HK USP and P99

D

dr. bullseye

Inactive
A buddy of mine who does not know much about guns asked me which is a better gun, the HK USP in .40 or the P99. I am a 1911 gun guy and really don't know squat about either of these two pistolas. How much $$$$ are they? Which is better? What are the goods and bads with each? Thanks
 
My personal experience has turned me into a HK fan. As a result, I'm voting HK USP. I have NO experience w/ P99 other than fondling them in gunshops :D
 
I have owned and shoot both.

The HK USP is by far a MUCH better gun.
HK is more money but between the two they are well worth the price.
To me the HK compact has better hand feel than the full size.
 
I just placed second in my IPSC tournament this afternoon, using my HK USP9f with cheap, reloaded lead bullets at that. (Got beat by a Colt 1911). No FTE's, FTF's, or whatever other F's there are, NONE! :D

Works for me, may work for your friend. ;) Modesty aside, you can't go wrong with an HK. Ever. :D
 
My preference would be for the P99 as it feels better in MY hand. The interchangable backstraps do help with fitting the pistol to your liking. Walther recently dropped prices by a 100 so P99s are going for 500 in my area. USPs are almost 800. With HK you can go cocked and locked and a P99 is more SIGish in operation though the HK has a decock as well. I recall that my USP40C was utterly reliable but the checkering on the grip was pretty damn harsh. My P99 has been completely reliable as well except for one incident in the first 100 rounds which I am 99.9% sure was the ammos fault. I would also suggest that your friend consider 9mm instead of .40 as it is much cheaper to shoot (at least in my area). Few things are scarier to me than a new shooter who won't practice much and expense is usually the reason given. With both being quality pistols, bottom line as always is what feels better to him/her?
 
Get the USP. You won't be sorry. For so many reasons, this Heckler & Koch pistol is far superior. I'm partial to HK products, but the Walther's slide mounted decocker doesn't agree with me.
VW
 
couldn't say much aboth the p99 coz mine will be here next week ,but for the
Hk , its reliable and accurate. i have a USP expert 40 that shoots
like my tuned 1911's . i also had a uspc45 that shots just the same coming
from a short barrel. i might have gotten the best batch of HK but i wouldn't
trade them for anything unless they shot better . IMO the HK"s are in a class
of its own compaired to the P99 specially the high end models (no flamed intended.
 
usp: the more expensive of the two choices, by no means cheap (usually $600+ in most places)...i love my usp, i find it very reliable and accurate, and it has a myriad of variants depending on handedness, dao, ect...decocker/safety allows for cocked and locked...

one knock on the usps, many many people find them rather large to the point of uncomfortability...even the compacts many consider unweildly...

p99: is a bit cheaper than the usp, i've seen it on sale recently at a large chain for $499...the models i've handled were dao (not sure of variants), so it would have a consistant trigger pull...a few bells and whistles, such as adjustable hand-grips and a choice of 3 finishes (blue, stainless, and military green)...has a very good reputation for accuracy...

i've heard some disturbing rumors about jamming which prevented their sale in some areas, but those may be just some urban legends...

if i had my choice, i would choose the usp
 
I have a 9mm P99 and a 9mm USPc. If I had to choose, I'd go with the P99. I find it more comfortable (you've already heard about the adjustable backstraps), slightly easier to carry (the USP is a little thick on the slide), and has a greater capacity (16+1 rounds of 9mm in the P99 vs. 13+1 rounds of 9mm in the USPc). Also, hi-caps are much more readily available for the P99 (unless you're looking at the full sized USP's).

The only real flaw with the P99 is that the tip of your trigger finger can scrape the serrations on the mag release and cause some discomfort after a lot of shooting. You just have to get used to holding it the right way.

I paid 550 for my P99 when they first came out, and 575 for my USPc (with an extra mag and fobus holster and mag carrier) more recently, both NIB. I'd feel perfectly well protected with either, but if I had to give up one, the USP would go first.
 
A Hk .40 USP will run about $800 in my area but if you look around you may find one cheaper. The HK is probably the better pistol but I have shot the P99 and that wasn't all too bad. I own the USP in .45 and I think it still has the edge over the P99. If quality is priority, get the USP but if price is a factor, the P99 may be the choice.
 
I consider a standard "good price" for a USP to be 600, while P99's should be running closer to 525. Anything better than that is what I'd consider an excellent deal.
 
I owned what is usually considered the "Cadillac" of H&K USP's the .45 USP Tactical, it was nice, but it wasn't $1000 nice.
I just don't see the "price per lb." value in the H&K, vs. Walther or Sig, or even Glock. My plain Walther P99 military 9mm, has a far nicer trigger than the H&K Tacticals, target trigger with overtravel doodad. Just IMHO the Walther is a better pistol, but a Sig P229 would be my first choice in .40.
My choices by caliber:
.380.........Beretta
9mm.........Walther P99
.357sig and .40.........Sig P229
.45..........Sig P220
10mm..........Glock or S&W
All IMHO of course.
:D
 
I'd go with the USP. The P99 is a good looking gun, with a great grip and outstanding fit and finish. Many P99 owners are very happy with theirs. However, in the eight months that I owned a P99, two firing pins (nuisance) and the barrel lug - the part that the recoil spring fits against - broke (catastrophe). Only a $3.00 flat spring has been replaced on my USP.
 
If your friend is set on getting a handgun in .40 S&W, I'd recommend the USP. I think it is one of the best (if not THE best) handguns in .40 on the market.

That recommendation stands assuming the USP fits his hands and he likes how it feels, points, looks, etc.

Shake
 
A few thoughts ...

H&K USP has a safety on some models, which might be better for a new shooter.

Walther P99 and H&K USP have high/standard cap mags while the compact USPc does not, well sort of.

At the end of the day, I'd recommend the Walther P99 because I've had excellent success with it. I find it ultra reliable, accurate and ergonomically sound. I like it's unique SA/DA/decocker set-up, too.

P.S. The 9mm recommendation makes a lot of sense to me: cheaper ammo means more plinking.
 
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