Opinons on a USP 45

View · by **Aliensrgr8** on Mon Oct 26, 2015 12:25 pm

I have an opportunity to purchase a low round count H&K USP45 for $550.00. I am curious what is the current market value and if this considered a good price. I like the way it feels and I am rather impressed in the build quality of the firearm. I typically shoot a full size 9mm M&P and I am a little concerned that I may not like the .45. This would be my second pistol, and my only experience with a .45 round is with a 1911 Springfield v10 ultra compact. If this was a USP 9mm I would be more comfortable purchasing the pistol.

I an just looking for reassurance that this is a good value and that I won't be disappointed.

View · by **yukonjasper** on Mon Oct 26, 2015 1:43 pm

Sites like Gunbroker are great for checking gun value. Look at the closed sales. Good luck.

View · by **Bearcatrp** on Mon Oct 26, 2015 4:34 pm

Wife will be selling her 40 S&W USP soon. Looked at what new and used were going for, not cheap. Her's was going around 800 used so yours is probably a bit more.

View · by **fine ape** on Mon Oct 26, 2015 4:52 pm

Thats about what i paid for my USP 40 from DK Mags in 2011. Mine was made back 95 and it was probably a police trade in. That being said the gun has been boringly reliable for the 800 or so rounds that I've put through it, and the finish on the slide has held up pretty good over 20 years.

As for shooting it mine had more muzzle flip than my 9mms or 45s, but a new recoil spring fixed most of that. The trigger is less than stellar both DA and SA. Especially compared to the SA trigger in most 1911s, or DA in a good S&W revolver.

One thing to keep in mind if you get the gun and end up liking it extra mags are going to be spendy.

Do you know what varent the gun is? DA SA with safety, decocker? DAO?..ect

View · by **Aliensrgr8** on Wed Oct 28, 2015 5:58 pm

It is a variant 1.

View · by **Bitter Bastard** on Wed Oct 28, 2015 7:43 pm

It's definitely a good value at $550. USP's are nice pistols but they are bulky. I carried my USP .45 for a while. It's not heavy but the bulk is noticeable. Triggers are so-so but can be upgraded if you wish. Ergonomics and reliability are both top-notch. Mags are a bit expensive, holster selection won't be as good as something like a Glock but they are out there. Also, unless HK redesigned the rail, it is the HK rail, not a picatinny like everyone else uses.

But really, it's an H&K, you can't really go too wrong.

Bitter Bastard

View · by **fine ape** on Wed Oct 28, 2015 8:15 pm

Bitter Bastard wrote: Also, unless HK redesigned the rail, it is the HK rail, not a picatinny like everyone else uses.

Nope USPs still have the proprietary HK "rail". HK switch to the picatinny rail on the HK45, P30, and VP series pistols. You "can" get a rail adapt for them, but there ether cheep and bulky (lasetlyte for $15-$25) or spendy (GGG $60).

Some light/laser manufacturers make USP specific units.

Hkparts.net is an ok place to see what would be available for the pistol.
http://www.hkparts.net/shop/pc/HK-USP-45-Parts-c200.htm

View · by **shooter115** on Wed Oct 28, 2015 10:49 pm

I had a USP 40 for almost ten years before I sold it. They are an OK gun, I'm just not a fan of DA/SA guns. Mags were expensive and I got mine during the AWB, so most the mags I had were 10 rounders, but even the high cap mags are only like 14rds. The proprietary HK rail is stupid. Even though it was a good, reliable pistol I don't ever see myself buying another.

View · by **Bitter Bastard** on Thu Oct 29, 2015 7:44 am

A bit of history, someone will correct me if I'm wrong. But I think the H&K USP series was the first production gun, at least by a major manufacturer, to have an accessory rail. They were the first and I'm sure that is one of the reasons the USP rail is proprietary. There wasn't a standard then. Back in the early 90's when they came out, there weren't rails on everything like there are today. You had scope rails with scopes and that was about it. The rail on the USP was a great leap forward and there were/are accessories for it - lights, lasers, and scope mounts for example. The USP was also ahead of its time in that it was modular. The fire control group could be easily switched between DA/SA, DAO, SAO, ambi, etc. The .40 USP was the first production pistol built from the ground up as a .40. Up until then, .40's were redesigned 9mm guns. The .45 came a couple years later.

