Anyone own a Heckler & Koch USP?

Donster 125 said:
Not a matter of if you want it. Just buy the damn thing. You will love it.... Unless you're an avid 1911 user, in which case you will hate the trigger of the USP and concoct 1000 reasons why your 1911 is better despie knowing deep down inside that the USP is far superior... :p:stirthepot2:d:h:
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Good trigger is more important than "far superior" factor, especially since all we can do here is target shooting. Again, before spending your hard earned money on such average pistol, make your research, try to rent or borrow the gun before buying it. IMO there is absolutely nothing special or interesting about the USP line of pistols. Any other, plastic gun will do the same.
 
I find nothing special about 1911's but that's why we have all the choices we do, isn't it?

Pretty boring if we only had one gun/car/motorcycle/soda to choose from, wouldn't it?
 
I own and love a HK45, made in Germany. Always wanted the HK45, love the feel, and the look. My advise... buy something you love, that you will enjoy each and every time at the range.
 
bollox said:
I find nothing special about 1911's but that's why we have all the choices we do, isn't it?

Pretty boring if we only had one gun/car/motorcycle/soda to choose from, wouldn't it?
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We all have the choice, but I would be very careful advising people to spend their money on something that any other plastic pistol priced at much lower point will do as well. This is all I'm trying to say.
 
Seems like the HK owners love it... others think it's overpriced. Everyone talks about the trigger being average, is there a way to improve it?
 
st1264 said:
Seems like the HK owners love it... others think it's overpriced. Everyone talks about the trigger being average, is there a way to improve it?
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Are You expecting the owners to admit that they over-paid?
Parts availability and customer service of HK are not the best to say at least.
Don't get me wrong, those are good, reliable pistols, but ergonomics are average, trigger sucks and price...well, that was already discussed. If You want it, buy it, just make sure that this pistol fits your hand and try some other options as well. There are some videos on YouTube available to see, usually connected with the "legendary" reliability of the USP platform...or should I say...average for the price. Good luck and don't be afraid to experiment - it's the only way to learn what is good for You.
 
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As I stated in my last comment, its all about what you really want to own as a firearm. The reason why the HK is a little overpriced, apart from being very well made firearm, is that they are hard to come by. Already the HK45 isn't being shipped anymore to Canada..(so I heard), but trying to find a HK45 made from Germany, not the US is even more rare.

When you talk about price, its all relative. Is it overpriced? When a hockey fan will spend a few hundred dollars on a little cardboard picture called a hockey card, was it overpriced for him?

It all comes down to what you want. Owners of 1911's will swear by it, as much as any other firearm owner will swear by his, and the price is always reasonable in their eyes. When I was in the process of receiving my rpal, I was doing my research of what firearm to get. Fell in love with the HK45, didn't want the US model, wanted the original German model. Did I pay to much for it? Maybe, but its what I wanted, its what I enjoy shooting at the range...every time.

Like I said before, like anyone here will tell you, in the end buy what feels right for you, what you will enjoy. Its like buying a car, you will ask for opinions, but in the end, you get the make and model you like.
 
st1264 said:
Seems like the HK owners love it... others think it's overpriced. Everyone talks about the trigger being average, is there a way to improve it?
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You could always drop in the match trigger. I think they are hard to find though. Is it an improvement? Yes. Is it significant? No.

Tell you the truth I like the standard trigger on my 9 better than the match trigger on my 45. A bit more predictable.
 
I own several pistols, two Sigs with DA/SA, three HK's with DA/SA, a HK squeeze cocker and a SA only DE. I had a Colt 1911 and plan to purchase one again soon.
So I have an exposure to various trigger types.

I have heard a number of comments on the triggers in HK's.

I would agree they are 'ugly' in double action, but in DA my Sigs are no better.
Besides I never shoot double action, so an ugly DA pull is not an issue for me.
In single action, I don't find any of my HK's bad at all.

My HK45 and Mk23 supposedly come with a factory trigger upgrade, however, when I compare my USP to them, I really don't feel much of a difference in single action. So even if they were easy to find, I'm not sure a factory upgrade trigger will improve things much.

