USP vs P30?

[Bacon]

I'm thinking of purchasing another handgun for the house and in the woods. I've owned a few USP's over the years and wondering which I should buy this time? I considered the P2000 but noticed the P30 and although I find it fairly ugly I'm wondering if it's "better" than the usp? I would be installing the LEM trigger module into the USP or buying one with it already installed. Other than ergonomics is there any major differences between the two? I know some people don't like the USP grip but I have no complaints. How does the P30 trigger compare to the LEM or is it the same? Any other major issues I should think about when comparing the two?

[gtmtnbiker98]

I own two P30s and both have the V3 trigger (DA/SA). I really enjoy the P30 and never really warmed up to the USP. The USP is a rock solid performer, but just wan't my cup of tea. One of the major differences between the USP and the P30 is the adjustable grip, the P30 has adjustable backstraps AND side panels, whereas the USP doesn't. If you like the USP then by all means, get a USP - but I favor the P30 when comparing the two.

I'm not an LEM fan, so I really can't help you with the comparison. Best of luck.

[mmissile]

I prefer the original USP, to any combat handgun. It has all the great features, plus the "HK" look, unlike the more generic looking offerings by everybody these days. Guns are becoming like cars.......one generic look. I don't want a pistol that looks like a Walther and Ruger had a bastard child.

[benderx4]

I like my P30 - I LOVE my USPs!

[snakedoctor]

Have you considered the P30L instead of the P30?

[hkozzie]

Have you considered the P30L instead of the P30?

Hmmm the P30L is good for target shooting and HD because of the long slide. For CCW... good luck concealing it!

[jpgeorge]

I am not an LEM fan and I hate the rear decocker.

I am a firm believer in a manual safety (or a squeeze cocker). They just seem to be safer to me.

For Defensive Pistol Matches, I must decock when reholstering. This means my first shot will have the horrible DA, then I get the smooth SA. the transition costs me nearly a second.

When we shoot qualification courses, I just cock the hammer by hand. I would rather lose the time and guarantee the same trigger pull each time.

Also, being in NY, the P30 will only have ten round magazines.

I like the HK45's much better. It's too bad we lose 2 rounds from the USP45F.

Are they considering a P30 with a frame mounted safety?

JPG

[JP30]

I am certainly no aficionado but my experience was that the P30 with the tunable grips fit my medium glove sized hand perfectly. I own a Glock 23 and held everything else in the store the other day looking for something different, fun and comfortable... I walked out with the P30. Man, it is such a killer shooting gun. I am really happy with it. That being said, I think my wife is going to steal it so I might be going to go buy a USP Tactical Compact here soon. Love that .45!

But if I only got to have one I would get the P30 for sure.

[Bacon]

I prefer the LEM since it's similar to my glocks which are my duty guns. I don't mind the da/sa they are my second choice though. So am I understanding correctly that the P30 is Da/sa with a small decocker on the back near the hammer? Is the trigger pull basically the same as the standard usp da/sa? Do they offer a LEM or can the LEM be installed into a P30, I'm guessing no with the decocker back there? I do like the 30L better, I've carried a Glock 35 from time to time and I always use iwb holsters so barrel length is not a huge issue. How do the panels attach are the pinned in or at least solid enough you won't risk one falling off if the gun is dropped during a gunfight? I'm still considering an HK45 and USP 45 as well. Decisions, decisions!

[ttr]

They make a P30 in V3 and LEM.

[smschulz]

I would much rather have a USP over a P30...ehrr I guess from my signature you could figure that out. :53:

[yacht]

Just bought the gun a few days ago and i was in the same boat with a sig 229 and honestly the p30 is the best feeling gun i ever had in my hand period!... I also own a usp and to me it like nite and day, the p30 is very well balance and super super light!!! great for ccw!, once i break in my trigger and put about 1000 round through it ,it will be my everyday carry gun... when you say the gun is ugly?, the picture on the net don't give that gun justice!... In person and puting that gun in your hand you will see and feel how gorgeous and sexy!!! that gun is.... just my opinion, I hope this help?...

