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Looking to grab an H&K .45 to add to the stable as I shot one and loved it. Def want a full size and was hoping some of you aficionados may chime in and let me know what some of the options avail are in this pistol/size/caliber. what i'm looking for is knowing (for example in the sig 9mm world which i'm familiar with) the differences between a p226r and x5 tactical elite as it translates to H&K world. Basically, which HK .45 do I want? Application will be potential use in the upcoming zombie apocalypse, paper targets, sitting for years in my safe cold and alone (well, lonely - she'll have room mates).
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For the .45 your options are the Elite (long barrel and very expensive), the Tactical (again large and expensive and usually has the threaded barrel which is a no no in CA. You also have the USP .45 and the "HK45" which is the much improved and newer (off roster) version. I have the HK45 and LOVE IT! Better ergonomics and feeding reliability than the USP. A hassle to get here in CA, but well worth the effort . If you should find yourself in South OC drop me a line and you can shoot mine and try before you buy. -
The HK45 for me, is the ultimate combat handun. If you haven't read the test done on pistoltraining.com check it out. Once you do that, you will need to have this gun.
I've owned a full size USP in 45, a compact in 45, and a compact in 9. All three of those felt like i was holding a brick compared to the HK45. The gun is well balanced, points naturally, is built like a tank, and is a gorgeous gun to boot.
Hold this gun for five seconds, and you will know what it means to have a gun that fits your hand like a glove. The interchangeable backstraps further customize the fit.
I chose the double single action over the LEM simply for the cocked and locked feature.
I would say the old HK styles, including standard, elite, and tactical, which all have the same grip are not even in the ballpark of comfort and fit of the
HK45.
The USP does not come with a rail, the HK45 does, also a huge plus.
As to the comparison of say a sig p226 and an X5, those guns have very similar grips, not the night and day difference between the USP and HK45.
I have a Sig 228, and a Blackwater Tactical. I have never shot an X5, so I cannot comment to the actual shooting differences between the two, but for me, the grip and feel of a gun is everything, next to reliability.Comment
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FWIW - This is strictly MY opinion. I've wanted a HK for a long time, tried REALLY hard to love it, but haven't found one that I've liked enough to keep. I've bought AND sold HK USPf .45, HK USPc .40, HK P2000 .40, HK45, HK45c. The biggest hang up for me is the trigger. I'm so use to the trigger on the Sigs that the HK trigger felt really "mushy" to me & I couldn't shoot it very well. I'm still determined to buy a HK, but I may try & find a USP cheap, and send it in to Gray Guns to get the trigger worked over. But that's just me. I still want a HK, but it might be a project down the road.
I do agree with all the posts above, the ergo on the HK45/HK45c is night and day above the USP's.Comment
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I run TGS variant LEM on my HK45 and 45c and its outstanding. Don't have any of that mushy feel but still a tiny bit of creep as its still factory trigger. I'm sure GG can "fix" it up a bit but its not worth it to me.Comment
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I really want to find an HK45c to purchase, unfortunately there aren't any dealers up here near Redding that do SSE's on them that I'm aware of.
I'm torn between the V1 and the LEM; since I prefer cocked and locked I think I would like a V1 if I could ever find one."You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means."
"What we get away with isn't usually the same as what's good for us"
"An extended slide stop is the second most useless part you can put on a 1911"
"While Ruger DA revolvers may be built like a tank, they have the aesthetics of one also,
although I suppose there are a few tanks which I owe an apology to for that remark"Comment
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Maybe if enough of us bugged H&K, perhaps they would make the effort to have the HK45 tested so it can be added to the roster. I'd certainly buy one if it was on the roster.Comment
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Heckler and Koch HK45 is the way to go (for HK's).
Used to have a HK Mark 23, P7M8, P7(PSP), P9S, USP, and a HK45. Among all, I like HK45 the best. No over heating problems (P7M8, P7), no oversize problem (Mark 23), problem of hard to find parts (P9S), better and smoother action than Mark 23 and USP.
Also, when you press magazine release on a Mark 23, part of your skin will be caught by the mechanism and you'll be in pain. No problem with the HK45. The mag release is well designed. (well, Mark 23/MK23 was designed for Special Forces Operators, and they wear gloves). HK45 also has the best ergonomics among all HK handguns. Better ergonomics means better control and less recoil.
As for size, HK45 is smaller than a full size USP. About the same size as a Colt Combat Commander.
Last edited by fennecfrank; 06-21-2013, 6:23 PM.Comment
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USP Expert is nice with match trigger. HK45 is what I have left after my HK fling. HK45 with light LEM, very nice gun. Ergos are good and the ability to change the backstrap can give you a better grip and more natural point of aim. If you're looking to stick to 9mm, the HK P30 is very good substitute for its bigger brother.Last edited by Zerorye351w; 06-20-2013, 9:30 PM.Comment
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All I can say is I had a chance to hold an HK45 once and it made the USP feel like a square brick in your hand....literally.Comment
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Nice thing about the HK45 is the ability to swap trigger systems from DA/SA to LEM (light or heavy) with about $85 worth of parts.
I ended up converting my v3 (DA/SA) to a light LEM trigger and love it.Comment
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