A Battle of HK .45s: HK USP Compact vs HK 45C
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- Опубліковано 19 вер 2024
- These are two great handguns manufactured by the premier company Heckler & Koch. As you may know, HK was a German company started in 1948. In 2002, after much success, HK was purchased by a group of private investors. In 2003, it was restructured as Heckler & Koch Jagg und Sportwaffen GmbH (HKJS). At this point, the company was divided into two specific operating groups: one manufacturing firearms for defense and law enforcement and the other producing sporting firearms.
The company has an amazing history of manufacturing iconic firearms, such as the MP5 to name just one. In 1995, they developed the HK USP Compact - “Universale Selbstlade Pistole,” or “Universal Self-Loading Pistol.” It was a great polymer pistol, especially chambered in my favorite caliber, .45 ACP. This was the predecessor to the HK 45C, also chambered in .45 ACP. The 45C came to market in 2007.
I have had a 45c for about a year now. What a great firearm! I went into Cabelas set on leaving with a Walther PPQ. After handling the PPQ I wasn't super impressed with it. For one thing it rattled when I shook it from side to side. So I rejected the PPQ and handled every other .45 they had, ending up loving the HK. I bought the standard size but they pull one from the back room instead of the one you just handled. Well once I was handed my new gun I discovered it was the "c" and not the full size I wanted. One the background was done with the serial number of the gun it was mine. Moral of the story ALWAYS make sure you handle the exact firearm you are purchasing before running the paperwork on it. Honestly though the 45c is a great size and in reality I am probably happier with it then I would have been the full size.
I have both a USP45 and a USP45CT (Tactical). They are both excellent firearms and very accurate shooters. For carry I obviously prefer my USP45CT. We also have Sig P220 full-size and compacts which fit my wife great. Both great manufacturers and in my opinion are about equal in quality. I do prefer my HK’s, but while at home we use the Sigs exclusively only because I feel you should have uniformity so as to have interchangeable mags and ammo with your battle buddy, my wife.
Same thing happened to me. I was set on the full size but at the gun store I felt the 45c in my hands and went with that instead.
Anything HK is premium quality...you buy one, you'll want more....
Yep.
Very true, I'm at 12 and counting. I want a USP 45 Compact for my next one.
Haha now I see why I can't find a usp45c haha. Apparently everyone wants one.
Unfortunately my wallet confirms this
I’m at 10 with my last one being a brand new usp 45 CT, picking up a usp compact 9mm and p30 next
HK is my thing! I own a variety of models including these 2 wonderful 45ACP pistols (i.e., HK 45C and USP Compact 45). Both of them are great with minor differences between the two of them (as mentioned in the video). As a lefty, I love and carry them both! 😎
Poor explanation of the LEM trigger.
the LEM configuration is not DAO. There is a DAO on H&K menu, but LEM is different.
LEM is basically a long SA. You have SA pull with a very long take-up before the wall. Which makes it safe without the need for an external safety.
That is the most accurate explanation of LEM offered on this thread.
Pretty accurate, I would add that the "long" SA is soft without resistance all the way until the end before it breaks and shoots.
I'm a transfer dealer and I see many high end .45s ranging in expense 2-4K. Being, completely honest, many have fantastic aesthetics and crazy light triggers, but none wow me more than a HK combat style pistol. Many of those pistols are so tightly fitted that they are almost feel like they will get bound up and there is no chance they will accompany you to anything much beyond a range session in its padded transport case. Admittedly, I'm not a fan of polymer, but when it comes to HK pistols I can see right past it as they are just so darn tough. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the HK45 series or the USPs my favorites are the .45s and the HK USP .40 converted to .357 SIG. Be aware once you get one, "YOU" will want more of them, something I haven't really experienced with any other brands.
You are correct. I bought my first HK with reservations due to the cost. It is a P30 40 S&W that is still one of my primary EDC’s. I now have 5 HKs. I love every one of them and will never sell any of them. NO gun at any price is more reliable or durable. And, the ergonomics are second to none. Mine are all DA/SA with Safety. The whole DA/SA trigger complaint is massively over stated. These are combat guns, not range queens. The trigger pull is part of the safety built into the weapon. As soon as I hear a you-tuber or read a comment wining about the DA/SA/ trigger, I know they are clueless about HKs. You may not like the heavy DA pull, but at least properly explain it and understand it. It was not an oversight by HK.
I have the SP5. Bought it just cause of all the hype. It is an ok gun. Didn't make me an HK fanboy.
@@chltmdwp They are fantastic firearms, especially suppressed (YHM R9 does a nice job for the money), triggers aren't great like some others. I own MP5 clones and didn't shell out the cash for the exact same thing rebranded. If you haven't shot a HK P30SK or L or HK45 you might give it a try, could be something you might like. The LEM triggers I think/feel are an awesome experience and most gravitate towards them once they try them out.
Wow, your explanation of the LEM trigger couldn't be more wrong.
The word “garbage,” would have sufficed
Yea not correct..
He doesn't know what a LITE LEM trigger is does he...
Light LEM has a fabulous pull :)
My favorite handgun EVER. And I can't count how many I've bought and sold.
