New carry handgun... Glock or HK?

[poak]

Ok, first off:

THIS IS NOT A GENERIC "WHICH IS BETTER" THREAD!

Ok, so I've got an economic stimulus just burning a hole in my pocket. Currently I carry a SigPro SP2022 9mm, which is admitedly a little bulky, but I like it just fine. However I want something in .40 or .45 now. The first thought was ofcourse another Sig, but as I already have 2, (the SigPro mentioned above, and a P226 9mm), I kind of want something different.

I have never owned a Glock, and generally never cared for them, but I kind of like the G23. I have never shot one, but I handled one briefly and it has good capacity, and seems very concealable. I think it has a more attractive profile than some of the other compact Glocks. I can easily pick one up for $500 or less, so that's also an attractive point for the G23.

However, I have also never owned an HK, which I have admitedly always wanted. I have shot a full sized USP Tactical, which I liked very much. I'm interested in the USP Compact, which I have never seen or handled in person. It's definetly pricier, but it's an HK, what else would I expect?

So, has anyone had any experiences w/ one or both of these firearms? I'm esspecially interested in the form factor of the USP Compact. Is it equal or better than the G23 in the "comfort of concealment" department?

[The Rabbi]

The Hitler-Koch costs about 40-50% more than the Glock. And it is about equal a pistol. Maybe. Magazines are horribly expensive. Customer service is an oxymoron. I never liked the guns as I think they are a poor value. Not bad guns, but not nearly worth the price.

[molonlabetn]

I always considered the XD line to be very similar to the Sig, in terms of general feel, position of the slide-release, sights, pointability, etc... Might be worth considering.

Between just the 2 makers you mentioned... The H&K is higher quality, and won't force you to strain your natural grip like a Glock will (assuming you already know that the Sig grip-angle fits you).

[poak]

Yeah, the few I have shot, (which included a suppressed class 3 MP5 in Vegas, woo hoo) were excellent in fit and finish, but I couldnt say that I was getting anything more than HK snobbery and bragging rights for my extra $ over the G23.

I just never saw myself buying a Glock, but something about that G23 has been reeling me in.

Still got one in your shop Rabbi? Or did one of the Yo's pick it up, regardless that it wasnt a fully?

[TGO David]

The polymer guns that I'd look at were I in your shoes...

1. Glock 23

2. HK P2000 or P2000SK in DA/SA (V3)

3. Smith & Wesson M&P 40 and 40c

4. Springfield XD-40 and XD-40 SC

Pretty much in that order. I put the XD at the bottom of the list primarily because I don't care for their ridiculous practice of requiring that you absolutely send your firearm to them for even replacement of the most insignificant parts. Parts for them are starting to surface through some suppliers, but it's still a headache.

I really like the S&W M&P handguns and if enough people are having good experiences with them now, I'd probably bump it up to the #2 or even #1 position. I just saw too many silly problems out of them when I owned a few to feel 100% confident carrying one for self defense.

[The Rabbi]

Yeah, the few I have shot, (which included a suppressed class 3 MP5 in Vegas, woo hoo) were excellent in fit and finish, but I couldnt say that I was getting anything more than HK snobbery and bragging rights for my extra $ over the G23.

I just never saw myself buying a Glock, but something about that G23 has been reeling me in.

Still got one in your shop Rabbi? Or did one of the Yo's pick it up, regardless that it wasnt a fully?

Yeah, still got the 23, in very good condition. Even got an esstended for it.

As for polymer guns, I dont know why people don't consider the new Beretta Px4s more. For my money they are the best polymer guns on the market.

As for comparing the XD with the SIG, gimmeabreak. I would compare the XD with the HiPoint, except the XD's warranty is worse.

[MrNobody]

"I'm so emotionally, I just love my glock" -Young Jeezy

I love my Glock to.

[Warbird]

I second the HK P2000. Give it a look see and feel.

