HK USP Compact, but what caliber should I get?

[cjp85]

Hey guys, I have a few Glocks in my collection and lately Ive had my eye on a couple of the USPs at a local gun store. My main question is, what caliber should I get? From most of the research Ive been doing it seems like most people have USPs in .45 and 9MM. I havnt seen to many people raving over the .40S&W . I found a couple post even saying that they(the 40) were very inaccurate among several experienced shooters and that it could have been a lemon. I dont have any guns in 40S&W which is why if I do pick up a USP a 40 would be nice, but I just havnt heard enough good things about it. Plus I would like to shoot 357sig with just a barrel swap. Im really looking for something that is accurate, not too expensive in ammo, has decent stopping power and reliable CCW. Money isnt really that big of an issue for the gun as I have saved up enough money for it, but buying ammo might affect me later. So basicly what should I get; the 9MM, the 40, or the 45? And more importantly, are there any reasons I shouldnt?

[grecco]

before i purchased my hk usp 45 tactical,
i rented and borrowed several usp compacts in 45,
it has to be one of the nicest shooting small 45
i have shot, its also accurate.

if the tactical was not available at the time of purchase .i would have went with the compact,,,,,you could never go wrong with a 45,
especially a hk 45.

[Jeff S.]

Wow, I thought that the .40cal was the most popular compact. They are by no means inaccurate.

I guess you just have to decide which caliber you want.

One thing to note: The 9mm and .40 are identical in dimensions, while the .45 is actually bigger. In other words, .40 and 9mm USP compacts can use the same holster and can fit into a .45 USP compact holster, but a .45 USP compact WILL NOT FIT INTO A HOLSTER FOR A USPC .40/9mm

[cjp85]

Originally posted by Jeff S.
Wow, I thought that the .40cal was the most popular compact. They are by no means inaccurate.

I guess you just have to decide which caliber you want.

One thing to note: The 9mm and .40 are identical in dimensions, while the .45 is actually bigger. In other words, .40 and 9mm USP compacts can use the same holster and can fit into a .45 USP compact holster, but a .45 USP compact WILL NOT FIT INTO A HOLSTER FOR A USPC .40/9mm
Good, anyone know of any good reviews for the USPs?

[dwestfall]

/

[MrMurphy]

I've shot the .45 an 9mm USP, a friend of mine uses the .45 full size as his duty gun and the .40 USPc as his offduty gun.

I'm a better shot with my G30 than the USP .45 Compact, about the same with the USP .45, but the G30 is easier to hide.

Go with the .45 or .40.....what have you got to lose?

[Zenitram]

Is the barrel length long enough on the .45c to maintain good accuracy over a distance (25m)? I'm not expecting it to be as good as the full size, but is it accurate enough? Also, what type of ammo would be best for accuracy w/ a short barrel, light/fast or heavy/slow?

[FoxMustang]

I went with a UPS45C because I wanted .45ACP. It was the cartridge I was most familiar with. Plus, with the AWB in effect at the time, 8rds of .45 seemed preferable to 10 of 9mm or.40S&W. Still, I won't be trading it in any time soon :)

Originally posted by Zenitram
Is the barrel length long enough on the .45c to maintain good accuracy over a distance (25m)? I'm not expecting it to be as good as the full size, but is it accurate enough?
In my experience, yes, it's accurate enough, but I think that'd really depend on your definition of "enough." Depends on the ammo, though. I've shot WWB, UMC, Blazer, and handloads through it. Blazer has the worst accuracy (not too stunning), WWB and UMC were better and about the same (decently accurate), but my best results came while shooting some reloads. 230gr plated bullet over 5.0gr of Titegroup. That batch was just sick accurate. (Disclaimer: in the reloading forum, some folks mentioned they've blown up Glocks with lighter loads than that, but I didn't see any signs of overpressure, not to mention the HK can handle +P+ anyway.)

[wade farley]

:cool: I have the 45c & the 357sig compact. The 357sig is silly accurate out of this platform, and yes, I also have a factory barrel in 40cal that drops into it. It is the best of both worlds and one of my favorite pistols. Plus now, post ban, you can get the High caps for the 357sig/40cal compacts. whichever you pick, you'll get a quaility pistol. have fun stay safe and enjoy!;f P.S. Check out the new P2000sk! I got one in 40cal, and I'm in Love all over again!!;3

[SDBettas]

Even with only a 3.5" barrel it's more accurate than some of my other firearms with 5" barrels.

