USP or 96FS... AGAIN.

Rickmeister

New member
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Or at least that's what they say.

I am willing to argue that there are certain parameters in our brain that---vague as they may be---have a somewhat common effect on our collective aesthetic judgment, and that at least some things are not just circumstantially pleasant or unpleasant to behold.

This does not mean that you and I cannot disagree on what we define as "beautiful". What I am saying is that if you and I scratch eachother's neurological surfaces, so to speak, we might find more underneath that we agree upon than don't.

Straight to the point.

I'm thinking of adding an HK USP40/45 to my collection. Yet there is a niggling thought in the back of my head that says I should go for a Beretta 96FS instead. Some die-hard HK enthusiasts on this board will concede that the 96FS has better lines and that it outperforms the USP at IPSC and IDPA matches. Well, I have casually fired both, and, unless I repeatedly invoke the spiritual mantra that says "German technology MUST be better, and I am 1/4 German myself---hence, I should buy the German gun", I would probably go for the Beretta.

Although appearance and functionality are scarcely related, they do occasionally relate. Sometimes the "more graceful" design of an object has a better effect on it, opposite a clunkier one. Thus, it seems reasonable to assume that, at least in some cases, what looks better actually is.

So my question is: Is the Beretta ultimately better on the whole? Or do I follow the little teutonic voice in my head that tells me not to fret over the blocky slide, hip-flask grip, sinewy trigger pull, and bizarre mag release of the USP?
 
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i am also a big hk fan (p7, p9s, 91) but i wouldn't say the hk is more reliable...my 96fs has never had a bobble and i don't baby it as my duty gun.

my 96 is the most accurate .40 i've ever shot (glock 22, sig 229), there is excellent trigger work available (langdon tactical, t jacobson), had a hugh ejection port (never heard of a FTE) and it is even comforable to CCW (alessi ACP). mags are cheap too (only 1 rd less than LEO only)

the usp has the advantage of being able to be carried in condition 1 and i rather like the ambi mag release.

the beretta flows where the hk has creases. :cool:
 
The Beretta has never failed me, and is famous for not jamming.
The H&K is known for its reliability.
I really cannot tell you which is more accurate. But I can say that the Beretta fits my hand better, so when I react quickly I am more accurate with it.
 
Given the posts, I'd say its probably safe to say that whichever one tickles your aesthetic happy spot will serve you well. Both are phenomenal pistols.
 
If you were getting 9mm, then this would be a toss up, but since you're getting a .40, go for the USP; the USP was designed for .40 and not scaled up whatsoever, and I'm really not too fond of the way a Beretta snaps when shooting .40s... just my opinion.
 
I'm afraid your only option is to do what I did, buy a Beretta AND a USP....... Wouldn't give up either of them now. Of course, this doesn't make me less fond of my Kimber, or my P7, or my .......
 
If possible, rent each one and shoot at least 100 rounds thru each. My personal experience shows the gun that "feels" good in your hand isn't necessarily the most accurate on the range.
Here comes my very biased :p choice - buy the USP 40. Reason is this model is the benchmark of the HK USP line. It was initially designed as a 40 caliber gun. Beretta's benchmark gun is the 92 FS chambered for the 9mmP. I always avoid buying "beefed up" 40s and 357 SIGs that were initially released as a 9mm.
 
Definitely the Beretta. It appears that even from casually firing both you have come to the realisation that Beretta is the one.
 
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Buy a SIG man! dude, you dont know what you're missing. anyway, i dont know if its just me but i think the USP is better looking than the beretta. thats just me though. ... and i think cindy crawford is overrated. :p
 
They're both good guns, but the Beretta is prettier.

I would avoid the .40 S&W guns. I frequently run into people who shoot otherwise reliable guns (H&K's included) that say they've had repair work done. My response, ".40 caliber, eh?" and everyone (really, EVERYone) responds in the affirmative. That caliber really beats up guns. It's not that it isn't an effective round or that they aren't safe, but if you do buy one, expect to have more repair work done than with another caliber.
 
My USP40F (sold) and 92G are both reliable as heck. The Beretta has it on shootability (thanks to Ernest Langdon) because of a smoother pull and shorter reset. Both are reliable as hell. I eventually sold the USP40 because I didn't like the round. Not looking to start a caliber war here, though.

The Beretta is pretty in a classy way, the USP is pretty in a utilitarian sort of way.
 
Can't imagine that the Beretta is much of a choice next to the USP. If H&K would make a 4.8" .32 I would easily have bought it over the Beretta Tomcat...reliability, reliability, reliability (wow spelled it right 3 times!).

My suggestion would be to buy both...look at the Beretta, USE the H&K!

Have fun!:D
 
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