First .45 - USP .45 or SW1911?

[sithanas]

So I'm in the market for my first .45 pistol. I was wondering which would be better for a first time .45 owner, a USP or a SW1911? I've shot .45 before from a Glock 21 but I'm looking for something with more comfortable controls - the slide release and mag release on the Glock don't get along well with my fingers.

Thanks.

 

[treebeard]

That would be a no brainer for me.........S&W1911 all the way. Actually the 1911SC would be pretty cool too.

 

[Fun2Shoot]

Absolutely every handgun lover should own a 1911 style gun at least once in their life and a S&W 1911 is a super way to accomplish that.

I'm so so close to laying down about $825 for a new stainless 5" Smith 1911 that I can taste it!

Maybe with my tax refund I can.......................

 

[shaggycat]

I would say shoot both if you can before you make your decision. I love my 1911 but also would like a USP down the road.

Saying that, you know you are going to buy a 1911 eventually, why not now?

 

[GaryP]

Well, I am partial to 1911's -Mine are all Colts- but I also have a HK USP45F with stainless slide and a HK USP45C. If it's going to be a while before you get a second 45 I would go with the HK USP45C first. I love those Colt 1911's, but when it comes to technologically superior designs and 100% reliability the HK USP is at the very top of the list.

 

[10-Ring]

HK all the way!

 

[hexidismal]

Both are high quality ( and expensive ) firearms, and neither would be a bad choice. If you're looking specifically for a gun with comfortable grip and controls, then I would say only you can determine which is better for you by feeling them out.

 

[AJD]

Get the S&W 1911.

 

[kirkcdl]

There are many manufacturers making 1911 pistols,there's only one USP...

 

[fugi]

I'd go for the HK myself, I own a couple of 1911s and love them, but I've always wanted an HK after I fired a couple.

 

[gudel]

Answer these questions:

do you like to tinker with your gun or like to go to UPS/Fedex? or do you like a combat ready to go when **** hits jet engine gun?
I likw Smith & Wesson, good company, great products, but it's still a jamomatic 1911. If it's got a 1911 on it, it jams, I don't care who makes it

 

[treebeard]

I likw Smith & Wesson, good company, great products, but it's still a jamomatic 1911

Your 1911 bashing is getting old. How many have you actually owned that have given you problems? I have a Taurus PT-1911 with 0 problems, a Kimber Pro CDP II 0 problems, a S&W 1911SC with 0 problems and a Dan Wesson with 1 problem. Can you please elaborate on how that makes them jamomatics?

 

[old4x4]

I'll have to go with the USP, also. Fantastic gun. I've also owned a 1911 based pistol that never gave me trouble, but still my preference is the USP.

 

[P0832177]

Here is another vote for the USP, but it is a qualified one.
First off, no matter what anyone says it is hard to predict the function of any gun out of the box, even the vaunted HK USPf in 45. Now, with that said the USP is a large gun ( I have both the compact and full size in 45ACP) and it has expensive mags especially the 12rd mags. The neutered mags can be had for under 25 bucks, on Ebay selling 10rd mags for 10 for 165 bucks.

The 45ACP for the non reloader might be another consideration?

Now, I have shot many makes of 1911. Most would feed hardball okay, but well the all needed tweaking! I had a Gold Cup that every thing they are known for happening to, did infact happen! For a tinkerer the 1911 is fine.

Now, the USPf I have has seen 31K of ammo. It has not failed, except during classes where dummy rounds were loaded to induce failures...... Sure the mag springs got tired and needed to be replaced, not a big deal. I have USPc that has seen about 8K of ammo, same deal.

Now, I am a decent shot. My USPf is probably the most accurate 45ACP auto I have shot, and I have had tuned 1911's.....

I say buy the USP!

