I know this is an apples to oranges comparison. I am aware of the differences in the platforms since I have some Glocks and some HK's. Am also well aware of the difference in price. An LGS here has one of each and I'm pretty tempted to pick one of them up. Am wanting comments from any of you guys that have experience with both as to which one you prefer and why. The gun will be used for range/plinking and maybe competition, not self or home defense and it won't be a safe queen for sure. Thanks in advance guys.

I never had an Expert but have had numerous USP pistols. They are nice pistols and shoot great but I am not sure how the Expert would be for competition though. The G34 is a great gun and a little easier to use in/for competition, at least that is what I have found. Trigger pull is easier to deal with but it is really up to you. You can't lose either way.

G34 if only for cost of ownership (parts & accessories)...

Pick up a Gen 5 G34, one sweet ass pistol for whatever purpose you have in mind. Cheaper mags, part, etc, and shoots great

Lord Vaalic---I had not thought about the Gun 5. Something else to consider....
Thanks guys.

Both. I really do like both of them so much that it would be hard to choose just one.

Expert HK - it's not even close.
I have an Expert in 45 and 9mm but my most accurate pistol is my HK Elite 9mm.

I've owned both, and consider both to be fine pistols. I believe if one intends to be competing in some form of Run N' Gun competition, both would serve well. Both of mine demonstrated flawless reliability. I have to say though, in my hands the expert was obviously the more accurate of the two. Barrel/slide/frame fit/headspace,etc. of the Expert was much more precise than with my G34. The SA trigger of the expert was absolutely the finest of any of the many DA/SA pistols I've owned or shot. The SA trigger of my example broke at 4#, with very little over travel, and was so crisp that it did not feel like I was shooting a DA/SA pistol. Far superior to the G34, or SA trigger of my X-5 Allround.

Anyway, both very good guns, but the Expert is in a different class IMHO.

I have both and they are both great guns. I have 3 glocks and 12 hk's, so it's fair to say I am a fanboy. For me the Hk is by far a superior pistol. Especially with the jet funnel and 18 round mags. I have used both in uspsa and prefer the hk by a loooong way. That said, again, they are both great but I think if anyone has a chance to own an expert they should. I have several videos of it in uspsa and even at 100 yards. It's a fantastic gun.

I've got both. In general I love the USP overall as it happens to fit me well and really its a bit of an unusual option to have an expert. And I happen to like the HK operating options. But for the use described those won't really matter. In every other single thing that matters the Glock is better. Lower cost, better support, cheaper for parts and you can actually get them, cheaper for mags, holster options, sight choices...literally everything about usability is easier with a G34. So in matches I shoot a glock. The HK is for fun only, but they aren't very common so I'd buy one if only for that. You can always find a G34.
FWIW>

As already mentioned:

1. USP Expert availability in the future is unknown
2. USP trigger in single action is in a class by itself

My USP Expert 9mm is scary accurate. I believe the barrel, o-ring system, trigger and excellent sights all contribute. Its a pistol that always makes me look better than I am.

I, at one time, had one of each. Kept the Expert. Like others have said extremely accurate and reliable. I use mostly for our local USPSA, run and gun, and steel shoots. Makes life at the range extremely easy and fun.

Never know if they will keep importing Experts in or when you will come across another one. G34s are easy to come by.

You will enjoy your Expert. See, I can predict the future and know you will be getting the Expert. Don’t fight it.... ha!

357fuzz----I think you are pretty good at predicting the future. Thinking about getting the Expert!

I just recently picked up a used HK Expert 9mm. It's easy to be very accurate with this gun. The SA trigger is insane. I would say the only criticism I have is the front sight. I am fine with it but some have swapped it out for a Novak. No offense, IMHO the Glock isn't even in the same ballpark. If you are looking for an alternative to the HK, look at the CZs from the custom shop. The Accu-Shadow is a great option.

The HK is the better pistol- it's not even close.

I found I could never enjoy the grip angle on my G34, and so I have changed platforms to enable infrequent competition. The HK is superior in many ways.

For all around shooting/plinking, I prefer the G34. I sold my USP Expert to someone who appreciated it more and couldn't find one.