H&K USP 9mm vs. Glock 19 vs. Sig P239?

S

ScottFrench

New member
Which of these 9mm would you get and why? I'm considering these three 9mm handguns for my first purchase. I'd be getting it for self-defense and carry.

I've been to the gun range several times and have shot both target and self-defense scenarios.


Thanks,
Scott
 
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It's all a matter of preference. As for me, I have the Glock 19 as I like having relatively easy access to pre-ban hi-cap mags. Aside from that, it's a matter of what trigger/safety system you prefer.
 
For your first handgun get a 38 revolver a used S&W M10 heavy 4" barrel. Firearme instructors recomend revolvers for a first handgun. The long hard DA trigger pull helps to prevent ADs for a new shooter. Also the revolver is simple to operrate. Now if you don't want to do what the instructors suggest. Get a DAO 9mm. The HK USP 9 F/c can be switched to DAO & back to DA/SA It can even be carried SA C&L. Now If you get a Glock get the NY trigger spring which will make the trigger pull heavier. After you learn how to shoot, you can have the trigger # lightened. Don't learn with a DA/SA pistol. With any pistol make shure the pistol fits your hand & your finger propperly reaches the trigger. If your finger is too short for proper trigger reach you'll never be able to shoot that pistol accuratly. The Walther P22 & the P99 are 2 diferent pistols. Consider the Walther P99 Quick Action.
 
Do you like a manual safety?

Do you prefer a striker fired system?

Which fits you best?

Which do you SHOOT the best?

If they all fit and shoot the same, which is most comfortable?
 
Pick the one that fits your hand the best. It will be more pleasurable to shoot and you will be able to shot it better . I also suggest you try to shoot a Springfield XD-9. It is a great value with good features and design.

Cheers,

ts
 
A local gun range has rentals of all three models, I think. I'll go over there and check it out. I feel pretty comfortable with the G19. But, haven't tried shooting the other two yet. Have held them in the store, but that is it so far.

Thanks, Scott
 
IMO..... I like the USP

but that doesn't really matter..... cuz what ever feels best to you is what will be the best.... do consider how you will be using it... if you aren't comfortable with a pistol that doesn't have an external safety.... choose accordingly....

Note: with all the usp variants... you can have whatever you want.... whenever you want....
 

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3 very different guns

But for better comparison:

1. HK USP v. Sig P226 v. Glock 17

2. Glock19 v. Sig P229 (9mm) v. HK USP/c

3. Sig P239 v. Glock 26

For self defence/carry I'd look into #2 or #3. All excellent choices. No one can tell you which you'll shoot better. Some have owned them all at some time or another to find out.
 
I dont understand the reasoning behind buying a revolver or double action only pistol for the first gun. If its a revolver he will be limited in firepower and will have to adapt to a whole new breed when he goes to semi. I have shot pistols all my life and I find double action only guns to be harder to shoot acurately. As long as the first things he learns is the basic safety rules why limit yourself? Even a rookie can grasp the concept of dont put your finger on the trigger until your on target. Handguns arent rocket science. If Im flawed in my thinking please explain why.
 
You'll find fans of each here, so you'll probably end up w/ a lot of opinions ;) My preference is with the UPS 9. It fits the best, works the best and IMO is the best :D
I would follow the advice that has been given you here and rent the guns and shoot each one...more than just a couple mags each too! THen buy the one that works best for you :cool:
 
cs138,

I wholeheartedly agree. My first handgun was a Browning HP and I don't regret it. Get the gun that interests you so you stay interested.

Revolvers are a safe choice for the masses who stow them like fire extinguishers. Gathering dust and never used.


This is not a pan on revolvers its just that newbies tend to be attracted to the "coolness" factor of autoloaders.
 
Revolver as first handgun

Fiearms instructors recommend this. Yep the long hard DA trigger sucks. Thats what I learned on. First newbes don't unsderstand the safety rules couple that with not knowing how to opperate a handgun & you have a dangerious situation. The reason why most shooters don't understand why the revolver should be the first handgun is because they never took handgun training before shooting & learned informaly. Lets look at SA C&L & DA/SA pistols to start. Most newbees don't understand the safety rules or how the pistol works. They might know how to take off the safety to fire a SA C&L pistol will they remember to put the safety back on. Will they remember to keep the pistol pointed down range? Have you ever seen a newbee that can't hear instructions on the range because they are wearing ear phones. They turn to ask a question & sweep everyone because the don't know to keep the pistol pointed down range. Now the newbee is standing with their back to down range & a cocked pistol with the safety off. Their finger slips & hits the trigger AD. Same problem if they forget to decock a DA/SA thats in SA. Now if they AD the pistol isn't pointed down range. Where's that rd going to go? Now if they do this with a revolver with a long hard DA pull & their finger slips the handgun might not fire. It's not just the finger might slip. What if the newbee brings the barrel from the booth pointed down range to poined the other way, another student sees the problem & pushes the handgun in a "safe" direction & that act causes the first newbees finger to slip on the trigger of a cocked pistol another AD. Instructors suggest revolvers for a reason. Also if you learn with a DA revolver & switch to a DA/SA pistol. The first shot is DA which was practiced with the revolver. Also you don't have to worry about controls. You just point the revolver at the target down range pull the trigger. I can think of all kinds of reasons why a revolver is better for a newbee. Remember when you learned to ride a bike, you had training wheels. think of a revolver as a bike with training wheels.
 
