HK USP Compact
- Thread starter Shmackey
- Start date
Shake:
No problem, your post wasn't a flame, just an alternate opinion.
I disagree that it isn't "fair" to compare the trigger of the USPc to a M1911. The point here is choosing a gun for concealed carry. Each gun brings its advantages and disadvantages. I will concede that the defeciencies of the DA trigger are somewhat moot, because if I carried the USPc, I'd do so cocked and locked. But other folks might want to carry hammer down, thus my comment that the DA trigger on my USPc is much worse than the DA trigger on my Sig P239.
Concerning size, I'd argue that what looks small in print (a difference of a tenth or two of an inch) looks a whole lot bigger in real life. I went down to the safe, pulled out my calipers, and measure the slides of several guns.
Dimensions of the slide, in inches:
Pistol height width
M1911 1.19 0.91
USPc 45 1.13 1.15
USPc 40 1.10 1.14
Kahr K9 0.75 0.90
I agree that the length of the butt is crucial in how much a gun prints. But the width of the slide is important as well, particularly regarding comfort when carrying IWB. Then again, I'm a relatively small person (5' 9", 160 lbs). For other folks, it might be less of an issue.
Regarding hand size, I wear a medium to large size glove. I find that I can hit the USPc .40's mag release with my right thumb. The USPc .45 is just a bit too big to reach the mag release with my right thumb. Yes, I can do it with my index finger. That wouldn't be a big deal if I ALWAYS carried an HK. But I don't. I usually carry either a Kimber or a Kahr, so I'm trained to hit the mag release with my right thumb. In other words, it might not be an issue for you to learn to hit the mag release with your index finger. But it would be a big deal for me, simply because it isn't the same as on my other guns. For lefties, the ambi mag release is probably a very good thing.
Regarding reliability, I will certainly admit that my beloved 1911s haven't been as reliable as some guns, particularly out of the box. My Kimber Compact is now very, very reliable, but that took some work polishing the breech face and adjusting the extractor. The USPcs have been perfectly reliable for me, but honestly I have less than 300 rounds through each, so that's not a particularly good test. Regarding "longevity", yes, I do replace the recoil springs on my Kimbers regularly, but that's not exactly a hardship. All you have to do is put in a different spring one of the times that you are cleaning. Not a big deal, IMHO. But nothing has ever broken on them. I've heard tales of HK USPs breaking their firing pins, but have no direct experience in that regard.
As I said, FOR ME, the HK USPc doesn't quite do it -- the advantages don't quite outweigh the disadvantages. I'm not, by any stretch of the imagination, saying that they are bad guns -- I'd feel perfectly well armed carrying a USPc. As Archer said, isn't great that we've got so many choices?
M1911
No problem, your post wasn't a flame, just an alternate opinion.
I disagree that it isn't "fair" to compare the trigger of the USPc to a M1911. The point here is choosing a gun for concealed carry. Each gun brings its advantages and disadvantages. I will concede that the defeciencies of the DA trigger are somewhat moot, because if I carried the USPc, I'd do so cocked and locked. But other folks might want to carry hammer down, thus my comment that the DA trigger on my USPc is much worse than the DA trigger on my Sig P239.
Concerning size, I'd argue that what looks small in print (a difference of a tenth or two of an inch) looks a whole lot bigger in real life. I went down to the safe, pulled out my calipers, and measure the slides of several guns.
Dimensions of the slide, in inches:
Pistol height width
M1911 1.19 0.91
USPc 45 1.13 1.15
USPc 40 1.10 1.14
Kahr K9 0.75 0.90
I agree that the length of the butt is crucial in how much a gun prints. But the width of the slide is important as well, particularly regarding comfort when carrying IWB. Then again, I'm a relatively small person (5' 9", 160 lbs). For other folks, it might be less of an issue.
Regarding hand size, I wear a medium to large size glove. I find that I can hit the USPc .40's mag release with my right thumb. The USPc .45 is just a bit too big to reach the mag release with my right thumb. Yes, I can do it with my index finger. That wouldn't be a big deal if I ALWAYS carried an HK. But I don't. I usually carry either a Kimber or a Kahr, so I'm trained to hit the mag release with my right thumb. In other words, it might not be an issue for you to learn to hit the mag release with your index finger. But it would be a big deal for me, simply because it isn't the same as on my other guns. For lefties, the ambi mag release is probably a very good thing.