I prefer DA/SA to the LEM but that explanation was horribly off target.
You need to get an LEM and use it to describe it properly
I’ve owned an HK45C for about 4 years now. Every time I take it to the range it gets a lot of attention from those who know.
LEM trigher system is consistant long but lite pull. Very nice.
Well now I need to buy both!
Uhh he didn’t quite get the LEM trigger explained right.
You are correct sir.
Not even close.......
I recently bought my first double action hk. I went for the 45c instead of the usp compact. I absolutely love the pistol. The trigger is rough in double action, like you said, but otherwise its the best shooting 45 pistol I've ever had.
Try the usp, I wanted the hk45c, forever. Finally got the hk45 and the compact, afterwards I tried out a usp and it's butter. As much as all the bad you hear it is awesome
Nice description of those fine weapons .
Thanks for the side by side review Ron. I'm leaning more toward the HK45C. Thanks and Blessings!
Thank you for sparking my interest in buying another USP buddy.
Me too i been looking for a v1 usp 45c, since October. I picked up one in 9mm and haven't shot it, I want that 45 haha
@@andog6092 the .45 is what I want too. Good luck finding one, i knew I should of bought one back in the day, but hey! It's fun just trying to locate them lol 👍👍
He's good like that.😃
dude the LEM isnt a double action only. the hammer is always cocked and its a single action pull every time. its basically a striker fired trigger pull with a longer takeup. the only time its a double action pull is if you had a failure to fire and chose to double strike instead of remedial action.
Amazing how few people understand this.
H&K also makes 12 rounds magazine's they are converted 8s they're not always readily available but they do exist
Those guns are already big enough where I prefer the full size anyway
Will they both use the same holster?....
Hi! I ask if the USP 45 and 45C magazines are interchangeable with each other
Thanks!
I know this comment has been a while
But the USP 45 Full Size uses a MK23 12 shot magazine with a modified baseplate where you'd need to modify the USP FS baseplate to fit the bottom of the Mk23 mag well.
The USP Compact and HK45c share 100% the same 8 shot standard magazine and 10 shot "elephant foot" extended mag. They can also use the standard 10 shot mag from the HK45 Full Size though you could maybe have an over insertion issue without the elephant baseplate.
So in short MK23 -> USP45 Full size
USPC45 & Hk45C w/HK45 (kind of)
The LEM trigger has a 4 , 1/2 pound trigger pull after you chamber a round . The only way you would have a 11+ pound trigger pull would be if you de-cocked it by pinching the bobber hammer and carefully lowereing it after you chamber a round because there's no de-cocker or safety on a HK pistol that has the LEM . That's the wrong way to operate a LEM trigger .
Pull back on the slide , chamber a round . You do not de-cock the pistol before holstering . When you put it in your holster place your thumb over the hammer so you don't have a accidental discharge . Because even though the trigger has to travil the full distance while moving the trigger into position to fire it is still has a 4 1/2 pound pull .
There is no safety or de-cocker on a HK pistol that has the LEM because that's the way its supposed to be . You are the safety , but you're not the de-cocker : )
Great review.
Sir what is the name of the jacket you are wearing?
Apologies if I missed it, have my kids in the background. Which one has the smaller/thinner feeling grip? I had the USP Compact many years ago and have regretted getting rid of it.
Hk45c has the thinner grip, it's just so very slightly slimmer all the way around.
This man does not know what the Law Enforcement/LEM trigger is. It’s a single action break with a cocked hammer spring, but the trigger and hammer return forwards. So you have a long trigger pull like a double action, but it’s a very light and long takeup, maybe 1-2 pounds until you reach the wall, where it breaks like the single action.
There is also a traditional double action only which is the heavy pull he was talking about, but this is NOT the LEM trigger.
Anyone know if the USP 45 Compact will fit into a USP 40 compact holster?
No the front has nuances
The HK45C looks like it has slightly more recoil vs the HK USP 45 Comp
Yup, the USP is beefier in every way. I ended up keeping the 45c because it was sleeker more ergo… I just deal with the slightly extra recoil. Both are soft shooting.
USP compact, rear sight serves one hand operation, as only my right hand is functional.
You need to read what LEM is come on
Does anyone know the Blackhawk Serpa holster USPC 9/40 work for the the 45? That's the calibers they have listed on their site for the USP Compacts.
Both are great. (I have used
two USP 45Cs..and an HK45C, as well as a HK45CT. The HK 45C is better, not by leaps and bounds, but by addition of O-Ring barrels, better accessories rail, and front serations on slide. I also prefer the hammer with serations vs the USP smooth hammer.
I do like the USP 45c side hand grip pattern over the HK 45C's pattern though... I also like the USP option for a stainless steel slide....but those of us from a tactical/LE background will prefer a dark colored slide during night maneuvers, for obvious reasons. But I would buy an HK 45C stainless slide as a backup slide or for vanity if they ever make them available 😜
Bottom line: If you're in the market for a 45 pistol, getting a USP at a **great** low price is not a bad option....otherwise just get an HK 45C/ 45CT. All the talk about the USP being built better to me is baseless.
