Shootout: Glock 23 vs. HK USPc .40

If you could have either one for free, which would you choose?

  • Glock 23 .40

    Votes: 34 45.3%

  • HK USPc .40

    Votes: 41 54.7%
  • Total voters
    75
D

dsk

New member
I am torn between which one would be better for my needs (protection while hiking and backpacking). Either one would be carried in a secure holster, but it will likely be rained on or even exposed to mud. So far I have found advantages to each (forget about the price difference):

Glock 23:
*Slightly smaller and lighter.
*More simple. Point gun, pull trigger.
*Longer track record of reliability.
*Hi-caps are available.

HK USPc:
*Allows second strike capability.
*Safer action (DA plus manual safety).
*Recoil isn't as punishing (in my hands, anyway).

Anyway, can anyone add any thoughts? Mostly, which one would you pick if you could have either one, free and for nothing?
 
Well, the 23 is probably my favorite Glock (the first one I ever bought, and I've had five of them) due to its' near-ideal blend of compactness, caliber, and capacity; it's such a good "do everything" pistol. It edges the USP40c in my book mostly due to its' slightly more CCW-friendly proportions, the availability of 13-round magazines and lower price; other than that, it's pretty much six of one, a half dozen of the other.
 
Man thats a tough one...I like Glocks & I like HK's...I have owned both & neither of them gave me any problems...I seem to keep various pistols for about 6 months then trade them in on something else...Anyway...I was in the market for a new 40 about a month ago...It was between the G23...The HK USPc 40 in stainless & the Sig 229 40 in two-tone...I chose the G23 with Meprolights...Why ?? Simplicity & durability wins in my book..HK's & Sigs are very sweet indeed but in my area their prices are outrageous...I say...whichever one you pick its a great choice & you will probably own the other one real soon anyway...Thats what I'm planning on doing as soon as some more cash starts flowing my way :) Good Luck...
 
I have fired the HK USPc .40 side by side with the G23 and G27 with the same ammo.

Both the G23 and 27 shoot better than the HK. I thought it might be that particuar USP so, another was tested and the unscientific results were about the same. The HK came in third again.

I'm not trying to say that the HK is not a good pistol but, for my $$, I prefer the Glock's a lot more.
 
Glock 23. I have a USPc in 9mm, but refused to get the .40 because of the unavailability of hi-caps. Glocks hi-caps aren't cheap, but they're out there.

The Glock is a little easier to carry due to it's size and styling, and with good ammo, the second strike capability should never come into play. If in an emergency you get a FTF, either rack the slide fully for a new round (no sense in giving a bad round a second try in a gunfight when you've got another round right underneath) or recock the striker by pulling the slide back about half an inch (this works, I've tried it without ammo).

Finally, some just don't feel comfortable without a manual safety. Two of the requirements for my first gun were an exposed hammer and a manual safety. I've since gotten over that. However, if you demand a manual safety, the Glock is not for you.

Lastly (yes, lastly comes after finally), I actually find that the USPc .40 (my buddy has one) feels like it kicks a little more than the Glock, probably due to the shape of the grip.
 
No question about it...

Go with the USPc, you will not be disappointed. The HK will endure anything that the Gl**k will and more. My USPc has been through it all and is still going strong.
 
JMC,
Both the G23 and 27 shoot better than the HK.
Click to expand...

When you say "shoot better", do you mean more accurate? Softer recoiling? Did you shoot them side by side off hand or from a bench? I'm curious as to what you mean by "shoot better". . .

:confused:

Shake
 
You mention that this gun needs to be impervious to the elements and will be used for hiking in the wild. While I DID cast my vote in this poll for the Glock 23, there's many other choices available to meet the above stated needs.

As a trail gun it's hard to beat a wheelgun. Very reliable with all bullet styles. Snakeshot is one consideration for a trail gun and feeding those CCI shotshells through an auto is an iffy proposition. A wheelgun will swallow 'em whole. :) There's a plethora of used wheelguns on these auction sites at bargain basement prices. You surf the auction sites regularly, IIRC.