Regarding reliability, I will certainly admit that my beloved 1911s haven't been as reliable as some guns, particularly out of the box. My Kimber Compact is now very, very reliable, but that took some work polishing the breech face and adjusting the extractor. The USPcs have been perfectly reliable for me, but honestly I have less than 300 rounds through each, so that's not a particularly good test. Regarding "longevity", yes, I do replace the recoil springs on my Kimbers regularly, but that's not exactly a hardship. All you have to do is put in a different spring one of the times that you are cleaning. Not a big deal, IMHO. But nothing has ever broken on them. I've heard tales of HK USPs breaking their firing pins, but have no direct experience in that regard.
As I said, FOR ME, the HK USPc doesn't quite do it -- the advantages don't quite outweigh the disadvantages. I'm not, by any stretch of the imagination, saying that they are bad guns -- I'd feel perfectly well armed carrying a USPc. As Archer said, isn't great that we've got so many choices?
M1911
You're small?!? If so then I'm a munchkin!
5' 6", 140lbs.Yet I can carry a .40 USPc fairly easily. It's all a matter of HOW you carry. I could even carry a full-size Gov't 1911 all day if it wasn't for the type of job I have, and the clothing I must wear (no, I don't follow yellow brick roads for a living).
Just to gloat a little, I paid 450 (plus shipping and transfer fee) for mine (basic 9mm USPc V1) which was described as NIB (and after a careful inspection, I believe that it was), with the 2 10 rounders and an extra 10 rounder, and a Fobus holster and double mag pouch. While the Going rate is around 600, you can find them cheaper if you look (mine was on an auction website, I couldn't believe no one outbid me!).
Also, the rumor I heard was that hi caps for guns like the 9mm USPc and the Walther P99 were made before the ban in anticipation thereof. That makes sense, since I've never seen a hi-cap USPc .40 mag. If they were illegally imported, I'd think they would have imported some in both calibers.
Also, the rumor I heard was that hi caps for guns like the 9mm USPc and the Walther P99 were made before the ban in anticipation thereof. That makes sense, since I've never seen a hi-cap USPc .40 mag. If they were illegally imported, I'd think they would have imported some in both calibers.
I like the USP series. The only complaints I've had, and ever heard from anyone who actually owned one, is that they are relatively large and the hi-caps are prohibitively expensive where available. Important to some and not to others.
As mentioned, slide width is critical to ease of concealment. The USPc slides are 21% thicker than 1911s.
As mentioned, slide width is critical to ease of concealment. The USPc slides are 21% thicker than 1911s.
LEO mags are 12 rounders. And yes, they are legal. On occasion, when certian situations arise, the USP-C can be carried in my ankle rig with no problem. When the right pants are worn the gun is invisible. I have known guys who carry Glock 19s and Sig 229s in ankle rigs. It is certianly the upper limit of size for an ankle rig however. 
MP-5 said:
"LEO mags are 12 rounders. And yes, they are legal."
Provided, of course, that you are a LEO. For those of us who aren't...
Shake:
One of the most important things is how a gun fits your hand. Different folks have different sized hands, so it makes sense that what works for someone the size of an NFL lineman may not work for my 100 lb wife. The USPc .40 fits my hand reasonably well. The USPc .45 is just a bit too big. M1911s are just about perfect for my hand.
M1911
"LEO mags are 12 rounders. And yes, they are legal."
Provided, of course, that you are a LEO. For those of us who aren't...
Shake:
One of the most important things is how a gun fits your hand. Different folks have different sized hands, so it makes sense that what works for someone the size of an NFL lineman may not work for my 100 lb wife. The USPc .40 fits my hand reasonably well. The USPc .45 is just a bit too big. M1911s are just about perfect for my hand.
M1911
Archer1440
New member
MP5 put his hands on the keyboard and caused the following electrons to float into the ether:
On occasion, when certian situations arise, the USP-C can be carried in my ankle rig with no problem. When the right pants are worn the gun is invisible.
You been raiding the wardrobe trailer on the set of Austin Powers dude ?? The right pants indeed !!
On occasion, when certian situations arise, the USP-C can be carried in my ankle rig with no problem. When the right pants are worn the gun is invisible.
You been raiding the wardrobe trailer on the set of Austin Powers dude ?? The right pants indeed !!
