Glock 23 or HK USP Compact .40?

T

Tecolote

New member
My buddy is thinking of trading in his Glock 23 for a HK Compact .40. He likes the feel of the HK. He says it doesn't feel blocky like the Glock. He likes the SA pull, but the DA pull is a little long for him. What do you guys think? What does the USP have over the Glock?

Can you dry fire a USP without snap caps? Is it true that new USPs come with a special lock from the factory that must be removed before they're fired for the first time?
 
My attitude is that Glock vs. HK USP is a tossup in many cases. Both have a lot of strengths and very few weaknesses. I know USPs are more expensive, but I think they are worth it. It really boils down to which one a person shoots best and which trigger system works. If your friend likes Glock triggers, he might look into the LEM for a USP, though I haven't heard much about it since the INS contract.

But in .40 I definitely would prefer a USP over Glock. I know Glock .40s are incredibly popular with law enforcement, but the kB/unsupported chamber thing makes me nervous. So much so that I refuse to shoot anything other than ProLoad in my Glock .40.

My livelihood is dependent on my hands. I want to minimize the chances of anything blowing up in them. Yes, I know I'm being paranoid.

USP fans will quickly point out the USP was designed for the .40 first. It is not a "scaled-up" 9mm. Does it seriously make a difference? I think it does, but I can't offer any conclusive evidence.

And, as a USP fan, I'll offer my opinion that the USP's individual parts are more robust than the Glock's. Of course, the Glock fan in me will quickly point out I can easily detail-strip a Glock and replace any worn/broken parts in minutes.

I have shot a friend's USP compact .40 and, frankly, I preferred it to the Glock .40. It also was more accurate in my hands. That is probably subjective, though, as I seem to shoot USPs a little better overall.

Dry-firing may be a bit of a question mark. Latest I've heard is the problem was caused by brittle firing pins a few years back. New models are supposed to be better. I've dry-fired my 2000 USP a few times with no ill effects so far but I use an AZoom snap cap when I'm doing an actual dry-fire practice session. Paranoia again.
 
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I personally like Glocks because I feel that HK's are slightly overpriced. Polymer was meant to save time, weight, and money... HK seems to have forgotten that.

Ben
 
The USP .40 Compact model that I owned was a nice looking pistol, but it was rather large for a "compact" pistol. When they designed the compact series they went with an entirely new frame, so magazine compatability with their larger counterparts went out the window.

I used this pistol for qualifications and while it shot fine, I was not impressed with its accuracy. It produced acceptable 'service" grade accuracy...about 4-5inch groups at 25m. I will say I did enjoy the ability to carry DA or Cocked n Locked. The unique mag release is also one of the fastest ever designed. It can be manipulated with the trigger finger without shifting your grip.

Both weapons, the HK and Glock will perform fine for their intended purposes and I wouldn't feel uncomfortable carrying either one for defensive purposes. I just give the Glock a slight edge in carrying comfort, but the USP does offer a safety for those who just feel safer having one seperate from the trigger.

I think he will be happy with his choice, at least I hope so because he will most likely have to shuck out a couple hundred, if not more in trade for the new USP. They can be quite pricey.

Good Shooting
RED
 
Off topic, but with regards to the advantages of "scaling up" versus "originally designed for a cartridge" I think the concept the one originally designed for the round is superior is a faulty one. Why?
The 1911, wasn't originally designed for the .45, but the .38 Colt Auto.
It also wasn't originally a 1911...

The 1911, is generally agreed to be a well designed handgun, and synonymous with the .45

That being said, I'd personally recommend the USP over the Glock, despite the price difference. One pays for the quality and accuracy of the USP. You can also carry it cocked and locked, another plus.

Just my thoughts. YMMV.

-Morgan
 
To answer the questions:

1. new USPs come with a lock that prevents them from being fired or the slide racked while enabled. if you force the slide open while the lock is enabled, it will munge the trigger parts. I believe the whole thing can be removed by an HK armorer.

2. the USP can be dry-fired without snap caps.

The USP is an excellent pistol, but so is the Glock. If your friend is one of us "little people", pre-ban mags are available for the Glock, but not the HK. USP Fullsize mags do not fit in the USP Compact. Another advantage of the Glock is that the bore axis is lower relative to your hand.

Grip angle, controls, and trigger are all personal preference. I prefer Glocks these days, but my first non-.22 pistol was a HK USP40FS.

-z
 
Update

Went with my buddy today to work out a trade, his LNIB G23 for a NIB USP Compact. He got major sticker shock, the USP went for $700. The shop offered him $400 value for his G23, and they only had a display model USP, they didn't have an unfondled one, and for that money, he wanted to be the first to remove the slide lock and all that stuff. He bought the G23 NIB from them for $550, and they sell them used for $500. Yes, I know, prices are high in my neck of the woods. I can't blame them, they've got rent, insurance, employees, and taxes. I suggested a visit to the range. We took along a couple of boxes of Federal American Eagle 180s grs. After the first box he knew he had averted an expensive mistake. He's gonna send his G23's slide to Glock for nightsights. ;) Thanks for the input.
 
I've owned a couple of Glocks, the 21c and the 23. Don't have either of them anymore.
The USPs I own OTOH have been absolute joys to own and shoot.

Tough to make this decision for you. I would try to shoot both and then decide. And I mean SHOOT both. Not just 10-15 rounds each. Get tired shooting them and see which one feels better and shoots better in your hands after an extended period w/ both. Sure that might be a little expensive now, but it's better than buying the wrong gun! ;)
 
Wait, so HK is now integrating locks into their pistols?
grrr.
Is it a one time, remove and toss thing, or is it on there forever until you get an armorer or smith to take it off?
I really, really dig the USP, it's the one brand of centerfire pistol I shoot the best.
 
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