Hi everyone! Long time reader from way back, first time poster here. Allow me to indulge you in my backstory a bit and to ask the group's opinion on something (I know, I know, "buy what you like" and all that!). I first got into the gun/shooting hobby in the early 00's after college in my hometown of Las Vegas where gun ownership is a breeze and ranges are aplenty. Ran thru a ton of Glocks at that time before finally landing on my one and only- a sweet, sweet USP 9 Compact with a stainless slide. I remember thinking how badass it looked in the case and what a great shot it was. Then a 14 year stint in Los Angeles put the hobby to a bit of a rest and the USP became more or less a safe queen for over a decade. Fast forward to today where I am now living in Austin, Texas and this passion has been suddenly awoken. Late nights browsing the forums and pouring over sale posts like the old days while my wife rolls her eyes as I dive back into yet another hobby.
So here's my dilemma...I've got the itch BIG TIME for something new. Something I can take to the range, but will also double as a reliable nightstand gun. I know my compact 9 is more than suitable for both. But I'm thinking switching it up to a full size 45 could be cool. I remember how sweet my old Glock 21 was back in the day. The USP 45 and HK45 are bouncing around in my head. Handled a HK45 Tactical at the local gun store today. Man, that grip is nice! They also had a MK23 which had me drooling. Something about the all-black, severe look of these models has me rethinking the stainless. I got my hopes up on doing some kind of trade-in deal but those were dashed when they offered me peanuts for my compact 9.
So what do I do, remain content with what I have as these stainless models seem to be somewhat of a scarcity which is pretty cool (not to mention a total time capsule piece) or get to trading/buying/selling? How precious are these stainless models now? I keep reading how people are snatching them up two-three at a time just to sit on them. Do I take a closer look at what I consider to be some new product lines like the VP9 or P30? Although, my loyalty and comfort lies in the USP. I'm strictly one in, one out at this point so no building a collection for me.
Anyways, if you read this far thank you! It's a fun feeling picking up an old hobby and to get involved in what I've always considered to be a really great community. I'm looking forward to learning more and getting up to speed after a 10+ year slumber.
Best,
Serge
So here's my dilemma...I've got the itch BIG TIME for something new. Something I can take to the range, but will also double as a reliable nightstand gun. I know my compact 9 is more than suitable for both. But I'm thinking switching it up to a full size 45 could be cool. I remember how sweet my old Glock 21 was back in the day. The USP 45 and HK45 are bouncing around in my head. Handled a HK45 Tactical at the local gun store today. Man, that grip is nice! They also had a MK23 which had me drooling. Something about the all-black, severe look of these models has me rethinking the stainless. I got my hopes up on doing some kind of trade-in deal but those were dashed when they offered me peanuts for my compact 9.
So what do I do, remain content with what I have as these stainless models seem to be somewhat of a scarcity which is pretty cool (not to mention a total time capsule piece) or get to trading/buying/selling? How precious are these stainless models now? I keep reading how people are snatching them up two-three at a time just to sit on them. Do I take a closer look at what I consider to be some new product lines like the VP9 or P30? Although, my loyalty and comfort lies in the USP. I'm strictly one in, one out at this point so no building a collection for me.
Anyways, if you read this far thank you! It's a fun feeling picking up an old hobby and to get involved in what I've always considered to be a really great community. I'm looking forward to learning more and getting up to speed after a 10+ year slumber.
Best,
Serge
