HK 45 is it all that?

[dutch]

I have both and like both, the HK actually feels better but thats where better ends for me. The M&P is better in muzzle flip, has a faster recovery and mine is simply more accurate and more than it should be. The HK is a full size and the smith is a 4 inch bbl and to date the MP is the most accurate service pistol I have personally shot. Never thought I would even look at a non 1911 but these 2 changed all that for me.

[Son of Vlad Tepes]

I have both and like both, the HK actually feels better but thats where better ends for me. The M&P is better in muzzle flip, has a faster recovery and mine is simply more accurate and more than it should be. The HK is a full size and the smith is a 4 inch bbl and to date the MP is the most accurate service pistol I have personally shot. Never thought I would even look at a non 1911 but these 2 changed all that for me.

Have you ever benched these two? Not to disparage the M&P in any way as they seem to have lots going for them, and I'd like one, and I could be wrong, but I always thought that the HK45 has more inherent accuracy, so I'm curious, what's the consensus on this, which one is more accurate? And are all M&P's super accurate, or are some calibers/models known to be more so.

[John_Wayne777]

Originally Posted by Son of Vlad Tepes

Have you ever benched these two? Not to disparage the M&P in any way as they seem to have lots going for them, and I'd like one, and I could be wrong, but I always thought that the HK45 has more inherent accuracy, so I'm curious, what's the consensus on this, which one is more accurate? And are all M&P's super accurate, or are some calibers/models known to be more so.

I can't speak intelligently to the HK45's benchrest accuracy. In a practical sense, it's a very accurate handgun, far more accurate than 90% of the people who will shoot it.

The M&P .45's are known to be particularly accurate guns. I've heard Ken Hackathorn call the M&P .45's among the most accurate production .45's out there. Many others have seconded this. Again, I've never benched mine to give you a group size. What I do know is that the M&P .45's I've shot have absolutely no problem keeping all the rounds in the X and 10 rings of a standard NRA target at 15 yards if you do your part on the sights and trigger, and that's with bulk FMJ ammo.

My M&P 9 is the same way.

ToddG has gotten some pretty impressive groups from his torture test pistol.

[Greg Bell]

I have a well-worn HK45 that is ready for a bench rest competition! My gun is crazy accurate. I will buy coke and sandwiches if I lose!

[dutch]

I have shot them enough to know the m&p shoots as well up to 35 yards as my CQB and at thost distances as well as my p2 baer, why do u think I am so impressed with this gun, don't know mabye its a fluke gun. I almost think it has to be because a gun shouldn't shoot like this for $450. The HK shoots great also but its more of what I expected, shoots almost as good as some highend 1911s and better than some mids but the mp is nothing as I expected. Its great when you can pick up a gun and on a consistant basis actually hit what you aim at every time and know when you miss its you and not the gun. If the HK is better in whatever way as some think I am going to need an expert to show me where and why. Its kinda of this way in the scope market where SB is best because someone said so, u know monkey see monkey do. Try them and get what you shoot the best, thats all that matters anyway. Again both are tops from what I have seen.

[ToddG]

Originally Posted by dutch

The HK is a full size and the smith is a 4 inch bbl and to date the MP is the most accurate service pistol I have personally shot.

Two issues I'd point out:

1. Your practical accuracy is dependent on more than just the inherent mechanical accuracy of the guns. For example, you might simply shoot the M&P better. The shooter determines the group size much more than the gun. Moreso with a pistol than a rifle. Of course, that's all that really matters ... which one you shoot best.
2. Comparing two sample sizes of one can't really tell you much about the models in general. I've seen Glocks that shoot knotholes at 25yd and ones that have trouble keeping everything in a 4" circle.

Originally Posted by John_Wayne777

The M&P .45's are known to be particularly accurate guns.

Uncannily so. I remember the day Ernest brought the prototype (with a SLA frame, no less) out for us to play with at Ken's. We were hitting little coke bottles all up and down the range.

Again, I've never benched mine to give you a group size.

Heathen.

ToddG has gotten some pretty impressive groups from his torture test pistol.

Well like I said, it's all about the shooter.

[dutch]

Good points by ToggG on various samples and thats what I am inclined to think, you would need multiple samples of each model to get a good comparision.

[varoadking]

My HK45 has a factory light LEM conversion. It is much nicer than the V2 LEM in my P30. I also tend to shoot the HK45 much better than the P30. Go figure, huh?

Something I do not like about either piece is the trough in the trigger guard...it's a bit irritating.

I'm looking forward to the release of the .40S&W P30 LEM this fall, and the proper springs being made available by HK for light LEM conversions on the P30 line...

[Mjolnir]

OUTSTANDING handgun. Not too big to carry and I do alternate between it and my TRS. However the magazines are wider so I have to be careful about the topshirt I wear.

