Choices-HK or Sig?

M

madkiwi

New member
I am trying to decide what to buy- a HK USP9 Compact or a Sig P228 (or maybe a 229 in 9mm, I am trying to nail down the difference between the 228 and 229). I was thinking of a SP2340, but got talked out of it, and am not considering it anyway as I found out how oversized the grip is. (I have medium hands).

I will go and fire both at a local range that rents guns, but any pros and cons I should know about?

Thanks,
Madkiwi

[This message has been edited by madkiwi (edited October 09, 2000).]
 
Well with the HK can't help you but with the sig I certainly can help you.

I assume you mean the differences between a 228 and a 229...not simply the 229 vs the 229 cuz they're the same ;)

The 228 is only made in 9mm. It has a carbon folded steel slide. Aka M11.

The 229 comes in .40, .357sig and 9mm. It has a heavier recoil spring (depending on the caliber) and a stainless steel slide made from one solid piece of steel. If you get the .357 or .40, they can be converted in between each other and with an aftermarket barrel converted to 9mm. So 3 guns in one. The 229 is around 3 ounzes heavier due to the heavier slide.

They are both the same size, in fact the 229 9mm version uses the same mags as the 228.

My own personal opinion, get the 229...better corrosion resistance, nice balance and if you get a two tone you'll have a fine looking weapon.

Hope this helps,

~bamf
 
The 2340 comes with two grips. One is rather nice for medium hands.

I just sold my 2340 in favor of a P7M8. I prefer the P7 trigger to the DA/SA, or DAO.
 
Have a USP9 full size, and am in a similar quandry myself, (see Decisions decisions question). Can't vouch for the Sig, (yet), but the USP is an awesome weapon. Recoil is easily controlable, esp. important for those all-to-common double taps. 9mm ammo is still pretty cheap.

I really think it's tough to go wrong with an HK firearm, but Sig has a well deserved reputation as well... tough decision to make.

Hope that after the election we can still have these difficult problems!
 
If you're looking for something compact, have you looked at the Sig 239? It is closer to the size of the USP9c than the 229. The 239 has some drawbacks (single-stack), but is pretty good for concealability.
 
Always go with what feels the best in your hands. Either of the guns you are talking about are excellent guns and you won't have any problems with them. I personally own an HK USP and love it, but like the Sigs as well. Grasp them in your hands and use the controls. Whichever feels better in your hands, BUY! :P
 
I know I'm going to get flamed, but ... here's another data point.

Caveat: I'm fairly slight (5'7", 150lbs), and have small-ish hands with a long span (years of piano). I consider myself recoil-sensitive (ugh, .357 mag loads hurt)

I was at the range the other day and compared my own USP to a well-used, rented Sig. To me, no contest. The Sig's ergonomics were horrible.

Although the grip was smaller and thus easier to reach the trigger, I found the following factors disadvantages of the Sig (compared to the USP)

1) Really stiff slide spring
2) Really stiff magazine release button
3) Magazine kept binding in the well
4) Tiny magazine release button
5) Small and hard-to-reach slide lock
6) Sharp edges, hard to grip slide
7) Much more noticeable recoil
8) Odd sights (neither 3-dot or dot-bracket)

I couldn't figure out how to reach the magazine release with my thumb of the firing hand -- had to push it by letting go of the grip, or with the weak hand.

I love my HK USP even more now -- the feel is, well -- rounder and more manageable, and the felt recoil is so much tamer.

Definitely go try them both out before you get settled -- I lean towards the Berettas and the HK's, while disliking Sigs and Glocks. You can't tell until you actually shoot them (it's not even really sufficient to hold them)

-Jon
 
I used to own a SIG P229 (.40S&W) and currently own a H&K USP 40 Compact.

Both are wonderfully reliable guns. Aside from a Beretta I used own, they were the only semi-auto handguns I have had with no reliability problems of any kind (meaning others needed "break-in").

Ultimately, I decided to sell the SIG because its grip was too thick. The double-action trigger reach (even with the "short" trigger) was too uncomfortable for my medium/smallish hands, particularly during sustained firing sessions.

USP Compact has a very slim grip circumference. I have no problem using it in DA mode, though I only use it as a "cocked & locked" gun.

Overall, the SIG is more accurate and smoother in operation. The H&K is handier for smaller hands and more rugged (polymer frame, HE finish, etc.).

If you are looking for a 9mm, I think that it's hard to beat a SIG P225. Because of its single-stack magazine, the grip circumference is a tad smaller than with the P229 and that small difference does make a huge difference in ergonomics for smallish hands.

Hope that helps.

Skorzeny

------------------
For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. Sun Tzu
 
I own an HK USP 40, have fired close to 4000 rounds thru it with nothing but good impressions of the gun. Have shot the SIG2340 quite a bit and don't really care for the feel of it compared to my HK. The only thing I don't like about my HK is the mage release and decocker compared to the SIG's control positionings. If I had the chose I'd go with the HK compact no question about it.
 
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