HK USP Compact .45

S

Stavrou0

Joined
Mar 6, 2008
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I moved to Texas and I would like to get my CC license. I currently own a Glock 17. But I would like to change calibers to .45 acp. and get another pistol that is more carry friendly. I have been checking into HK USP compact. I have been reading great things. I wanted to see what you all think about the firearm. I have been looking for a range in Houston that rents HKs but cant find one. I would like to hear from any one with experience in using that pistol.

Any info will be appreciated.
Thanks
 
If you like the Glock I would stay with the same company but move up to a Glock 30 or even a 36. The USP compacts are only compact compared to a full size USP...lol. The USPs are great firearms but have always been a bit bulky, I think even a full sized Glock is still smaller than the USP Compact.
 
While well made and intrinsically accurate,the HK USP .45 "Compact" strikes me as one of the ill-advised designs in modern firearm history.

First of all, it ain't all that compact, as Absintheur already pointed out.

Second of all, for being that big, it only holds 8 rds in the magazine.

Add to that, it's got the most horrible double action trigger pull this side of the old "C.O.P." (Compact Off-duty Police...a 4 barrel abomination)

Then, you have the high bore axis to contend with. A higher bore axis means slower accurate follow-up shots during rapid fire.

Next, you have a terrible trigger reset. You have to let the trigger out quite a bit and then take it up quite a bit before engaging the sear again.

If you're already sold on the Glock platform, then the previous suggestions are good ones. Personally, I don't care for the G36, tho, as it's too few shots for the size. I'd rather have 13+1 of .40 over 6+1 of .45 in the same size package.

Another Glock to consider is the 21, (standard or SF version) altho it's probably bigger than you want to carry, but it's on par with the HK you mention, so maybe it's not disqualified due to size.

Or, consider a Springfield XD in .45, which holds 10+1 in the shortened compact frame, or 13+1 in the standard configuration. The new XD-M in .40 holds 16+1, the most of any .40 handgun thus far (besides STI) and compares favorably in size to the HK "compact."

Or, the new S&W M&P in .45, which holds 10+1

I am a diehard .45 acp fan, but even I am looking more and more at the virtues of the .40 S&W for many applications previously handled by the .45.

.
 
agree the H&K USP compacts arent very compact, a glock 19 is smaller, and a glock 19 is imho at the very top range of being small enough for edc, oh sure with a good holster/bely combo ya could do it but its not gonna be pleasant to deal with daily.

if ya want a .45 a compact 1911 would be ok, or the single stack glock would be better, or the kahr P45 would be the best imho.

imho a kahr P9 or PM9 is a lot easier to deal with daily and 9MM works just fine with good ammo, if ya just gotta have a H&K the P2000 9MM wouldnt be too bad but its not nearly as easy to deal with as the kahrs.

the kahr .40's are also good but imho the ammo is so close it doesnt offer any great advantage over 9MM, as long as ya are talking good ammo ie speer gold dot, w-w ranger, etc.

i live in TX and edc a pistol daily and its been my experience that smaller is better as long as its a service calibre, reliable, and accurate enough, and i suppose as long as ya can shoot the thing lol.

i have edc'd 1911's, SIG P220 & P225, barretta 92, glock 32C, 17, 26 & 33, and a couple of revolvers and other than the glock 26 and 33 they are all just too big or too heavy (or both) for dealing with daily, it can be done with a good holster/belt/the right clothes but it quickly can become a PITA to deal with on a daily basis, especially in the summer, the kahrs are by far the easiest for me to deal with, and are plenty reliable & accurate, and fire an acceptable cartridge.
 
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The thing about concealed carry is that the weapon must be with you at all times and be PRACTICAL for the situation and the enviroment.
There is no point buying a large framed gun for CC if after the first 6 weeks you say
"Damn this thing is a pain!" and you leave it at home.
The USP is a fine well made weapon but for straight forward daily concealed carry the Glock is better.

I have only been to Texas once in summer and I remember it being putridly hot! (this from someone who lives in Southern Africa)
After a few weeks of carry in summer clothes you will be glad you chose the smallest but practical weapon for the job.... Both the Glock19 and 23 are perfect for CC in hot climates....The 23 with good ammo is an excellent manstopper and yet hides VERY easily. Also the Tenifer finish is very resistant to human sweat and moisture. Something you will appreciate if you have ever tried to conceal a blued gun in a hot climate
Since you already have a G17 you will find the transition seamless and enjoyable...... Good Luck....
Steven
 
Thanks for the info. I am not really dead set on HK. I heard that they shoot well. I had no idea the USP compacts were so large. a little misleading on HKs part.

