Can't seperate my own opinions, but I'll try...
First off, read this:
Sig 220 vs HK USP45f
Then shoot them side-by-side.
Now as to my opinions:
Glock:
I've shot three Glocks in my life. I dont remember the actual model numbers but there was a full-size 9mm, a compact 9mm and a full-size 45. They were all servicable weapons. If my budget kept me in the 400-500$ range, I would buy a Glock. That being said, I didnt liek the triggers, and some of the Glocks (not all) have an EXTREMELY canted grip, meaning that for me it points like crap. YMMV. Pick-em up, point-em, decide if it bothers you. Finally, the Glock in 45 does NOT have a fully supported chamber. No biggie if all you fire is factory ammo, but if you handload or want to shoot 45+P+ or 45super, the Glock is NOT your animal.
Sig:
I love sigs. I own a little P232 .380 auto that IMHO is the best 380 you can buy. Their fit and finish is superb for a mass-market gun, their reliability (when clean) is outstanding, and out of the box they have the best DA trigger in the business. They are exceedingly accurate, and for me that means more accurate than both the Glock or the HK. But its an incremental thing. How much does it matter for an HD pistol if the benchrest group is 2" at 50' or 3" at 50'? I worry about these in the out-back tho. Whats this finely machined pistol going to be like after 10 days of dirt/mud/grime in an open top jeep in the desert or mountains camping? Maybe fine. For Law Enforcement or HD tho, its an outstanding piece. Plus, Sig's customer service is second to none, form what I have heard. Downsides? More expensive than the Glock, and only carries 7 rounds.
H&K:
It was designed for the American market with an eye towards government agencies and military. The pedigree is outstanding. The SOCOM, for all of its overly-buff weight problems, is an outstanding weapon. This is a true "service pistol". I like the way it looks, but it ceratinly is not as elegant as the Sig. Also, this is an expensive gun. You are most likely not going to walk out after Tax and DROS for less than $700. But its kind of got everything. Decocker, external safety, cocked-and-locked, modifiability, utility rail for a high power tiny flashlight (good for HD when your wife makes you get up and search the house), Hostile Environment finish which is better than either of the other two. Its accuracy is middle of the road IMHO, unless you get one of the more exotic versions like the Tactical or the Expert. The grip is large as it uses a stack and a half for 12 rounds of .45acp. Pretty sweet! Its function is more "offensive" than the Sig, IMHO. And its testing regime was the most thorough of the three form the military's point of view. But are you really going to freeze this pistol, then drop it off a three story building, then runn over it with a deuce-and-a-half, then bury it in the desert sand then fill it full of mud, then fire a squib round then fire it again? I hope not!
The final analysis is:
***glock***
*Pros: cheaper, reliable, common, reasonable accuracy, servicable, no external safety
*Cons: no external safety, unsuported chamber, some models have poor pointability, striker style trigger is a bit odd, lots of psycho-nut-cases run around saying "glock is god!"
***Sig***
Pros: Best accuracy out of the box, excellent trigger, finely machined, no external safety, decocker, points well, great customer service, moderate price
Cons: Finish mediocre, no external safety, only 7 rounds, maybe too finely machined for the bush? spare magazines spendy
***HK***
Pros: Most durable finish, largest trigger guard for gloves, extremely reliable, neato utility rail, cocked and locked carry, external safety, modifyable to L & R handed versions, decocker only versions, decent accuracy, double recoil spring that smooths recoil, big brother is the SOCOM
Cons: expensive, large grip, harsh checkering(can be filed/sanded down tho), crappy DA trigger (SA is ok) pre-ban magazines are grey-market and SPENDY ($100-$150 each!!!)
Hope this helps!
JT
as usual, IMHO, YMMV, FWIW, and all that...