Ian11,

I picked these models as they are all three roughly the same size. The USP Compact, G19 and Sig P239 get classified differently as you noted based upon comparison to others within their own company lineup. But, side by side comparisons of size led me to consider these three as comparable in size.

Scott
 
Revolver as first handgun. Firearms instructors recommend this. Yep the long hard DA trigger sucks. Thats what I learned on. First newbes don't unsderstand the safety rules couple that with not knowing how to opperate a handgun & you have a dangerious situation.
Click to expand...

Well, I'm a firearms instructor. NRA Certified for Basic Pistol, Personal Protection, and Home Firearm Safety. I generally teach about once a month or so.

No, I don't necessarily recommend a revolver as a first gun. It's not a bad choice, but I don't say that everyone should get a revolver first. Personally, my first gun was a Glock 17.

Regarding the statement "newbes don't understand the safety rules..." I strongly recommend that anyone buying their first gun take an NRA Basic Pistol class first. That way they WILL understand the safety rules.

If someone does not understand the safety rules, then they have no business handling any gun, whether it is a revolver or a semi-auto. And if they do understand the safety rules and know how to operate their gun, then they can handle either a revolver or a semi-auto.

M1911
 
USP9mm.

Cocked and locked carry, built like a tank, reeks of renowned German quality, possible upgrading to 40S&W, Match/Expert conversion (if available), can fire +P+, yada, yada, yada...

This was what I chose. But that's me...

Get what you feel is best for your needs. ;)
 
USP

Cocked and locked carry, built like a tank, reeks of renowned German quality, possible upgrading to 40S&W, Match/Expert conversion (if available), can fire +P+,
Click to expand...
Add to that: 50% more expensive than the G19, HK doesn't care about the civilian market and especially doesn't care about the US civilian market, getting spare parts is much more of a headache than getting Glock parts, firing pins break in dry-fire, field-stripping results in one more piece to get lost, smithing is much more difficult...

But then today is my day for griping about HK. When it shoots at all, my USP 45F shoots well.

- pdmoderator
 
Glock 19.

Had a USP - it felt like a brick and I hated the trigger. Don't like SIGs: high bore axis and don't like DA/SA.

I still have my 19 and shoot it all the time. Probably my favorite pistol.

-z
 
Have had three Glocks, including a G17.
Have 2 HK USP's including a USP9F.
I've compared them side by side, field stripped and examined them countless times, shot them side by side for comparison.
If I had to keep only one, it would be the USP. It just feels like a higher quality piece (because it is). It has less felt recoil, especially with +P rounds and it was designed to handle +P+, which Glock discourages you from using.
Some people complain about the ergonomics of it but I find it to be fine.
 
The Glock 19 and Sig P239 are the easiest pistols for a newbie to operate, since both lack an externally operated safety. If either one is loaded, the user only needs to pull the trigger to touch off a round.

The only argument against the P239 is that it's too small for a first pistol. It's designed primarily as a concealed carry piece, and not much else. It has an alloy frame and a lightweight slide, and it kicks like a mule. My P239 is extremely concealable, but at the range, I can only get about 100 rounds through it before I tire of the punishment.

The Sig P229 is a better choice as a first 9mm pistol. Sigs have a very simple manual of arms: DA/SA with a decocker. With the hammer down, a Sig is a very safe pisol, and the 10 lb DA pull helps prevents NDs. If you need to lower the hammer on a live round, simply press down on the decocker (do NOT try and lower it manually!).

My Sigs (P228/239) have more perceived muzzle flip than my Glock, due to the higher bore axis. However, I shoot very tight groups out of both.

The Glock 19 is a great pistol (it was my first, actually), but it's intolerant of sloppy gunhandling. If you put your finger on the trigger of a Glock, you must be prepared to fire a round. The trigger pull is only 5.5 lbs. A moment of carelessness can have massive consequences.

On the positive side, the trigger pull is always consistent, and one does not have to transition from a heavy DA to a light SA pull. Glocks require very little maintenance, and have a large and vocal following. Even better, once you know how to shoot a 9mm Glock, you can operate the 40 cal, 10mm, 357SIG, and 45ACP models as well (actually, you can do this with Sigs, too)

IMO, the HK USP is a little too much for the first-time shooter. It's DA/SA, but it can be carried hammer down, safety off (SIG style); hammer down, safety engaged (Beretta 92 style); or cocked and locked (1911-style). Too many options in a self-defense scenario will get someone killed right quick.

I don't like the placement of the safety/decocker, especially with my grip. My thumb rests right *below* the lever, and it's going to get chewed up at the range.
 
Glocks, Sigs, and HKs are all rated for +P loads.

For a while, I fed my 19 a steady diet of 3,000 rounds of 115 +P+ FMJ. No hiccups.
 
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