Anyone familiar with or own a H&K USP 45c?

[Rastoff]

I was looking at one of these earlier today and it sparked my interest. So, I'm interested to hear how it might compare with an M&P?

Do you like it?
Is the M&P better/worse?
Are they so different it's not really comparable?


If you own a H&K USP 45 or 45c, or have shot one, I'd like to hear what you think.

 

[Buttercup]

I own one and it is difficult to describe. The closest I can come is it is a 3rd gen smith on steroids. The quality, fit, finishing and accuracy rival my PC pieces. For me my usp compacts are my favorite most accurate out of the box weapons that I bet my life on daily as they are my carry and bedside choices to compliment my smith revolvers. Which trigger configuration are you looking at? I started my HK with the traditional da/sa but have a couple of the lem triggers and love those as well.

 

[90crvtec]

I've owned a USP 45c for 10 years now. It has the V1 fire controls (SA/DA/decocker) on the left side of the frame. I bought it new and it came with 3 magazines and night sights. Not sure if they still sell that package or not but, I always thought that was the best value.

The gun has been extremely reliable and is very accurate. I haven't kept track of an exact round count but I would estimate around 5 or 6 thousand at this point. The only failures that I can recall were to fail to feeds with reloads that had not been resized properly (not the gun's fault).

I originally bought it because I liked the ability to carry it cocked/locked like a 1911. I later realized that even in "compact" form it is still a large, heavy gun. I don't carry it much at all but still enjoy shooting it. It's one of those guns that you won't ever sell.

You may want to consider the HK45. This is a newer, slightly updated version of the USP45. I personally like the original styling of the USP but, I think the HK45 is supposed to have better ergonomics. In typical HK fashion, you'll pay the "HK Tax" for any parts that you want to replace or upgrade. Spare magazines are quite expensive. I've often thought about running this gun at a local shooting club but the thought of kicking $60 magazines across the concrete during speed reloads keeps me going back to my M&Ps and XDm's.

 

[18DAI]

I have owned the HK USP 45 compact. Two of them actually. Both were bet your life reliable and extremely accurate.

I wound up selling/trading both as they both had poor triggers. Nowhere near as bad as the m&p triggers, but not smooth in DA like my 3rd gen 45 triggers. Long pull with stacking in DA. SA trigger was fine. Very crisp. Made me understand why some USP owners carry them cocked and locked.

I went to an HK armorer/gunsmith in Asheville NC before trading the last USP 45 compact. He tried the trigger and opined that there was really nothing he could do to improve it.

In contrast, I have a 96 vintage HK USP 45 full size that has a fairly nice trigger pull, for a tupperware gun.

The HK pistols do not compare to those m&p guns in any form or fashion, IMO. Apples and cheaply made ugly oranges with droopy dustcovers IMO. HK USP's are the only plastic guns I own. Great firearms. Very well made and reliable.

You should see if you can rent a USP 45 compact to try at a local range before buying. Good luck! Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI

 

[loc n load]

H&K's

I own a USP and a tac 45 which I run with a suppressor. I have a 30 yr background with HK products, and have been thru their armorer school and a couple of their instructor schools.
Their pistols are among the best available IMO.....the HK platforms are considered by many in the spec op's / tactical community to be "the gold standard". I have an extensive background with Glocks, Sigs, 2/3rd gen Smith's & Berrettas, but I cannot make the comparison with the M&P as I have no experience with them.
I have over 10k rds thru the USP and the tactical 45 respectively, and have had no issues with them whatsoever. I have also instructed the HK as an instructor when I was "on the job". HK products are pricey and they are "proud" of their parts & mag's, the HK pistol IMO is one of the "best of breed".
I highly recommend them.

 

[clang444]

I've got a full size USP 45, one of the stainless steel versions. I bought it used because it was set up for a lefty. It's been 100% reliable since I bought it and would probably be the one pistol I would choose in a SHTF situation.

 

[SoCalDep]

I currently own an HK USP45 but have owned two USP45Cs, another USP45, USP40, and a USP45 Expert. All but the expert have less-than-ideal triggers, but definitely useable. The only malfunctions I experienced were when shooting lead-free ammo (USPs seem to hate the lead-free stuff) and I hit the large slide-release/stop a couple times while shooting with the Rogers/Surefire flashlight shooting technique...so user-induced.

The USP45s (both then and now) are the most accurate duty guns I own. That said, the ergonomics leave a bit to be desired and the HK45 series (and P30 in 9mm) have a much better "feel" to me. On the other hand, there is something about that big, blocky USP that means business.

I liked the compacts and carried them when I carried the full-size as a duty gun...But I found the 4513TSW much easier to carry, more comfortable and I was only giving up one round. I now mainly carry an M&P9C and occasionally a CS9.

My only real experience with the M&P is in the 9mm versions, so I can't really comment on the .45 but I will say that they are different enough that I'm happy to have my M&Ps and I'm happy to have my USP.

 

[Arik]

I sold my M&P 45 to get the HK45C but by that time the HK was sold.

Thy have a bunch of different trigger options so some you'd like others not so much. But overall the HK is heads above the M&P. The one problem is mag prices! The 45s are up there. ... $50+.

I can compare the M&P 40 to the USP/P2000 40. The M&P felt like a cheap water pistol compared to the HK.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Rastoff]

Which trigger configuration are you looking at?

I'm looking at the V1 configuration. Here in CA I think that is my only option for a new USP.

