Help Settle An Argument - Sig P239 or HKUSPc in 9mm

M

Mike H

New member
The wife and I couldn't split the Sig P239 in 9mm and the H&K USPc 9mm as the gun we would prefer to own as an all rounder.

I know what usually happens now is that everyone adds posts for the Colt Caveman 1911 or the Glock 38DD, but pleeeease try to choose just one of the above.

Regards,

Mike H
 
As a USP owner and occasional Sig user, I'd have to recommend the Sig. Better decocker, fewer protrusions, better pointer. Equally soft recoil and accuracy, IMO.
 
I've yet to find any gun which works well as an "all rounder." I assume your looking for a jointly owned all-round carry gun?

I have both the 239 and the HKUSPc but I would choose the 239 without hesitation. I can offer no good reason to convince you to do the same. The 239 just feels, shoots and handles significantly better for me than the HK. The 239 has also become one of my favorite guns period... over the 40 or so handguns that I have. The USP is a fine gun but, despite my best efforts, I just can't get myself to like them. Good luck, either one is a good call.
 
Everything I have heard and read says they are both high quality reliable guns, so it's up to personal preference. If I were you, I'd take the one with which I can most often make a K-zone hit from leather.
 
Mike, I own and shoot both weapons.

IMHO, I would suggest the HK if your wife is comfortable with the grip size.

I much prefer the style and location of the slide release and decocker on the HK. The HK also gives you the option to carry cocked-and-locked, should you choose to do so.

If you have any specific comparative questions I'd be more than happy to answer them directly via email.

CMOS

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CMOS's Site
 
I would chose the P239 and so would my wife.

My wife used to have a S&W 3913LS. Last weekend she decided to shoot my P239. Man did I screw up. She shot one magazine looked at me and said 'I love my new Sig'. Oh well I still have my P228.

On the good side she told me I could trade her S&W for another gun. I am thinking that a P245 would be a nice addition to the family.
 
My wife and I own both. She has shot them both and calls the HK "her gun." I can see that she lusts for my P239 once in a while, but overall prefers the external safety, the kickass looks, and the easier to handle control levers. On the P239 she has a tough time handling the slide release. I would play it cool, have her shoot both, let her choose which one she wants, act despondent over her choice, and get an extra barrel out of the deal. If you get either one in 40s&w or 357sig, you can get a 9mm drop in barrel and have two guns and twice the fun. Either way she goes, you will have a finely engineered handgun...
 
I would pick the P239, although the H&K is a good gun as well. The P239 is just a neat little package, less bulky than the HK and easier to conceal & carry. My 239 was the most accurate pistol I've ever owned.

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"He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would fully suffice." -- Albert Einstein
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Glock/Benelli/Enfield -- the all-purpose threat management system.
 
Get two Cz75 PCR's for the price of one HK.
Seriously the SIG. Hk has that nasty checkering on the grip and the Sig is much more compact.
PS I really was seriously about the CZ's or get a Colt Caveman
 
Thanks Guys,

I'm surprised the vote went the way of the Sig (just), a gun I found a genuine joy to shoot, I also believe that it's one of only 4 guns on the FBI's approved list. We both shot the P239 in 9mm, I loved everything about the gun except that the wife had trouble with the slide release, it had also the Hogue finger groove rubber grips which I found made a good gun perfect. The wife favored the HK, although the only one I could find to rent was in .357 Sig and it was way too much gun, I came to know the checkering on the backstrap very well after just 50 rounds, turned me off the cartridge if not the gun, did someone say it was derived from the .40 S&W, didn't seem that way. The wife handled a new USPc9 and liked everything about it, easy slide release, she preferred the decocker and liked the chunky grip in spite of having small hands, on the other hand the P239 was the only gun she wanted another 50 rounds of ammo for. Ah well, if and when the time comes it looks like I'll need $1,200 after all.

Regards,

Mike H
 
Actually, according the their respective websites, the HK is actually SMALLER than the Sig.
From http://www.hecklerkoch-usa.com/


Specifications
9mm .357 SIG .40 S&W .45 ACP
Magazine Capacity *13 *12 *12 8
Sights 3-dot 3-dot 3-dot 3-dot
Width 1.14 in. 1.14 in. 1.14 in. 1.14 in.
Height 5.00 in. 5.00 in. 5.00 in. 5.06 in.
Sight Radius 5.35 in. 5.35 in. 5.35 in. 5.63 in.
Weight 1.47 lb 1.53 lb 1.53 lb 1.60 lb
Barrel Length 3.58 in. 3.58 in. 3.58 in. 3.80 in.

*US Civilian magazine capacity is 10 rounds.

