[9mmSteve]

I'm going to be moving shortly and I've decided now would be a good time to start carrying. I would like to use a full-size USP45, with a UTL and a Hogue grip. The USP I have now fit's perfectly in my hand, I'm exceptionally comfortable with it and I've found it to shoot where I look without any effort, I've never found myself even focusing on the sights with it, just point and shoot and it's gold. So I would like to carry a USP full size over a more compact gun for that reason. I would also like to have a UTL or other light on it (I own a UTL, but if something better has come out I'm all ears. Been a while.). I feel a light is something best to have and not need than to need and not have, and it strikes me as something that might help quite a bit. I'm a night owl.


I've been researching quite a bit, but I am new to CCW. I've been shooting all my life, spent the last 10 years in love with my USP and training with it, CCW is something I have looked into but for whatever reason never got around to it.

I'm a big guy, 6', 230lbs and in shape (built like a blacksmith that I am, lol). But I would like to hear from people carrying a full sized USP, especially if you have a light on it. I guess I am just trying to avoid any mistakes as I'm new to CCW and am not sure what obstacles come from carrying a full-sized USP, let alone with a UTL.

So, who's carrying one and how do you like it? Problems? Good holster choices? (especially with a UTL? I see there is a holster forum, but I'm not sure this would fit more in there than in here)

 

[chopperduke]

I'm 6'2", 210 and carry a full size USP Tactical .45 but got rid of the UTL. I honestly didn't see the need for it and it's not a small light.

 

[S5TIIOwner]

I am the same build minus an inch in height. I appendix carry my USP45F. I tried the UTL on it but it snags REALLY badly for me.

 

[orfeo]

I carry a fullsize USP 45 concealed, but not with a weapon light. Seems like that would be pretty bulky, and I can't see the need in a typical defensive-carry role.

 

[Brownie]

As you can tell from the responses, while the USP .45 may not be the ideal CCW it is certainly viable if you are will to dress around it. I think the UTL is going to push it over the top in terms of practicality, but then again these decisions come down to personal preference.

 

[9mmSteve]

Thanks for the replies.

My thought on the UTL was that I'm out at night a fair bit and almost all the times in my memory when I thought it would be good to carry or even as a kid growing up when my father did, it was at night and not at a well lit place.

I don't currently have a holster, but since I have a USP and a UTL, maybe I'll play around with it a bit and see if it would be worth the effort. Maybe I just like having it on there too much, lol.

 

[AustinWolv]

Finding an easily available holster for it seems like it would be a challenge also. Any reason against handheld light? Better (safer) to search and identify with and then quickly transition into one of the flashlight technique holds if needed.

 

[9mmSteve]

I like the idea of it being 'all in one', having just a flashlight becomes one more thing to carry on an already long list. The UTL comes off pretty easily if need be. I think more than anything in all honesty its just what I'm use to using, so I'm already comfortable with it. For whatever reason it changes the feel of the gun to me that I like quite a bit as well. But, it might not be worth all the effort, have to see how bulky it's going to be to say the least.

Don't have too much concern over finding a holster easily, I don't mind having a custom one made for it. Guess I need to figure out a few questions about how I'm going to be carrying and test it out first.

 

[9mmSteve]

Alright, after looking at it a bit and trying a few things I think having a UTL on it has gone out the window. Have to give it all some thought.

Thanks for the advise everyone.

 

[Tater2.0]

If you have decided against carrying the UTL and are still thinking about carrying the USP I would reccomend a crossbreed super tuck. I carry my USP 45 during the fall/winter in Ohio and it conceals extremely well. As others have said, you must "dress accordingly" but it is very doable. Check out their website and as much as I hate to direct anyone to Youtube for advice on anything, there are some reviews of people that carry fullsize USP 45's in super tucks so you can see the end result. (Not bashing Youtube video guys, just saying that it is sometimes difficult to find someone who actually knows what they are talking about. They are out there though you just gotta look for them. I actually found someone who did a review on an HK 45 Tac and he said that the O ring was there to keep moisture/water out...)
Good luck brother!

 

[GettinIt]

That would be a large profile to conceal, but you could do it depending on your climate. If your most comfortable with that pistol than that's the one you should carry.

 

[tktm]

You could carry it in a fanny pack, but the safety lever will move if there is any wiggle room in the fanny pack.