HK USPc 9mm vs glock 26 for ccw.

[twofourthree73]

I have owned an HK USP compact 9 mm for more than 10 years. It's a fantastic pistol, i feel comfortable with it, it's been as reliable as the sun and it's accurate.

I had my CCW in another state before I owned the HK and then once I moved I didn't bother to get a CCW again. I am now getting a CCW and I'm a little concerned about carrying the HK. It's a little bulky on me. I'm 5'7" and 160 lbs.

I'm considering selling it and getting a glock 26 instead. I handled the glock 26 (I've never shot it or any other glock) I didn't like the feel of the short grip and didn't like the ergonomics. Specifically the mag release and slide release. I don't have to shift my grip with the HK to release a mag, I do with the glock. I am spoiled by the HK large mag release that allows me to load a mag and trip the release without ever touching the slide. I also like the option of carrying cocked and locked.

What's the THR forum's wisdom? Is the extra concealment factor of the glock worth the trade offs or should I be able to carry the USP without any problems?

I'm not able to afford the glock at the moment.

 

[CPshooter]

I own an H&K USPc (40s&w), a Glock 19, and a 26.

While I love them all, the H&K is just on another level of quality/shootability. IMHO you should keep the USPc. Realistically, the H&K is barely "bulkier" than the 19/26. If you look at them closely, the thin part of the H&K slide is literally the same width of the Glock slide. Now the wider part of the H&K slide in addition to the actual grip is only as wide (maybe narrower) than the Glock grip. So pretty much your USPc at its widest point (ignoring the slide release lever and the safety/decock lever) is the same size as the Glock at its widest point. In your pants, and with a high quality holster, you won't notice a difference in comfort.

Like you already know, the 26 has a shorter 2-finger grip. This reduces the possibility of it printing through a T-shirt, but it also reduces the shootability of your gun. A full, 3-finger grip is always something you want on an IWB gun.

If you ask me, you should keep the H&K because it's a superior gun all around. Like you already said the control levers on the USP are pretty darn perfect. I actually think they might stick out a little TOO much. I wish H&K offered lower profile controls for their guns. However, I'd rather have them beefier and easier to use than narrow and hard to manipulate like the Glock's. It's not so much that the Glock's slide release is hard to manipulate, but more so that it is considered bad practice to drop the Glock's slide on a live round using the slide release. You are technically supposed to sling-shot the slide, because the Glock slide release is rather flimsy and not built to take the abuse like the H&K's is. With your USP you can drop the slide all you want using the slide-release (only on a live round of course, doing so on an empty chamber can damage any gun over time).

There is a reason your H&K costs $250 more than the Glock. Others might disagree, but I own both and I'm giving you my honest opinion based on my experience with both.

It's all about the holster. This is what I'm ordering for my USPc40: http://www.ttgunleather.com/catalog/i47.html

I suggest you get a nice holster, and also some H&K flat magazine floorplates. The factory magazines w/ the rubber-like pinky extensions aren't ideal for concealed carry. They are only inviting your shirt to snag up on them when you draw your gun. You can find the flat floorplates here for $7 a piece: http://www.robertrtg.com/misc.html

Keep the H&K! Hope that helps..

 

[threefeathers]

I carry an HK P2K and am beginning to shoot a Glock. Keep the HK and save for the Glock. Get a couple of high cap mags from CDNN now for the Glock while you can.

 

[Dr_2_B]

First of all, I believe you'll wind up getting a lot of votes from us gun nuts saying you should get both. So that's how I voted. However even though I'm a Glock man and I believe in them and trust my life to them, I can't see any reason to switch from a gun that's as reliable as you've found your HK to be. The realistic gain in concealability would be negligible I believe.

 

[FunYet]

I had both and found the Glock 26 much easier to shoot. It pointed more naturally (for me) than the HK. I believe it conceals better too.

 

[Kind of Blued]

I've found the hard way that guns with which you have zero complaints are extremely few and far between. This is ESPECIALLY applicable to carry guns, simply because you spend more time with them every day than you do with any one human being.

Get a quality IWB holster (Comp-Tac, UBG, Milt Sparks) for the HK and give it a shot. A good holster and a good belt can make nearly anything disappear with a cover garment.

 

[twofourthree73]

CPshooter, thanks for the like to the holster. That looks exactly what I've been looking for. I was thinking milt sparks or comp-tac, but this looks like a nice option too. I like supporting small businesses as well.

Get both. Yeah, that's what I'd like to do, but after my recent AR purchases, I'm short of funds in the gun budget. Just ask my wife. I'm thinking that I'll try the HK with a good holster and see how it feels. I'm a bit of a newbie to everyday carry. I had my ccw earlier for mainly transporting in vehicles, but didn't do much personal carry.

 

[10-Ring]

I would say -- keep the USPc. The short grip of the Glock was tough - if not impossible -- to get use to and I prefer the shootability to the HK

 

[punkndisorderly]

Unless you really dislike a gun, never ever sell it. I always seem to regret every sale sooner or later.

If you're comfortable with the H&K and it's reliable for you, I see no reason to switch.

That said, I carry a G26 and am really happy with it. About the only thing I want to change on it is the additon of some Truglo TFO sights. The short grip felt weird at first but I quickly got used to it. Previously, I carried a compact 1911 cocked and locked. About the only time I miss it is when I'd like to have it outside of a holster like on the car seat next to me or in the nightstand.

 

[heavyshooter]

Unless you really dislike a gun, never ever sell it.

+1 ^^^

You can never have enough guns. I voted to keep the H&K and get the Glock as soon as finances permit.

Heavy

 

[NG VI]

My 27 was difficult to get used to, but after a couple of months I found it is actually an extremely accurate gun and I also like the trigger on it. I also have a USP I will never sell, so I would say hang onto it and buy the Glock when you can. Definitely spend some money on magazines right now though, get 17 or 19 mags since the stock ten rounders will probably always be available.

Also you have several months until it warms up enough to make the USP a pain to conceal. Maybe things will work out so you can get the Glock sooner than a year from now.

 

[Eightball]

I'd say keep what you know and love and can rely on, and find a way to make it work for you. With such wide varieties of holsters out there, I'm sure there's an option that can make it disappear.

 

[swing2hard]

I just bought a Glock 26 last week & went out this weekend to try it. Wow at 25 yards the groups were insane, I had guys coming over & asking what it was because of how tight the groups were. Love the 26 but even tho it is small, it is wide & Its not bad to conceal while standing but sitting down gets a little uncomfortable. I am considering getting the Kahr PM9 for full time packing.