[fnfalman]

I like my 45 Compact. The other calibers don't appeal to me in that USP Compact platform.

[MrMurphy]

Any H&K can hit at 30-50 yards, easily enough if the shooter is capable enough. Regardless of size. I have made hits at 50m prone with a 9mm USP full size easily.

[cole]

Originally posted by cjp85
Hey guys, I have a few Glocks in my collection and lately Ive had my eye on a couple of the USPs at a local gun store. My main question is, what caliber should I get? From most of the research Ive been doing it seems like most people have USPs in .45 and 9MM. I havnt seen to many people raving over the .40S&W . I found a couple post even saying that they(the 40) were very inaccurate among several experienced shooters and that it could have been a lemon. I dont have any guns in 40S&W which is why if I do pick up a USP a 40 would be nice, but I just havnt heard enough good things about it. Plus I would like to shoot 357sig with just a barrel swap. Im really looking for something that is accurate, not too expensive in ammo, has decent stopping power and reliable CCW. Money isnt really that big of an issue for the gun as I have saved up enough money for it, but buying ammo might affect me later. So basicly what should I get; the 9MM, the 40, or the 45? And more importantly, are there any reasons I shouldnt?

Own a USP40c V1. Great gun.

Owned a G27 and G23 (Gen2). Own a G17. Have shot a G22 and G20. Great guns, too.

Owned a USP45c. Too big IMHO for CCW and not a "compact" gun. It is thicker, taller and longer (barrel/grip) than the USP40/9/357c.

The USP40c is hands-down the better defensive performer for me compared to Glocks. Very controllable. It's not a target gun by any means. Defensive accuray, but can do some finer work, too. Will easily stay in 9-ring consistently at 20 yards. Our G17 is MUCH more accurate, but the USP40c holds its own.

To make the point clearly again, the USPc is a combat/defensive handgun, not a range/target gun. THIS IS NOT THE GUN TO GET FOR A RANGE/TARGET PLICKER. What it does it does well. What it does poorly (e.g. target accuracy), reflects its intended use, not an inherent flaw.

The USPc was built around the .40, then modified for the 9mm and .357 (most compacts are built around the 9mm and then modified).

The USP40c is the best defensive gun I've shot. Feels very natural and points easily. Can put 10 rounds rapid fire into softball group consitently at 7 rds.

IMPORTANT: However, the USPc takes practice to master. More so than the Glocks in my experience. Once mastered, I think it outperforms the Glocks noticeably.

My second choice would be the USP9c. To note: In my experience, the 9mm is inherently a more accurate round than .40. Debatable between 9mm and .45, but copared to .40/.357, the 9mm will have the accuracy edge.

The USP40c is my top choice amoung any gun for a defensive gun in terms of performance. However, I must admit our Kahr P9 sees more CCW use due to concealability and size/comfort.

[Redleg155]

I've had all three at one time or another.

The HK USPC .45 is a very nice handgun and accurate with the right loads. Recoil was a bit more than I wanted, making accurate follow up shots challenging. Still, I kept this as a carry gun for a good while because I was on my .45 "kick".

The HK USPC .40 is also a good weapon. I used the one I had to qualify on the range with when I transitioned over from a different state for Corrections/LE. Nice handgun, but it wasn't as accurate as I had wanted. At the same time we had the use the ammo supplied to us which was "ZERO" brand remanunafactured ammo, so it could very well have been the ammo. I never bothered to really do any extensive tests with factory ammo and got rid of her soon after.

My current HK is a 9mm C. I'm pretty happy with this one. Extremely accurate and reliable. It's also a bit smaller than the .45. 13 rd magazines are also available, so that makes it an even more attractive option to me. The biggest selling feature for me is the low cost of 9mm ammo. It's hard to beat 100rds for 11 bucks. That means I can practice all I want and gain some extreme confidence in her. The low recoil also makes double taps a breeze.

