Bad Things About HK USP Full Size...
- Thread starter gryphon
- Start date
Let me add one more gripe about the USP -- magazine price. Sheesh, it's like buying accessories for a Mercedes. You do get two of them with the gun, which is nice, but I needed a third for a trip to Font Sight this Fall. It wouldn't be so bad if they were as good as, say, Wilson 1911 mags, but the things are, quite frankly, inferior in construction to Beretta 92 or Wilson 1911 mags and they cost more.
Marko Kloos
Inactive
The main bad things about USP pistols, IMHO:
-They are way overpriced.
-They are rather large for CCW, more intended as duty pistols.
-The checkering on the front- and backstrap is just too sharp for my taste.
Other than that, they're fine pistols, and I wouldn't mind adding the P8 variant to my collection sometime in the future.
-They are way overpriced.
-They are rather large for CCW, more intended as duty pistols.
-The checkering on the front- and backstrap is just too sharp for my taste.
Other than that, they're fine pistols, and I wouldn't mind adding the P8 variant to my collection sometime in the future.
The only downside to the full size USP is that it isn't a Compact 
I personally find the trigger on my 40c to be superb, mainly due to regular and thorough lubing with Sentry Solutions Tuff-Glide. It was a little gritty initially, but has really smoothed out. Speaking from experience, I would heartily recommend the USP over the Glock. My Glock owning friends usually end up shooting my 40c and I elect to watch instead of shoot their Glocks. Just my opinions, of course.
Chris
I personally find the trigger on my 40c to be superb, mainly due to regular and thorough lubing with Sentry Solutions Tuff-Glide. It was a little gritty initially, but has really smoothed out. Speaking from experience, I would heartily recommend the USP over the Glock. My Glock owning friends usually end up shooting my 40c and I elect to watch instead of shoot their Glocks. Just my opinions, of course.Chris
NONE
Great Weapon.
The Satinless finish, if you can now find it, will last longer than the blue type finish.
This is the MOST accurate and most dependable of the weapons I own.
I carried TWO USP 45 on SWAT and have TWO USP45c 's for off duty. I am no longer on the SWAT Team, but still own the full-size weapons.......
You will not be disappointed.
Great Weapon.
The Satinless finish, if you can now find it, will last longer than the blue type finish.
This is the MOST accurate and most dependable of the weapons I own.
I carried TWO USP 45 on SWAT and have TWO USP45c 's for off duty. I am no longer on the SWAT Team, but still own the full-size weapons.......
You will not be disappointed.
I have an HK USPc .45. Like all guns, it has its good points and bad points.
Good:
1. Reliable
2. Accurate
3. Soft recoil
4. Can be carried cocked-and-locked
Bad:
1. High bore axis gives it lots of muzzle flip
2. DA trigger is horrendously heavy
3. SA trigger is fair at best
4. Most any gunsmith around can fix a M1911 trigger. Haven't found one who will work on an HK USP trigger.
5. Safety/decocker is not as precise as a M1911 safety -- kind of a spongy feel.
6. Slide is needlessly bulky, making the gun harder to conceal.
I also don't like the magazine release. You can't reach it with your thumb, but instead have to use your trigger finger. That's fine if it is your primary gun. But most of my guns have the standard thumb button release, so that's what I'm used to and what I would try to use under stress. Maybe a non-issue for you. Being a firm believer in the KISS principle, I won't use the USP for defensive purposes. YMMV.
M1911
Good:
1. Reliable
2. Accurate
3. Soft recoil
4. Can be carried cocked-and-locked
Bad:
1. High bore axis gives it lots of muzzle flip
2. DA trigger is horrendously heavy
3. SA trigger is fair at best
4. Most any gunsmith around can fix a M1911 trigger. Haven't found one who will work on an HK USP trigger.
5. Safety/decocker is not as precise as a M1911 safety -- kind of a spongy feel.
6. Slide is needlessly bulky, making the gun harder to conceal.
I also don't like the magazine release. You can't reach it with your thumb, but instead have to use your trigger finger. That's fine if it is your primary gun. But most of my guns have the standard thumb button release, so that's what I'm used to and what I would try to use under stress. Maybe a non-issue for you. Being a firm believer in the KISS principle, I won't use the USP for defensive purposes. YMMV.
M1911
It breaks in pretty nicely, actually. I've done a lot of dry fire with mine, and it's really not such a bad trigger now. Either that, or I got lucky and got a pretty good one. I've seen better, I've seen worse. It certainly isn't to the point where it adversely affects my shooting.
Shake,
What you fail to point out is that while other manufacturers are doing this, HK has a far higher price differential for its premium models. Not only that, but they will not sell you the parts in order for you to customize your USP.
