Polymer Memories

When the HK USP was first imported to the States, in 1993, I knew I had to have one. Polymer seemed to be taking over the handgun market back then. Glocks were a huge success, but the sculpted angles of the USP slide, along with it's grip angle and thumb safety appealed to me more. I finally found this full size HK USP in .40S&W, used, and I quickly bought it. I had Tritium sights mounted, and with the HK bright light, I felt ready to take on the night's boogey men. I have since purchased a compact USP, as well as a P7.

Over the years, I have adopted the shotgun for home defense. I have gone to the 1911 as my semi-auto handgun of choice. I don't shoot the old HK much anymore. The .40 caliber ammunition is as expensive as .45ACP, and I would rather shoot old slabsides. I removed the HK from it's drawer today, cleared it, and dry fired it a bit. I have to wonder how I ever tolerated that trigger. The gun is stone reliable, and it's accurate enough, but the trigger is awful, gritty and stacking. But never let it be said that I did not try the plastic fantastics. Heck I even owned a Glock for a few days......I just found a gun I like a hell of a lot better, that I shoot a hell of a lot better, in the 1911. I was young then. I was easily influenced by things such as "hostile environment" finishes. I finally found my way though, the same way so many before me found, to the single stack brainchild of John Moses.