USP vs Sig 226?

T

traitorjack

New member
I was really more in the market for a USP40 until I noticed that the Lasermax sighting device, a guiderod replacement, wasn't available for it, but was available for the Sig 226, etc. (I know, one shouldn't rely on lasers and other such things, but I like the idea of using it as a training device, and to be honest, I just like my gadgets and toys.)

So: for the purposes of self defense carry, what's been your experience out there? I'm pretty familiar with the USP's reputation, but not so much with the 226. How's the accuracy out of the box? Reliability? Durability? Ammo sensitivity? Any and all feedback very much appreciated ...
 
Both are reliable. The P226 will be more accurate and has a more loyal following. If you got either one you wouldn't be miserable and hate yourself. Personally I'd go with the SIG. It's a classic.
 
traitorjack, the P226 is a great weapon. I've got the P220 but to be honest the P226 just seems to feel the best in my hand and if they would have had one when I got the 220, who knows which one I would have gotten.

The 226 is reliable, accurate, durable etc. If you will check on the Navy SEALs BB you'll find that the 226 is the favorite carry weapon of most of the SEALs.

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The best weapon for self defense is the one you have when the need arises!
 
I actually sold a USP40 and got a P226 in 40/357Sig. TO me the USP just isn't quite right in my hands. The Sig 226 is perfect. Both are very acurate, and you cant' go wrong with either but I lean towards the Sig.
 
Go with the Sig, own a P220 and a P229 and I love them both. BTW Sigs have the best DA/SA trigger pull I've ever shot. I had a HK USP .40compact that was a jam-a-matic

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I would liek to offer a counter view. I went through much the same choice as you are n .45acp. As a quick synopsis of my opinion:

Sig
PRO: excelent trigger, no external safety, very accurate right out of the box, finely machined, pride of ownership
CON: no external safety, rolled and pinned slide (not solid machined), not as friendly to dirt, small harder to opperate controls, finish wears quickly.

HK
PRO: polymer frame, very durable, strong finish, accurate out of the box, large controls, equipment rail for gadgets, lots of safety and decocker combos, recoil reduction system (that actually works), mud friendly, Fullsize frames eat anything you feed them, solid machined slide, the only .45 strong enough for .45super right out of the box.
CON: polymer frame, mediocre DA trigger, large handled, large frame, hard to find holsters that fit, serrated front strap can be uncomfortable for some

In the end, although I really liked the way the Sig shot, I chose the HK for the following reasons:

1. more dirt friendly for camping and jeeping
2. easier to opperate controls (my wife realy liked them better)
3. cool tactical equipment rail
4. recoil reduction system made .45 shoot softer than a .40
5. Ultimately reliable right out of the box.
6. in .45acp the HK has 12 shots to the Sig's 7 shots.

Its not that I DIDNT like the sig, I did. But I had to shoose one and thats why I chose the HK. I am happy I did as it has been a joy to shoot and has never misfed in 1500 rounds. Not even a single time.

J.T.

As usual, FWIW, IMHO, YMMV and all that
 
I had a Sig P229 in .40 and hated it. It sat too high in my hand, had a longish triger reach, and the de-cocker was hard, for me, to actuate without shifting my grip.

I just bought, from a co-worker, an H&K USP (.40) and it feels much better in my hand. It sits lower, or at least feels that way, but the mag release requires me to shift my grip to actuate it.

If I had to choose between them, I'd choose the H&K.


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Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!
 
I own both the USP and 226. I like them both but slightly prefer the USP due to its perfect ergonomics when in my hand.

J.T. King made some good points but I will have to disagree on a few.

- The new 226's have a SS machined slide.

Agree with all other observations on the 226.

On the USP, agree with all except that holsters are very easy to find and IMHO the diamond texturing on the grip does not cause discomfort.

I first bought the HK then later follwoed up with the 226 once they started making the SS slides.

Good luck choosing. You can't go wrong either way. Choose the pistol that fits your hand the best. Be sure to operate all of the control levers and buttons.

CMOS



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NRA? Good. Now join the GOA!

The NRA is our shield, the GOA will be our sword.
 
thanks for all the info! I'm pricing Sigs as we speak; there's a guy at the range who's bringing his next week for me to shoot -- can't wait to give it a try. did handle the 226 they have for sale, and I have to say, it felt incredible in my hand, very ergonomic and solid. also, the trigger is so much better than my M40's.

it did weigh a bit more than I expected, but I suppose I'm used to polymer guns, is all.

thanks again, guys.
 
I bow to CMOS's greater wisdom on the Sig slide....

As far as holsters go, I found that many large pistol holsters would not fit my USP45 fullsize due to the long and square trigger guard. Also, the "custom" molded holsters from Galco and Bianchi had such a hard time snapping (those that used a thumb strap) That even with the store clerk and I trying we could not ever get one to close on a USP45. This was a little while ago so mayber the holster situation is better now.

As to the diamondf checkering... I agree with CMOS, it never hurt my hand. But my wife gets a large red irritated patch on her firing hand and I have heard others complain about it. Personally I suspect that it is a bigger problem if you hold your pistols a little looser, but thats just a guess.

traitorjack,
You arent going to go wrong with the Sig, especially if you do not anticipate harsher environments for it. If you really are interested in the HK, then its a superb weapon as well, perhaps one of the best that you can buy out of the box for under $1000.

Have fun choosing!

J.T.
 
JT

I had a Steyr M40, which doesn't have any leather out there to speak of, so I took the advice my brother got from a holster manufacturer: wrap the pistol with a plastic bag. it makes it just bigger enough to "train" the leather a little more easily. worked very well for my particular rig.
 
The Sigs and H&K's are very similar in terms of reliability.

I'd suggest finding buddies with examples of each, then taking them down to the range to shoot them both. The guns, not the buddies!

I've noticed that there's a difference between what feels right and what shoots right. The only way to know for certain is to take samples of each gun and shoot them.

I would never have considered buying a Sig until Shiroi and I rented a 229 in 40 cal by mere fluke (it was cheaper to rent than an air rifle).

I loved how it shot and fit my hand so much that I bought a P229 in .357 Sig.

The end decision is yours, and i would suggest shooting each before making the leap!
 
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