FN FNX TACTICAL VS HK USP 45

Erocksmash · #1 09-01-2021, 01:56 PM

Howdy,

Well I'm after something new, yet again...

I think I've narrowed it down to these 2. Having not shot either one figured I would turn to my favorite forum for some first hand experience on the 2.

Any pros/cons of them? Do you one both and like one more than the other?

.45 has my attention so it must be 45acp variants threaded barrels and will be used for mostly range and home defense, and yes I will stick a suppressor on one or the other.....

Any help/guidance/opinions/thoughts would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks
Erik

swsig · #2 09-01-2021, 06:35 PM

When I was looking for a full-size high capacity 45 to use as my principal home defense pistol, I narrowed down my choice to an FNX 45 Tactical and an HK USP 45 Tactical. I shot them a bunch, and ultimately chose the FNX. Both had good triggers and shot equally well, but the FNX won out due to its greater magazine capacity, and its slide that came pre-milled and with hardware for a red dot sight. Three magazines also came with it.

Since then, I have shot nearly 8,000 rounds with my FNX, and have added a Vortex Venom red dot. Despite its polymer grip, the FNX is built like a bank vault. It's been totally reliable, and it's so accurate, I don't shoot it at any distance less than 20 yards, because there's no challenge otherwise. And if you're not bored by blowing out the bullseye time after time at 10-15 yards you'll really love the FNX. The bottom line is that my experience with the FNX has been 100% positive, and I recommend it enthusiastically.

However, if you choose the USP, there's nothing wrong with that. It's also a fine pistol. You really can't go wrong with either one.

Erocksmash · #3 09-01-2021, 07:12 PM

Thats the way I was leaning myself, loaded with features at a bit of a lesser cost....

Thanks

Waxster60 · #4 09-01-2021, 07:48 PM

I was recently making the same decision. Looked at the FN but it just didn't fit my hand well and I had a hard time reaching the trigger. The grips were just too thick for my hands. The plastic in the grip also seemed unusually flexible which just didn't give me a good feeling about the quality of the material. It sure packs a lot of value (features and mags) and capacity into the package for the price. Just not for me.

Decided on the HK45 Tactical - much better ergonomics for me and though the trigger took a bit of getting used to, its actually fine, just different. I have no issue either with the trigger guard mag release, but something to consider. The replaceable backstraps let me customize the grips to fit me perfectly. A real easy shooter, especially when suppressed. To get all this, I was fine to sacrifice a bit of capacity (and extra weight) vs the FN for all the positives.

I also later picked up a USP45 and added a threaded barrel. Equally good shooter suppressed or unsuppressed as the HK45. Same grip located paddle mag release- just smaller than on the HK45. I didn't find the grip to be the proverbial 2x4 described by others but not nearly as slick as the grip on the HK45 tactical. Regardless, both HKs have been completely reliable suppressed or unsuppressed and I am totally satisfied with them both. Not planning to sell either one.

You might also consider the Glock 21. Its certainly not as feature-laden from the factory or the eye candy that the FN and HKs are, but it, too, is in my stable and is the equal of the HKs in terms of reliability and shootability, particularly suppressed. Just offering another possibility, though by adding a quality threaded barrel (like KKM) and upgraded sights, your pricing is reaching the same range as the FN and HKs. A side benefit is the mags are compatible with my primary carry G30. Mine's a keeper, too.

That being said, from my perspective, it boils down to what fits your hands best and which you most enjoy shooting. Hopefully you can have the chance to test drive each before you buy. Locally around here, there's always some of each of these for sale and they each seem to get bought reasonably soon after being listed, so you probably will be able to recoup most of your investment if you're unhappy with your choice. Best of luck in your decision making.

Why not just enjoy one of each?

Erocksmash · #5 09-01-2021, 11:24 PM

Very good points sir, I guess I will have the get one of each in hand maybe at a local show...

LVSteve · #6 09-02-2021, 01:07 AM

I scored a CDNN clearance XD Tactical in 45 pre-COVID when they were stupid cheap. Then again it's not cut for an optic. I'd tell you how it shoots but other things took priority.

colt_saa · #7 09-02-2021, 01:43 AM

I already owned several other USP 45s so I had plenty of magazines on hand. So for me the USP was an easy choice. I also like the USP's feel better but that may have been prejudiced since I had several years shooting USPs before handling the FN pistols

As to capacity, early on I noticed that the USP magazines and the Para Ordnance magazines had virtually identical external dimensions even though the HK held 12 and the Para held 13 or 14 depending on age.

Taking them apart I learned that the HK follower has VERY long legs that prevent it from going all the way to the bottom of the magazine. By swapping out a Para follower my flush fit HK mags now hold 13 or 14 depending on which follower I used. The extended USP mags hold 26 rounds of 45 ACP for a big reload

It may not matter to you, but the USP is capable of safely chambering and shooting the 45 SUPER cartridge without any modifications or spring changes. It gives you a dramatic increase in power simply by changing ammunition.

