HK USP45 or HK45?

[Mauser KAR98K]

I am to the point of splitting hairs.

My dear mother now has my S&W M&P45 that she can handle, shoot well with, and maintain. I am about to graduate from college, and as a reward to myself between finishing, sticking with it between health issues and my dad's passing, I want an HK in .45ACP. I had my heart set on a MK23 at the price Grant had it for, but he tells me they are sold out. .

So I am back to the two choices that have been bugging me for the past six months: the USP45, or the HK45?

I have a USP9 which has now replaced my M&P9 as my main carry gun. The M&P is a wonderful system, and reliable, but I just don't trust the accuracy. With the USP I am on target, and am confident in hitting my target at 25 yards and beyond. (Even with the new M&P9 barrel, i shoot better with the HK).

I have one issue that has been making this decision from being slam dunk. I have tendinitis on the knuckle of my right index finger. It seems now after 300 rounds through the M&P45 (she still lets me shoot it) I get a flare up, and it is soar for three days. My finger also becomes "lazy" as it points downward slightly. I have seen an orthopedic, and it is what it is.

However, I miss shooting .45. Miss carrying it.

What I am hung up on is:

USP--
Larger magazine count.
Smoother recoil.
Used to the grip of the USP.
Aftermarket land and groove barrel for lead rounds.
"Collateral."

HK45--
Longer sight radius.
Better accuracy through the O-Ring on the barrel.
Better ergo.
Better for concealment (though both pistols are close to the same size).
(looking at the tactical with the threaded barrel, thus ready to go suppressor route when i have the funds).

I'm beating my head over this. One draw back from one pistol is canceled by the pros of another.

And no I can't get both, and no i will not just stick to shooting a 9mm because of my hand. I want a .45 from HK, but which one...?

[Ed L.]

HK45 would be my choice (and is).

The HK USP45's grip is a tad wider than the USP9 & USP40 to make it just too big for my comfort.

Same thing with the MK23's grip.

[ptmccain]

How about save your money and buy a Glock 21.

Rugged. Reliable. Higher capacity and ... less $$.

Just a thought.

[montrala]

Aftermarket land and groove barrel for lead rounds.

AFAIK no problem with lead rounds in HK polygonal barrel. Do not allow for excesive bulidup (same as with land and groove barrel) and you are GTG.

Overall HK45 is better gun both for shooting and carry. HK made it using lessons learned from USP .45 and USPc .45 (and P2000/P30 series) and came out with great package. If your heart still wants USP consider USP Tactical or USP Expert, if you are heavy on built in accuracy potential.

[RHINOWSO]

Between a regular USP45 and HK45, I'd probably go HK45 for ergos.

But between a USP45Tac and HK45T, I'd take the USP45Tac for sure.

[Rekkr870]

I enjoyed my USP 45 more than my HK45. The recoil was better to me on the USP 45. I think the accuracy difference was negligible between the two pistols. They both shot lights out. If I had to do it over again, I would stick with the USP 45. I have bear paws so the grip on the USP was not bad. I guess I'm the only one who thinks that the grip on the HK45 was not the shit. Just my opinion.

[Swamp Yankee]

I enjoyed my USP 45 more than my HK45. The recoil was better to me on the USP 45. I think the accuracy difference was negligible between the two pistols. They both shot lights out. If I had to do it over again, I would stick with the USP 45. I have bear paws so the grip on the USP was not bad. I guess I'm the only one who thinks that the grip on the HK45 was not the shit. Just my opinion.

I agree. I find the "brick ergonomics" claims about the USP 45 to be very exaggerated. The USP 45 is cheaper than the HK45 and offers a more user customization trigger system. Plus there is a rail adapter and extended magazine release available that make the platform even more similar to the HK45. I like the aggressive texture of the USP frame and recoil impulse. You could do a lot worse than picking up a USP.

[Rekkr870]

I agree. I find the "brick ergonomics" claims about the USP 45 to be very exaggerated. The USP 45 is cheaper than the HK45 and offers a more user customization trigger system. Plus there is a rail adapter and extended magazine release available that make the platform even more similar to the HK45. I like the aggressive texture of the USP frame and recoil impulse. You could do a lot worse than picking up a USP.

This is my observation as well. My USP Tactical trigger was far superior to the HK45 trigger.

[Brianb23]

Have you considered a USP Expert? I only suggest because it sounds like you want more of a range gun since you EDC a usp9 and the Experts longer barrel will lend to better accuracy than the others. However to answer the original question, go with the HK45 simply for the better ergos. Why is there always some one who suggests a Glock? He asked about HK's!

[Talon167]

I would – and did – go with the USP45. It’s a few hundred cheaper and holds more rounds. If you really want to spend a grand on an HK pistol, the USP45 Tactical is where it’s at.

The HK45Tactical is a joke, IMO, for what you get and the price you pay, even by HK standards.