H&K USP 45. Need some input.

[helitech]

I am considering doing a trade for a nearly new full size USP. Need some feedback good or bad.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[SIXTO]

What are you trading?

I'm not overly impressed with the HK line. They are good guns, but nothing as special as HK would have you believe... HK aint what they used to be.

[AZ Husker]

Bulky and awkward, but that's from a sleek 1911 fan.

[pogo2]

I've owned a full size H&K USP 45 for about 10 years, and have put about 1000 rounds through it at the range. I also have 1911s in .45 and shoot them frequently.

The strong points of the USP 45 are:

- Reliable and durable, built of rugged, heavy duty parts and materials
- Holds 12+1 rounds
- Lightweight compared to a similar steel gun
- Versatile trigger/safety system - many options
- Accurate (for me, anyway)
- Good single action trigger
- Breaks down quickly for cleaning and maintenance

The weak points are:

- Heavy double action trigger
- Rather large for carry purposes
- Won't fit small hands well

I have mainly used this gun for range and home defense purposes, preferring smaller guns for carry. If I knew I were going to be in a gunfight and could only have one pistol, it would be this one.

[Tangle]

Pogo,

If you don't mind me adding to your strong points for the USP:

- Reliable and durable, built of rugged, heavy duty parts and materials
- Holds 12+1 rounds
- Lightweight compared to a similar steel gun
- Versatile trigger/safety system - many options
- Accurate (for me, anyway)
- Good single action trigger
- Breaks down quickly for cleaning and maintenance
added (and some of this is based on the 9mm USP):
- Can be carried cocked and locked
- Can be carried hammer down in DA/SA mode
- Slide can be racked with the safety on - especially good for press checks
- Hammer can be cocked with safety on - not sure why that'd be that useful, but...
- Mag release is ambi and can most readily be operated with the trigger finger without changing the grip on the gun
- Unlike steel mags, the plastic USP mags don't have any sharp corners that can produce 'mag thumbs' from lots of reloading.
- has one of the lightest recoil springs I've seen; that makes one hand press checks easier. In fact, you can do a one hand press check just using your hand to pull the slide back - no 'hooking' etc. required.

As for size, I think this is one of the more misconceived ideas about the USP. It's true that it's a bit wide, but not very much more than many other non-1911 guns. I suspect a Sig 228/229 has the widest slide out there. The grip is on par with Sig 229/226s and it is amazing to discover that the USP is hardly any larger than a Beretta PX4 with the main differences being a slightly longer barrel and the grip is a bit larger in girth.

[friesepferd]

my fiance has a uspc .45. i love that gun. and this is from someone who spends all day shooting a 3" 9mm 1911. i pick up the usp and it feels huge. and the trigger feels long and heavy (but thats compared to my 1911). never the less i love that gun. its built great, has lots of good features (i love that you can rack the slide with safety on). and you can shoot the heck out of it without having to worry about a thing. go roll around in the mud with it!

[rocky]

I don't own a .45 ,but a .40 cal. I have used it since 93' and love it. It is bulky , but it works great and is very accurate .

[SixBravo]

I'd kinda like to know what you're trading as well. I use a USPc .40 for my daily carry.

[helitech]

What I am trading is not a firearm.

[64zebra]

yep, I'd trade LOL

I have a USP full size 45 and its been flawless, really great pistol

(...and I have no idea what $$$ value that chopper has lol)

[Sheldon J]

Yep I would trade in a heartbeat, the HK will only go up in value. BTY I have been CC mine 24/7 for over 7 years now, N it is one of the most reliable and safest to carry in condition 1 gun that I have ever had.

[helitech]

I'm just looking for a backup. I carry a Kimber Pro Carry II. The H&K seems like it will fit the bill.

[kelsey]

I carry an H&K P2000 9MM in LEM mode. It's a hair larger then the USP Compact and has an interchangable backstrap so you can fit it to your hand. I have put over 1000 rounds through it so far. The trigger is smooth and the recoil is good. It has worked flawlessly and has been a joy to shoot. It's also very accurate, a little easier to conceal then the full size USP and breaks down easy for cleaning. One little feature I like is the beveled slide with makes it makes it easy to reholster.

[armado]

H&K is a great gun. I have a full size USP 40. You can wear a bulky glove and still fire with no obstructions. See the below clip for the manufacturing and testing process.

YouTube - Heckler & Koch - Die Waffenschmiede

[HK Dan]

I have a USP in each caliber. They are reliable, easy to maintain, and the .45 is surgically accurate. It's up there with a match grade 1911, keeping 2-3" at 50 yards from a bench.

I don't carry it as it's the size of a cinder block, but it certainly is fun to shoot clays on the 100 yard berm with.

HK Dan