Edited May 7, 2008 by Warbird

[creeky]

Try to shoot them both and see which one you like. You can spend

all day reading on gun boards about what other people think. but the bottom

line is that it is your money and your choice alone. You are the one that

has to live with the decision not everybody else.

If you shoot the USPcompact and feel it's worth the money, and fits your

hand... buy one.

If the Glock fits your hand, and you like it... buy it.

Try the P2000sk... if you like it... buy it.

Either way both will do what you want them to do in the end.

I am wary of anyone who is so dogmatic on any particular

firearm. They all have plus and minuses... but those mean different

things to different people. (IMHO)

Seeking the advice of others is wise. But in the end it is just that... advice.

[molonlabetn]

Yeah, still got the 23, in very good condition. Even got an esstended for it.

As for polymer guns, I dont know why people don't consider the new Beretta Px4s more. For my money they are the best polymer guns on the market.

As for comparing the XD with the SIG, gimmeabreak. I would compare the XD with the HiPoint, except the XD's warranty is worse.

You were making a good point until that.

The takedown lever and barrel lockup were copied from the Sig (the parts could literally interchange and function between my XD and P239), as could the sights. To say that there are no engineering parallels is simply ignorance, this has been noted by a number of professional sources.

[Guest dwrd]

Poak, what part of the state are you in? If you want to try out a Glock 23, I will meet you up at one of the ranges for you to take it out for a spin. PM me if you are interested.

[Guest sling]

Eh, yeah same with me. I have a USPc 9mm and a P7 your welcome to try as well. dwrd and I usually go shoot together so you'd have the best of both worlds. Let one of us know if your interested. All i ask is you furnish your own factory ammo.

Edited May 7, 2008 by sling

[Guest GLOCKGUY]

well i had to think about it for awhile but if i was you i would go with the GLOCK you will love it and the customer services that comes with it

[Guest sling]

^ Biased. lol

Take us up on the offer and decide.

[Guest m4coyote]

Aside from my other pistols, I own several Glock pistols, two H&K USPs, and one newly acquired S&W M&P9C.

The pros for the Glock pistols are a greater ammo capacity to size ratio, light weight, probably the toughest finish available on any firearm, high degree of workmanship, accuracy, very good customer service, great reliability, cheap replacement & custom parts, very easy parts availability, and good resale value.

For me, the only con for the Glock is the lack of a manual safety.

The pros for the USP (for me) are the manual safety, accuracy, less felt recoil, great reliability, high degree of workmanship, and good resale value.

The cons for the H&Ks are more weight than Glock, less ammo capacity to size ratio, larger than Glock in every dimension, easily worn finish, no easily obtainable parts, poor customer service for non LEO or military personnel, and expensive initial cost.

I purchased a new Smith & Wesson M&P9c two weeks ago, and I loved the ergonomics, the USA build, and the trigger, but it is already on a trip back to the mother ship as of today. I have fired about 150 rounds through it, and it very reliably ejects hot brass directly into my face or down my shirt, has consistent FTF problems with various brands of hollow point ammo, roughly finished rifling in the barrel, and a constant failure to lock the slide open after the last round has been fired. The M&P 9C is just about identical in size to my G19, but holds less rounds,and is far less dependable. The interior of my M&P barrel is not finished nearly as nicely as the Kel Tec P3AT I sold, and a far cry from the mirror polished bores of my Glocks and H&Ks. Unfortunately, I have also heard through the grapevine that the resale value of the M&P is very poor, and now I understand why.

Edited May 7, 2008 by m4coyote

[poak]

Eh, yeah same with me. I have a USPc 9mm and a P7 your welcome to try as well. dwrd and I usually go shoot together so you'd have the best of both worlds. Let one of us know if your interested. All i ask is you furnish your own factory ammo.

Cool, I'm in Nashville too, I would love to meet up and shoot w/ you guys sometime. When do you usually go, weekends?

[TGO David]

I purchased a new Smith & Wesson M&P9c two weeks ago, and I loved the ergonomics, the USA build, and the trigger, but it is already on a trip back to the mother ship as of today. I have fired about 150 rounds through it, and it very reiably ejects hot brass directly into my face or down my shirt, has consistent FTF problems with various brands of hollow point ammo, roughly finished rifling in the barrel, and a constant failure to lock the slide open after the last round has been fired.