From http://www.remtek.com/arms/sig/model/239/239.htm

SIG SAUER P239
Specifications Operation Semiautomatic, mechanically
locked, recoil operated
Trigger Double-action/single-action
or double-action only
Safety Patented automatic firing-pin lock
Caliber 9mm Luger .357 SIG .40 S&W
Length, overall 6.6" 6.6" 6.6"
Height, overall 5.1" 5.1" 5.1"
Width, overall 1.2" 1.2" 1.2"
Barrel length 3.6" 3.6" 3.6"
Rifling twist 1 in 10" 1 in 16" 1 in 15""
Rifling grooves 6 6 6
Sight radius 5.2" 5.2" 5.2"
Weight, w/o
magazine 25.2 oz. 25.2 oz. 25.2 oz.
Weight,
empty magazine 2.3 oz. 2.3 oz. 2.3 oz.
Trigger pull DA 9.5 lbs.,
SA 4 lbs. DA 9.5 lbs.,
SA 4 lbs. DA 9.5 lbs.,
SA 4 lbs.
Magazine capacity 8 rounds 7 rounds 7 rounds

Now I personally feel that the Sig gives the illusion and feel of a smaller flatter gun, but the numbers are there. I have yet to go and measure the two side by side, but I am also trying to decide between the two. The Sig is a little more comfortable and the HK holds more rounds.
 
A side question for TexasRusty if nobody minds ... how did your wife adjust from going to a safety/decocker on the 3913LS to decocker only on the P239? That has been my big problem with SIG's ... like the guns a lot but miss the safety/decocker on the S&W's.
 
I know you don't want to hear this, but how about a SIG Sauer P225? It's nearly identical in size to the P239 and a lot of folks, especially those with smaller hands, prefer the grip of the P225 to the P239. ;)

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"Get yourself a Pistolet Makarova and lose that pricey western gadget."
 
I'd go HK. The USPc in 9 is actually on my list of things to buy. I actually have 3 hi-caps for it already.

I also have a Sig (229). I find the Sig shoots nice, and has a nice trigger, but the finish seems to chip a lot easier than my other guns.

Between the two, I'd take the HK because of the availability of 13 round hi-caps, and the safety/decocker. I also find the 239's grip a little small. And the HK shoots real nice.

BTW, if you're looking at the HK USPc, you'd really be doing an injustice if you didn't check out the Walther P99.
 
Branrot,

I tried the P99 in 9mm and must be the only person in the world who didn't like it, the grip felt cheap and didn't fit my hand well (I know it can be changed but doubt it would improve) and the gun was surprisingly "snappy" for a 9mm.

I'm a little confused about your having 13 rounders for the USPc9, surely they're LEO only since the gun was post 1994. Can you please clarify.

Regards,

Mike H
 
Yeah, 13 rd mags for the USPc 9mm? If they are around they must be priceless...but i don't think they are. The USPc is post 1994, and I don't think they made them for civvies before then. To my knowledge they are for LEO.

Mike
 
I have a Sig P239 in .40 and an HK USPc in .45. The Sig has a better trigger, both in double action and in single action. The HK trigger in single action is decent, but double action is horrendous. The USP has the option of carrying cocked and locked, which is how I would carry it. They both tend to feel top heavy. Neither is particularly small. I prefer my Kahrs for concealed carry.

I don't like the fact that the slide release lever on the Sig is the rearmost lever, simply because that is different from most guns.

Both are good guns. The HK would probably require some trigger work. What's most important is which fits your hand (and your wife's hand) best.

M1911
 
My wife went through the same thing about a year ago with the Sig vs Hk dilemma..
She went to the range and rented both, she loved both..She went with the HK compact..
She liked the way a .230 gr FMJ felt as a REAL manstopper.
This pistol shot great for her and didn't jam even when she limp wristed it....
Both are very good weapons...
choose your poison!!!!!!!
just make sure it fits your hand!!!

[This message has been edited by DAKODAKID (edited October 18, 2000).]
 
Big Mike and Mike H:

Yes, I have 3 factory 13 round non-LEO hi-caps for the HK USP Compact 9mm.

Just like they made P99 hi-caps, I guess they also made some USPc9 hi caps before the ban (though they never made any USPc40 hi-caps). I have 3. They're real HK. And they're 13 rounds. I haven't tried them yet because I don't own the gun, but I've checked with various dealers and they're legit. I think I payed around 85 bucks each for them.
 
I do not like civilian HK USP. You do not need to be a rocket scientist, but just an engineer, to see what this USP is - it's
a cheaply produced product sold at inflated
price just because it's "HK". SIG is designed
and built much better than HK USP, in my
opinion, of course.
 
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