Glock 30 or HK USP for CCW

Bruce Banner · February 11, 2001, 07:27 PM

I have a glock 30 but after a year of owning it I am still not comfortable carrying it with one in the chamber. I know not much use in carrying it. Right? So I have been debating on trading it for a HK USPc so I can decock it and put it on safety for when I am in a secure area and flip the safety off when in the car or at a convenience store late a t night. I know the glock is safe when a round is chambered but I am afraid that the trigger will get caught on something and cause a AD. How does the USPc do as a CCW compared to the Glock 30 and in general?

Dr45ACP · February 11, 2001, 07:36 PM

Perhaps you ought to check out the Saf-T-Block device. It is a piece of polymer that fits behind the trigger in the trigger gaurd. It keeps the trigger from being snagged on anything and accidentally pulled.

When you want to fire, just push it out of the trigger guard using your index finger.

I feel better about carrying a Glock with the Saf-T-Block.

Elmo · February 11, 2001, 08:46 PM

At their thickest point, the USPc and Glock 30 are about the same width. The 30 is more thick all over, though, while the USP tapers more. Obviously, the USP is taller and longer.

I chose the USP Compact over the Glock 30, but it was a matter of ergonomics. I was more accurate with the USP and I prefer the full-length grip on a gun this size.

<i>Personally</i>, I would not be comfortable carrying a USP sometimes on-safe, sometimes not. I picked the condition that made the most sense for me and I intend to stick with it.

If you're worried about the light/short Glock trigger, have you considered a New York trigger spring?

Bruce Banner · February 11, 2001, 09:05 PM

I probably will select a mode of carry and stick with it, if I trade for a USPc. I also have a safety block but forgot that I owned it until I read your post.

krept · February 12, 2001, 12:58 AM

I prefer HK to Glock and if you are uncomfortable with a Glock, I'm not sure what will make you feel better about it if you have already carried it for so long. Have you tried a good/different holster?

IMO, if you do have an external safety, you should instinctually operate it upon drawing, even if you "know" it's off. Carry it locked and when practicing you should work a fresh magazine with it on, as you would when you carry. With the USP, it will decock if you overmanipulate the safety, but it sounds like you will be carrying in decocked and locked mode anyway. Very important to practice DA with a USP for that reason.

M1911 · February 12, 2001, 12:26 PM

Bruce:

I have a USP Compact 45. It's not that compact. In fact, it's pretty darn big. Significantly bigger than my Kimber Compact. The SA trigger is ok -- better than my Glock, not as good as my Sig. The DA trigger is HORRENDOUS! Terribly heavy. Yuck. Haven't shot it that much, but so far it's been reasonably accurate and reliable.

Bruce said: "So I have been debating on trading it for a HK USPc so I can decock it and put it on safety for when I am in a secure area and flip the safety off when in the car or at a convenience store late a t night."

NO NO NO. Don't do this. Bad idea, really bad. Decide how you want to carry your gun, then train that way and always carry it that way. If you sometimes carry the gun in one condtion, and other times carry it in another, then the chances are pretty good that under pressure you'll mess up. Be consistent. Choose one way and stick with it.

You can operate the safety very quickly during the draw (after your muzzle passes a 45 degree angle). So a safety doesn't really slow down your draw. Therefore, there's no real advantage in having the safety off either. Furthermore, with the USP, you can carry it cocked and locked (safety on). But it would not be safe to carry cocked and safety off.

You can also carry the USP decocked, either safety off or safety on. But if you are going to carry decocked, then you have to learn the transition from the long-hard DA pull to the short-easy SA pull. This will take a fair bit of practice.

Do you have any formal training in drawing and holstering a gun? If not, I strongly recommend that you attend a good shooting school, like LFI-1, or Gunsite 250, etc. Take the $700 that you were going to spend on an HK and spend it on training instead.

M1911

PS. Don't ever trade or sell guns. You'll always regret it. If you just want to get another gun, fine buy the USP. But keep the Glock 30 -- it's a good gun and you'll miss it if you trade it off.

Bruce Banner · February 12, 2001, 06:00 PM

M1911,

You are exactly right about picking one condition for carry and stick with it, I know this but when writing the post it came out wrong. I also believe after thinking about it that I will keep the Glock 30 because it is a very accurate and good shooting gun, but replacing it with the USPc in 9mm or .40 as my daily carry gun. I am also fancying the idea of going out to Thunder Ranch for a three day course. The thing about the Glock is that I know it is a completely safe gun because of it's design and I have shot about 1500 rounds through it at the local IDPA matches. What I'm concerned with is the out of the ordinary stuff getting caught on something causing a AD.

M1911 · February 12, 2001, 07:09 PM

Bruce:

If you keep your Glock in a holster that covers the trigger guard, then there's no way that the trigger can get pulled unless your finger does the pulling. Beware of holsters with retention straps, as they the strap can sometimes get caught in the trigger guard. Other than that, how could the trigger get pulled?

M1911

lucky085 · February 12, 2001, 07:18 PM

I would prefer my Glock 29.

Bruce Banner · February 12, 2001, 08:35 PM

How does anything unexpected happen? If I new that I wouldn't worry about AD's with a glock because I'm only going to put my finger on the trigger when I am ready to destroy something. My Glock trigger is very short and very light so it seems that even if my clothes got bunched up when putting it in my holster it could pull the trigger. Call me paranoid.

