[SeanMH]

I'm 20 years old. I'll be turning 21 in a few months, and the first thing I'm going to do is get a Conceal-Carry permit. I've shot a wide variety of different makes of handguns. I grew up in a Sig household, but I've got my heart set on a USP. I've talked to a few ex-soldier friends of mine, and they all swear on the USP45. Unfortunately I haven't been able to get my hands on one yet. There's a few gun shows coming up that I plan on going to, to at least hold one and check it out. There aren't a whole lot of places in North Carolina (in my area, anyways) that I could find one to tinker with. I'm a fairly large guy. 6'0", 195 lbs. I've got a big hands as well, so most compact handguns aren't comfortable for me. I don't like for my pinky to sit under the magazine, so I'm considering a full-size .45. I feel like I'm big enough and wear big enough clothes to carry one, and I like the comfort of carrying 12+1.
Any info from people who carry a full-size USP45 would be great. I know a lot of people don't like to carry them because they're "too extreme", being combat-handguns. But I'd feel better having something like that, personally. What do you guys think?

 

[swiftwrx06]

I say its a great choice. I'd recommend getting some actual trigger time on one before you make a purchase though. Try finding a range that can rent one to you. The USP .45 is an excellent firearm but everyone is different and you need to make sure it fits you well. As far as concealing it day to day, it is very doable. Before I got into Glocks, I carried a fullsized USP .45 every day. I'm not a big guy but it still concealed very well for me. A good holster goes a long way in what you can conceal. I'd recommend a Comptac M-tac. Very comfortable and made my USP disappear. Now I have another M-tac holster for my Glock 21, another big gun, which I can also conceal very well due to a good holster.

 

[SeanMH]

I've been trying to find a place that will let me try one out. I think there's a place a couple of counties over, but I haven't had the time to dedicate to getting out there. I know a big thing that a lot of people complain about is the top of the grip below the back of the slide. I've heard a lot of complaints about it not being cut high enough, so it kind of cuts off the grip. But like you said, it's all about personal comfort. Is that holster molded, by chance? I've heard a lot about the Crossbreed Super-Tuck Deluxe. I like the availability of the adjustable ride-depth in the holster. I appreciate the help! Im glad that you've actually carried one before. It definitely helps out a lot.

 

[swiftwrx06]

The bore axis above the grip is a little higher than some other handguns like the Glock. Not being able to get your grip up higher, closer to the bore axis, might be a slight disadvantage because it theoretically translates to more muzzle flip but the USP softens the recoil enough to where most don't think it makes much of a difference.

Comptac holsters are specifically molded to each model firearm. The Crossbreed Supertuck you mentioned is actually a copy of the M-tac, basically the same holster different brand. I've heard good things about the Crossbreeds too, either will do you fine. Glad I could help.

 

[oregonlaw76]

I'm smaller than you and have managed to carry my 45 tactical. I've got an OWB (more comfortable) and also an IWB (a little less). I only carry it when I want a 45 and some capacity (hiking, bad areas of town). I have a p7m8 for daily. That being said, I would absolutely shoot one before buying. I highly recommend the match trigger or maybe looking at the HK45... I'll look at the make of the holsters and repost.

 

[S5TIIOwner]

I appendix carry one everyday, typically with fairly tight shirts. 6'2, 215lb, top heavy, lol. I used to carry a USP45C but couldn't conceal IWB on the hip with t-shirt so I switched to appendix carry which negated the usefulness of the compact.

As for bore axis, when I grip the fullsize USP's the web of my hand is snug under the "tail" while some flesh of my hand is shoved on and over the back of the "tail". bore axis be damned, it doesn't move.

Helpful hint; if doing appendix carry swap your hammer for a bobbed one, the spur can be painful when sitting.

 

[oregonlaw76]

It is a FIST IWB with matching mag pouch....

I'm smaller than you and have managed to carry my 45 tactical. I've got an OWB (more comfortable) and also an IWB (a little less). I only carry it when I want a 45 and some capacity (hiking, bad areas of town). I have a p7m8 for daily. That being said, I would absolutely shoot one before buying. I highly recommend the match trigger or maybe looking at the HK45... I'll look at the make of the holsters and repost.