First handgun, 9mm

[far from tactical]

9mm is a good HD weapon yeah you can opt to get a 40 ... but for me a got a 9mm cause its a little cheaper to shot and now a days with the right ammo you can get the stoping power of a 40 IMO

[KeithG]

I like the USP 9 but not as much as either my Beretta M9A1 or my SIG P226-9. Was it the SIG trigger you disliked or the action?

In any case, buy the one that makes you happy.

My next may be the HK45....

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

[Kodemonkey]

I've got :

Sig P226 9mm
S&W 357 mangun
M&P 9mm
Glock 23 (40 cal)
Glock 35 (40 cal)
Colt 1911 (45)
USP9

Guess which ones are the HD guns for the wife and I? USP9 for me and M&P 9 for the wife (and the 1911 is hers by the way!)

Reason is that they are the least problematic guns we own and we are the most proficient with them. That's what counts. I can place 2 rounds very quick with the USP9. It is also the easiest slide to manipulate of all our guns because of the dual recoil spring. I have the most rounds through the USP (probably around 5K) and it only hiccuped once and it was 100% an ammo problem (malformed case with a semi tear in it).

That said, downsides to the USP is that:

1) it is large
2) the front and rear straps have a cheese grater for grips. After a full day (and I mean 8 hour training class) your hands will be sore. That can be fixed with medical tape if you take it to a multi day class.
3) the mag release is unique. Personally, I wish all guns used the HK mag release but there are a lot of haters for the design. I can drop a mag with my index finger without changing my grip. In IDPA my fastest mag changes are definitely with the USP9.
4) mags (and the gun) are expensive.
5) there isn't practically any aftermarket support for the gun. If you think you are gonna trick it out like a Glock - there just isn't a market for it. That's fine, because the USP is the only gun I have left stock besides the Sig.

I have no problem with 9mm vs 40. I am pretty sure my 10 chances with the 9 will get the job done if need be. At least that is what I am staking my life on. If I'm wrong, they get 10 rounds of the wifey's 9 if they get past me.

[Wombats Are Dangerous]

Hello everyone, I've been lurking for a while and finally got my new id since i just moved here. Somehow I wasn't aware of the gun laws here and it would have been much easier to have gotten a handgun then move into cali but it's too late for that. After trying out many pistols I have somewhat decided on the HK USP 9mm. I've read that this gun was designed for the .40 s&w though and not sure if I will be missing out by going 9mm. Also since I'm somewhat new, I am not sure having such an expensive handgun as my first is a good idea. Just wanted to get some opinions. Thanks!

Welcome to CalGuns! The USP 9mm is an outstanding handgun. It's super light for a gun of that size too.

One thing to keep in mind is that the USP has a proprietary rail, so you'll either need an adapter to attach lights/lasers or you'll have to buy the proprietary light that H&K sells.

If you're using it for HD, a light is a must.

For practice, might I recommend an inexpensive handgun in .22LR? Trigger time is trigger time and it doesn't really matter what you're shooting. The basics of sight picture and trigger mechanics will translate across all calibers. It doesn't get cheaper than .22.

For the price of an USP, you could probably afford a basic Ruger 22/45 and a Springfield XD on sale or used.

[nightwolf0215]

9mm or .40 or .45 are all sufficient for SD HD purposes. If your shooting it right, it won't matter which caliber it is. Shooting a high caliber gun at the beginning can make you flinch, which is a bad habit. If you don't got that, its all good.

9mm has less recoil and you can recover for next shot faster. personally i like shooting .45. 9mm has a decent kick to it, but .45 is better. Its up to each and everyone's preferences.

As for guns, it goes the same way. Everyone has their own preferences. I'd like to try shooting every guns, so my goal would be to buy the more affordable or has good resale value. If you don't like it, can just resell it.

[Wombats Are Dangerous]

3) the mag release is unique. Personally, I wish all guns used the HK mag release but there are a lot of haters for the design. I can drop a mag with my index finger without changing my grip. In IDPA my fastest mag changes are definitely with the USP9.

Amen, brotha! LOVE the USP mag release.

[Arkangel]

The USP is a fine choice... If it fits your hand and you like how it shoots, then go for it.

I'm in SD, let me know if you want to shoot my .40's to save you some rental fee's. I have a few other handguns and your welcome to shoot them.

Oh yeah and welcome to Calguns.

[The_Tinman]

Thing is, I don't know what I want. I've only shot 9mm and it seems fine to me.



