So I figured I would start a new thread on the USP 45 Fullsize but focused more on its use in the CCW pistol role.
This resulted from the previous thread, where I was looking at switching to the 1911 or HK45 for carry over my current HK P30LS in 9mm. That thread, coupled with GJM's thread on the USP 45 in use as a field pistol firing 45 Super, ultimately resulted in me getting a USP 45 Expert and decided to go with the USP 45 Fullsize/Tactical/Expert family as my primary carry weapon.
For background, I've always liked 45 Auto as a pistol round and have never really strayed from cocked and locked single action pistols. Once I discovered AIWB carry, I discovered it was really no more difficult to conceal a full-size pistol than a compact. So I eventually ended up with the HK P30LS in 9mm. While I shot it well, I always felt more confident in the 1911 or HK45, and they seemed to require less effort to shoot accurately at speed/range. So I started considering going back to the 1911 as a primary carry gun.
During that process, and thanks to GJM's thread, I looked at the USP 45 Fullsize again, specifically the Expert model (since I found a great deal on one). After getting that, I realized that the USP 45 was pretty dang close to the overall same size as my P30LS and 1911 as far as it related to AIWB. For me and AIWB carry, the main issue with concealing a pistol is overall height, and the USP 45 is only 1/10 of an inch taller than a P30.
Here's some pics of the "giant" USP 45 Expert next to my 9mm P30LS and 1911 that let me do my decision:
So, I decided to take the plunge and try the old USP 45 as a carry gun.
I'd summarize what led me to the USP 45 as a carry gun as follows:
- HK reliability and durability
- HK accuracy (especially the laser beam accuracy of the Expert)
- 12+1 capacity in 45 Auto that is essentially the same size as my HK P30L or a Glock 17
- excellent SA Match trigger in the USP Tactical/Expert
- the blocky/flat sided USP grips provides excellent recoil control and a better grip over more recent "ergonomic" grips. I can get an excellent grip on the USP 45 whereas the HK45 tends to want to squirm in my hands.
- reduced felt recoil due to the USP recoil reduction system
For me, the only real "con" of the USP 45 is sight tracking. Due to the dual sping recoil reduction system, the front sight tends to lift up, over to the right, and the return diagonally to center rather than just lifting straight up and down with my P30LS or HK45.
So, I'm curious if anyone else is still carrying the USP 45 or a high capacity polymer 45 Auto over a 9mm, and if so, what your personal experience has been.