[CPshooter]

when you say the gun is ugly?, the picture on the net don't give that gun justice!... In person and puting that gun in your hand you will see and feel how gorgeous and sexy!!! that gun is....So true.

That being said, I still love the USP. That's why H&Ks are so dangerous... You buy one, then justify buying another! The USP is great because I like the rugged, beastly look and V1 trigger. The P2000 is great because I liked the tapered slide and LEM trigger for concealed carry. The P30 is great because of the amazing grip, low profile sights, it allows for the immediate use of a tac light w/o an adapter, and it has 15rd magazines. The P7 is great because...well, it just is:) I can go on and on and on w/ H&K handguns! Point is, you can't go wrong with either.

[Bacon]

I really like both the USP and it sounds like once I handle the P30 I'll like that one as well. I'm not really sold on the looks of the P30 and I like my guns fairly simple without all the detachable panels and such, which makes me lean towards the USP. I've always been trained to grab the slide of my glocks rather than the slide release which is supposed to be easier when you fine motor skills are gone when the shtf so the ambi-slide release is really a moot point for me as well. I really like the clean lines of the P30's slide and frame with the decocker on the rear, that's a great setup IMO. I will definately have a tac light on it so that's another point for the P30 as well. Maybe I should be looking harder at the P2000?

[EdMan63]

If you can, shooting all three would be wonderful. I have a P30 and USPc 9mm. I considered the P2000 when I bought the P30, but just fell in love with the P30 grip. I bought a USP because it just says "HK" to me and it also a great shooter. The P2000 is somewhat of a hybrid of the P30 and USP in that it has a little of both in it. I've considered adding one to the stable but I'm a little tapped for space as far as guns go at this time.

I think you'll be happy no matter what you decide and will probably get the other one(s) somewhere down the road. With HK you want one of all of them.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

The P30 is much more ergonomic then the USP series. The interchangeable back-straps/side-panels means it can be set-up comfortably for any shooter, and easily changed for multiple different shooters.

However, on the P30 V3 (DA/SA) the SA trigger reset in noticeably longer then that of the USP V1 (DA/SA). I much prefer the USP V1 trigger with it's shorter SA reset to the P30. Also, I find I personally ride the slide release much more often on the P30 then the USP's due to it's more flush fitting nature. On that one, YMMV.

Both are equally accurate and reliable. They're HK's... no debate there. :)

[Bacon]

Thanks for the info on the trigger reset, that and riding the slide release are two huge factors for me. I had to remove the extended slide releases on my glocks and replace them with the older style because I found myself accidently pushing up on them and locking the slide. I've since changed my grip and seem to be doing better but at times I revert back to the thumbs up grip and it happens again. I also like the shortest reset possible, I was going to consider another LEM trigger but remembered the V1 are shorter reset than the lem. I'll likely lean towards the USP because of those two points. I'm heading down to handle them both this weekend and buy one, I'm still not sure which one I want, I think it will come down to price and feel. Thanks again everyone!

[PattayaPistol]

You've had a lot of good input to help make up your mind. I am certainly looking forward to reading which way you decide after handling them both. Have fun. PP

[H&K Homer]

Are 10-round mags available for the P30 yet? If it feels anything like the HK45, I am sold. Only problem is NY and the high capacity mags.

[Perseus]

I like my P30 and my P2Ksk better than my USP. No performance flaws with either, but the grip portion on the P30 is heads and tails above the USP in comfort and ergonomics IMO.

[m98evolution]

Are 10-round mags available for the P30 yet? If it feels anything like the HK45, I am sold. Only problem is NY and the high capacity mags.

!0 round mags can be ordered directly through HK and I believe they're going for $46.99. Also, the P30 grip is very similar to the HK45 and even has adjustable side panels where the HK45 only has an adjustable backstrap.