Trigger pull is fine in single action but being a 1911 guy EVERY trigger pull could be improved. The DA trigger pull is 'okay' for really close stuff (i.e., less than 5 yards) but it still requires a lot of dry-firing exercises to maintain anything beyond that at any kind of speed for me.

In summary, I have zero real issues about the pistol. I carry it cocked and locked and I shoot it very well; not QUITE as well as a 1911 but damned close. As far as mechanical accuracy is concerned I cannot tell the difference between my 1911s and the HK45s.

Improvements to the pistol revolve around two things only: Shorter trigger reset and lighter DA pull and a set of 10-8 Performance-type rear sight.

[HK45]

Love the HK45 and 45c which I actually shoot better than the full size. Mags are expensive but they are worth it. I've been able to find plenty.

But I also think the M&P .45's are almost as good, fit my hand better, and cost much less.

[Shaolin Giraffe]

I have the 45c, I LOVE it. True say it is my first and only hand gun, firearm for that matter, but I am in love with it and I can't wait to get the full size.

I am watching gangland right now, so I only skimmed this thread. I read that someone uses the middle finger to eject the mag, I use my thumb. Is the middle finger or trigger finger used for a tac. reason? Or is it just pref?

[canucksvt]

I had the opportunity to try out a friend's HK45, and even though it was nice, it was not twice as nice for the almost twice as expensive price tag it had over my M&P45.

With that said, I will say that I am a big fan of the FNP45 as well as the M&P45. To me, the M&P45 and FNP45 are the best values for a full sized .45acp pistol that are available.

HK45, M&P45 or FNP45 all are nice, and able to go with you into harm's way and help you get back.

[skyugo]

Originally Posted by ToddG

Magazines have always been high-margin items for gun companies. Glock was the exception back when they used to sell them for around $15 but as their market share has shrunk (from totally dominating to merely dominating) they've clearly rearranged priorities and started to recoup profits via parts & accessories.

In fairness to the gun companies, almost all pistol magazines are manufactured in Europe and given the exchange rate between the dollar and euro, you're going to see prices rise without anyone really making more money.

gotta keep in mind wiht glock prices that A)there was a huge run on anything "high cap" or "tactical"
B)the dolla value has fallen quite a bit.
glock is still one of the most economical guns to shoot and carry.

that said...
i want a USP 45 compact tactical.....

[skyugo]

Originally Posted by Greg Bell

My strongest opinions are reserved for my love of Reese cups. Specifically the peanut butter in Reeses cups.

yeah there is no other peanut butter quite like that...

[BLACK LION]

MARK 23 .45 , USP .45 or HK45 ??? Which would be the optimal "all around" choice...

[ToddG]

Originally Posted by BLACK LION

MARK 23 .45 , USP .45 or HK45 ??? Which would be the optimal "all around" choice...

HK45 by a long, long margin.

[QuickStrike]

Originally Posted by canucksvt

I had the opportunity to try out a friend's HK45, and even though it was nice, it was not twice as nice for the almost twice as expensive price tag it had over my M&P45.

With that said, I will say that I am a big fan of the FNP45 as well as the M&P45. To me, the M&P45 and FNP45 are the best values for a full sized .45acp pistol that are available.

HK45, M&P45 or FNP45 all are nice, and able to go with you into harm's way and help you get back.

+1. I've been reading around a bit, and came to the same conclusion. My M&P45's have been good.

That said I just might impulse buy an HK45 compact sometime next year.

[BLACK LION]

Originally Posted by ToddG

HK45 by a long, long margin.

Thanks Todd, that will save me some trouble.

I see an HK45"tactical" in my future... we will see how things play out.

[canucksvt]

I don't want to be misconstrued as one who poo-poo'ed the HK45. I would love to have one in my collection some day. I bought my M&P45 from Grant @ G&R Tactical and got a phenomenal deal from him, while S&W was doing their $50.00 rebate and 2 free magazine promotion. I think my total price after the rebate was $455.00 for the pistol and (4) magazines with the 2 free magazine deal.

I do prefer a hammer fired pistol over a striker fired one, but I have to say I cannot complain about my M&P so far. It has been flawless in function and is very accurate. I saw no difference in accuracy between the M&P, HK45 and FN45 I shot on the same day with the same ammunition.

I am holding my breath now hoping that FN will release the FNP45 with the threaded barrel, raised night sights and Doctor Optic to the regular civilian market.

I too hope to add a HK45 to my collection one day. I tried to love the USP series, but could not. The HK45 and HK P30 are both very nice, robust pistols that have ergonomics down pat. Kudo's to HK for doing that!

Originally Posted by QuickStrike

+1. I've been reading around a bit, and came to the same conclusion. My M&P45's have been good.

That said I just might impulse buy an HK45 compact sometime next year.

[FromMyColdDeadHand]

Damn you guys. Stopped by the guns store this afternoon, and just when I think I've got my handgun plans in place, you have to put a HK45 in my hands. Not at all like the USPs that I remembered.