Which is better a sig p226 vs a hk usp? Both in 9mm.
Which would you choose if you life depended on it?
As a shtf gun?
Which is more accurate? Reliable?
My Sigs are all gone but my HK’s are still with me. The 226 has a good reputation but very lttle to any can match a HK to me. I like the older 226’s if i went that way but not a chance, just one guys opinion.
If I could only have one of my pistols as a do everything gun it would be my USP45. HK designed them as a full size service pistol with reliability and durability in mind.
I also like to carry my guns cocked an locked.
If you want my “if my life depended on it” ranking from first choice to last:
- Glock (cause my life depends on my Glocks)
- Old W German Sig 226
- HK USP
- New US Sig 226
Both guns are very accurate and reliable.
I think some of the older, refurbished for $350 years ago. It had seen some hard use, and has seen several thousand rounds by me and is still incredibly accurate. It is probably my second-most reliable pistol. I have not been a fan of the fit/finish/performance of the newer Sigs i’ve handled given the money paid for them
I have not had an HK in 9mm, but the .40 and .45’s I’ve had were (key word there) also very accurate. The weight, feel and price are usually the big turn-offs for the USP. The first time I picked up a USP 45, I thought “this feels like shit”, but I could not deny that I was consistently hitting clay pigeons (stationary) from standing, unsupported at 25y with a gun I had zero experience with. Shortly after I bought my own, but rarely shot it because I never got used to the feel and weight despite the fact that I am a large guy with large hands.
If you haven’t handled both, you need to. It would help if you got to use each, but you know what you like from the feel.
There is more I’d want to know before offering any kind of recommendation. Do you plan on carrying this hypothetical handgun? Is it for duty or ccw? What sort of manual of arms do you favor- traditional DA/SA or something like DAK or LEM? I’m not sure if the P226 is offered in DAK format, but I think USP’s can be had with LEM. Anyway, more info is needed here I think.
If I were you, I would look up what is thought of recent made Sigs around here and I would also look up the HK P30 if looking for a 9mm HK. fwiw
Personal preference.
Both are reliable, accurate and durable.
As stated above, both are accurate, reliable and durable. I have a Sig P226 and I really like the weapon. It’s extremely accurate and a joy to shoot. In 9mm, I’m a Sig or Glock guy, but HK makes an excellent weapon.
If you’re going to shoot different calibers and you want to stay with the same brand, I recommend HK. I think they make a great shooting 9mm and .45 I would, however, look at the P30 if your going HK. The USP is a great shooting gun, but has always felt awkward to me. I shoot it fine, it’s just not comfortable. The P30 takes care of the ergo problem.
I love the Sig P226, but Sig’s quality control has been suspect in recent years and that makes me a little nervous If I buy a new 226, I want it to shoot as well, be as durable as and as accurate and reliable as my German 226. I don’t believe this is unreasonable as they set the standard. Also Sigs need aftermarket sights.
Shoot all of them a lot and see what works best for you and your situation. In answer to your question though, in 9mm, for me Sig P226 or Glock 17 with a match grade barrel.
Rent/borrow/shoot both guns.
See which one you prefer.
Buy it.
I’d note that Sig has had an alleged decline in quality control, so you may want to consider an older P226.
But again, assuming you’re dealing with quality examples, these types of comparison threads are silly are they are too subjective. Especially with such vague criteria.
I use the SIG P226.
I can’t stand the trigger on the USP.
You need to shoot them both and see for yourself. What works for me might not work for you.
Ergonomics sealed the deal for me. I have smaller hands and the USP I shot had a HUGE grip, I never really felt comfortable with it. I ended up going with the 226. The p30 on the other hand is a whole different story though. IMO it is probably the most ergonomic pistol on the market today. Go to a range and shoot both, throw a P30 into the mix and make your decision then.
Curious as to why the HK P30 wasnt mentioned in your original post.
US Sig P226 < HK USP
W. German P226 = HK USP
HK P30 > HK USP
I have a Sig 226R 9mm, HK P2000 9mm and a USPc 45. All of them are totally reliable and I would have no problem with any of them being the weapon I found myself in a fight with. I like my DA trigger on the Sig the best but like the handling and feel of the HK’s better than the Sig. I will tell you that the Sig in the most intuitive of the 3. Everything is right where it would be if I designed a pistol. The fact that both HK’s fit in my concealed carry holster is what keeps the HK’s in the small safe by the bed and the Sig in the big safe in the closet.