 

[damyankee]

USP, literally 0 problems with about 5k through it. Bought a drop in replacement barrel, still 0 problems. Seen plenty of 1911s jam, also seen perfect ones. Only heard about USPs messing up. One of my friends hates his s&w 1911 and wants to get rid of it. The 1911 is great but its proven to have some issues, I'm still a novice or slightly above that level (i can shoot with acceptable accuracy ) But i dont care how many HRT members, competition shooters, or 30 year guns smiths swear by it, if it jams you when you need it you'll be sorry.

p.s. not a 1911 hate thread, so please dont tell me how your thunder ranch runs smooth and never needs a smith

 

[DogBonz]

My first handgun was a USP45 V1

When I turned 21 the first handgun that I bought was a HK USP45, and I still have it. I love the 1911. I love and lust for the 1911. There is just nothing like it. Simple, elegant, strong, functional, and dare I say, sexy. But if you are only going to have one 45, I would go with the HK. Mine is my “night stand gun”. It is closing in on 9000 rounds now and has never broken and has only failed once, and that was due to a ruptured case that required a mallet and a dowel to remove. This is the reason that I will never again shoot steel cased wolf ammo, but that is another story for another day. My point is that with minimal care, the USP45 has been, for me, the most reliable and durable gun that I have ever owned. The only thing that I did to mine was to put night sights on it. I cannot speak highly enough of the HK USP45. I love my 1911s. I love to take them out of the safe and pet them, and the print great little groups at the range, and one is a nice little piece of history. But when the you-know-what hits the fan… I reach for my HK.

P.S. The trigger, which is the only thing that I was not crazy about on the USP line, has gotten much better with age and round count (and dry firing)… either that, or I’m just getting used to it.

Get the HK, you will never be sorry, and get your 1911 later. If you decide later that the USP is not your cup of tea, they have great resale value, probably one of the best.

 

[ezypikns]

If you are going to get a 1911,...

then S&W is definitely the way to go. Mine seems to be absolutely reliable with any ammo after close to 1000 rds. I had a Kimber that I didn't quite trust and a Rock Island Armory that just never was right.

Of course I had a USP that was also absolutely reliable. I happen to really like the trigger on the 1911. That's maybe the main reason I've gone with it. It is just so crisp.

 

[hkusp]

Both are so great. If I could only have one, it would be the SW1911. I'm just more acurate with it and I don't have to worry about shooting lead through it. Both and completely reliable.

 

[Walkalong]

I likw Smith & Wesson, good company, great products, but it's still a jamomatic 1911. If it's got a 1911 on it, it jams, I don't care who makes it

Your 1911 bashing is getting old.

Ditto. If you don't favor the 1911, just say so. :banghead:

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

That would be a no brainer for me.........S&W1911 all the way. Actually the 1911SC would be pretty cool too.

My thoughts exactly. The USP is a fine weapon. I have one myself, but I never shoot it. I much prefer shooting a 1911 design.

 

[CountGlockula]

H&K all the way.

 

[STAGE 2]

The usp WILL be more reliable out of the box, and I'm not so sure it would be any less accurate either. It has more capabilities for carry and a higher capacity.

As always shoot both and let that be the deciding factor.

 

[hnk45acp]

the HK is a larger gun, has more capacity, reliable to a fault
the SW is thinner, a bit more accurate and it's a 1911
I bought my HK first than my 1911 and enjoy shooting both but if the SHTF I'm taking the HK

 

[JoeHatley]

I don't have a USP to compare to, but my SW1911 has been a great pistol.

Over 15k rounds so far, and it still looks and works like new.


That's a lot of value for a "street price" of around $700.

Joe

 

[ApexinM3]

My first pistol was a USP40F. Still have it, 8,000+ rounds later, one jamb only (bad handload). Ultra reliable, very accurate, simple to field strip, etc. I love 'em.

That said, I have both, and I like each of them for different reasons. For absolute target shooting, my 1911s are great, no malfunctions yet. However, if I had to drag it in mud, dirt, snow, etc. I'll stick with my HK as it is more of a all-purpose gun. I wouldn't dare do that to my 1911s, though I feel they would be fine if I did. Really, it is an apples to oranges comparison. 1911=single action only, USP45F=double action.

As mentioned by someone else earlier, buy what one you like the most (accuracy, comfort, looks, etc). Neither design appears to be going anywhere anytime soon.