A pilot friend of mine works for Continental Airlines. He took all the necessary classes to EDC his pistol on the plane and recommended I consider a Glock 30. He really likes everything about it for its CC intended purpose. I do really want to get .45 acp. I just dont know which one to start checking out. I tried to get my brain thinking about .40 S&W, but that round seems very snappy and lively to me the last time I shot it. I seemed more comfortable with .45 acp. Dont know if I should stay with Glock or is there something better out there. Springfield XD seems like a good option.
 
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You might also look at the Smith and Wesson MP45 series. Excellent quality, accurate, and well priced.

As far as carry, I normally carry a S&W 325PD which is a 2 1/2 inch N-Frame as a main in a Don Hume JIT holster strong side and a Colt Detective Special in a JIT worn crossdraw weak side. Normally a Kel-Tec PF-9 is in my pocket as well. Despite that I am very comfortable wearing shorts and a tanktop style (known as wifebeaters) t-shirt to keep the guns off my skin and a camp or large polo over to conceal. Cool enough even in Texas.
 
The XD is a very nice gun, as you can probably tell by my user name and avatar ;). The XD45 is coming out with an optional external safety and a brand new XD M which is a 16+1 .40 S&W gun that comes with exchangable backstraps :thumbup:.
 
I carried a USP 45C for a while. Very decent little gun, about the same size as a Glock 19. As others have said, it's only eight rounds. Very accurate, for my hands very comfortable, but I have switched to the XD45 in the meantime.

For a secondary or desk drawer gun the 45c is fine.
 
From what every thing I have read , and heard about the HK 45c, that gun might not be the best choice for me. Also, i have from multiple people heard that H&K customer service is pretty bad. Thats a downer for me.

The Glock 30sf might be better all around for me. It will be my primary EDC. I will retire my Glock 17 to the desk drawer, maybe hand it down to my son. Or trade it for a Glock 21 or as a downpayment for a 1911 or Not sure.

But one things for sure. I wont be getting an HK 45c. Dang... I wanted to be like Jack Bauer. LOL ... :D
 
I vote that you keep the G-17 in the family, not trade it in.

Also, buy some more full capacity mags for it.

.
 
After my last post, I have been doing some thinkin' , I will keep the Glock17. A full size 9mm is a valuable tool and ammo is cheaper.

Still gonna get the Glock 30sf too. I will have a family of Glocks. hehe...
 
Stavrou0 said:
After my last post, I have been doing some thinkin' , I will keep the Glock17. A full size 9mm is a valuable tool and ammo is cheaper.

Still gonna get the Glock 30sf too. I will have a family of Glocks. hehe...
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It is a good way to go having pistols that operate the exact same way. They may even be times that you want to carry your 17...it isn't hot all the time in Texas. :D
 
a 17 isnt too bad to edc with a good belt/holster/ the right clothes.

a lot harder to deal with than say a 26 though.
 
For a CCW you might want to a least look at a SIG P220 or P220 Carry you'd be less likely to shoot yourself with it than a Glock, not hating on Glock I just wouldn't carry one concealed due to the light trigger, but you can buy a heavier trigger spring. The only problem I've found on the USP 45 Compacts I've seen is the mag release buttons are smaller than on the full sized HKs and sometimes they are very hard to drop the mag from. You might also want to consider a S&W J-frame, probably the easier to carry/conceal firearm with decent stopping power.
 
Spydiefan04 said:
For a CCW you might want to a least look at a SIG P220 or P220 Carry you'd be less likely to shoot yourself with it than a Glock, not hating on Glock I just wouldn't carry one concealed due to the light trigger, .
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Another case of "proper technique" being the quick remedy.

KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNLESS THE SIGHTS ARE ON TARGET.

If you do that, you won't shoot yourself, no matter what gun you're holding.

.
 
David E said:
Another case of "proper technique" being the quick remedy.

KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNLESS THE SIGHTS ARE ON TARGET.

If you do that, you won't shoot yourself, no matter what gun you're holding.

.
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I have been looking forward to your response all day David.....(8 hours ahead of you here) and you did not disappoint!!!:thumbup:

Well said!!
 
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