February 11, 2001, 07:27 PM	#1
Bruce Banner Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Posts: 39	I have a glock 30 but after a year of owning it I am still not comfortable carrying it with one in the chamber. I know not much use in carrying it. Right? So I have been debating on trading it for a HK USPc so I can decock it and put it on safety for when I am in a secure area and flip the safety off when in the car or at a convenience store late a t night. I know the glock is safe when a round is chambered but I am afraid that the trigger will get caught on something and cause a AD. How does the USPc do as a CCW compared to the Glock 30 and in general?

February 11, 2001, 07:36 PM	#2
Dr45ACP Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2000 Posts: 281	Perhaps you ought to check out the Saf-T-Block device. It is a piece of polymer that fits behind the trigger in the trigger gaurd. It keeps the trigger from being snagged on anything and accidentally pulled. When you want to fire, just push it out of the trigger guard using your index finger. I feel better about carrying a Glock with the Saf-T-Block.

February 11, 2001, 08:46 PM	#3
Elmo Member Join Date: June 16, 2000 Posts: 96	At their thickest point, the USPc and Glock 30 are about the same width. The 30 is more thick all over, though, while the USP tapers more. Obviously, the USP is taller and longer. I chose the USP Compact over the Glock 30, but it was a matter of ergonomics. I was more accurate with the USP and I prefer the full-length grip on a gun this size. <i>Personally</i>, I would not be comfortable carrying a USP sometimes on-safe, sometimes not. I picked the condition that made the most sense for me and I intend to stick with it. If you're worried about the light/short Glock trigger, have you considered a New York trigger spring?

February 11, 2001, 09:05 PM	#4
Bruce Banner Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Posts: 39	I probably will select a mode of carry and stick with it, if I trade for a USPc. I also have a safety block but forgot that I owned it until I read your post.

February 12, 2001, 12:58 AM	#5
krept Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2000 Location: AZ Posts: 1,366	I prefer HK to Glock and if you are uncomfortable with a Glock, I'm not sure what will make you feel better about it if you have already carried it for so long. Have you tried a good/different holster? IMO, if you do have an external safety, you should instinctually operate it upon drawing, even if you "know" it's off. Carry it locked and when practicing you should work a fresh magazine with it on, as you would when you carry. With the USP, it will decock if you overmanipulate the safety, but it sounds like you will be carrying in decocked and locked mode anyway. Very important to practice DA with a USP for that reason.

February 12, 2001, 12:26 PM	#6
M1911 Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2000 Posts: 4,067	Bruce: I have a USP Compact 45. It's not that compact. In fact, it's pretty darn big. Significantly bigger than my Kimber Compact. The SA trigger is ok -- better than my Glock, not as good as my Sig. The DA trigger is HORRENDOUS! Terribly heavy. Yuck. Haven't shot it that much, but so far it's been reasonably accurate and reliable. Bruce said: "So I have been debating on trading it for a HK USPc so I can decock it and put it on safety for when I am in a secure area and flip the safety off when in the car or at a convenience store late a t night." NO NO NO. Don't do this. Bad idea, really bad. Decide how you want to carry your gun, then train that way and always carry it that way. If you sometimes carry the gun in one condtion, and other times carry it in another, then the chances are pretty good that under pressure you'll mess up. Be consistent. Choose one way and stick with it. You can operate the safety very quickly during the draw (after your muzzle passes a 45 degree angle). So a safety doesn't really slow down your draw. Therefore, there's no real advantage in having the safety off either. Furthermore, with the USP, you can carry it cocked and locked (safety on). But it would not be safe to carry cocked and safety off. You can also carry the USP decocked, either safety off or safety on. But if you are going to carry decocked, then you have to learn the transition from the long-hard DA pull to the short-easy SA pull. This will take a fair bit of practice. Do you have any formal training in drawing and holstering a gun? If not, I strongly recommend that you attend a good shooting school, like LFI-1, or Gunsite 250, etc. Take the $700 that you were going to spend on an HK and spend it on training instead. M1911 PS. Don't ever trade or sell guns. You'll always regret it. If you just want to get another gun, fine buy the USP. But keep the Glock 30 -- it's a good gun and you'll miss it if you trade it off.

February 12, 2001, 06:00 PM	#7
Bruce Banner Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Posts: 39	M1911, You are exactly right about picking one condition for carry and stick with it, I know this but when writing the post it came out wrong. I also believe after thinking about it that I will keep the Glock 30 because it is a very accurate and good shooting gun, but replacing it with the USPc in 9mm or .40 as my daily carry gun. I am also fancying the idea of going out to Thunder Ranch for a three day course. The thing about the Glock is that I know it is a completely safe gun because of it's design and I have shot about 1500 rounds through it at the local IDPA matches. What I'm concerned with is the out of the ordinary stuff getting caught on something causing a AD.

February 12, 2001, 07:09 PM	#8
M1911 Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2000 Posts: 4,067	Bruce: If you keep your Glock in a holster that covers the trigger guard, then there's no way that the trigger can get pulled unless your finger does the pulling. Beware of holsters with retention straps, as they the strap can sometimes get caught in the trigger guard. Other than that, how could the trigger get pulled? M1911

February 12, 2001, 07:18 PM	#9
lucky085 Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 1999 Location: Indiana Posts: 283	I would prefer my Glock 29.

February 12, 2001, 08:35 PM	#10
Bruce Banner Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Posts: 39	How does anything unexpected happen? If I new that I wouldn't worry about AD's with a glock because I'm only going to put my finger on the trigger when I am ready to destroy something. My Glock trigger is very short and very light so it seems that even if my clothes got bunched up when putting it in my holster it could pull the trigger. Call me paranoid.