I know that comfort and accuracy is dependent on person. My question was more along the lines of is purchasing a higher end handgun as the first a good idea? What if I do something stupid and mess it up? Would have been a cheaper mistake on a cheaper gun. What if I don't end up liking it? Would have been a cheaper mistake on a cheaper gun.

When I bought my first pistol it was discontinued in 9mm and I could only get it new in .40 S&W. I bought it then a year later got the 9mm version I originally wanted, I'm much more accurate with the .40 than the 9mm. Both guns are nearly identical sharing hogue grips only differing in caliber and one having a polished slide. I'm not sure what the reason may be but that makes me prefer the 40 over the 9mm despite how aesthetically pleasing I find the 9mm to be.

Get a .40 if you know you want a .40 cal. If you're not sure, get the 9mm and be happy.

The caliber debate is a tough one for me, I find that shooting different calibers in different guns can vary greatly in experience. I don't like 45 in the glock 30 but have no problem in the compact colt officer's 1911. I'm more accurate with 40 than 9mm in my Ruger p94's.

9mm>.40

If the gun was designed for .40, it can take 9mm just fine. Great gun and great caliber, enjoy.

But you might prefer the gun chambered in one caliber over another.

Best bet is to try before you buy. If you buy and decide you're unhappy, sell it and buy another, or put it away and buy another. Never hurts to start a collection...

[mc21]

Thanks everyone for the inputs!

The USP is a fine choice... If it fits your hand and you like how it shoots, then go for it.

I'm in SD, let me know if you want to shoot my .40's to save you some rental fee's. I have a few other handguns and your welcome to shoot them.

Oh yeah and welcome to Calguns.

Gotta love how friendly this community is. I just got a membership to DGM and they have a .40 USP on rental so it wouldn't be too much to try one out. No need to hassle someone else unless they were already at the range

[chering88]

Welcome to CalGuns! The USP 9mm is an outstanding handgun. It's super light for a gun of that size too.

One thing to keep in mind is that the USP has a proprietary rail, so you'll either need an adapter to attach lights/lasers or you'll have to buy the proprietary light that H&K sells.

If you're using it for HD, a light is a must.

I have the UPS compact in 9mm and it is a fantastic gun with ZERO hiccups.

I'll probably get flamed for this but I have yet to clean it after close to 500 rounds through it. very reliable and very light and accurate.

I just recently put a streamlight TLR-3 on it with out the adapter and it fits, but i will be putting it through a range test to make sure its secure without the adapter.

while this is my first gun, I really enjoy it and know i could rely on it

I really liked the trigger of the sig as well, but have yet to purchase one.

[Wombats Are Dangerous]

Best bet is to try before you buy. If you buy and decide you're unhappy, sell it and buy another, or put it away and buy another. Never hurts to start a collection...

This is how I ended up with my "collection," as Tinman calls it.

Now I'm trying to sell some off and trade some out.

[Wombats Are Dangerous]

I have the UPS compact in 9mm and it is a fantastic gun with ZERO hiccups.

I'll probably get flamed for this but I have yet to clean it after close to 500 rounds through it. very reliable and very light and accurate.

I just recently put a streamlight TLR-3 on it with out the adapter and it fits, but i will be putting it through a range test to make sure its secure without the adapter.

while this is my first gun, I really enjoy it and know i could rely on it

I really liked the trigger of the sig as well, but have yet to purchase one.

H&K put the USP through hellish torture testing. It's built to run through all kinds of build-up. http://www.streetpro.com/usp/torture.html

Let us know how the Streamlight works for you in live fire. I didn't even think about trying to mount the light first! I'm the idiot that bought the GG&G adapter at the same time I bought the light.

[chering88]

H&K put the USP through hellish torture testing. It's built to run through all kinds of build-up. http://www.streetpro.com/usp/torture.html

Let us know how the Streamlight works for you in live fire. I didn't even think about trying to mount the light first! I'm the idiot that bought the GG&G adapter at the same time I bought the light.

haha don't even worry! i did the same thing, except the shipping on the light was much faster than the adapter and i was too anxious to wait!

Streamlight TLR-3 on USP Compact

[CBruce]

Had a chance to shoot a USP in .40 and .45 ACP years ago and enjoyed it both times.

[Bastard]

I an sure that I will catch hell for this but I can't resist adding my .02

Though I do have a soft spot in my heart for the USP9 for you "first handgun I highly recommend picking up a 22, either a buckmark or on of the flavors or rugers as those will be the most reliable.
I recommended the 22 because most people can't shoot pistols accurately & there is nothing cheaper to learn on than a 22. Also I highly suggest that if you get something with adjustable sights that you don't touch them.