H&k Usp Fullsize 9 Vs. .40?

[Mr.RoDiN]

Well I am finally ready to take the step of purchasing one of my favorite firearms. I don't know why it took so long, but I kept getting side tracked. I guess I always new I wanted this gun so I bought others before it. The reason I am not including the .45 acp as an option is, I have an expert .45. (Which by the way I like it better than my springfield 1911 and my friends kimber.) I have two 9mms a glock and P7M8. However I do not own any .40 cals and I know this will be the only one if I decide to go with the .40. I have shot both cals with this particular model and I shoot just as well with both. Ive noticed, the .40 cal's recoil is a bit smoother than the 9's. Two draw backs of the .40 cal are, 1 the ammo is more expensive and 2, if I pick up the 9, I wouldnt have to purchase different type of ammo, since I already buy lots of 9mm. Any sugegstions from you H&K owners? Any comments, stories or info will really help me out. Also I use reloads for my glock. I know the usp can tolerate hot loads such as +P loads, but will I damage the gun if I fire good quality, factory reloads? Thanks!

[SVTNate]

There is no decision to make other than preference of caliber. They're the same gun, essentially. You're limited to 10 rounds either way, cost is the same for the gun itself... personally I'd go with 9mm, as I see no reason to introduce another caliber. I could see if you were going to carry the gun, as 10 rounds of .40 is better than 10 rounds of 9mm, but .40 offers nothing over the calibers you already own in terms of fun on the range. I'd rather pay less for ammo. Of course, this is coming from someone who doesn't like .40 S&W (short and weak, heh), but I have owned a USP9 and shot the USP40 many times. I sold the USP9, though, and now own twin USP45's - so you know where my true preference lies.

Just decide whether you want to introduce another caliber into the mix. Personally, my mainstays are .45ACP and 9mm. I shoot .357 Magnum a few times per month, and I also shoot .44 Magnum when I feel the need for sore hands. .40 offers nothing new and/or exciting unless it's for a compact carry gun or certain competitive shooting classes, IMO.

[mufc]

i own a USP40F and i love it. the 40 kicks a little sharper than the 9 but otherwise theyre the same gun (even in terms of size, weight, and dimensions they are pretty much identical).

It's a preference of which round u prefer, but if u don't have a 40 and wouldn't mind occasionally paying a bit more to buy the 40 cal (instead of 9mm) i would recommend the 40. It would add a bit of variety, as you already seem to have 9mm and the 45ACP.

Go with the bullet type you prefer- but either way the USP is a winner. Make sure to sign up at www.hkpro.com if u havent already as you can find pretty much answers to all questions you may have about your (about to be) new USP over there. I know the USP will handle hotter loads, but as I havent fired any personally, try checking out hkpro and finding information there.

[AxonGap]

I've had mine (USP .40 S&W) for over 7 years and it has been great in all ways! As for reloads, I've fed it some pretty questionable stuff and it has never once had a hiccup. If I'm not mistaken, the USP 9 and .40 SW generally share the same frame, you can convert the later to the former or vice-versa via a barrel/mag swap. Why not cover all your bases & get both! $$$

[Jeffrock]

Hey Mr. Rodin,
If you are still interested in you know what drop me a PM...
I have shot the .40 USP quite a few times. I was considering buying one to match the 9mm until I shot a P229 in .40, ended up with the Equinox. For me, I just love the .40 on the P229 platform.
Cheers,
Jeff

[phish]

I think the only complaint I have with my USP40 is that it will never win a beauty contest. I suppose that says a lot about it. I think I've put in excess of 10k rounds through it in the 11 years I've owned it, no hiccups.

Some may object to the raspy and sharp feel of the grip, but my hands are...nevermind...


oh shut up...

[Ryan HBC]

You think the recoil of the 40 is smoother than the 9? That's a first, the .40 has always seemed a little more violent to me no matter what gun.

A good point to remember is that the USP was originally designed for the .40S&W. Many pistols are designed for 9mm or .45 and scaled to fit, but not the USP. That doesn't necessarily MEAN anything, but it would add a little bit of favor to the .40.

That being said, I would vote for the 9mm. Cheaper ammo, same caliber as your other selections. Seems like adding another caliber to your collection would complicate rather than diversify. Also, 9mm = less recoil = more fun to shoot IMO.

[Pido11]

Base on what you have, I'll stick with 9mm. Less expensive and you already buying ammos for 9mm. i had the same situation and ending up trading it.

[zenbubu]

Usp

Mr. Rodin,

That is funny that you made that comment about the .40 handling the recoil smoother than the 9mm. I like the feel of the gun in that caliber even though I typically don't care for .40. I have owned USPs in .40, .45 and 9mm, and would have to say that the one that was most fun to shoot was the .40. There was something about the way that the USP felt firing that round. That being said, I sold my .45 and .40 after I bought the USP9 because I needed the money and all my other favorite guns were in 9mm. I own all nines now and I only have to worry about keeping one caliber stocked. I believe you will be happy with the nine or forty, as the USP is, in my opinion, a fantastic pistol

Also, to your question about reloads in the USP....A guy that I would shoot with from time to time used to shoot reloads from our local range exclusively. He never had a problem that I am aware of, and he has claimed to have shot over 10,000 through his with no problems. They must be some decent reloads (I wouldn't do it, but that's just me)

[Mr.RoDiN]

You think the recoil of the 40 is smoother than the 9? That's a first, the .40 has always seemed a little more violent to me no matter what gun.

A good point to remember is that the USP was originally designed for the .40S&W. Many pistols are designed for 9mm or .45 and scaled to fit, but not the USP. That doesn't necessarily MEAN anything, but it would add a little bit of favor to the .40.

That being said, I would vote for the 9mm. Cheaper ammo, same caliber as your other selections. Seems like adding another caliber to your collection would complicate rather than diversify. Also, 9mm = less recoil = more fun to shoot IMO.

Its weird. The 9mm seemed to have a bit of a snap to it. The .40, naturally, does have a bigger kick, but i felt it was a bit smoother. It just felt great. Im still thinking, because I have a glock 17. If I do buy the 9mm Usp Im just scared my glock is going to stay at home! Hehe

[markymark]

I'd get the .40

[Mr.RoDiN]

[QUOTE=markymark]I'd get the .40[/QUOTE

Thanks for the post, but can you go into detail? Reasons?

[markymark]

Just a preference for larger calibers especially if you're going to be using it on the range and for possible home defense situations. If you're just planning on range use, get the 9.