Hello - I am trying to decide on an EDC chambered in .45 caliber and am looking at the two offerings from H&K. I noticed in the comparison that the HK45 compact is chambered in .45 ACP while the USP is chambered in .45 Auto. What’s the difference, if any?
A corollary question: Does anyone have any experience with either of these handguns? Please share if you do.
Thanks in advance to all who respond.
Rest In Peace to the fallen 13 - shoulda never happened. (Sorry, I’m just pissed.)
same, same
They are one in the same. You usually see .45 AUTO on the weapon and .45 ACP on the boxes of ammo. (Hint: you put the .45 ACP into the .45 AUTO)
As far as carrying, that is my most frequently used EDC. It is a Glock 30S. Absolutely love it. It shoots really nice and you just can’t beat the stopping power of a .45.
They’re the same. ACP stands for Automatic Colt Pistol. Since there are other firearms chambered in the Lord’s caliber, other than John Moses Browning’s masterpiece, 45 auto, and/or 45 ACP is the common nomenclature.
Yes agree with all of the above they are one in the same.
Oooohhhhhh soooo disappointed! Just kidding!
A Glock???
The whole reason I left the Navy is because in 1985 they discontinued the use of the legendary M1911A1 Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45 standard issue sidearm 1911 to 1985.
However, a .45 by any other name is still a 45 ACP.
Unless it’s a 45 Long Colt.
Glock, HK, Sig, Kimber, 22, .38, .44 or .45 auto we all salute the Afghan 13
One ends in an “A” and the other ends in a “P” other than that they’re to same.
Or a 45 Schofield
Or a 454 Casull
Or a 460 Magnum
Or a 45 Super
Or a 460 Rowland
I couldn’t resist.
Yes I was still in the Navy when they changed over but I thought it was 1989. I know we were still carrying the .45 when I was in. I got out in 1992. Remember the Afghanistan 13.
I thought for sure that someone would bring up the 45 Auto Rim which allows you to shoot wheel guns so chambered without moon clips. Somewhere I have like five boxes from a bud that got a “Killer deal on 45 ammo” till it wouldn’t chamber in his 1911 
Someday I will find a good M-1917 revolver and get to use them.
Cheers,
Craig6
Absolutely, historically speaking, January 1985 was the official adoption of the Beretta 92F. The 1911 was still in use all throughout Operation Desert Storm. The complete replacement occurred around 1992 by the Beretta M9. There are still some hold outs with good reason, both special civilian and military groups are still required to maintain the M1911A1 for its stopping power. (Let the debate begin).
Amazingly it’s still in service with the L.A. SWAT, SIS, FBI HRT and Delta Force and me 
I’m special! LMAO
In keeping with @Kevin180, USSOCOM requirements for a .45 ACP during Offensive Handgun Weapon Systems trials or
OHWS actually resulted in the H & K becoming the OHWS due in part to field stripping abilities and, here I go again, stopping power. So a shout out to Kevin180 for his HK choice whether it’s 45 auto or 45 ACP. Personally I’d opt for the compact.
As long as we are being silly. 
Don’t forget the .45 GAP. 
I just want to know what genius thought it was a good idea to put small primers in 45 ACP!!! Now you actually have to PAY ATTENTION when loading 45.
@Scott52 that’s about right in my experience, carried a 1911 (Remington Rand) as topside watch in 1985, 1988 in Panama and 1990/91 in Desert Shield / Storm. Somalia (93’) and beyond was all M-9 unless I was playing with SOCOM.
Cheers,
Craig6
Oh geez. 
I have a Thompson - Auto Ordinance M1911A1. Fun pistol to shoot. When I do carry OWB that is the weapon I carry. I remember when they announced they would be replacing them. We were like “Huh???”. We were told that it was because the 9mm is the round use by NATO and UN forces. Which still made no sense because the US makes up the majority of those forces so why didn’t we tell THEM to conform instead of us having to? I think it came down to cost. Everything about money.
@Craig6 >> or get a S&W mod. # 625
@Blacky MY FIL, at my encouragement, purchased a Model 25 from the son of family friend who had passed and was in need of funds. So there is “one in the family”. I’m not a real big fan of S&W as to me they have way too many moving parts to accomplish the mission. I would however take a S&W M-1917 over a Colt as I don’t particularly like the un shrouded ejector for a combat gun. In a perfect world I would have one of each for the collection and be just south of $4K poorer.
The above being stated at the one year anniversary of the purchase I lucked into 100 six round U.S. arsenal moon clips and an additional 25 3 round half moon’s loaded with JHP as well as some “funny looking pliers” in the ammo can for the princely sum of $50.00. One must hedge their bets for future acquisitions when opportunity knocks. It also made for an appreciated birthday present to the FIL. After all a moon clip is simply a magazine for a revolver.
Cheers,
Craig6
About the H&K USP 45 @Kevin180.
I have one sitting in front of me now. It’s a big chunk of hammer fired double/single action semi auto loader with a decocker. Some folks don’t like the trigger guard mounted magazine release lever, but I find it easy to use. If you have other handguns with American style mag release buttons, you will certainly want to drill regularly training yourself to use the lever. If you ever need to do a reload under pressure, you may have difficulty finding the lever without having done repetitive training.
The USP 45 has a pretty stiff recoil spring, and the slide can take some hand force to draw back. There are no forward slide serrations, only the ones on the rear of the slide.
The grips have fair to partly cloudy stippling on the panels but fairly aggressive on the backstrap and front edge.
Because it’s heavy it helps tame recoil and muzzle flip, but it’s still a 45 ACP.
Because it’s heavy it may not be one you’ll be comfortable carrying on your belt…a shoulder rig may be a good option. It doesn’t come with the fanciest sights, nonetheless it is accurate for sure. It has a surprisingly manageable grip size for a double stack 45 ACP weapon, but small hands could be uncomfortable.
Extra magazines are expensive, over $50, so make sure your purchase comes with at least two.
Purchase a Maglula or other speed loader since loading 45 ACP mags bare handed isn’t fun for most people.
What else can I tell you? It’s easy to take down for cleaning/inspection.
A remington-rand in 1985?
Yes, and there were two Singer’s in the weapons locker too along with a few Colt’s. The M-16’s were M-16 A1’s from GM Hydromatic Corp. and Colt, the one I carried in the sail had a 4 digit serial number, not with 3 “0’s” in front of it, just 4 digits. That weapons locker was a gold mine.
Cheers,
Craig6
