carry piece
Among the choices you listed, I would go for the USP Compact 40.
Just want to say though, spend some time with the USP Compact 45 before you decide. I own a USP Compact 9mm, and a USP Compact 45. Both are GREAT guns and I am very happy with them. But I spend ALOT more time shooting the 45 simply because I enjoy it so much more. I even shoot better with it. Its also the only one I carry.
My USP Compact 9mm holds 13 rounds + 1 in the chamber, and the USP Compact 45 holds 8 rounds + 1 in the chamber. True, the 9mm gives me 5 more rounds to shoot. But self-defense handgun statistics will tell you that in like 85% or more of instances where a handgun is legitimately discharged in self-defense, you are talking about maybe 2 or 3 shots at less than 10 feet away.
Getting shot with any caliber of gun is nothing to take lightly, especially if the shot is well-placed. But keep in mind, at less than 10 feet away, under the threat of an attacker meaning to take your head off with a baseball bat for instance, you are not going to be taking deliberate aim and then squeezing off a careful shot. In that kind of situation, I'd rather have the 45 every time. If I can't stop him at that distance with nine (8+1) 45 caliber 230 grain slugs, then having five (5) more rounds isn't going to matter. If I only have enough time to fire 2 or 3 rounds, in close quarters, without careful aiming, my odds are going to be better with the 45. Now, if I were anticipating being in a gun duel in an open street at 60 feet apart, like in the fictional Old West, I might opt for the gun with the higher magazine capacity. . . or also if I expected to be in an extended battle against multiple gunfighters at once, and then I'd want to have several extra magazines too. . .
All I'm saying as far as mag-capacity is concerned, is to consider what real-world scenarios you are most likely to encounter. Chances are, you'll never need to use your weapon in the first place, but if you ever do, it better be the right one for the job and you better be ready to actually use it if you pull it out.
In my opinion, the USPc 40 or P2000 40 would be a better choice than either the USPc 9mm or the P2000 9mm, however I would strongly suggest that you spend a little time with the USPc 45 and think about the fastest way to disable or slow an attacker in close quarters who means to do you or a loved one great bodily harm.
