I have a USPc .40, but I'm not too enamored with the stiff DA pull or the top-heavy feel to it. I was thinking of ditching it and getting a Walther P99 (sorry, no S&W in my house!) instead. Of course I'll lose money in the deal as the HK's don't sell used for near the cost of new. Anyway, any thoughts on whether the switch would be worth it?
HK USPc vs. Walther P99
- Thread starter dsk
- Start date
I've got several USPs, in a couple of calibers and sizes 
I sold off a Sig, a couple Glocks, a S&W, and a Para to help finance the transition.
!st off, no gun is worth what you paid for it a few months after you bought it, but, my experience has taught me that HK's hold their value as well as or better than most. 2ndly, as for whether or not to trade the HK for the Walther, I wouldn't (but then again, that's a bias'd opinion.).
If the trigger really is 30 pounds, there is something seriously wrong with it, call HK and arrange for some warranty attention for that trigger. My experience has taught me that the USP triggers are very consistent from sample to sample and should not be that bad.
I sold off a Sig, a couple Glocks, a S&W, and a Para to help finance the transition.!st off, no gun is worth what you paid for it a few months after you bought it, but, my experience has taught me that HK's hold their value as well as or better than most. 2ndly, as for whether or not to trade the HK for the Walther, I wouldn't (but then again, that's a bias'd opinion.).
If the trigger really is 30 pounds, there is something seriously wrong with it, call HK and arrange for some warranty attention for that trigger. My experience has taught me that the USP triggers are very consistent from sample to sample and should not be that bad.
HK USPC is still the benchmark in 40 S&W compacts IMHO
dsk, how many rounds have you put thru yours?
My USP 40 and its DA pull didn't start to feel natural in my hands until I put 1,900 rounds thru it. But I did put a tiny drop of CLP on the trigger spring and the trigger bar after 900 rounds. I have only tried the P99 in 9mm, and I think Walther P99 has proven its worth in 9mm form. No first hand experience with it in 40 S&W though.
dsk, how many rounds have you put thru yours?
My USP 40 and its DA pull didn't start to feel natural in my hands until I put 1,900 rounds thru it. But I did put a tiny drop of CLP on the trigger spring and the trigger bar after 900 rounds. I have only tried the P99 in 9mm, and I think Walther P99 has proven its worth in 9mm form. No first hand experience with it in 40 S&W though.
I have a USPc and a P99, both in 9mm. The USPc is a fine gun, and I carry it and use it as a nightstand gun often, and feel very well armed with it. However, the P99 is one of my all time favorite guns. Holds 3 more rounds than the USPc in hi-cap form, is weighted better, easier to carry (feels narrower), has a much better grip, and I shoot it better.
DSK,
Why dont you see if HK will fit it with one of the new HK LEM trigger kits. I have one and it it fantastic! It came with an 8# trigger pull but Teddy Jacobson lowered it down to a 5.5#. The 8# was very smotth but I wanted it lowered b/c I am used to shooting alot of IPSC guns w/ 1.5 to 2# triggers.
PPS
Why dont you see if HK will fit it with one of the new HK LEM trigger kits. I have one and it it fantastic! It came with an 8# trigger pull but Teddy Jacobson lowered it down to a 5.5#. The 8# was very smotth but I wanted it lowered b/c I am used to shooting alot of IPSC guns w/ 1.5 to 2# triggers.
PPS
Modifiedbrowning
New member
Go for the P99. I think HK's are cool, but the Walther IMO is probably the best polymer gun. BTW, I have not shot the Usp but my P99 doesn't seem to have any of the types of problems you describe and it doesn't really feel top heavy to me at all.
David Berkowitz
New member
I can't tell you what will be better for you, but I can give you my experience.
I had the USPc .40 and sold it. I currently own a P99, also in .40 S&W. My HK was mechanically perfect, but I could n't group with it for beans, and this was after 2,000 rounds. I liked the SA trigger pull well enough, but the DA was very heavy, heavier then others I had tried. Seems there is a bit of a liability issue with light triggers. When H&K changed to a trigger lock built in, they also started using a slightly heavier trigger spring. It should not be a problem to get a GOOD smith to lighten this. I also like the ability to to put the arm 'on safe', decock, or go to cocked and locked. You do not get options 1 or 3 with the P99.
The guy I sold it to shoots it very accurately, but gets occaisonal feeding problems. I think it is due to limp wristing, as he has the same problems with 1911 format pistols.
The P99 I have now has a superb trigger and shoots incredibly tight groups, when or if it fires. Mechanical reliabilty stinks, but to be fair, I only have about 1,000 rounds through it, and it is getting better on the misfeeds, but the slide continues to lock back when there are still rounds in the magazine. If I still have the same problems after 2,000, I will have to make a decision.
Overall, my P99 feels better.
I agree that all polymer frame pistols will feel top heavy. If this is bothersome, my strong suggestion is to go with a Sig 229. I have one and prefer it to either the H&K or Walther. Better trigger, balance, accuracy, never ever a mechanical problem. I do like the ease of maintainance of the polymer and the tennifer on the P99.
I had the USPc .40 and sold it. I currently own a P99, also in .40 S&W. My HK was mechanically perfect, but I could n't group with it for beans, and this was after 2,000 rounds. I liked the SA trigger pull well enough, but the DA was very heavy, heavier then others I had tried. Seems there is a bit of a liability issue with light triggers. When H&K changed to a trigger lock built in, they also started using a slightly heavier trigger spring. It should not be a problem to get a GOOD smith to lighten this. I also like the ability to to put the arm 'on safe', decock, or go to cocked and locked. You do not get options 1 or 3 with the P99.
The guy I sold it to shoots it very accurately, but gets occaisonal feeding problems. I think it is due to limp wristing, as he has the same problems with 1911 format pistols.
The P99 I have now has a superb trigger and shoots incredibly tight groups, when or if it fires. Mechanical reliabilty stinks, but to be fair, I only have about 1,000 rounds through it, and it is getting better on the misfeeds, but the slide continues to lock back when there are still rounds in the magazine. If I still have the same problems after 2,000, I will have to make a decision.
Overall, my P99 feels better.
I agree that all polymer frame pistols will feel top heavy. If this is bothersome, my strong suggestion is to go with a Sig 229. I have one and prefer it to either the H&K or Walther. Better trigger, balance, accuracy, never ever a mechanical problem. I do like the ease of maintainance of the polymer and the tennifer on the P99.
Bullzeye, when I spoke to HK late last year, they were not offering to retrofit USPs with the LEM trigger. At least, not to us poor unwashed (maybe to some LEOs). The rep that I spoke with said that the LEM triggers were in short supply, due to the INS contract they were filling.
M1911
M1911
Teddy Jacobson (Actions by T) does FANTASTIC work.
The hammer spring on the HK is, like the rest of the gun, over-engineered. You can go lighter and still have perfectly reliable ignition. Try a lighter Wolff spring - that's what Mr. Jacobson starts with when he works his magic.
The hammer spring on the HK is, like the rest of the gun, over-engineered. You can go lighter and still have perfectly reliable ignition. Try a lighter Wolff spring - that's what Mr. Jacobson starts with when he works his magic.