The hype comes from HK being a truly top-notch, well-engineered product; it isn't a well-engineered top-notch product because of the hype. An important thing to realize, I'd think.
I own an HK USP compact in .45ACP and a 1911 in the same; if I knew trouble was about to knock on my door, I'd load both my HK mags before I even uncased my 1911. The handling - even for a compact .45 with full-house Hydra-Shok loads - is unreal. It settles faster than my full-size 1911, I like the trigger far better, and the decocker just adds to re-holstering safety. I've had close to 2,000 rounds through it and not a SINGLE failure to feed or fire. Not ONE. I've even intentionally 'mis-loaded' a round in the mag in an attempt to get the thing to stovepipe, but the breech geometry still picked up the leading edge of the bullet's nose (and it was a gaping JHP round) and fed it straight and true.
I'd bet my life on HK anytime, as would most other owners I've talked to. Until you've owned and shot an HK, I don't think it's even possible to 'get it'. I sure didn't.
-M