You caught up to my little plan...Your HK is really sweet - I just don't have $800 laying around.
So why ask the question if you can't handle the price? I smell a troll.
I am still waiting to see a decent explanation as to how it is practically justified to fork out twice the price on a German toy instead.
Hmmmmm lets ask ourselves who makes more military service weapons, Ruger or HK? Hmmmmmmmm now that is a tough one.
HK:
HK MP5
HK G3
HK G36
HK 91
HK UMP
HK USC
HK PSG
HK Mk 23
HK 94
Ruger:
Mini-14
Based on this incomplete list I'd have to give the service weapon nod to the Germans. I'd also have to trust their engineering experience to build a reliable weapon. As well, they build fantastic automatic weapons. I'd certainly trust their engineering experience to build a reliable semi-auto pistol.
A little research will show the P97 has difficulty cycling lighter loads and is only reliable with factory ammo.
Is the p97 designed to shoot +P and +P+?
Does the Ruger offer you a choice of 9 different control arrangements? No, you get two choices. Decocker and DAO.
Does the Ruger have Poly rifling? No, it has 6 grooves RH 1:16 twist.
The Ruger holds 8 rounds, the USP holds 12 rounds.
The Ruger weighs 1.90 pounds, the HK weighs 1.74 pounds.
The HK is made in Germany and exchange rates affect the price. The dollar is weak right now which means German goods are more expensive.
All of the above equals your price difference. There is really no competition. Anyone who thinks otherwise can't afford the HK and likes to think they're buying a better pistol for less money.
Are Ruger's good Pistols? ABSOLUTELY. They just don't hold a candle to the USP series.