Oh man…I HAD to go looking around at my local fun store! LOL
Well, while pondering over just buying another Glock (19) or even a new Walther PPQ…a local store has a very lightly used HK USP 9 compact in its used gun display. It is in VERY good condition and has factory night sights that still seem pretty bright.
I examined the USP9C and found that it fit my hand really well. The trigger I can totally live with and is not a terrible as many make the HK trigger out to be. I can get this lightly used HK USP9C for about what I’d pay for a new PPQ.
I have never actually shot any of the USP pistols, but I know a few people that own them and swear by these guns. Since I own an older SIG P228, the d/a s/a feature does not bother me that much and it is not very different from my P228, really.
I know the PPQ brand new is the same price, but the USP has been around longer and “proven” itself. Holsters and mags are out there and having a pistol with an actual track record is somewhat important.
So who here owns and shoots a USP Compact? How do these pistols hold up long term? Accuracy? Reliability? I am going to guess that from the reviews I have found that the USP is pretty reliable and as tough or more tougher than the Glock.
Is there any glaring problem/feature/wart of the USP that I should know about or check before buying?
Thanks in advance…I am really thinking that (oddly enough) a USP might be in my near future. Felt good in the hand and i don’t find the trigger bad at all.
Thanks!
-brickboy240
PS: I know about the funky rail on the USP already…the rail issue does not matter to me since I do not plan on hanging a light from any pistol I own.
Check the date on the slide. It’ll be in their little codes but you can look these up on HK’s website. This will tell you how old it is. Models older than 2005 or so used the old firing pin design which is a little more prone to breaking if you dry fire alot. Honestly, I don’t think it’s a very common issue and I’ve never actually seen it happen.
I recently purchased a full-size USP .40 police trade in dated 2002 and it had the older firing pin design. I had no issues with the firing pin but I swapped it out for the new design anyways. It ran me around $40 and I now have a spare firing pin, etc for future use (if the need ever be)…
The USP compact is a very nice handgun. I’d love to have the USPc in 9mm! Especially with good night sights, anything below $600 for a used one is worth it. Alot of guys will be coming in this thread and telling you to buy a G19 or PPQ over the USP, but in reality the USP is probably the most proven handgun design ever and if you really liked the way it felt then go for it. Regardless of round count, these things will keep on going.
The trigger on my USP is great. I honestly love it. Sure, the double action pull is long but who uses double action? That’s what single action is for. I highly prefer a DA/SA handgun over striker fired anyways.
The USP is as reliable as it gets and incredibly accurate.
Here’s an oldy but a good link to check out regarding USP’s reliability:
HK is one of, if not the only company that does not have random ‘bad’ batches of lemons released. If you’re buying an HK, it’s generally going to last your entire life and your children’s too.
In short, yes any HK is worth it and everybody should own a USP! Get it. You’ll love it, guaranteeeeeed.
I carried an issued USPc .40 LEM for years, now carrying a POW USPc .40 and it’s little cousin, the P2000SK, also in .40. Personally, if I were buying an HK right now and wanted a mid-sized handgun then I’d get the P2000. It has picatinny rails and the adjustable backstraps. It also has an ambidextrous slide release, something the USPc lacks. My HKs have been flawless in operation, I find them easy to shoot fast and I like the reset of the LEM trigger.
He actually has a P2000 9mm for sale too…but it is 150 dollars more.
The P2000 seems nice, but I am right handed so an ambi safety means nothing and the grip of the USP C was fine with me.
I am sure the P2000 is a great pistol, but I don’t see it being 150 bucks more. I have kids to feed and 4 buck a gallon gas to deal with and besides, the USP C will need a holster and spare mags! LOL
The d/a s/a thingy does not bother me, as my P228 is this way and I have never felt it kept me from shooting it well. I am pretty good with the little 228, really.
Yes…don’t want to hear “buy XYZ instead” type stuff…just asking from those that OWN USP compacts and how they run and if there is a glaring thing I need to be aware of on these guns.
The one I am looking at was made in 1996…I found that out from the seller.
The USP Compact 9mm was the first HK I ever bought, back then I was using a Sig P228 and I can tell you that once I started shooting the USP Compact 9mm, the Sig saw a lot of safe queen time. The USP Compact 9mm is one of the nicest guns I had at the time, it never failed and never had a problem. If you can pick it up for a good price with factory NS, than go for it.
