H&K Compact .40 great first handgun?

[Black Majik]

I started with a Colt 1911 Government as my first pistol. It was fun to shoot, but I had to find a good 9mm to cut the cost of shooting.

Get something in 9mm. Try out all the different platforms out there. Shoot a bunch, train hard and I'd definitely recommend into taking a basic pistol course.

Some guns to look into

SIG P226
CZ75
Glock 17
USP 9
HK P2000
XD9
S&W M&P9

Good luck!

P.S. Spend the money on ammo instead of accessories. It's woth it.

[pnkssbtz]

My first pistol was a USP .40 full size. And I am very glad I got full size. The extra spring on the guide rod helps reduce the recoil more. I notice a huuuge difference between my full and my friends compact glock.

In retrospect, my first pistol should of been a 92fs or a sig 226/cz 75b to learn with. It took me a loooong time to overcome the trigger pull and flinch with the usp .40.

[NYC2SoCal]

I find all these accuracy statements interesting.. I understand how a full size with it's longer site radius has the advantage at 25 yards plus, but come on.. At 10 yards (where it counts), the firearm is more accurate than most if not all of us. I mean, slow fire, there should be no reason why you can't 10-ring any of the name brands (HK, Glock, Sig, etc) at 10 yards. There was another thread on here last week about targets.. I posted a picture of a HK USP Compact, 9mm at 10 yards.. 10 rounds, and all probably within 1.5-2" <- and I blame that inaccuracy on me, not the firearm.

As a first firearm, I would look at 9mm or 22. Ammunition is cheap, and you can fine tune your shooting. You can always buy a second firearm for all those "tacti-cool" gadgets..

[The Professional]

HK USPc .40 is an "okay" first handgun, but I do not recommend it. I would suggest to get a decent .22LR caliber first and practice...practice...practice. I do not suggest focusing on the aesthetic beauty of owning a handgun - hanging lights and such. And I don't think it's a great idea having all those junks in a handgun if you do not know how to use it effectively in the first place.

Just my .02.

[pnkssbtz]

How a barrel locks up to the slide, snuggly and consistently is very important.

Some guns have a very good lock up, most don't. At 10 yards the difference IS readily apparent even by novice shooter. Or at least it was for me when I was learning on a glock and a friend let me shoot his Gold Cup 80 1911 with custom work done...

Like night and day.

[aplinker]

I find all these accuracy statements interesting.. I understand how a full size with it's longer site radius has the advantage at 25 yards plus, but come on.. At 10 yards (where it counts), the firearm is more accurate than most if not all of us. I mean, slow fire, there should be no reason why you can't 10-ring any of the name brands (HK, Glock, Sig, etc) at 10 yards. There was another thread on here last week about targets.. I posted a picture of a HK USP Compact, 9mm at 10 yards.. 10 rounds, and all probably within 1.5-2" <- and I blame that inaccuracy on me, not the firearm.

As a first firearm, I would look at 9mm or 22. Ammunition is cheap, and you can fine tune your shooting. You can always buy a second firearm for all those "tacti-cool" gadgets..

I think most of the people writing here are aware of the fact that their "accuracy" with a gun refers not entirely to the gun itself, but to the combination of gun and shooter. It takes more time with some guns than other to become proficient. With sufficient practice, the flip, recoil and poor shooter habits of almost anything can be overcome. Of course any decent gun will easily outshoot anyone starting out at 10yds, most of us, too.

[gunrun45]

I second the motion to buy a decent 22LR handgun for a first time handgun. Cheap to shoot so you can do loooooottttss of practice for very cheap (very important when starting out to get the basics down). It was easy to say "go buy -insert brand-" when ammo was a lot cheaper (9mm ammo was $70 for 1000 not to long ago). Rent or borrow a few different types and styles to find out what fits YOUR hand first. I can't shoot a glock decently at all. The bore height and grip angle is all wrong for me. I can shoot my H&K's like a banshee. Find out what works for you.

[sammy]

+2

A .22 will help you much better in the long run.

[ScottyBear]

Hi guys I ended up buying the HK USPc V1 .40 w/ night sites at Turners. I really liked how it felt, the operation, and it wasn't really that much less accurate the the Full size USP or Sig 229. I actually really did like the Sig 232 also but not getting slide bite.

[fireblast713]

nice how much did it run you?

[Greg-Dawg]

Thanks guys, I just rented a USP Compact and reconsidering purchasing one. It is a little bit snappy, I found the Springfield .45 'Loaded' model much more accurate; but may not be the "ideal" 1st gun.

Hi guys I ended up buying the HK USPc V1 .40 w/ night sites at Turners. I really liked how it felt, the operation, and it wasn't really that much less accurate the the Full size USP or Sig 229. I actually really did like the Sig 232 also but not getting slide bite.

I don't get it. First, you didn't like the USP...then you bought one? Did you first test drive the one you got from Turners? What was the difference?

I'm sure it came out to $800-900.

[Diabolus]

My first gun (and first mistake) was a compact pistol... full size is the way to go!

[BossHogg]

I would definately not recomend any .40S&W pistol to any new shooter. Way too snappy. I hate shooting my friends 3" barreled polymer one. For some reason I can control the muzzle rise much better on my 45 GAP which is loaded to 45 ACP +P Pressures. I love my XD9 with 5" barrel. Makes me feel like a marksman evertime I go to the range.

[Miltiades]

Congratulations

Congratulations on your H&K USP 40c. I'm sure you will enjoy this gun.

I have one of these, as well as other .40 caliber guns, and believe the USP 40c is the best compact polymer gun. It is the same size as a Glock 23 with a better trigger and grip ergonomics, and more attractive appearance. It shoots as accurately as a Sig P229 for me, but weighs 8 ounces less (24 ounces vs. 32 ounces).

[mecam]

I've had my HK USP Comp .40 for over 10 years now with over 2500 rounds on it and still shoots like it was when it was new. I love this gun and is my current home defense weapon.