[BlaZ1n45]

Hey guys I am kind of new to HK's. My father gave me a full size USP 45 a few years ago that he had. I like the gun but it's quite large. I am in the market for a new carry gun. I have looked at the HK45c and the USP 45 Compact. I have looked into the differences between them but can't find much other than the ergonomics. I like the controls of the HK45c but dont care much for the looks. I like the looks and feel of the USP Compact but with it had the ambi controls. Are there any internal differences between the two. Are the feed ramps the same? Did they make any changes in the trigger at all? I can't get the two guns side by side but would like to know witch one is smaller.

Thanks for your help.

 

[ptechjpjr]

According to the specs, the HK45C is slightly larger then the USP45C. It is almost a negligible amount in my opinion. If it doesn't have to be a 45 the P2000 grip is almost identical to the HK45C but slightly smaller. Hope this helps you out.

 

[USPc_4_life]

any way you look at it an HK in 45acp is going to be a big gun....heck my .40 compact isn't exactly tiny!...the difference IS minimal (I am also eyeballing a 45acp HK variant myself) and if you are a smaller guy like me its just too much gun for me to carry ( concealed that is..)

If it has to be a 45 then go with whatever feels best and is more readily available for a fair price--reliability isn't an issue if it says HK and not Glock on the side

 

[442]

Hi,

I've compared a HK45c next to a USPc 9mm and there was very little size difference. Height wise, there was only a whisker, if any difference. I've learned you have to take the specs given on the HK website with grain of salt.

The HK45c was only slightly longer than the USPc 9mm which is a just tiny bit shorter than the USPc 45. So size wise I'd say it's a wash. The only difference I could see that might make a difference if you plan to carry either one would be the beveled slide on the HK45c which makes it less blocky than the USPc. This difference could be negated by your choice of holster.

I'm a noob looking for his first HK, but have done a lot of reading here, and from what I understand the HK45c pretty much shares the internals of the USP series and not the P series that it resembles. Only you can place an importance on the ambi slide release which is the only control the 45c has that the USPc doesn't.

Good luck on your choice and welcome to the forum!

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

You must compare the USP Compact .45 to the HK45c and not any of the other USP Compacts to get a true size relationship. As for the differences, the HK45c has a pic rail while the USPc has the proprietary rail. Both share the same magazines. The HK45c has a ambi slide release and a larger paddle mag release. However, the larger HK45c mag release can be added to the USPc. Size wise, they are quite comparable. The HK45c has a better trigger and a slightly shorter reset. The slide is more contoured on the HK45c along with the interchangeable back straps. The HK45c has a larger, wider, safety and decocker. Other than that, the internals are quite similar, if not the same.

 

[chango872]

I was considering the same purchase. Size wise the difference is negligible. where I saw the most difference was in the grip. I found the HK45c to have a more comfortable grip, plus you have the option of tailoring it to your hand with the additional backstraps, the USPc does not offer this option. I also went with the flat floorplate for my magazine as it prints less than the finger rest one. Either pistol will serve you well, I personally chose the HK45c.

 

[rbeav533]

I compared a HK45CT and USP Compact .45 side by side. The USP Compact slide is noticeably thicker and block shaped compared to the HK45C/CT. I was originally considering the USP Compact and changed my mind after seeing them side by side. I carry IWB, and the HK45C will be easier to conceal.

The elephant foot 10rd magazine on the HK45CT is problematic. Of course the solution is to use the 8rd with flat floor plate for IWB carry.

 

[BlaZ1n45]

I compared a HK45CT and USP Compact .45 side by side. The USP Compact slide is noticeably thicker and block shaped compared to the HK45C/CT. I was originally considering the USP Compact and changed my mind after seeing them side by side. I carry IWB, and the HK45C will be easier to conceal.

The elephant foot 10rd magazine on the HK45CT is problematic. Of course the solution is to use the 8rd with flat floor plate for IWB carry.

Did you notice much difference in length? Did the trigger feel about the same?

 

[BlaZ1n45]

Does anyone have any pictures of the two guns side by side?

 

[bordercop]

Blazin, what exactly are your concerns about the size? Also when you say "carry gun" are you talking about a duty weapon or concealed carry as an armed citizen?

There are trade-offs to either direction of size that you should consider for a carry gun. Just as an FYI, I CC a full size USP45 on my 30" waist.

 

[BlaZ1n45]

Blazin, what exactly are your concerns about the size? Also when you say "carry gun" are you talking about a duty weapon or concealed carry as an armed citizen?

There are trade-offs to either direction of size that you should consider for a carry gun. Just as an FYI, I CC a full size USP45 on my 30" waist.

I am trying to figure out witch of the two 45s are the most compact for carry.

 

[rbeav533]

Did you notice much difference in length? Did the trigger feel about the same?

You can find the specifications for both pistols at the HK website. From HK's website, the HK45C is .11" longer and .53" taller. It also shows as being wider, but that dimension is based on the width at the fire control lever. If that's an issue, I've been told the thinner profile fire control lever from the USP Compact .45 can be installed on the HK45C.

The pistols are nearly identical in overall size. But when you compare them side by side, the HK45C is visually sleeker due to the design of the slide.

 

[BigPoppah]

are the working components the compairable on the usp and hk45?

 

[LazarusLong]

If you are not absolutely wedded to the notion of .45 or nothing, I would suggest looking at the P30 or P30L. Many people find these to be most suitable as carry or duty pistols. I CC my P30L all day every day.

 

[BlaZ1n45]

If you are not absolutely wedded to the notion of .45 or nothing, I would suggest looking at the P30 or P30L. Many people find these to be most suitable as carry or duty pistols. I CC my P30L all day every day.

I'm stuck on the 45.