But I must say that I love my P2000 much MORE than my USPc 9mm. I know the standard rail is of no use to you, but I did find the P2000 to be a smoother shooter than the USP Compact. That and it also has the interchangeable back straps. But if the USPc feels better in the hand, there’s no point in paying the $150 more for the P2k. Personally I didn’t even think the P2k is worth $150 more, maybe $50 in a used market.
The USP is an excellent shooter, you’ll be very happy with it. Good luck.
ONE thing that stood out on the P2000 that I did not like.
I noticed that the ambi slide release really got in the way with my high hand grip. I could see my thumb or finger riding that ambi release and maybe causing premature slide lock or no slide lock after the last round.
The USP does not have this release so that does not appear to be a problem.
I know that with my P228, I had to “learn” not to hold it a certain way, because I would accidentally “ride” the slide stop and cause premature slide lock.
With the USP…I held it several times and thought I could totally live with the grip and no chances of “riding” any controls. I felt that the aggressive texture on the frame might be a help when its hot and humid outside and my hands are sweaty - which happens here often.
I also thought the trigger was not all that terrible. Everyone here goes on about how awful the HK triggers are but I could totally live with the USP’s trigger. I have shot M&Ps and Berettas with MUCH worse triggers.
My USP-9 Compact is also a 1996 date code that I also bought used back in 2003. I don’t know how many rounds went through it prior to my ownership, but it’s my CCW. I use a Crossbreed Super Tuck IWB holster.
The c-clip that holds the recoil spring assembly together broke a couple of years ago. The clip doesn’t affect the function of the weapon – just makes field stripping and putting it back together simpler. Instead of replacing just the c-clip, I decided to replace the entire recoil spring assembly.
The compacts don’t have the same recoil buffer spring design that the fullsize models have. They have a polymer recoil buffer instead.
I’m more accurate w/ my fullsize USP-9, but the compact gets the job done.
About the only other pistol I would consider replacing my compact for CC would be an HK P7.
I purchased one recently.
If you have been using da/ sa pistols then it should be an easy transition.
I started a thread here regarding my USPC 9 mm pistol. I summarized my initial thoughts regarding the weapon.
Although it only has approx. 500 rounds through it with no malfunctions, I have no doubt that it will be a reliable gun. In addition, it points well, has minimal recoil, and very accurate for a compact 3.5" barreled handgun.
Thus far, my only gripes with the pistol are that with the magazine extension in place the pistol grip is fairly snug for my large hand. So, if you have a large hand then it may be a consideration. Also, the da pull on mine is HEAVY. Is is smooth with no creep, but heavy. I’m guessing around 12 lbs. or slightly more.
My department is in the process of transitioning to a new duty weapon. We have had been used HK pistols for about ten years. We currently have about 40 USP compacts in a locker that are broken. The have had issues with the compact pistols for about the last five years. They have broken in many different ways. Our fullsize guns have been very durable. If you and looking for a smaller HK pistol I would look at the P2000. It is a much more ergonomic pistol than the USPc.
Truth be told we would probably still be issuing the HK pistols if HK would make parts and adequate CS available.
This all coming from someone with “Glock” in their username. Who would have figured??? I’ve never heard of any ongoing issues with the USPc or USP full size. Have you ever used the customer service? HK has top notch customer service, some of the best in the industry as far as I’m concerned. I can’t speak for what it to be but both times I’ve dealt with them they more than exceeded my expectations.
As far as parts, I don’t get it. You can find them all over the internet for cheap. Topgun, Numrich, HKparts all come to mind as having whatever HK parts you want at good prices.
I had a USPc 9 several years ago. I gave it to my dad when I received orders to California, and he later sold it when he hit hard financial times. It was his to begin with, but he “loaned” it to me while I lived in Miami. I wish he would have given me the option to buy it off of him.
It was a great pistol. I don’t know how many rounds I fired through it without ever cleaning or lubricating, and never had one malfunction. This was back before I really knew anything about firearm care and maintenance.
There are newer flashier designs out these days, but I can’t fault the USP one bit. If you have a good bead on one, then I can’t think of a reason not to get it.