I have lost count as to how many thousands or tens of thousands of rounds that I have put down the USP barrels, but all of my USPs function exceptionally

As Waxster60 mentions, the HK45 Tactical with it's 10 round magazine is often comfortable for folks with smaller hands. Like it's USP brother, there is a 20 round extended magazine option available

Erocksmash · #8 09-02-2021, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colt_saa

I already owned several other USP 45s so I had plenty of magazines on hand. So for me the USP was an easy choice. I also like the USP's feel better but that may have been prejudiced since I had several years shooting USPs before handling the FN pistols

As to capacity, early on I noticed that the USP magazines and the Para Ordnance magazines had virtually identical external dimensions even though the HK held 12 and the Para held 13 or 14 depending on age.

Taking them apart I learned that the HK follower has VERY long legs that prevent it from going all the way to the bottom of the magazine. By swapping out a Para follower my flush fit HK mags now hold 13 or 14 depending on which follower I used. The extended USP mags hold 26 rounds of 45 ACP for a big reload

It may not matter to you, but the USP is capable of safely chambering and shooting the 45 SUPER cartridge without any modifications or spring changes. It gives you a dramatic increase in power simply by changing ammunition.

I have lost count as to how many thousands or tens of thousands of rounds that I have put down the USP barrels, but all of my USPs function exceptionally

As Waxster60 mentions, the HK45 Tactical with it's 10 round magazine is often comfortable for folks with smaller hands. Like it's USP brother, there is a 20 round extended magazine option available

Thats kinda what I was hung up on, I'm moving more towards a dedicated suppressor host..

I haven't explored 45super as of yet but multi caliber is a perk...

Echo40 · #9 09-02-2021, 09:33 AM

This was a dilemma which I faced some months ago. For all intents and purposes, the FNX45 is essentially an updated USP45 made by FN.

The FNX45 has a Picatinny Rail, the USP45 has a proprietary rail system.
The FNX45 holds 15 rounds in the magazine, the USP45 holds 12.
The FNX45's slide is milled for an Optic, the USP45 isn't.
The FNX45 has better ergonomics than the USP45.

So on the surface, the FNX45 would seem like a superior alternative to the USP45, but the USP45 has some advantages of its own.

The USP45 is the successor to the legendary Mk23 Mod 0, and as such, it is one of the most robust pistols in current production, subjected to the most extensive reliability/durability testing ever imposed upon a pistol, yet it passed them all. The USP will function reliably in literally every environmental condition known to man and isn't ammo sensitive at all. In fact, the USP45 is one of the few pistols in current production that will handle .45 Super fresh out of the box with no modifications necessary.
By comparison, the FNX45 is an updated version of the FNP45, which was a notoriously unreliable pistol in which parts often broke. Granted, the FNX45 seems to have addressed all of the functionality problems of the FNP45, but it still hasn't been subjected to anywhere near the level of testing that the USP45 has been.

Ultimately, I don't think that you can go wrong either way, but personally I chose the USP45 Elite over the FNX45 due to it's outstanding track record for reliability/durability, as well as for it's impressive ability to shoot .45 Super sans modifications.

My H&K USP45 Elite has arrived!-h-k_usp45_elite_nib-jpg

My H&K USP45 Elite has arrived!-h-k_usp45_elite_nib-jpg

My H&K USP45 Elite has arrived!-h-k_usp45_elite_45_super-hq-jpg

However, the FNX45 definitely has its share of improvements over the USP45 which might be worth more to you.

In addition, you may want to check out the HK45, which is basically H&K's updated version of the USP45, although it lacks some of the features of the FNX45.

Erocksmash · #10 09-02-2021, 11:11 AM

Dang, I guess I really need to feel them both...

I like the reliability of the HK as you stated above thats awesome, but has no room for optics (don't really care about that tho a factor)...

Whichever I choose will most likely be dedicated strictly for suppressor use so reliability is huge...

Echo40 · #11 09-02-2021, 02:51 PM

If you want to suppress it, then go with a USP45 Tactical, as that's the only model that comes fitted with a threaded barrel and aftermarket threaded barrels for the USP45 seem to be extremely expensive compared to other pistols.

Erocksmash · #12 09-02-2021, 03:12 PM

Fn Tac has factory TB

Waxster60 · #13 09-02-2021, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forte Smitten Wesson

If you want to suppress it, then go with a USP45 Tactical, as that's the only model that comes fitted with a threaded barrel and aftermarket threaded barrels for the USP45 seem to be extremely expensive compared to other pistols.

The HK45 Tactical also comes with threaded barrel and suppressor height sights from the factory. Another fine option to consider.

mrrick · #14 09-02-2021, 04:09 PM

Check out Springfield XD-m, an excellent.45acp. Super reliable and death-ray accurate.

kmyers · #15 09-03-2021, 05:41 PM

Both brands are quality firearms. We have a USP .45 and the FNP which is very similar to the FNX in 9mm and both are great pistols. I doubt either would be a bad choice.