Sig P229 vs HK USP Compact - 40 cal

[cwiz]

Hi all, new to the forums and I have a question

I've been working through the rentals at my local shop, looking a primary pistol, and pretty much love the p229 40 cal. It has a really great weight and balance in my hand. when the slide closes, if feels really solid. I also tried a Berretta 92 and thought it had a pretty similar feel and accuracy (in my hands, you may have different expierence) and liked the fact it had a safety. Granted teh safety is in a HORRIBLE location in the case of a speedy reload, but the feature got me thinking.

My range doesnt have any HK's for rent but i really like the safety feature on the USP compact so the pistol can be kept in condition 1 (bullet in chamber).

I am just not comfortable with a bullet in the chamber of a gun with no safety. Maybe if I had a holster that locks the gun in until the release button is hit but still not ideal.

Does anyone here keep thier 229 in condition 1? do u rely on the holster to prevent accidents? and dont give me that macho 'my finger is my safey' bs cuz accidents DO happen.

Any comments on how the HK USP Compact compares to the Sig P229 in feel, accuracy, etc? EDIT: I figured out the USP is alil longer and lighter (7.65" vs 7.1", 1.82lb vs 2lb) but as far as shooting experience, what should i expect?

[MrClamperSir]

Since the "safety" on a Sig is the decocking a chambered round, it is considered condition 1 to carry with the hammer down. And yes this is the only way you should carry if you are relying on it to save your life.



ETA:The terminology, condition 1 is in reference to a 1911 type pistol. Since there is no safety on the SIG you can't actually carry in condition 1.

[J-cat]

The 229 is more accurate due to a tighter barrel to slide lockup. Both guns have firing pin block safeties and are equally safe with their hammers cocked provided you keep your finger off the trigger. The HK can be cocked and locked, though. The 229 can't.

[cwiz]

I definitely like the single action trigger pull over the double action, i'm a lot more accurate. but its seems less safe as teh trigger pull is lighter. I'm not concerned with me accidently pulling the trigger. Main concern is if the gun were to fall out of the holster if i were to trip or something. Also, without a safety, it doesnt seem smart to carry without a holster, say in a jacket pocket or left in a bedside drawer. Any comments there?

[MrClamperSir]

The first shot may be a little high and right, after that it's pretty tight. I don't let that discourage all of the other great features that Sig Sauer offers.

[Grakken]

HK and Sig? Ferrari and Lambo? Can't go wrong with either. Someone, somewhere near you has to offer a HK for rent.

Based off of your criteria, get the HK.

Watch out for the fanbois of both pistols.

[J-cat]

With practice, the double action pull will not hinder combat accuracy all that much.

[cwiz]

[QUOTE=Grakken;3660989]HK and Sig? Ferrari and Lambo? Can't go wrong with either. Someone, somewhere near you has to offer a HK for rent.

[\QUOTE]

That is probably true but i am a member and get free rentals at my shop! haha

of course it would be pretty stupid to buy a ~$800 piece without shooting it first for 20 bucks!

[Unit74]

My range doesnt have any HK's for rent but i really like the safety feature on the USP compact so the pistol can be kept in condition 1 (bullet in chamber).

Might not help, but I have a USPc .45 you could shoot to get a feel if you wanted. I'm in the south I.E. near the Pechanga Casino.

[cwiz]

Might not help, but I have a USPc .45 you could shoot to get a feel if you wanted. I'm in the south I.E. near the Pechanga Casino.

I just might take you up on that. I live around Irvine. My old friend from high school lives out in Temecula and I've been meaning to pay him a visit. I'll get in touch if that happens. Thanks

[IrishPirate]

decock and use as DA....that's the way you're supposed to do it. SIG RULES!!

[BlackonBlack]

Both are fabulous guns and should do the job more than sufficient. However, if pressed, I'd prefer HK. I shopped and shopped and compared Sig vs HK, although bought have their merits, I preferred the feel and looks of the HK. The decocker lever on the SIG was a little uncomfortable foe me to operate when compared to the HK. I also really like the fact an HK can be carried cocked and locked which would be my favorite way of carrying. HK's just give that added plus of carrying versatility.

Another thing i dislike about Sig is that they make so many different styles versions and models. I always forget the numbered names and get them confused.

[the_donald_]

Iron Sights in Oceanside has an HK for rent the last time I checked. If you can't make it to the Pechanga area, then this is the next best thing (probably an hour & 15 away from you). I originally went to Iron Sights specifically to rent the HK during my 5 month search for my primary, but when I got there, it was unavailable (apparently out for repair or cleaning).

To this day I regret not shooting one before buying my primary. BTW, I was dead set on buying a P229 in .40 cal, but ended up shooting a few 1911s & after that, buying any Sig P22x took a back seat. Carrying Condition 1 feels safe for me, if that makes you more comfortable than using a DA trigger for your first shot, then definitely rent/borrow an HK. There's no substitute for practical hands-on research.

I keep going back to the P229 at On Target & will buy one eventually (perhaps as a gift for my fiance ).

Either way, good luck, buy what you're most comfortable with, & enjoy it.

[leelaw]

dont give me that macho 'my finger is my safey' bs cuz accidents DO happen.

Accidents involving putting your finger on the trigger?

A safety won't help you if you're complacent with a loaded firearm.

As to the HK vs Sig. They are both fine pistols. I prefer the Sig over the HK by far, due mainly to the terrible trigger in the HK.

The Sig is carried decocked, with a round in the chamber. The long first trigger pull is the "safety" of the gun, requiring much more pressure and travel to be applied to the trigger in order to fire the pistol. It works fine, and is trustworthy as long as (you can call this BS if you wish) the shooter obeys the 4 rules of handling firearms.

Both firearms have drop safeties built in, so the chances of a dropped firearm discharging is very very low, and probably equal chances between the two.

[cwiz]

On Target is my range too. I just called to double check about any HK's for rent and he said they were at the factory getting repaired. I was like, cool so they will be available some time in the future and he said they were going to stop offering them.
that seemed alittle strange to me, but whatever i'm not going to argue with the guy.
Strange in that they sell sigs and not HK's HHHHMmmm