HK45 vs. USP45

[titus7]

Hey Guys,
I have owned a USP45 and put thousands after thousands of rounds through it. Due to uncontrollable circumstances I had to sell it. Now Im ready to get back into the game but would like to know the real differences between the USP45 and the new HK45? Any help would be appreciated

[muffin]

when my friend bought his hk45 we compared it to the tac 45 and the only differences seemed cosmetic on the outside like ambi release and the like but the slide and bbl and everything else more or seemed identical or interchangable. mechanically they are essentially identical it seems. the spidey grips and slide striations and long ambi slide release seem to be the only real differences/improvements. if i remember correctly. get it unless a tac seems cool to you. happy with mine, 12 vs. 10 rounds. the only sucky part of the hk45 is that they slimmed the grip and only hold 10 now. cufk you HK!!! and you have to wait for the tac HK45 whenever they come out............................................... .............

[HKNC]

Gallery?

[ScubaD]

I purchased a HK45 about 2 months ago. I love it and really enjoy carrying it as well. My nephew has a USP and I am not a fan of that grip. The ergo grip on the HK45 just fit me better. It also appears that I shoot better with the HK45 than the USP. But I know have more rounds out of the HK45. I still shoot my Sig 229/239's better than the HK45. But I expect that will change as I shoot the HK more.

You do give up two rounds over the USP. My recommendation is to fire both and see which one you fall in love with.

ScubaD

[titus7]

I know that I posted this under the wrong topic, I just got so excited looking through all of the pics and just started this thread before thinking. Guess you could call it a bad case of 'premature posting'. Anyways, like I have said I loved my USP I was just wandering if there is a good enough reason to spend the $200 extra for the new HK45

[ChiefG]

I've owned a USP45 for about 7 years now with hundreds of rounds fired with it. Just recently bought an HK45. Made a mistake when I was in LGS and handled one and fell in love with the way my hands wraps around the grip. I guess that was the selling point in getting one, ergonomics plus it has been 7 years since I got my first HK and time to get a new one.

In the range, I've only put 300 rounds on the HK45 and found it (for me) handled the recoil a little bit better than the USP45. Could it be the recoil buffer or it just fits my hand better. Follow-up shots are easier. Accuracy for both pistols are the same. Compared to my 1911, trigger on both guns needs improvement which is something that I will fix in the future but can live with it right now especially with the HK45. Compared with the USP the HK45 is less bulky and lighter(?).

Since you are planning to get a new pistol I suggest try both and have the pistol pick you.

Just my .02

[Eliakim]

When I bought my new USP45 I also looked over and handled a HK45 in the store.

I know this is subjective, but in my eyes the USP45 looks a bit better than the HK45 does. I admit the HK45 feels great in my hand and the value of that feel shouldn't be under-estimated. Fortunately for me the USP45 fits my hand quite well also.

I like the fact that the USP has been in production for more than a decade. I figure that any minor bugs have been ironed out of the workhorse by now. The two extra shots and the lower price tag are nice too.

[DeltaOneSix]

Have been thinking about an HK45 too, being a big fan of the USP45, but I do find the magazines NOT being interchangable a prohibitive factor. I like how the HK45 looks, how it feels in the hand, but have to admit, if it would accept the USP 45 mags, it would be a no brainer and I would buy it. But if I get an HK45, I would have to be careful not to get the mags mixed. All of my USP mags are 12 rounders, so guess not that big a deal, but a deal none the less. Is it really worth spending around a grand for a new pistol, just because you like the way it looks?

[JTRTX]

You can't go wrong with either, the USP is always a wise choice.

[Disaster]

Here is my review of HK45 vs. USP 45.

http://www.hkpro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=90466

Just picked up an HK45 for a pretty good price. It was used but looks like it has barely been shot...if at all.

One of the comments I read was that the HK45 had less recoil than the USP 45 and it was suggested the lighter slide might be one reason. I weighed the slides. They were the same weight, despite the HK45's slide being narrower.

Noted a few other things.

The HK45's barrel is a titch longer...about 1/8".

The HK45 has more chamber support...because the feed ramp cuts into the chamber less.

The HK45 feeds cartridges better. It would feed empty brass...one of my favorite worst case tests.

The HK45 had a heavier recoil spring. Not sure if this is because of it's single stage spring with buffer or because my USP's spring is getting old. It was easier to rack the USP's slide.

It is easier to remove the USP's slide pin because of the lower recoil spring force and because the slide will almost rest in the correct position...possibly due to the two spring system.

The HK45 has a longer sight radius because of the setback rear sight (similar to the USP Expert and Elite.)

The HK45's hammer spring seemed a bit higher. This might also be an age issue, with the older USP's spring.

The ergo grip really works. I especially like the fine texture vs. the sharp serrations on the front of the USP's grip (which is one reason my USP sports a Hogue grip.)

Hit the range today. First up, was a compariison shoot between the USP 45 and the HK45.

Having never shot the HK45, I set the target up at 7 yards and shot 5. All of them were touching...one big ragged hole. That is a good start.

Next I moved the target back to 50 feet (full length of the range I was shooting at and fired a groups from both. they were very close with a slight edge going to the newer HK45.

Here are some more observations.

1. The HK45 recoil didn't seem any less than the USP's. It was different...perhaps a bit snappier...definitely not lighter. On rapid pairs I didn't find the HK45 any more controllable.

2. The HK45's sights are very nice. I've got some aftermarket fiber optics on the USP. The stock HK's were better in indoor lights.

3. Switching back and forth between the two, didn't yield anything definitive. I liked them both...but they were different. In the hand, the HK45's grip felt better, but the meatier grip of the USP (with a Hogue rubber) absorbed recoil a little better.

4. There was less black powder marks on the cases that were fired in the HK45. This suggests a tighter chamber, which seals a bit better and probably provides a bit more velocity.

5. The old broken in trigger on the USP 45 was slightly better than the new "match" trigger on the HK45. Perhaps, with more rounds down it's pipe, the HK45 will surpass it. The USP trigger broke ever so slightly more cleanly.

Both guns were very accurate. When I got the HK45 I figured I'd sell the USP...but now I'm torn. I want to keep both.

[Cylinder Head]

If you've already had a USP45 I suggest trying the HK45. It's an evolution of the USP, they made the changes for a good reason, and with some simple modifications the gun is an absolute tack driver.