My suggestion is to shoot them both and buy what feels best to you. What ever you choose will be solid, reliable and last longer then either of us.
USP, no doubt.
I have way more confidence in the older Sigs than I do in the newer ones, but even my old West German P226 had some malfunctions using cheap ammo. The USP (all 5 of them that I have owned) never had a single issue.
HK USP is the only pistol I’ve owned that hasnt seen a malfunction, and that list includes offerings from Sig, Glock, SW, and others.
I have owned both and put thousands of rounds through each. I much prefer the P226. It does not feel like a 2x4, has a much better trigger, and seemed to be slightly more accurate then the USP. Both guns were equally reliable and I never had an issue with either (my Sig was one of the newer guns). The best advice is to find a local range that rents guns and try them both out.
If the sig has a SRT, then the sig definately has a better trigger IMO. On the other hand, i prefer polymer over aluminum. I like the fact that the USP comes with an external safety, which allows you to keep the gun in condition 1.
Downside on the usp is it has polymer magazines, which will get dented and dinged up if you keep dropping them.
Overall, i’d choose the USP. The benefit of the USP outweighs the p226.
I have a HK USP and a German made Sig P226.
These are my amateur impressions of the two.
The P226
-Has a smoother trigger pull and is lighter in both DA and SA.
-Has a more comfortable grip in both shape and feel.
-Has an easier to manipulate magazine release mainly due to the small size of the USP paddle release.
-Has a more slim appearance and feel throughout(not that its really that slim)
-Is much quieter when you de-cock the pistol
The USP
-Has a much more aggressive grip texture
-Has a more crisp trigger break even though its heavier
-Magazines drop free more easily
-Has a superior slide release due to the non traditional location of the SIG slide release
-Is comfortable holding the thumb on the safety like a 1911 or below the safety(which was not the case with my P30S).
-In my novice, unproven and unscientific opinion is most certainly going to require less maintenance due to its beefy design and polymer frame.
-Is more versatile in the sense you can carry it cocked and locked or in DA/SA mode.
I also own a P30 in V3 configuration and would recommend it over the P226 and the USP due to its superior ergonomics and more compact size. Although comparing HK’s the USP has a nicer trigger and if you want to go cocked and locked I found the location of the P30S manual safety to be to far back and up to rest my thumb comfortably on. Also the P30 is going to cost around $100-$150 more comparing NIB prices.
I bought a W. German P226 and a H&K USP9 at the same time. The H&K was a nice and very accurate pistol, the P226 was as well. I kept each for over four years, but I sold the USP since my hands never grew to fit it, and the P226 was replaced by a P228 shortly afterwards.
I would love to get a USP9c, but after being so use to the SIG manual of arms I figure it’s best I just stick with it.
At one time I had:
BHP x2
G17
G19
P226
USP9
CZ75
PT99
24/7
I sold them all (except 1 BHP) after BHO made them worth more than I had in them and bought the P228 as my everything pistol.
I would rather had the G19, but my hand said otherwise.
Also, the H&K USP9 would stove pipe 1 out of 100 WWB I would shoot through it, carry ammo was 100%.
I also conceal carried the USP9 and P226 extensively, as well as the PT99. The P228 hides a bit easier and is lighter.
Slight thread derail;
What’s the low down on the newer model Sig226, or the newer Sigs in general? Are they good to go? Do they hold a candle to the older West German Sigs at all? Ive fondled them and the new p220’s at the local store but I keep reading about major QC issues with SigUSA, atleast with their rifles. Does this hold true with their pistols as well or are they held to a higher/better standard?
Ive stopped going to the gunstore because Im always worried I’ll have a moment of weakness and drop the coin for one, only to find out later that it wasnt what I expected.
Enlighten me.
I would say the SA on the USP match trigger is years better than any Sig I have ever fired.
The full size USP is not for the small of hands, but the P30 and HK45 are better and newer options.
If you really want a decent 9mm/40 option it is hard to beat the Glock for the price.
I don’t really think you can nail a ~800-900$ pistol for expense in this world of 2000$ 1911s. Most USPs will sustain years of very hard use and still be reliable, I think some of the sub 500$ USPs police trades that CDNN had would be good options if you really are stuck in that budget range.
I would never take a SIG P226 over a USP any day of the week. I am not a glock fan by any means but I would rather have a Glock as well if you really do not like H&K for any reason.
I carry a USP .45 Tactical, so I am on the wrong end of the spectrum to ask I guess…