HK USP 45: Buy or Not to Buy?

N

Nightcrawler

New member
They have one at a local Gander Mountain.

PROS:

-Solidly Built
-Strong and durable
-Reliable
-Fits hand well
-Can carry locked & cocked or hammer down

CONS:

-The saftey is on the left side of the slide only; therefore, I can't reach it with my thumb, making the "locked & cocked" option useless
-HK Magazines are expensive, even in postban format (compared to a 1911 magazine
-4.25" seems short for a full-size .45ACP barrel to me

It's probably going to come down between this or a 1911. I know, I know, there are all different USP45 variations I could (in theory) get, like one with a locked/cocked saftey I could use, or one with a longer barrel, but I'm willing to bet that either of those would cost more and I've heard that getting certain variations of the USP out of HK is like trying to squeeze water from a rock.
 
The saftey is on the left side of the slide only; therefore, I can't reach it with my thumb, making the "locked & cocked" option useless
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I'm pretty sure one of the variants is a right-side safety. You might have to special order it though. If you can find a certified HK armorer, have him do it.

HK Magazines are expensive, even in postban format
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Officially, there are ONLY postban USP45 mags. I believe that is HK's position on the matter. You'll find contention on that point. But yes, HK mags are fairly expensive. Shop around. You can get genuine HK mags for under 60 bucks -- still more expensive than a Wilson 1911 mag, but non-1911 mags are often just plain pricey.

4.25" seems short for a full-size .45ACP barrel to me
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It's the accuracy that matters, and by all measures the USP is a superbly accurate pistol.

Now, as for 1911's -- I like them. I hope to order a Rock River Arms Limited Match one of these days I like them so much. But for reliability, the USP has never failed me. Not once. I can't say that for my Kimber.
 
The only fault I found with my USP was that, to paraphrase Jeff Cooper, a double column .45 is an answer to a question I did not ask. The gun was just too bulky in the butt for me. It shot accurately and reliably, just did not handle as easy and fast as a 1911. But it is a better machine in today's manufacturing environment. If you can get a good hold on it, get it. The plate to change to another "Variant" is not very expensive, about $25, I think. I don't know how much trouble it is to install, I have heard quotes of about that much more for a H&K armorer to make the change.
 
A 4.25" barrel is the length of a 1911 Commander. Velocity tests show the difference from a 5" barrel is negligible. In fact, with some ammo which has faster burning powders, velocity can be slightly higher.
The shorter barrel can be just as accurate, which is the most important factor with a handgun round after all.
I have found 12 round USP .45 ACP magazines for $120. Nothing is going to be as inexpensive as 1911 magazines. Too many made of varying quality over the years.
To me the USP Compact .45 is a better fit, but that is a personal assesment. Because the full sized USP is so bulky for me, a good 1911 is my choise.
 
Nightcrawler~

The USP45 is my favorite handgun. I bought my first one few years ago, slightly used from a friend. At first it proved to be too large for my hands, but now feel more comfy with the larger grip than others. I am a lefty, and had a local HK certified gunsmith/dealer order an ambidextrous safety for it (paid~35-40 bucks). He installed it in 3 minutes, free of charge.( what would that be, variant 11?) One minus, it is kinda big for CCW.

The USP outshoots my Kimber custom. It also shoots better than the P220. With pet handloads I get 1-hole groups at 10 yards. And I ain't that good a shot. The recoil is negligible, though muzzle flip is a little pronounced with fast loads.

Then again, everyone needs a 1911.
 
When I get another handgun, it will be an HK USP .45, and I love 1911s(have 2).

IMO it is a great gun! If you like it and it shootsd well for you, then I say get one.
 
USP are fine pistols, though much larger than necessary. Especially given the current 10 round magazine rule. For that matter, they are too big even allowing for the 12 round magazines. I had one and sold it.

I'd opt for the 1911 and quality 8 round magazines.

Or, try Wilson's KZ line. The best of both worlds, some might say: Polymer, 10 round magazines, and a "regular" 1911 profile.
 
Very fine handgun, without a doubt. Had 0 problems
with a full size .45. My suggestion: BUY IT.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
USP's are great. I have three of the .45 stainless steel versions. They're all full size but guess what. One of them happens to be a Var2, meaning safety on the right.

If you could convince me, I might sell that one to you. It is unfired and doesn't have the safety lock in the magazine well. I was gonna keep this one as a collectors piece but who knows.
 