Good Shooting
Red

[RedTape]

I really like the Compact .45 Don't worry about the shorter barrel, it's still more accurate that most shooters will ever be. It has a great feel and with 10 round mags coming out, you're not giving up that much in capacity. In reality it would be best to shoot every caliber you might want and get the one you like best.

[FoxMustang]

There are 10rd mags coming out for USP45C? Awesome. Got any more details?

[WERA49]

I bought a USP-C .40, then sent it to Jarvis and had a .357 Sig barrel custom fit. The 9mm and .45 don't allow those types of conversions (other than custom).

I like both cartridges (.40 and .357 Sig). :)

[Glocker99]

Just picked up a USP 45c from a guy on this board (Good guy to deal with I might add) went to the range with my fav carry ammo Speer 200 gr. GD +p, first 9 rds went 7 touching eace other and 2 rds 1 inch away from them.
Center of group 1" high dead on windage @ 25 yds.
Rem UMC was not much different.
I would say they are plenty accurate!
It's a keeper!
Ed

[cjp85]

Hey, thanks for all the info guys. I just threw down on a new G19 so I can get some more range time in with some real cheap ammo. Gonna get a USP soon, but just not sure what caliber. If they are coming out with 10 round mags for the .45 compact, that might be the way Ill go. I just need to find a couple ranges that rent. I never really liked two-tone guns, but something about the stainless slide on the compacts really appeals to me. So any way, if anyone has any more info, raves, or reviews on this gun, I sure would like to hear them. Also, if anyone knows about the 10 rnd mags for the 45 compact shoot me some info please.

[RedTape]

The 10 round mags for the USP Compact 45 are due out later this year I believe. Remember, the Compact 45 was designed with 8 rounds in mind. The 10 round mags will have to either be longer or have an extended floor plate, thus making the grip longer. Either way it somewhat defeats the purpose of the "compact." If you feel the need for more rounds you might want to look at the full-size(a bit big for a CCW) or one of the smaller calibers.

[shadowhunter]

I have several HK USP models, and have been impressed with every one of them. The high end full size USP models premium accuracy, and reliability. The compact 40 is a great gun, Very accurate for a Compact Gun. The 45 compact is a good choice too but it is larger, the bigger hole theory lets me forgive the slightly increased bulk. There is one bad thing about buying an HK USP, you might start selling your other guns to buy more HK's.

[shadowhunter]

I have owned several HK USP models, and have been impressed with every one of them. The high end full size USP models offer premium accuracy, and reliability. The compact 40 is a great gun, Very accurate for a Compact Gun. The 45 compact is a good choice too but it is larger, the bigger hole theory lets me forgive the slightly increased bulk. There is one bad thing about buying an HK USP, you might start selling your other guns to buy more HK's.

[NRA_guy]

Originally posted by wade farley
Plus now, post ban, you can get the High caps for the 357sig/40cal compacts. Will H&K .45 hi-cap magazines fit my H&K 45C?

I was told that they won't.

I never checked further. I assumed the guy knew what he was talking about. Now I wonder.

NRA_guy

[RedTape]

No, full size .45 mags will not fit the Compact .45.

[spade]

go with the .45!

[ecmills]

I have a USP compact, .45... I love the thing. I have nearly a thousand rounds through it and have only had it five weeks. Not a single jam- USPs eat ANYTHING.

Now that you've got the 9mm, step up to the .45! I don't know if they're still available in stainless - I haven't seen a new one like that in a couple years. I got my compact off of gunbroker.com for $575. Just have to be patinet. If it helps, the .45 Comapct is dimensinally nearly identical to a glock30 - except the grip is long enough to fit all of your fingers on comfortably, and it shoots better. I have about 300 rounds through a buddies G30 for comarison. More accurate, better trigger, and more manageable recoil. But like any .45 it still has quite a kick, although I'm used to it now.

Oh - for reviews, go to google.com and run a search for "usp review", "usp comparison" and the like. I found a couple of good ones that way.

my two GunBroker babies: $200 and $575 respectively...
http://home.off-road.com/~mithrandir/guns/DCP03616.jpg

[Stupify]

I like my 40 in compact. I CAN'T miss with that thing. Stock sights and no work done to it. That pistol in that caliber was made for me.