HK USP, good first choice, and a good price?

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HaliGunian

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I gave in to temptation and decided to browse one of the local gun stores yesterday while I'm waiting for my license to finish processing, and while there I saw a deal that might be to good to pass up especially because they'll let me put it on lay-away until my license comes in.

I didn't think to take a picture with my phone or anything, but they have a two-tone USP in .45 ACP on sale for $899. And while I intend to go back and have another look at it, I'm thinking that I'm already saving so much that it's practically a no-brainer, since I doubt I'll dislike the weight and feel of it in my hand (basically the last deciding factor). I'd been thinking of getting a 1911, and while that's still high on my list, HK is still considered to be a high quality manufacturer to my knowledge, so I don't believe I would be wasting my money.

But my only practical experience with firearms was over a decade ago, and I'm completely inexperienced with pistols, so as is best in a situation like this I was wondering what those with more knowledge on the subject think of the USP?
 
Any reason you want a .45 for your first handgun?
Do you reload or plan on shooting it a lot, especially in competition?

I have a USP in .40. It is a nice gun. The gun is big and chunky. The double action trigger is typical of all DA/SA guns. Smooth but stacks a little till the release. The single action pull is fantastic. Light and smooth reset. My .40 is very accurate. It is almost boringly accurate. The gun is complicated to work on and parts may be hard to come by in Canada. Mags are expensive.

In the end, it's one of my pistols that I just like. I don't shoot it a lot but I'll hang on to this one for a while.
 
I've had the 9mm for a bit and recently the .45. I love them, the 9mm is my go-to for competitions and fun, and the .45 is quickly becoming my No2 of the collection.

That said, I honestly couldn't recommend them as a first pistol for someone who has no experience because they're limited for adaptability to different hands and like Still Alive said, big and chunky.

If you've picked one up and it feels good, and you like it, by all means go for it. The recoil of the .45 on a USP compared to some others is fantastic, and if you do have large hands like myself, the slide lock is far enough forward that you won't have to worry about riding it like a lot of other pistols.

The only thing that truly irks me is that parts are hard to come by beyond after market night-sights.
 
I've had my 9mm USP for about a year and put around 3000 rounds through it in that time. I think they're really well made, reliable pistols. The only stoppage I've had with it was when a magazine wasn't inserted all the way (My fault). Also field stripping\cleaning is easy, but I haven't done a complete disassembly yet, so I can't speak to that. I would reserve judgement until you handle it though; the grip\size of the USP are usually peoples biggest complaint. The trigger took a lot of getting used to, coming from a 1911. Magazines are fairly expensive as well. I would suggest looking at the HK45 if you really want a H&K in 45 acp!
 
I have a HK USP in 9mm. It's big and chunky as already mentioned. It's trigger is very good in SA and smooth in DA mode. Magazines load, feed and eject very smoothly.
My hands are not big, I find the HK USP a bit awkward to hold and shoot as compared to my CZ75, 1911's and others, but I find the groups are the smallest with the HK USP.
 
My first 9mm was a USP. I couldn't sell it fast enough. Felt great in the gun store, but I just couldn't shoot it.

Ironically, I'd still like to get another HK.
 
I like the USPs a lot. They are as good as any other gun to start with (more so in 9mm). To answer the other part of your question, that is not such an exceptional deal imo, that it would entice me into buying a 45 as my first gun. there are better deals. If you really want a two tone USP 45, go for it. If you are more tempted because you think you are saving a bundle... false economy. Particularly after factoring in cost of ammo.
 
Still alive said:
Any reason you want a .45 for your first handgun?
Do you reload or plan on shooting it a lot, especially in competition?
Click to expand...

I have read that a .45 generally isn't a good choice for a handgun, with recoil being a major complaint, and I am actually planning to get a pistol in .22lr at the same time, for plinking and practicing my aim with a fairly inexpensive round. While my interest in the 1911 was that there's a fairly wide range of parts and modifications that you can get for it, giving me a good platform to tinker with, since I am very much in love with the mechanics of firearms. That said, an HK pistol is something I wouldn't mess with in that regard aside from stripping and cleaning it when necessary, since the Germans know their engineering.

Mostly it was because I'd be able to get a high quality pistol for less than I'd normally be able, something that I'd already had on my list but didn't expect to find for less than $1200. I'll definitely see how it fits in my hand when I go back in the next day or two, and probably even rent one of their pistols to try out .45 ACP at the same time. Thank you all for the advice!
 
There is nothing bad about the recoil of a .45. It’s more of a push than a snap. 9mm is a small snap and .40 is a bigger snap. None of them are unmanageable with the proper grip. The problem with .45 is the cost of ammo, if you don’t already reload for it. 9mm factory is about $0.30/rd all in for brass cased ammo. .45 is closer to $0.50. It adds up over a short time.
The good thing is the holes are easier to see and the brass is easier to find.

A .22 as a practice gun is a good idea. It won’t train you on the recoil but is great for fundamentals like sight picture, trigger squeeze and rapid target re-acquisition.
 
I've had 4 usps 2 full size 9mm, one full size 45, and one sd model. The only regret I've ever had was selling my first usp. A mistake I rectified. They are outstanding. I might get one more sd if it's available when I get back.

Be warned. Hk is addicting. It might not be your last.
 
I love the USP line...I've owned a few in all three calibres. I think it might be my favourite polymer-framed pistol...something about them feels just right to me.
 
I had a p8a1 and loved it however I got an offer on it that I couldn't refuse but I'll end up with another one or a usp at some point.
 
I know I’m gonna get flamed here...don’t get me wrong ..I love Hk products....but is it only me that finds the grip like holding a 2x4..
 
Import said:
I know I’m gonna get flamed here...don’t get me wrong ..I love Hk products....but is it only me that finds the grip like holding a 2x4..
Click to expand...
Is that why you sold it to me?
skoal said:
Still better the a glock but worse then a m&p.
Click to expand...

Them are fighting words skoal!! I’m still trying to find a good grip size for my M&P. I’m on the medium now. The USP is perfect. I love the feel and solidity of the gun. I like my Glock too but I’m so used to them now.

It truly comes down to individual taste and hand size. I think I have the “average hand” that gun designers use to mould grips. Everything feels fine to me.
 
Import said:
I know I’m gonna get flamed here...don’t get me wrong ..I love Hk products....but is it only me that finds the grip like holding a 2x4..
Click to expand...
It's weird...I've got small hands but I love the feel of the USP much better than the newer H&Ks like the HK45 or SFP9.
 
My first is also a p8a1. The front grip chekering is very rough and hurts a little after shooting. The Talon grip will improve a lot. Anyway, great gun and I absolutely love it!
 
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