Wow seems that you are carrying one of the largest pistols I know of. What kind of rig are you using to tote that monster around?
Josh
Josh,
I have two methods of carry:
Typically, the Pistol, Spare Magazines and Surefire light are all carried in a custom-made Milt Sparks 55BN Holster (had to ship them the pistol to have it made), a D4C Dual Magazine carrier and a special flashlight holder that no longer seems to be on their site. These are then carried on a 1 1/2" Model 1B belt.
The second method of carry is a Galco waist bag.
This is my daily carry rig. I carry it everywhere with me. I own several businesses so I can carry when I'm "at work," as well.
I am a firm believer in carrying a large gun. . .and not just because I'm a big guy (6'2", 230 lbs). Before I had the Expert, I carried one of the first generation USP45's. My wife caught me ogling the Expert and bought it for me for our 10th Anniversary. I started shooting it in USPSA Limited and IDPA Stock Service Pistol(with one slight modification) competitions and got to liking it so much I made it my daily carry piece.
Carrying a large gun is not for everyone, though. You have to make a commitment to lack of convenience. A big pistol is not difficult to conceal, as long as you modify your habits.
For example: You don't sit in openbacked chairs that are not against the wall. If you do, you'll most likely "print" some part of the pistol.
You will have to wear a concealing garment. In winter, this is not usually a problem. But when the temperature hovers near 100 degrees, you still need something. I usually wear a sweat-wicking T-shirt and a lightweight, short-sleeved shirt untucked and unbuttoned. You must practice presenting the pistol often with this type of carry since the fabric of the covering shirt is much lighter than a vest or jacket.
But this pistol is exceedingly reliable and superbly accurate. The longer barrel with it's polygonal rifling maxes the potential of the round's velocity. The heavier slide with it's 3/4" added length and double recoil spring makes follow-up shots fast. The trigger is phenomenal.
This particular pistol has about 20k rounds through it and I've only had to tweak the trigger once and replace the operating rod/recoil springs once. It has a truly ambidextrous safety that, if done properly, doesn't require you to shift your hand to release the magazine.
The magazines are shaped at the top like a pyramid which, when combined with the almost cavernous beveled magazine well makes tactical- and speed-reloads lightning fast.
BUT, this is the same set-up I use when I compete. Rapid close proximity shots with fantastic accuracy, even for those 50m targets set up by the most sadistic course designers are a snap.
As long as I do my part, that is.
The only real modifications to the pistol away from it's original design is the addition of Meprolight night-sights, a slight modification to the contour of the ambidextrous safety (right side reshaped drastically with the left side modified slightly (primarily to fit inside the IDPA dimensional requirements), the reshaping of the hammer (the original USP Expert has a hard-rubber spur which was "ground" down and smoothed to prevent dragging on cloth) and the screwing in of the trigger's overtravel screw).
And, of course, the addition of Robar's NP3 nickel-teflon finish on all metal parts. This means I only have to slightly lubricate the pistol as opposing surfaces treated with NP3 need no lubrication (normally, I only lubricate the metal reinforcements on the polymer lower where the slide travels).
Let me know if you have any more questions!
The Professor
