[HKGunsAreGreat]

I am seeking opinions on the difference between the HK P30L and the USP 9. I have a P30L and like it very much it is been my EDC for some time now. I installed Trijicon HD orange night sights am very happy with them. I use a custom slim pancake holster from MTR in North Carolina. I recently purchased a SIG 226 MK 25 which I may also use as an EDC but it is a little heavy. The 226 is great is arrange gun and it soaks up all the recoil. I recently became aware of other versions of the USP and 9 mm such as the elite and expert but they start becoming heavier and longer than what I want for EDC. 7.75 inches and 29 ounces is maximum for what I am able and willing to carry as an EDC.

For those of you who have owned, owned, or shot both, P30L and USP 9 do you have any opinions on the following: 1) accuracy 2) USP 9 lacking interchangeable grips; 3) operation and functioning of pistol regarding ease-of-use and reliability; 4) which do you like better (subjective); and 5) difference in perceived recoil if any.

I also own a M&P 9, my 1st EDC which I no longer carry and a Beretta PX4 Storm 9mm which I wish I did not buy. Nothing wrong with the Beretta earn is very reliable but it is fat, ugly, and I could have spent the money towards another HK. Once I bought the HK the only thing else that I was considering besides another HK was the SIG which I recently purchased.

 

[JooJooBurger]

I suppose nobody else has replied yet -- I'll bite.

1. Both are accurate handguns. It's hard to find an HK handgun that's not accurate.
2. For some users, this will pose to be a problem. However, I think HK did a good job finding a grip in overall dimensions that fit a wide variety of hands. Smaller hands will suffer, but the USP 9/40 frame is quite perfect for me with the USP 45 being on the large side. P30 does have an advantage with its 27 different grip configurations.
3. I would say the USP is one of the, if not the most tested pistol in the world alongside the HK MK23. It's track record has proven that as well. It's seen use in SOF circles around the globe and is issued as the standard issue sidearm of the Germans as the P8. I would say the only thing the P30 clearly has over the USP in terms of function, is the integral light rail.
4. USP
5. P30 definitely shoots with more of a snap and gets on target faster, USP has less recoil.

Your mileage may vary. Hope this helps.

 

[rjv140]

I prefer the p30l over the usp9 for cc, as for me, it is easier to conceal. I look at the usp, which feels like it has more of a footprint vs the p30, as more of a range toy. To me, they are two different animals, but are awesome in their own right. The customization of the p30 grip, and ambi slide release are certainly a plus over the usp, however, the usp has a nicer trigger in my opinion. The usp gives you more trigger options vs p30, including option of a match trigger, which is very nice. The usp has less perceived recoil, but the p30 is certainly managible, and, to me, is not a deciding factor. I would try and hold and shoot them side by side to help choose the best gun for you.

 

[HKGunsAreGreat]

I suppose nobody else has replied yet -- I'll bite.

1. Both are accurate handguns. It's hard to find an HK handgun that's not accurate.
2. For some users, this will pose to be a problem. However, I think HK did a good job finding a grip in overall dimensions that fit a wide variety of hands. Smaller hands will suffer, but the USP 9/40 frame is quite perfect for me with the USP 45 being on the large side. P30 does have an advantage with its 27 different grip configurations.
3. I would say the USP is one of the, if not the most tested pistol in the world alongside the HK MK23. It's track record has proven that as well. It's seen use in SOF circles around the globe and is issued as the standard issue sidearm of the Germans as the P8. I would say the only thing the P30 clearly has over the USP in terms of function, is the integral light rail.
4. USP
5. P30 definitely shoots with more of a snap and gets on target faster, USP has less recoil.

Your mileage may vary. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply JooJooBurger I appreciate it and it certainly does help. A better trigger and less recoil would be very nice but having's 27 different grip configurations is wonderful. I have changed my grip configurations multiple times on the P 30 L and now I just seem to have adjusted to the larger ones. I have a large gun show near me next weekend which I will be attending and I will have to molest some USP's while I am there. It is nice to hear how reliable this USP is since without reliability there is not much else. Thanks and have a great day.

 

[JooJooBurger]

I will say some people may benefit from not having those 27 grip configurations, depending on who they are. I have a friend who simply cannot make up his mind. He goes back and forth almost every other day adjusting his grip panels in an effort to squeeze out more comfort out of the gun. If anything, I think it's just created more grip comfort issues and restlessness for himself. LOL. He could certainly use a gun that fit his hands without options to change the backstraps.

Assuming you're not indecisive as he is, you'll be fine. Curious to see how the USP fits your hands. You can definitely try out all the guns to see what fits best.

Grip circumferences as follows, from largest to smallest: MK23 > USP .45 > USP 9/.40 > USP Compact 9/.40

Not sure where the USP Compact .45 falls on that list.

 

[HKGunsAreGreat]

I will say some people may benefit from not having those 27 grip configurations, depending on who they are. I have a friend who simply cannot make up his mind. He goes back and forth almost every other day adjusting his grip panels in an effort to squeeze out more comfort out of the gun. If anything, I think it's just created more grip comfort issues and restlessness for himself. LOL. He could certainly use a gun that fit his hands without options to change the backstraps.

Assuming you're not indecisive as he is, you'll be fine. Curious to see how the USP fits your hands. You can definitely try out all the guns to see what fits best.

Grip circumferences as follows, from largest to smallest: MK23 > USP .45 > USP 9/.40 > USP Compact 9/.40

Not sure where the USP Compact .45 falls on that list.