You should see if you can rent a USP 45 compact to try at a local range before buying. Good luck! Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI

I have handled a USP with the LEM trigger and fired a 9mm full sized version quite a bit.

I'll admit that I'm not a fan of DA/SA guns, but the LEM option is really nice. It's kind of like a double action gun with a single action feel. If I were to buy a USP I'd probably upgrade it to the LEM.

 

[18DAI]

Like SoCalDep I went with a 4513TSW as my off duty carry gun. I prefer the pre rail 4513TSW to ALL the handguns mentioned in this thread.

OP there is a nice 4513TSW for sale in the classifieds here. Regards 18DAI

 

[PALADIN85020]

I consider the H&K USP series to be some of the most reliable handguns in the world. The controls mimic those of the 1911 pistols, so my motor memory can be applied. They are easy to field strip, and very accurate. I own these three. The USP standard .45 is my house gun and I would rely on it for my life.

I was first alerted to these guns by Richard Marcinko, former SEAL team 6 leader, who in his writings praised the USP highly for extreme duty use.

Great guns, and highly recommended.

John

 

[Rastoff]

Like SoCalDep I went with a 4513TSW as my off duty carry gun. I prefer the pre rail 4513TSW to ALL the handguns mentioned in this thread.

OP there is a nice 4513TSW for sale in the classifieds here. Regards 18DAI

I'm sure you like your 4513 just fine, but it's not like the USP. If I'm not mistaken, it's a DAO gun. I wouldn't want one of those unless it had the LEM style trigger. If you haven't tried a gun with the LEM in it, you don't know what you're missing.

EDIT: Nope, it's a DA/SA, my bad. Still, it can't be carried in condition 1.

 

[malph]

I have both an HK45 and the HK45c. They are real good guns. I like my 3rd Gen Smiths but I'd rate the HK's slightly more reliable. They are easy to maintain and field strip and have good accuracy. My only complaint is the triggers which leave a little to be desired (at least to my hands). They are shootable enough but the combination of trigger flex from the plastic triggers and the long reset make them less than the uber-guns they are sometimes made out to be. I find them very accurate when shot deliberately but hard to shoot accurately at speed. It goes back to that trigger thing. IMHO the Smith DA triggers are better than the DA HK trigger. To be fair, mine are DA/SA and not LEM. Perhaps my opinion would change if mine were LEM rather than DA/SA.

To summarize, they are really good guns that fall just short of great due to mediocre DA/SA triggers. Your mileage may very.

 

[PurpleMountainOutdoors]

I own one and it is difficult to describe. The closest I can come is it is a 3rd gen smith on steroids. The quality, fit, finishing and accuracy rival my PC pieces. For me my usp compacts are my favorite most accurate out of the box weapons that I bet my life on daily as they are my carry and bedside choices to compliment my smith revolvers. Which trigger configuration are you looking at? I started my HK with the traditional da/sa but have a couple of the lem triggers and love those as well.

Can you describe the LEM trigger for me? I am kinda confused as to how it feels.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SoCalDep]

I also had an HK P2000SK V2 9mm at one time and it had the LEM trigger. It's a cross between a DAO and SA...As wacky as that sounds.

The pull starts from hammer-down position...The hammer isn't actually connected to the hammer spring at this point (or something like that) so the only real resistance to the trigger pull is the trigger return spring and possibly some light input from the hammer itself - The light pull occurs all the way back until the hammer is in a pretty-much cocked position, and then it's a seven or so pound short (but if I remember correctly grittyish) trigger press. Think REALLY long takeup and single-action press. To reset, the trigger moves forward more than pretty much any single action, M&P, or Glock I've used - the hammer starts to go forward (it remains cocked when you hold the trigger to the rear without firing) but once reset it hit, you can bring the hammer right back to the "wall of resistance" or breaking point. It's a nice compromise but to my recollection it was definitely a compromise and I much prefer other consistent trigger pulls such as the M&P and most especially the Glock. Of course, nothing compares to a good single action.

Hopefully that's not too confusing.

 

[Buttercup]

Can you describe the LEM trigger for me? I am kinda confused as to how it feels.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The first pull on a fresh magazine is longer pull than the rest and has a little more resistance due to the gun being in an uncooked position. On my light lem version that first pull is about 7.5 lbs. After the first round the slide puts the hammer into the partially cocked position with a short reset. Mine is about 5.5mm. The trigger pull drops to 4.5 lbs on my version for all remaining shots. It is very similar to a glock but smoother IMO and without the trigger safety. My p30 also has double strike capability just like a revolver . This is probably a horrible description but it is hard to explain.

 

[Rastoff]

SoCalDep did a decent job of describing the LEM. Here is a video of the same thing. It's not real good, but it does describe the LEM:


I really want one of these guns, but it's money I don't need to spend. Someone talk me out of it.

 

[Buttercup]

SoCalDep did a decent job of describing the LEM. Here is a video of the same thing. It's not real good, but it does describe the LEM:


I really want one of these guns, but it's money I don't need to spend. Someone talk me out of it.

Sorry pal no can do. It is one of the best purchases you will ever make!

 

[90crvtec]

I'll have to second Buttercup on this. You won't regret getting one. I'll never sell mine.

 

[PurpleMountainOutdoors]

SoCalDep did a decent job of describing the LEM. Here is a video of the same thing. It's not real good, but it does describe the LEM:


I really want one of these guns, but it's money I don't need to spend. Someone talk me out of it.

I really want one too, and a sig p228. I don't have a premium semi yet, unless you consider glocks or m&p' to be...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk