[dbransco]

I recently unexpectedly acquired an HK USP compact tactical. I thought I was getting an HK45CT. I have read past post where it seemed the majority would choose the USP. May question is why would you choose one or the other? I personally think I would rather have the pic rail, ambi- slide lock and HK45C ergonomics, but would like to hear from those more experienced.

Thanks in advance.

 

[loupav]

I would go for the HK45C. Interchangeable backstraps, ambi-slide release and a standard rail, no-brainer for me.

The only thing I don't like about the HK45/c are the sights and that can be changed quickly.

 

[Warpdrv]

Well you got it now. How about try it out and see how you do with it. Hows it fit your hands? At first I thought nothing about a USPc and was going to avoid them altogether, then I bought one (.40) on a whim and I was extremely surprised how much I love shooting that gun, I bought another in 45. They are really fantastic guns and haven't been an upgraded line for HK for good reason.

Feel it out. Get some rounds down range wih it. Find someone that has a 45c and see if you can shoot together swap platforms.

I have both - USPc and the new 45c. I wouldn't rule out the USP IMHO sir. And I wont be selling them anytime soon.


Sent from my ThunderBolt in the future - using Skynet

 

[Gdirty5]

I have had both the USP45ct and hk45ct, and honestly they are both good guns. I like the USP's aggressive checkering better, I shoot them both equally as well. Ergo's are slightly better on the hk45c, but the grip isn't as grippy. Ambi controls are a non-factor since I'm right handed, and I don't carry either gun (just range toys). The right side, slide release is a little noisy for my liking though, it rattles in it's spot. I guess I'm a little biased to the USP platform since I shoot it more.

 

[GPD45]

I too have had both and the only major difference to me is the grip texture. The USP has a rough grip, which I like and the Hk45C has a smooth grip. Other than that either way your good to go. If I had to choose I would select the Hk45CT. You also have to be careful because there are some people who continue to refer the USP 45/45c as the Hk45/Hk45C.

 

[bigdog2003_99]

i like the hk45 grip more than the usp, it feels a little nicer to my hands,

the usp has more options for triggers (match) plus a few more sights, the hk45ct comes with 2 10rd mags and has interchangeable backstraps

funny thing is, i installed my match trigger from my usp to my hk45 and it wouldnt reset properly, but everything fit fine. overall they are so similar that you can swap slides (i dont know how the function is but they do fit)

 

[navyman8903]

Another thing people are missing is the Sight radius is better on the HK45c and the barrel length is better. So you will get increased accuracy and velocity without a can. I had a USPC and loved it, but there is just too many advancements to the HK45c. I have trouble picking between my USP 45 and HK45, but the USPC/HK45c are more comparable. The HK45c is just a better package overall IMO. There is a crowd that is still very much in love with their uspc's and there is nothing wrong with that. But the HK45c is just a finer and more improved pistol.

 

[Kravur]

Another thing people are missing is the Sight radius is better on the HK45c and the barrel length is better. So you will get increased accuracy and velocity without a can. I had a USPC and loved it, but there is just too many advancements to the HK45c. I have trouble picking between my USP 45 and HK45, but the USPC/HK45c are more comparable. The HK45c is just a better package overall IMO. There is a crowd that is still very much in love with their uspc's and there is nothing wrong with that. But the HK45c is just a finer and more improved pistol.

I agree with this statement. Although if I were you Dbransco I would just keep the USPc and shoot it, as long as its fit and functional to your bodys characteristics.
HK all the way sir.
Kravur

 

[HKOREGUN]

Another thing people are missing is the Sight radius is better on the HK45c and the barrel length is better. So you will get increased accuracy and velocity without a can. I had a USPC and loved it, but there is just too many advancements to the HK45c. I have trouble picking between my USP 45 and HK45, but the USPC/HK45c are more comparable. The HK45c is just a better package overall IMO. There is a crowd that is still very much in love with their uspc's and there is nothing wrong with that. But the HK45c is just a finer and more improved pistol.

Well said and I agree 110% with your statement.

 

[mew]

me too, agree totally on the feel and shootability of the HK45c its a super pistol!!! or is it uber?

 

[The Stig]

I recently had a choice between an HK45CT and a USPCT and I went with the USPCT. I'm a southpaw and I could careless about the ambi-slide release. On a gun like the Sig, I would care, but the HK has a large enough slide release so that with little change in my grip I can hit the mag release with my middle finger and the slide release with my index finger like I do on a 1911. The grip on the USPCT felt better in my hand, more texture, and a little larger. The HK45CT barrel is a smidge longer (4.57" v 4.46"), but everyone seems to not care that the C barrel is shorter than the CT barrel, so I'm not sure why that suddenly becomes an important difference between the two CTs.

The guns are very similar. Time will tell if the USPC or the HK45C will out last the other.

 

[navyman8903]

I recently had a choice between an HK45CT and a USPCT and I went with the USPCT. I'm a southpaw and I could careless about the ambi-slide release. On a gun like the Sig, I would care, but the HK has a large enough slide release so that with little change in my grip I can hit the mag release with my middle finger and the slide release with my index finger like I do on a 1911. The grip on the USPCT felt better in my hand, more texture, and a little larger. The HK45CT barrel is a smidge longer (4.57" v 4.46"), but everyone seems to not care that the C barrel is shorter than the CT barrel, so I'm not sure why that suddenly becomes an important difference between the two CTs.

The guns are very similar. Time will tell if the USPC or the HK45C will out last the other.

The only real reason to have a longer barrel is velocity, and while it is a very small difference you are shooting a 45acp pistol, and it needs to maintain its velocity as long as possible. I mean the difference could only be 10-25FPS but that will turn into ft/lbs later down the range when it hits the target. It is a trivial number to most, I would like every ft/lb to hit the target as I can but that is me. I am not unrealistic in thinking that these are small factors and they won't matter much. But it is what it is. Both pistols will kill someone just as dead.

It really comes down to which fits the shooter best. I just feel that the HK45c fits me best and all of the changes that they made were for the better IMO. YMMV.

 

[dbransco]

It's funny someone mentioned to be careful because some refer to the USP compact as a 45C because thats exactly what happened to me. The gentleman told me it was an HK45CT. When I picked it up, obviously it was not. Oh well, I liked it enough to make the deal. I want to thank everyone for the great feedback! There is a part of me that likes the USP (it's an HK, whats not to like), but I think I favor the HK45C. I have always wanted the 45C……I think now I want the 45CT, heck I can always buy a second barrel.

 

[The Stig]

The only real reason to have a longer barrel is velocity, and while it is a very small difference you are shooting a 45acp pistol, and it needs to maintain its velocity as long as possible. I mean the difference could only be 10-25FPS but that will turn into ft/lbs later down the range when it hits the target. It is a trivial number to most, I would like every ft/lb to hit the target as I can but that is me. I am not unrealistic in thinking that these are small factors and they won't matter much. But it is what it is. Both pistols will kill someone just as dead.

It really comes down to which fits the shooter best. I just feel that the HK45c fits me best and all of the changes that they made were for the better IMO. YMMV.

Your observation about the barrel lengths is one of the reasons I went with the USP CT over the C (the other being a can in the future).

I was merely pointing out that when most people ask whether they should get a C or CT, people tell them not to worry about the difference in barrel length. I thought that it was a strange inconsistency that barrel lengths would now become more important when comparing the USPCT and the HK45CT, especially seeing as the difference between the two is .11" (or roughly the width of two pennies stacked) whereas the the USPC gives up .66" to the USPCT. Recognizing that the barrel length is shorter on the USPCT than the HK45CT, I chose it nonetheless because I preferred the grip.

 

[orfeo]

.110" makes absolutely no measurable difference in bullet velocity. None. . . nada. . . zip. Not 25 fps, not 10 fps, not even 1 fps. Nothing.

 

[Brownie]

.110" makes absolutely no measurable difference in bullet velocity. None. . . nada. . . zip. Not 25 fps, not 10 fps, not even 1 fps. Nothing.

This man is speaking the truth.

 

[navyman8903]

Your observation about the barrel lengths is one of the reasons I went with the USP CT over the C (the other being a can in the future).

I was merely pointing out that when most people ask whether they should get a C or CT, people tell them not to worry about the difference in barrel length. I thought that it was a strange inconsistency that barrel lengths would now become more important when comparing the USPCT and the HK45CT, especially seeing as the difference between the two is .11" (or roughly the width of two pennies stacked) whereas the the USPC gives up .66" to the USPCT. Recognizing that the barrel length is shorter on the USPCT than the HK45CT, I chose it nonetheless because I preferred the grip.

Alright I see where you are coming from.

.110" makes absolutely no measurable difference in bullet velocity. None. . . nada. . . zip. Not 25 fps, not 10 fps, not even 1 fps. Nothing.

Rodger that, lesson learned.

 

[dbransco]

I really appreciate all the great advice! A friend of mine decided to take the USPCT off my hands and I have a HK45CT v7 on order. Should be here Thursday!! The USP just seemed blocky and outdated to me. Don't get me wrong, I liked it, but just felt the 45CT would be a better fit. As much as I liked the texture grips, the 45CT grips fit my hands better.

 

[HOTCHKIS]

That almost happened to me but I was able to switch it to the 45ct.

 

[TheSteelKnight]

I had a choice between the two. I went USPc .45. Because of the size difference I went with the USPc .45 smaller gun with the same amount of firepower. USPc has better grip in my opinion. HK45c has better ergos. The sight radius is actually longer on the USPc 45 than the HK45. its the 9 and .40 whos sight radius is smaller. the HK45c gets a bit more flippy towards the end of a magazine. USPc is built like a tank.