For instance, Glock will sell you a frame, a complete upper, a barrel, etc. I can buy a Glock frame for $150 -- a barrel for less. Can you say that about HK? Glock's G34/35 models are only a few dollars more than the standard models -- not hundreds of dollars more as some of HK's "premium" models are. And while you rightly point out the virtues of these "extras," they are, at best, overpriced and marginal for the average pistolero. Other manufacturers are simply more flexible to meet the demands of private US consumers than the US subsidary of HK, who are much more intent on serving the needs of LEO/military customers.
With that said, I happily own several of these USPs and ponied up to the bar like everyone else. But I don't think that HK is that intent on fulfilling the desires of the average citizen-consumer. Where are the extra barrels? The uppers? The frames? The conversion kits?
Huge? The USP? No way.
The USP 9 and 40 are in no way big. The .45 is larger, but still not as fat as my old Glock 21. I find it to be shaped just fine, and not "huge" at all.
I don't understand the trigger complaints, every USP I've ever shot has had a very nice trigger. My USP9 is very smooth, and though it's no Kimber it's better than Glock, Sig, and Beretta. I haven't even purposely lubed the trigger, and I only have 250 rounds through the gun. Tomorrow I'm putting another 250 through it, and I'm going to lube the trigger and see if it gets even better.
Only thing I don't like about the USP is that it is no longer made in Stainless. I would rather have the Stainless than the HE finish.
The USP 9 and 40 are in no way big. The .45 is larger, but still not as fat as my old Glock 21. I find it to be shaped just fine, and not "huge" at all.
I don't understand the trigger complaints, every USP I've ever shot has had a very nice trigger. My USP9 is very smooth, and though it's no Kimber it's better than Glock, Sig, and Beretta. I haven't even purposely lubed the trigger, and I only have 250 rounds through the gun. Tomorrow I'm putting another 250 through it, and I'm going to lube the trigger and see if it gets even better.
Only thing I don't like about the USP is that it is no longer made in Stainless. I would rather have the Stainless than the HE finish.
Old Reb,
I agree with most of what you say. There is a far greater price differential. The thing you have to remember is that while there is a price differential, the H&K Elites, Tacticals, etc. sell like hotcakes at my local shops. It seems that there are always plenty of buyers for the "special" models. I guess you have to choose between making a lot on a little or making a little on a lot (as GLOCK seems to do).
Visit HHPRO and you'll see that H&Ks are being bought by the bucket load. I honestly think H&K does a pretty good job of retaining the mystique that goes along with the name H&K (and know how to do it). Part of that, unfortunately translates into a tightly controlled product line.
I'll get flamed for saying so, but although the H&K "add-ons" might be overpriced, I'd put an H&K Tactical up against a GLOCK 34/35 any day of the week. Some people will willingly spend a lot of hard earned cash for that edge.
Shake
I agree with most of what you say. There is a far greater price differential. The thing you have to remember is that while there is a price differential, the H&K Elites, Tacticals, etc. sell like hotcakes at my local shops. It seems that there are always plenty of buyers for the "special" models. I guess you have to choose between making a lot on a little or making a little on a lot (as GLOCK seems to do).
Visit HHPRO and you'll see that H&Ks are being bought by the bucket load. I honestly think H&K does a pretty good job of retaining the mystique that goes along with the name H&K (and know how to do it). Part of that, unfortunately translates into a tightly controlled product line.
I'll get flamed for saying so, but although the H&K "add-ons" might be overpriced, I'd put an H&K Tactical up against a GLOCK 34/35 any day of the week. Some people will willingly spend a lot of hard earned cash for that edge.
Shake
SVTNate:
Try mine, then. The DA trigger is AWFUL. Absolutely terrible. Incredibly heavy. Much heavier and grittier than my Sig P239 or my CZ-75. Much worse than any of my DA revolver triggers. Yuck.
The SA trigger is ok. Not as good as my Sig P239's SA trigger. Nowhere near as good as my Kimbers. Better than my Glocks, however (I hate the Glock trigger :barf: ).
In terms of the size, yup, they sure a big. Compare the thickness of a USP .45 with an M1911. Of course, you do get larger capacity...
M1911
Try mine, then. The DA trigger is AWFUL. Absolutely terrible. Incredibly heavy. Much heavier and grittier than my Sig P239 or my CZ-75. Much worse than any of my DA revolver triggers. Yuck.
The SA trigger is ok. Not as good as my Sig P239's SA trigger. Nowhere near as good as my Kimbers. Better than my Glocks, however (I hate the Glock trigger :barf: ).
In terms of the size, yup, they sure a big. Compare the thickness of a USP .45 with an M1911. Of course, you do get larger capacity...