Anyways, don't overlook the old standby sixgun. :)
 
Eventually I rented a range G23, and shot it alongside my G19 and HK USPc (I already had one, but wasn't too crazy about it). In the end I decided to get rid of the USPc, and I bought a G23 yesterday. Nothing really wrong with the USPc, it just looked and felt so fat and blocky, plus the DA pull was atrocious. I shot the HK about as well as the Glock as long as I used SA mode only. But I figured if I'm going to carry cocked n' locked I might as well carry my Kimber Pro carry instead. The recoil "feels" sharper with the G23 due to its low bore axis, but the HK actually jumps higher and requires more recovery time (at least for me). The G23 is also slightly trimmer in all dimensions, so it stows away a little more easily. And without a doubt that fact that I can get hi-caps for it was a factor as well. I have some +2 extentions lying around that I can use to up the capacity to 15+1.

Anyway, it was really comparing two excellent weapons side by side, hence my indecision. Thanks to all who contributed.
 
I'm not sure why everyone seem to think that the Glock 19/23 is smaller than the USPc. I have handled them both and fired them side by side and could not tell a difference in width (slide and grip), height or lenght. The USPc's control lever sticks out a little from the frame, but that is only on the left side (inside). The right side (outside) is completely flat. This should not effect concealability unless it is worn left side out (and then it should only have a small effect. As far as weight the Glock 23 weighs in at just over 21 oz. while the HK weighs in a just over 24 oz. There's not much difference there. I think that some people are comparing the Glock 19/23 to the full size USP. In that case I definitely agree that full size USP is significantly larger than the Glock 19/23, but that is not a fair comparison. The Glock 17/22 would be a more accurate comparison to the USP fullsize. In that case the Glock would win in terms of concealability, but these are full size guns and not made for CC (not that they can't be). Both the Glock 19/23 and USPc are fine guns. In my opinion the only reasons to choose one over the other are feel and manual of arms.

Sorry about the rant, it's my first.

ETorbin
 
ETorbin,

What you said wasn't really a rant, it was the facts.

(dsk, this is not directed at you)

I'm a little weary of everyone (I know, exaggeration) stating that the H&K is "huge", "so much bigger", "oversized", etc. I also get weary of posting the actual measurements of various firearms in relation to the H&K.

H&Ks just simply aren't THAT BIG. If you don't believe me, compare for yourselves (I don't mean eyeball them, MEASURE THEM). They are VERY comparably sized to most of the brands out there. Some measurements actually are smaller than a lot of firearms people believe to be smaller.

If you want to talk about big, talk about the Mk23 or the Desert Eagle. The USP series really isn't all that big.

Ooops. . .Was that a rant??

:D

Shake
 
Remember that I already had an HK USPc and a Glock 19, the latter of which is identical in size to the G23. Putting the HK and G19 together I could see that they were close, but the G19 was a little smaller in every dimension. The HK is a little bit heavier, but not much. Again they are quite close, but enough that it matters to me. If I was a larger person it would not have been as much of an issue.
 
dsk, is there one that you prefer? I'd go w/ the one you were most comfy with. I've made my choice clear, but the bottom line is you're the one that will be depending on it. You should get the one that works better for you.
Or if they're that close in your opinion...get the one on sale ;)
 
They were indeed close, and in the end it came down to personal preference. I could find just as much of an argument for one as the other.
 
Shake,

When you say "shoot better", do you mean more accurate? Softer recoiling? Did you shoot them side by side off hand or from a bench? I'm curious as to what you mean by "shoot better". . .
Click to expand...

Sorry to have caused you such confusion. :rolleyes:

Yes, the accuracy of the two Glocks was better than that of the USP. :D

Firing Federal 180gr. FMJ FP's both USP's shot 3-4" lower at 15 yds. than either of the two Glocks and was unable to group as tight as the Glocks. Sufficient but not as good.

This unscientific testing was done off hand, not from a rest but the results were consistant each time the pistols were compared with each other.

At 25 yds. they all exhibited accuracy worthy of a combat type pistol but the G23 was more "accurate" shooting into smaller groups than the USP.

I hope this make thing a little more understandable for you. ;)
 
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