I have heard of guys getting a gunsmith to 'do' the triggers in pistols, including HK's, so that may be an option.
However, again I don't feel I need to pay money to get work done on any of my HK's, including the USP.

Something that no one has mentioned, and I'll add here. I know there are other polymer guns available that cost a few hundred dollars less than a USP, but most of them are striker fire. I'm an 'old fart', and as a result I much prefer a pistols that has an exposed hammer, plus a mechanical safety, as I feel this offers a safer gun than a striker fire.

The reason I own HK's, Sigs, DE and soon again, a 1911. I will never own a Glock!

Flame away!!!
 
I have no regrets paying what I paid for mine, I'd even consider another variant of the USP for my next handgun... I don't think I could trade or sell it. It's a keeper.

Yet I'm having a hard time to convince myself that paying 600$ for a M&P40 is worth it, only thing it has going for it is that's what I carry at work.

Do they both work? Yes, but you get what you pay for.
 
Ix said:
I have no regrets paying what I paid for mine, I'd even consider another variant of the USP for my next handgun... I don't think I could trade or sell it. It's a keeper.

Yet I'm having a hard time to convince myself that paying 600$ for a M&P40 is worth it, only thing it has going for it is that's what I carry at work.

Do they both work? Yes, but you get what you pay for.
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German labor force is the most expensive with the highest labor cost in the World. That's mainly what You are paying for.
 
The quality is there Nestor, if it's not worth a couple hundreds more for you, that's more money in your pockets. It is for me, to each is own.
It's for the OP to decide if it is for him.
 
Ix said:
The quality is there Nestor, if it's not worth a couple hundreds more for you, that's more money in your pockets. It is for me, to each is own.
It's for the OP to decide if it is for him.
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I'm not questioning the lack of quality. It's there. No doubt about it. Yet, it's still overpriced pistol for what You get. It's not the race gun after all - it's the firearm designed for combat and made out of plastic. Many guns like this out there - Glock, Steyr, S&W. All works pretty damn well and cost much less. It's up to the OP to decide, but there is no point in hiding some simple facts from him.
Parts availability and customer service are very important if one is planning to keep the gun longer and shoot it a lot. H&K falls behind in this, so one should look at the big picture and that's what I'm trying to say. You sure have a good gun though.
 
To me the price doesn't matter, I like the looks of the USP and i want it for my collection. Go with what you want, in the end if its not for you sell it on the EE for double ;]
 
I've never handled a USP, I do love the Sig 226 grip. I'm going to wait until I can see one for myself, whether I have to locate one locally or across the border, just to get the feel. I won't shell out big cash until I've held it. I do appreciate all the info.

The main reason why I am considering the USP in 40 s&w is the recoil reduction system and now even more due to the great quality of the firearm. The price is definitely a negative (but willing to spend for something good). The Sig 226 in 40 is about $130 less... I'm not impressed with any Glock/S&W semi-auto polymer pistols. I have a CZ75 in 9mm, don't want another CZ, would like something else.

So right now, the 226 and USP are the front-runners. I need to feel the USP before I make a decision. I also like the 1911, but don't think I'll find a 40 in this design. (Had a 45acp and sold it, ammo is too expensive-out of the question). I do like the feel of the Beretta 92fs, but have never shot one and have heard they are not built as well as before.
 
st1264 said:
...the 226 and USP are the front-runners. I need to feel the USP before I make a decision...
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<http://glockstore.com/pgroup_descrip/20_Training+Devices/7748_Blue+Training+Guns/?return=%3ftpl%3Dindex%26category_id%3D20%26%26%26page%3D2%26nothumbs%3D%26filter_1%3D%26filter_2%3D%26filter_3%3D%26filter_4%3D>

<http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=1475/Product/PISTOL-SIMULATOR>
 
I'd rather handle the real thing. Here's a couple videos about the USP. More that I see about it, the more I want it.
[youtube]qYOTCZuwcU0[/youtube]
[youtube]jDXX6MWinKk[/youtube]
[youtube]IljfUNJSXco[/youtube]
 
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