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
Here's the dimensions on both guns...

Glock 23
Length: 6.85 in.
Height including magazine: 4.88 in.
Width: 1.18 in.
Barrel length: 4.02 in.
Magazine capacity: (Now)10+1 rounds
(Was)13 rounds(Standard)
Mass (weight): 21.16 oz. (Without magazine)

HK USPc .40 S&W
Width
1.14 in.
Height
5.00 in.
Weight
1.53 lb
Barrel Length
3.58 in.



*US Civilian magazine capacity is 10 rounds.
 
Argh!#! What a tough question. For nearly 2 years I owned both and they were really close, but I was a little more accurate with the USP. The G-23 trigger always seemed heavy and never smoothed out even after 4K rounds through it. Eventually I acquired a G-27. This had a much smoother trigger so it was an easy decision to sell the G-23. Now the G-27 vs the USP40C is a different story. The 27 is without question easier to conceal and the difference in barrel lenghth is only .1 inches.
 
vyper005, it would help more to provide actual side-by side measurements rather than X dimension from one gun vs. Y dimension from the other. I assume you simply copied and pasted from their websites.
 
DSK - You mean like this?
(see attached file)

Note - The width on the USP40f is wrong (and I know, not under consideration), but it's 1.18. All other specs are compiled from various manufacturer resources, and the HK is actually a tad SMALLER on paper.

Although I voted HK, once I got past the "shootout" topic and read your intended use, I gotta re-vote Glock. The USP40 & 40c are my favorites, but I chose a Glock 27 as my outdoors weapon. Why? it won't break my heart if it gets scratched. I know that both have passed well-documented hard core torture tests, but I think the Glock has a SLIGHT edge in not rusting. Plus, I didn't pay $750 for my Glock.

BTW - I originally bought a stainless revolver because I was told it was "what to have" in the woods. I always regretted it. There's nothing wrong with a wheel-gun... I'm just a semi-auto man. Sorta like having a car... I've seen some really nice cars in my life, but I dont' want to drive one every day. Give me a big-ole Pick Up any day.
 

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Nicely-done chart, but where did you get the specs? Trust me folks, I DID actually put the two side-by-side. OAL for the two is the same, but the HK is definitely thicker and also about 1/4" taller. Again it's not enough to be a problem, but the simple fact is the HK IS bigger. Now I'm wishing that I'd taken side-by-side comparison photos before selling the HK. :(
 
DSK,

Yeah..I just pasted the specs from their websites...

I'll tell you what...I have a G23 right now & have owned a USPc in 40 before but the HK does seem alot bigger overall...Even though the specs may be real close..In the hands its a world of difference...
 
In order to get all those specs for the HK and Glock, I had to use both the printed catalogs and websites from the perspective makers. In some cases, I had to convert mm to inches and pounds to oz. (HK give's it's pistol weight in pounds!) I found it amusing an annoying that you could get some measurements one place, but not the other.

In all fairness, I believe that both Glock and HK are giving width dimensions for the thickest part of the pistol, (grip width) not the slide itself. The USP Compact's grip width is definitely slimmer than Glocks, and I think that's where it comes from. The Glock website lists it's width at 30mm, but the slide itself from actual measurement on my account says 26mm.

All I have to compare side by side right this second in my hand is a USP40f and Glock 27. The width of the two slides appears virtually identical, although the bevels on the HK do make it look wider. But slide for slide, front to front or back to back, they look the exact same to me. Of course, that doesn't count the USP's slide release and safety lever, which do make it wider and can dig into your back, while the Glock's 1) won't and 2) doesn't have one. ;)

The USP's height is measured with the FLAT baseplate magazine that almost no one uses. With the pinkie extension in, it is indeed longer than the Glock.

Again, I know I voted HK on the poll, but when I'm "woods-ing" about, I want the least amount of weight in the most powerful package that I can reasonably manage. That's a Glock.
 
let me make it worse<g>

i own two hk45 compacts. *and* let me say, i don't think i have never fired a glock (perhaps my first range visits when i rented everything under the sun).

here are my thoughts, fwiw:

1. i am *very* comfortable carrying the hk decocked and locked and at this stage would be comfortable carrying it cocked and lock in single action mode. they are as reliable as bricks and as military weapons, what they essentially are, they will, i am confident, work after being dragged thru the mud.

nobody can dispute glock quality, but in your case (hiking and such), i think HK gives you an edge.

2. i don't like weapons without safeties depending upon how i have to carry it and in what. although it is not a great idea, i would put a decocked and locked HK in, say, a fanny pack with other things whereas no way would i do that with a glock.

3. IMO, hi-cap mags mean nothing for self defense. the first two shots do, and if you need more than that it will mean you are in huge trouble and likely a total statistical oddity.

4. accuracy for self defense at more than, say 15-20' means that you are probably firing in a situation that may very well get you sent to prison, never mind perhaps shooting when it is not necessary. if the gun does well at 7 yards, you have a winner.

and *both* guns will do that well.

and let me make your choice even worse<g>.

i think, given the slight difference in size from the 40 to the 45, and insofar as nothing replaces mass for extra oomph when shot placement is right (i'm sure this will start an ammo war..that is not my goal), why not go for the 45...3.58" barrel and when properly held, at least in my hands, the da trigger is not a stopper (pun intended<g>) at all...although i suspect the glock is a bit easier to shoot and i believe the profile of glocks to be slightly better for self-defense shooting.

worst case, have $80 worth of trigger work/polishing and it will be even better (i have not found the need to do that yet).

i cannot help it...my total faith in hk quality and the liklihood that their guns will still be shooting in even the worst conditions, make me a believer....at least enough to have two of them.

anyway, good luck with whatever you do.
 
I believe if you go to the English (as in England) version of H&K's web site it lists the width of the USP compact as 34 mm, or 1.33 inches. . .

H&K English

Shake
 
Just happen to have a H&K 40 Compact on me right now. Fits "MY HAND" just right, I personally like the safety, I carry my H&K hammer down safety on. With all the Glocks that have been sold there is no way to knock them, but they are not for me. If you can rent/borrow a Glock and H&K and test drive them for YOURSELF you will know which is right for you. Life is good!
 
I believe if you go to the English (as in England) version of H&K's web site it lists the width of the USP compact as 34 mm, or 1.33 inches
Click to expand...

Wow... HK has a completely new site since I made this chart well over 6 months ago.

And to add to the fray, the USA version lists USPc width at 1.14", while Glock says 1.18" for the 23....

Hell, it's mathematically a toss-up, with personal perceptions varying widely from person to person...

This looks like a job for... "compare them for yourself and see which one fits your hand better" :D
 
Onslaught ,

I'm assuming they're reporting measurements for different parts of the gun (i.e. one may include width at control lever and the other the slide width).

Shake
 
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