls arent a plus for me, the hammer is bobbed and so you cant cock it without pulling back on the slide.
(ed. note: The hammer CAN be cocked after you chamber a round since it goes to a half-cock position, just not when dry firing.)
FINAL CONCLUSIONS
Well... after all was said and done I was convinced. I was about to go back to the .45cal after 6 years of being a "Forty" man. I loved the feel of the Sigs action, but my wife needs to be able to opperate the controls. I put the USP 45 in her hand and she did a full functions check without a sweat. In her words, "Thats not as bad as I thought!"
The .40cal USP disappointed me. The USP45 compact just didnt fit me but I think it is a great gun for the right hand. The Sig was so fun to shoot I want one, but it doesnt fit my current requirements for home defense and remote camping well enough to buy.
What clinched it was that my gun range had a sale on their USP's offering the four that they had new in the box to the public at their law enforcement prices. There was a new .45 fullsized HK USP45 for only $619. I bought it.
DISCLAIMER
I am no expert, just an ex-GI who likes to shoot pistols and believes that excercising my second ammendment rights is an important component of keeping them. I do not mean to rain on anyones pet gun here, just giving strictly my impressions after spending an afternoon with four of the best made pistols in the world.
