USP 9 vs USP 45?

[mt51]

OK, I'm convinced that I'm gonna get a USP Compact (yes small hands) for my next HG. I already have a Glock 19. I'm deciding between the USP 45 and the USP 9. The Glock is my primary gun now for HD and I'm looking to get another gun just for fun to shoot at the range. I would love a USP 45 to get a diff caliber gun however 45 ACP is 2x the cost of 9mm. I'm not super rich so I would hate to get a 45 and not be able to shoot it. Anyone else in a similar situation or has gone through a similar decision process?

No offense, but not looking for "motherhood and apple pie" comments like "rent and shoot both to see what is better for you" or "make sure you're good with Glock 19 before you get another one". Let's list some hardcore pros and cons!


Pros of USP 9 (for my situation)
- More affordable to shoot than 45ACP
- Can share ammo with Glock 19
- 10rd mag vs 8rd mag for USP 45

Pros of USP 45 (for my situation)
- Provides a very different shooting experience than a 9mm
- Bad ***, show piece gun (cool factor)
- Better stopping power (although I will not use this for HD, for now)

[sevensix2x51]

as much as you didnt want to hear it, put them both in your hands. the frame of the 45 is larger than the 9 and 40, so that is the only major difference. the rest is just standard cartridge issues.

[gorenut]

I don't reload so I feel for you (I know.. I should.. and many people will come in telling you to start, etc)..

My personal experience? Well, I'm selling my USP 40 right now. I want to get a USP 9.. simply because it came down to the fact that for every 2 boxes of 40, I could have had 3 boxes of 9mm. With 45, thats even more drastic. I'd rather shoot more. Seeing that you're getting a compact, it actually makes a difference because you can get 2 more rounds in the magazine. I think that alone is more incentive to go 9mm.

[mt51]

I don't reload so I feel for you (I know.. I should.. and many people will come in telling you to start, etc)..

My personal experience? Well, I'm selling my USP 40 right now. I want to get a USP 9.. simply because it came down to the fact that for every 2 boxes of 40, I could have had 3 boxes of 9mm. With 45, thats even more drastic. I'd rather shoot more. Seeing that you're getting a compact, it actually makes a difference because you can get 2 more rounds in the magazine. I think that alone is more incentive to go 9mm.

Gorenut, completely with you on this. I don't reload either and my calcs from where I shop tell me that for every box of 45, I get 2 boxes of 9mm.

[mt51]

as much as you didnt want to hear it, put them both in your hands. the frame of the 45 is larger than the 9 and 40, so that is the only major difference. the rest is just standard cartridge issues.

sevensix, actually, this is new news to me. Interesting, I have held and shot both but never held one next to each other. Will have to go check it out one more time. Thank you!

[KillZone45]

I had an XD, well still do for a bit more now, it is 45acp, selling it to fund a bolt gun but I dont care for the gun anymore cuz ammo is wayyyyy too pricey. For example the Federal red box of ammo (50 rounds) is $10.47 for 9mm while 45acp is $16.97. I picked up a USPc in 9mm as its replacement, love the USP btw! One day I will get another 45 probably an XDm, USP or M&P.

[sevensix2x51]

sevensix, actually, this is new news to me. Interesting, I have held and shot both but never held one next to each other. Will have to go check it out one more time. Thank you!

im not sure if the grip is any longer(but i think it is), but the 45 is definitely fatter. ive got a fullsize 45 and a compact 40, so i cant take any photos for comparison, but the 45 is definitely a wider pistol.

[Oceanbob]

The USP compact 9mm

Is sweet. Only 10 rounds but perhaps in the future (if the law changes) you can go with the normal 13 round mags.

If money is the issue the 9mm wins. Plan on a .45 sometime in the future..get the 9mm now.

Too bad (arrgg.!!) we can't just buy a HK P 30.....now that would get my attention.

[UserM4]

I have both in full size. I don't reload and I'm always broke as a joke Personally, I shoot the 45 on occasion but never feel content with the session because the price and availability of ammo is always nagging at me.

Anyways, I love them both but I mostly keep my 45 at home, loaded with some 230gr +P for HD. I use the 9 as a range toy.

As for the size, the grip circumference is identical between my full size 9 and 45. The only difference in grip is the length. The 45 grip is longer where the magwell is. Other than that, on the 45, the slide is taller and the barrel is longer.

The USP compact, imo, isn't much smaller and really isn't a true compact. I'd go with the full size 45. That way you get 10 rounds or 12 if you had some preban imports.