Do hk45c have aftermarket spring available ? planning on converting it to shoot 45super..
^I’ve been considering buying one of these for the same reason! It’s hard to find sources on this but all the ones I’ve read say it can shoot 45 super without any mods at all.
Have you read anything indicating that it needs a stronger spring?
@@michaelestrada2772i already got the rubber buffer and 21ib spring from lone wolf.. Yes hk can run the high pressure of 45 super just fine, the barrel chamber is fully supported and have good tolerance.. i've run several box of buffalo bore super without any malfunction.. but when im using any above 1300fps load such as from underwood or my 200gr handload, i can feel the slide slamming abit hard to the frame, i really dont like that feeling. Its a good guns and have good resale value, so just grab it when seeing any good deal on it, you will not regret having it.. Just the trigger pull the only thing i dont like on my hk45.
So much detail, but nothing about differences in terms of how they shoot or why the 45C is supposed to be an improvement on the 45 USP. SMH.
The 45ct / 45c has a few more ambi controls (as he pointed out), controls are designed differently (easier to actuate), is sleeker, has front serrations, and a slimmer grip.
Full size usp beats both
I have the full-size usp 45 and the usp compact in 9mm and 40 I love them like there my baby’s
I just realized I've been saying polygonal wrong my entire life
No, you haven't.
I inherited a HK45C and I kinda wish I didn’t but it is a nice shooting pistol. Mine came with only 2 8rd mags n I went n bought 2 10rd mags. That’s my only problem is wen u can find the mags ther so expensive. But it’s one gun I can’t get rid of.✌🏼🇺🇸🍻
No. The Law Enforcement trigger (more precisely and correctly) Law Enforcement Modification
IS NOT DOUBLE ACTION 11 POUND FOR EVERY TRIGGER PRESS.
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You clearly have no understanding of the LEM trigger, it is not a double action only trigger
You do not have an 11 pound trigger pull each time you pull a trigger the only time you would have that heavy trigger pull is if you had a misfire that double action pull at that point provide you a second strike capability
Once you chamber around, the gun is pre-cocked, you’ll have about a 2 inch 1 pound trigger pull, at which point you’ll feel you come to the breakpoint wall, or otherwise known as a reset point, at that point is where you hold the trigger to to engage approximately 3 1/2 pound trigger pull
Then you will have a short reset I believe they say it’s 2 mm at which point the breakpoint is again 3 1/2 pounds
People like yourself that wanna put themselves all over the Internet and have no idea about the product and putting up bad information is actually counterproductive
The LEM trigger is by one of the most superior trigger systems in existence, but you would know that you have no idea what you’re talking about
IMO top two must have pistol brands for their given track record for being bomb proof reliable are Glock and H&K. Everyone else falls beneath.
Final boss Fudd.
I stopped watching this video when you explained what you thought the LEM trigger was. Thumbs down sir.
Wow. You had to have been an administrator with a Federal agency. I say that because...
in all my years of private and public employment I have only seen high level supervisors speak so long about something they know absolutely NOTHING about.
I suggest that you go study up on LEM and the other HK trigger variants so you stop looking the fool.
Or, just go back to Glock or revolvers.
What’s up with the looking side to side thing after every single string? That’s one of the most useless range theatrics out there. The dude you’re fighting straight ahead is going to be kicking your ads when you’re looking around at nothing for no reason.
HECKLER & KOCH
👍🏻👍🏻
90 y/o wannabe operator. All tactical cool outfitted, wrinkled hands and all.. plus the the slow motion draw is killer. My question is, who let you out of the nursing home?
👍👉👍👉
Usp compact 45 vs hk45c. Same gun lol
Not!! But this guy is clueless with his description of these guns.
@@alm4132 lol yes they are
@@alm4132 boohoo. One has a slicker slide set up and is ambi. Functionally. They use the exact same mechanism. Same magazines. Same gun
@@altimgamr I prefer the German as well but there’s no reliability difference between the 2. Data is out there from more crazy people than me gathering. Read hk pro.
The HK45c is closer to the P2000 than it is the USP45c in design outside caliber.
HK also didn't change much between the USP45c and the HK45c because the USP45c did an amazing job already. The HK45c is combining the best perks from the USP45c & P2000 into one package.
If it aint broke, why fix it?
I'm not saying Glock is perfect but I'm saying Glock is preferred it has nothing that you're close will catch up on it's just a good design whether it is good for shooting other human being I don't know but for carrying it works
Many guns "work" for carrying. And no, Glock is not "preferred".
Glock is just cheaper. Once you own a usp compact you wont want to shoot a glock.
Blocks are okay. But def no where near the upper tier weapons. It’s a cheap price made for the average gun owner.
LEM is not a double action trigger you are wrong , is a long very soft first pull nothing like a double action . Your review is not accurate .
I have the 45C with extended mag... The Blackhawk retention holster isn't specifically for it, but the P30 which shares a frame and fits just fine. Had to shoot my neighbor's dog, sadly
oh?
@@chltmdwp Yep, it ran at my wife and kids and wouldn't let them move, kept circling