M1911
Shake,
I know what you mean -- I've bought a bucket load of HKs myself! But I still have this love/hate thing with HK's US distributor in Sterling for not making all the goodies available to us Joe Citizens. Thanks to Larry Gaglio at CCF and a few others, we are able to get some items on the gray goods market. But the prices for HK products are horrendous. And let's face it, mystique only goes so far. There are a lot of suckers out there -- and I'm one of them!
I like the Glocks as well and usually prefer them for CCW because -- like the USP -- they are so tough and reliable. Where the HK has "mystique," the Glock is relatively cheap and has other factors going for it -- like the availablity of hi-cap mags, factory and aftermarket parts and Glock armorers (not that you usually need one). The Glock is more simple to maintain and faster to get into action with its lack of trigger transition and fast trigger reset.
Not to take away from the HK, which are fine pistols as I can attest to. But, unfortunately, HK's civilian marketing approach makes Glock an easier choice for someone who wants a good carry pistol, and/or is on a budget, and/or wants more accessable and affordable customization.
I know what you mean -- I've bought a bucket load of HKs myself! But I still have this love/hate thing with HK's US distributor in Sterling for not making all the goodies available to us Joe Citizens. Thanks to Larry Gaglio at CCF and a few others, we are able to get some items on the gray goods market. But the prices for HK products are horrendous. And let's face it, mystique only goes so far. There are a lot of suckers out there -- and I'm one of them!
I like the Glocks as well and usually prefer them for CCW because -- like the USP -- they are so tough and reliable. Where the HK has "mystique," the Glock is relatively cheap and has other factors going for it -- like the availablity of hi-cap mags, factory and aftermarket parts and Glock armorers (not that you usually need one). The Glock is more simple to maintain and faster to get into action with its lack of trigger transition and fast trigger reset.
Not to take away from the HK, which are fine pistols as I can attest to. But, unfortunately, HK's civilian marketing approach makes Glock an easier choice for someone who wants a good carry pistol, and/or is on a budget, and/or wants more accessable and affordable customization.
HK USP downside (?)
If you can call needing a recoil spring after 35,000+ rounds of consistent range-use over a couple years a "downside", then understandably so.
Our indoor range's particular model is the Special Ops SOCOM (nearly 7") extended and threaded barrel model.
Our range's "downside" was that it quickly received a too-good offer for it's standard full-size USP45, and there still exists a sorrowful void in it's most popularly-requested model to this day! All us USP45 owners ALWAYS brought 1-2 of our own extra mags along with us. That's another downside: you'll want about 3 to 5 official HK ten-shot mags that cost $30-45-each ! I haven't experience with generic mags for this precision piece of hardware yet.
A USP45 (fired about 400-800 rounds) with an extra mag was offered by a local semi-lovin' pawnshop last-year for $500-nego. Good-Exc. condition too. So do yourself a favor and shop some of the reliable pawnshops that are selling or transferring 50 or more handguns per year. The downside for me was paying 'bout $600 new at a gunshow, 'caus I just-had-to-have-it , that day!!
I second the motion about liking all the varients of being half or fully cocked, locked, loaded or combination-thereof. I once dropped mine c-l-l with 11 +p's , full-force upon the hammer - cement floor - didn't go off! So Very Accurate it's also become my wife's favorite semi handgun....which can be a downside at your range if you're the one paying the hourly rate fees (not-so if the jubilant spouse is).
If you can call needing a recoil spring after 35,000+ rounds of consistent range-use over a couple years a "downside", then understandably so.
Our indoor range's particular model is the Special Ops SOCOM (nearly 7") extended and threaded barrel model.
Our range's "downside" was that it quickly received a too-good offer for it's standard full-size USP45, and there still exists a sorrowful void in it's most popularly-requested model to this day! All us USP45 owners ALWAYS brought 1-2 of our own extra mags along with us. That's another downside: you'll want about 3 to 5 official HK ten-shot mags that cost $30-45-each ! I haven't experience with generic mags for this precision piece of hardware yet.
A USP45 (fired about 400-800 rounds) with an extra mag was offered by a local semi-lovin' pawnshop last-year for $500-nego. Good-Exc. condition too. So do yourself a favor and shop some of the reliable pawnshops that are selling or transferring 50 or more handguns per year. The downside for me was paying 'bout $600 new at a gunshow, 'caus I just-had-to-have-it , that day!!
I second the motion about liking all the varients of being half or fully cocked, locked, loaded or combination-thereof. I once dropped mine c-l-l with 11 +p's , full-force upon the hammer - cement floor - didn't go off! So Very Accurate it's also become my wife's favorite semi handgun....which can be a downside at your range if you're the one paying the hourly rate fees (not-so if the jubilant spouse is).