I see that Smith and Wesson is still having these problems. Sorry to hear this. Enough time has lapsed since the M&P was introduced that they should have gotten these kinks worked out by now.

There's no longer any reason for me to give them the benefit of saying that they are just suffering typical Freshman Year problems. I really hope that they get it together soon, otherwise the M&P may be written off as Sigma Version 2.0

[Guest dwrd]

Cool, I'm in Nashville too, I would love to meet up and shoot w/ you guys sometime. When do you usually go, weekends?

We normally hit Stones River by Percy Priest lake, or sometimes we head of to Joelton. Normally if it is a weekend, then Stones river. If we go after work, then it would be up to Joelton.

[Guest sling]

Cool, I'm in Nashville too, I would love to meet up and shoot w/ you guys sometime. When do you usually go, weekends?

Yup. Usually go to the Stones River range in Mt Juliet.

However, girlfriend decided to eat up all of my ammo at Guns and Leather last week so i dont have any bullets to load with.. plenty o' primers, powder, and casings... just no more bullets.

Its heresy for me to buy ammo....

I'll buy some at reloaders bench.

I may go this weekend though however dwrd isnt going to go cause he's all weird about his weekends and crap..

Let me know and i'll get derek's glock 23 from him and we'll hit the range.

[JimmyJoe69]

I have 2 H&K's.... both in .45 ACP and LOVE both of them more than any other weapon I own. I also own an XD (also in .45 ACP) and much prefer the H&K. I have never owned a Glock but I once had an issue shooting one at the Ducks Unlimited Festival in Memphis. It was an accidental discharge that I take full responsibility for (absolutely no one was injured or anything like that... I just put a hole where they did not want one) because I was unfamilar with the weapon. A Glock rep had instructed me on the function but it still happened. After that I vowed to not own one. I have NEVER had a malfunction of any kind with either of my USP's. As far as the magazines prices go, if you look hard enough you can find them for the same price as a good 1911 magazine. But do not expect to find a good deal simply lying around most gun shops. The USP is not a high capacity firearm by any stretch. But I personally think this is a non-issue (for myself anyway). I have recently looked at the P2000 and it will definitely be my next handgun purchase if I decide to go any smaller than a .45. That is my proverbial two cents worth.

[TGO David]

I have recently looked at the P2000 and it will definitely be my next handgun purchase if I decide to go any smaller than a .45. That is my proverbial two cents worth.

I could make you a smoking deal on a P2000 .40SW V3 (DA/SA) right now if you wanted one. Offer expires midnight this Friday.

[JimmyJoe69]

Is it a sub-compact?

[Guest eyebedam]

I could make you a smoking deal on a P2000 .40SW V3 (DA/SA) right now if you wanted one. Offer expires midnight this Friday.

Must be making that sat road trip to Joes Id bet.

[TGO David]

Is it a sub-compact?

No, I skipped the SK because the short grip just didn't feel right to me. I've had some sub-compacts in the past and they always ended up giving me blood blisters on the heel of my hand when I'd pinch it swapping mags.

Must be making that sat road trip to Joes Id bet.

You should play the lottery. NOW. Before your uncanny ability to anticipate future events ceases!!!

[Guest jam]

I will say this. They are both quality firearms and you wouldn't go wrong owning either one. I personally own a usp 45 (fullsize) and love it. I have personally fired usp compacts and a glock 23's. But as has been said before on this topic you have to go with what suits your. In terms of carry, I kind of think they are both a little thicker then I like when carrying IWB.

I've been able to find magazines for decent prices by shopping around (had good luck on cdnn) but holsters have been a PIA to get. Because I have a 45 and it is dimensionally different from the 9 and 40 it took me quite awhile to find a holster.

p.s in terms of wear, if you can find a ss usp than that would solve your wear issue.