Thank you for the latest reply JooJooBurger, I found it quite interesting. Having too many choices sometimes creates more problems. If one is having dessert and chooses their favorite ice cream and you ask the person if they are happy eating it, he/she will say yes he/she made the right choice. Then if you bring him/her 10 additional flavors to choose he/she will say they want a different flavor of ice cream. After eating the 2nd choice for a few minutes if you present the person with another 10 choices of different ice creams once again that that person will choose a different one. There is psychological research to support the issue that after one makes a choice, presenting newer choices always makes the individual indecisive and unsure if they made the right choice and one now desire something different.

With my M&P 9 and PX4 Storm, 9mm, I simply use the large back grip all the time. On my P30L I have a medium side grip and a large back grip. I previously changed the grips periodically but I became tired of that. With a pistol without interchangeable grips if it fits well or if it fits semi-well I think individuals can just adjust to it and focus on other aspects of the gun. On my SIG 226 I chose Hogue rubber grips and while there larger than what I would like, they feel so good and help absorb recoil so well that I just leave them on.

One question I have though, why did not HK ever update the USP with interchangeable back grip since that is quite common today on polymer handguns? It seems it would have been simple to accomplish without having to change other aspects of the pistol. Is HK a consistent company in that once it develops a model it does not make many changes on the model and simply comes up with new different models versus updated versions? Thanks and have a nice day.

 

[Austin1776]

Do you have a range anywhere within reasonable driving distance where you might be able to handle both and compare? Or maybe a fellow HK forum member near you might make that possible?

 

[HKGunsAreGreat]

Actually on the P30L i have the small side grips and large back grip which I became quite accustomed. I just tried changing it out with the medium back grip and small side grips and while I can grab the gun easier out of the holster it does not feel as secure in my hand. There is something to say about the interchangeable back grips that is positive and negative. While one can become quite indecisive and frequently change the grips, they offer 27 variations to custom fit the pistol to one's hand. The side grips and small work perfect for me and I can either use the large or medium back grip. For shooting the little hump in the large back grip helps with the recoil for recoil sensitive person. I am off to the range in a few minutes but I do not think my range runs the USP. I am attending a large gun show this weekend where the USP will be there and at least I will know how the grip feels. I am sure the USP 9 mm full-size will be a soft shooter and very accurate even for someone who is recoil sensitive.

At least my issue is not whether I can buy a new 9 mm for 2017 but which one to buy. I have already picked out the Ruger 22/45 lite Mark IV for my 22 purchase and now I just need to come up with the 9 mm selection. I considered the Ruger Mark 4 target pistol but it is a little heavy so in the long run I may be more comfortable with one weighing 11 ounces less.

I am crossing my fingers that maybe HK will come out with something new at shot show but then maybe not. Keep aiming straight.

 

[HKGunsAreGreat]

Do you have a range anywhere within reasonable driving distance where you might be able to handle both and compare? Or maybe a fellow HK forum member near you might make that possible?

I do not believe my local range has the USP but I am gonna be there within the hour and will find out. I will be able to handle them and molest them at my gun show this weekend and can speak to some of the vendors about the pistol. I once looked at the Beretta 92 compact but quickly realized it was big and fat for my hand. My HK P30L has a great large back rip in that there is a hump but on top of the hump there is an indentation so the web of my hand fits close to the gun but the palm of my hand has something larger to grab and more recoil to absorb. HK engineers did a great job on that pistol and it really should be the model for all modern pistols but then the price would go up and not everyone would like interchangeable side grips. Many people base decisions on cost alone.

PS a member of some time ago probably 2 years was going to let me shoot there pistol and I was gonna meet them at the range but then decided the USP was not for me. It is interesting how quality products that you disregard can come back for considerations because they are such quality products and HK is quality and everything they make is outstanding. Enough for now I will post a report if unable to shoot the USP at my range today. I have to go my pistols are telling me we need to leave.

 

[Austin1776]

I do not believe my local range has the USP but I am gonna be there within the hour and will find out. I will be able to handle them and molest them at my gun show this weekend and can speak to some of the vendors about the pistol. I once looked at the Beretta 92 compact but quickly realized it was big and fat for my hand. My HK P30L has a great large back rip in that there is a hump but on top of the hump there is an indentation so the web of my hand fits close to the gun but the palm of my hand has something larger to grab and more recoil to absorb. HK engineers did a great job on that pistol and it really should be the model for all modern pistols but then the price would go up and not everyone would like interchangeable side grips. Many people base decisions on cost alone.

PS a member of some time ago probably 2 years was going to let me shoot there pistol and I was gonna meet them at the range but then decided the USP was not for me. It is interesting how quality products that you disregard can come back for considerations because they are such quality products and HK is quality and everything they make is outstanding. Enough for now I will post a report if unable to shoot the USP at my range today. I have to go my pistols are telling me we need to leave.

Have a great day, brother. And let us know what you find out for yourself.

 

[berettabone]

good prices on the P2000SK.....................................................................

 

[dmcutter]

I like the DA/SA versions (V1 on the USP, can't remember what it is on the P2000SK) and I vastly prefer the location of the safety/decocker on the USP vs the P2000SK.

 

[HKGunsAreGreat]

I just came back from the range today shooting both my SIG 226 MK 25 and my Walter PPQ M2 22 LR. My range no longer has any the HK's except the VP 9 to rent which is currently being worked on by their armorer but they did have a USP 40 caliber compact on consignment which I was able to handle. The pistol did not feel too thick for me and I certainly like the size. Recoil is an issue for me so I would deftly need to shoot it before I purchased it. Right away I noticed that if I buy that pistol I can never change the grip size at all and that is a consideration. I will be going to big gun show this weekend and will look and handle as many USP's as I can find as well as some P2000.