I gotta do something with these guns. I'm so tempted to buy a 4th one from that guy in Indiana. Then I can say I have 4 USP's. :D When your young, guns are an investment. I can buy the things I want, knowing that at some future date, I can get my money back. Nothing like cars or computers which only lose value.

And as my name states... I "hold" things. Whether it's firearms, domain names, artwork or whatever. Maybe I need to become some kind of broker.
 
I always like the (whiny voice) "its too big" argument.

I wonder if these same whiners play golf. I wonder if they have ever fattened up the grips on their putter or their driver.

All I have to say - I love the fact that HK does not advertise. I love the fact that so many want to chime in with - "to big, over-engineered, high bore axis" or whatever the complaint of the week is - that week.

It all tends to keep the HK crowd homogenous - they know the difference.
 
I just bought a USP45f on Monday. I already own a USP9f.

To address your concerns first -

1. The control lever setup is modular, meaning you can easily switch the lever and detent plate to the other side of the pistol. You can also go ambidexterous, and have levers on both sides (like the Expert). Do it yourself, have an armorer do it (or maybe ship it to HK)...or just order the Variant you want. There are nine different Variants, surely one of them has exactly what you are looking for.

2. HK magazines are 30-40 bucks, depending on where you look. They aren't terribly expensive. Sure, postban Glock mags are 15 bucks, but they are damn near impossible to load to capacity when new (HK mags load real easy from Day One), some will have feeding trouble (many people have to install new 9mm3 followers), and they are not as easy to take down for cleaning as the USP mags. I pay 30 per mag, twice a Glock mag. If you can afford the gun, you can afford the mags.

3. The USP45 is incredibly accurate. It's not a 5 inch barrel, but shoot one and see if you miss that extra bit of barrel. I shoot the USP45 as well as any Kimber, Colt, or Wilson that I have shot.

I think you might find the USP45 every bit as accurate, if not more so, as a quality "combat" 1911. It's certainly more accurate than a Glock, at least in my hands it is. The grip is great, not overly fat like the .45 Glocks (I used to own a Glock 21). There is absolutely nothing I dislike about the USP other than the price. Of course, the price is worth it because there is no pistol I like better than the USP. I am not a veteran shooter, but I have shot most of the more popular pistols out there (Glock, Sig, Beretta, Kimber, HK, etc) and the USP is closest to perfect IMO.

Honestly, any 1911 short of a Les Baer or Wilson is not as good as a box-stock USP, in my experience. I cannot recommend them highly enough. So, in short - "BUY" :)
 
Buy the USP 45

I have been 100% satisfied w/ my USP 45. Accuracy so amazing, it puts a silly grin on my face every time :D , reliable, durable & plain fun to shoot. The USPs come in enough variants to fit most everyone, so you should be able to find one to fit your needs.
Buy the USP! ;)
 
StratfordHoldings,

What guy in Indiana are you referring to? Am I missing out on good H&K deals?

:confused:

Shake
 
Mo_Zam_Beek

USPs are large. I happen to think they're unnecessarily so. Not everyone does. Disagree? Fine. If everyone had the same opinions the boards would likely shut down. I wouldn't go so far as to describe someone's differing opinions as "whiny", though. That's just me, though. Polite with a slim pistol. :)

As to over-engineered, imo they're not.

They have a high bore axis. So what? It doesn't effect performance.

I do play golf and no I haven't fattened up any of my grips.

HK advertises. Sorry. I've got a magazine in front of me as I type opened to a cool picture of a special ops type with what appears to be a silenced Mark 23.

---

Nightcrawler,
It's ultimately up to you. In another thread you seemed to prefer the feel of the 1911. That ends the decision in my book. It's not my book, though, it's yours. I suggest comparing them side by side on a range. The similarity between the two often ends in people's minds once they gain exp[exrience beyond noticing the similar safety controls. Let us know what you decide on.
 
I have bene drooling over one of these pistols myself. Although I noticed the USP compact does seem to fit my hand better and seem more user friendly for CCW, It does seem to have a rougher trigger pull than the fullsized model. :(
 
You have to shoot them first. I started on 1911s, so I'm a little biased, but the USP .45 just doesn't sit in my hand as well. It is a bit snappy with the recoil as well. I still want to get one just to have it, but it is very low on my list. I advise you to try a few 1911s and the HK, then buy the one that fits you the best. Save for a few months, then buy the one that fit you second best. Repeat ad nauseum. Later.
 
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