The USP has a place in pistol design history. Nothing really earth shattering but an advancement for sure.

Of course H&K still thinks you suck and they hate you, but they make good products.

Bitter Bastard

View · by **Seismic Sam** on Thu Oct 29, 2015 8:01 am

For only your 2nd gun, I definitely would look at other brands before getting one. That's a lot of bulk to just shoot 45 ACP, and if you get a 1911 the USP will start gathering dust in the safe. I can't imagine ever carrying a gun this big, so what's the point?? These days you can get a Para P14.45 that carries 14 rounds of 45 ACP and is somewhat smaller. If you go with one of the 3 1/2" bbl 45's, you can go a LOT smaller.

View · by **ZardozCZ** on Thu Oct 29, 2015 3:21 pm

SAR K2 45 is very reasonable at Buds lately. Hovering around $395 for 14+1 45. Very good quality shooter with nice features. It's 40 oz low bore axis so soft shooting to boot.

View · by **Seismic Sam** on Fri Oct 30, 2015 6:35 am

ZardozCZ wrote:SAR K2 45 is very reasonable at Buds lately. Hovering around $395 for 14+1 45. Very good quality shooter with nice features. It's 40 oz low bore axis so soft shooting to boot.

And it's worth noting that Tanfoglio set up the factory for these guys, so the quality should be pretty good. Haven't seen one yet, and if I do for that price I'll probably get one just for the hell of it. I can also vouch for the low bore axis which Tanfoglio's have, and make them very soft shooters indeed. I have a 38 Super Match, and I'm running 9x23 Winchester in it, can get the same velocities with 125 grain Gold Dots as my 357 Sig Elite, and the recoil on the lower barrel axis with the Tanfoglio is much less than the Sig piece.

View · by **Bitter Bastard** on Fri Oct 30, 2015 6:49 am

I have a lot of off brand guns. Most shoot just fine - accurate and reliable. However, none have the overall build quality or hold their value like an H&K. As or if the OP builds his collection over the years, an H&K will likely always stand out as a quality gun with pride of ownership.

To the OP - a USP .45 for $550 is a really good deal. But I don't think you said what you wanted to do with the gun. It's not ideal for concealed carry but it can be done, it's not a huge deal, just a bit bulkier than other options. For a range gun or open carry gun, it's a great choice.

USP's have increased in value over the years, like many other HK guns. I bought my first USP about 1994 for I think around $500. I'm sure I could sell it now for more than that. I doubt USP's will ever skyrocket like a P7 or SP-89 but they are appreciating in value.

Bitter Bastard

View · by **Aliensrgr8** on Fri Oct 30, 2015 5:43 pm

Thanks for all the input. I purchased it last night and brought it home. As mentioned it is a variant 1 and came with 2 12 round mags, and the original box. The purpose of the purchase was because I always thought they were a neat looking pistol, it was priced right,and I could resell in the future if needed. It will be for range duty only and I currently don't have any plans to carry it. I have been looking at a Ruger LCP9S for carry purposes, when I came across this USP45. I would like to fire a Ruger prior to purchase. But now I guess the Ruger purchase will need to wait a little longer. I am looking forward to trying out the USP45 this weekend.

View · by **Seismic Sam** on Sat Oct 31, 2015 9:25 am

ZardozCZ wrote:SAR K2 45 is very reasonable at Buds lately. Hovering around $395 for 14+1 45. Very good quality shooter with nice features. It's 40 oz low bore axis so soft shooting to boot.

Been looking for a K2 for a while, so I checked the Bud's site and it's listed as $507 right now, with a notation of "make an offer"?? So what's the deal, is the K2 periodically discounted at some point in the year, or should I just put in an offer of $395?? Thanks to anyone who can help me with this matter!!