as the forum’s search function doesn’t seem to be working, i’ll just start a new thread on this surely old topic. i’ve clicked myself through 18 pages of the handgun forum, but couldn’t find this exact question.
now for the question: i’ll soon be buying my one and only .45, and am looking at the choices out there. plz no comments on glocks, i don’t want to focus on them right now. as i said, which .45 do you prefer, and why?
fnp-45 tactical:
-15 rounds
-interchangeable backstraps
-mount for MRDS
-threaded barrel
-tall sights for suppresor use
-ambi controls
-da/sa trigger
hk45:
-10 rounds
-interchangeable backstraps
-threaded barrel available
-tall (night) sights hard to find
-ambi controls
-LEM trigger available
-great ergonomics
the round count is definitely in favor of the FNP, but the ergos on the HK45 are really impressive.
is a DAO version without safety/decocker available from FNP?
how does the manufacturing quality compare?
what else comes to your mind, that might influence the decision (except price of course)?
I have an HK45 and love it. I’ve fired the FNP45 about a year ago and can not remember too much about it’s ergonomics. But I do remember that it was a pleasant to shoot weapon.
I would take the HK45 hands down. I’m very familiar with HK’s and I shoot my HK45 well enough. That and I have a lot of gear to support the HK45. Living in California, I can’t have the 5 extra rounds that the FN could afford me anyway. That being said, I still want an FNP45. I’m on the search for one now.
Both weapons are well made and come from reputable manufactures. Either way you go you’re getting a handgun good enough to fight the zombies all day long.
I would also be inclined to select the HK45 with the LEM system. I tried one of the prototype FN-45 tactical guns and while it’s a very neat concept, the ergonomics of the pistol didn’t leave me excited to see it in production. As polymer .45’s go, my two top choices would be the HK45 or the M&P .45. Note that both have a ten round mag capacity, meaning they fit a wider range of hands well than the very large grip of the FN-45. If you have hands like Grape Ape, the FN may be more your speed.
Have you noticed all the complaints about the FNP 45s not working with certain brands of ammo. Someone (I think it was at the FN Forum) posted that they contacted FN, who admitted that the specs of the WWB ammo is causing problems with the FN mags.
I have owned an HK45 and HK45c before. Fantastic guns!
Did you get a chance to put some rounds through Todd’s HK45? He mentioned in his last report that you were going to help him out with that.
If you did I would assume your saving your comments for a report on his website or something similar. It seems that if you’ve shot both you would be able to provide some insight reference the op’s question.
Look forward to reading it.
Xamoel,
I think right now the only tall/supressor sights for the HK45 is made by heinie. Shouldn’t be too hard to get.
It also seems HK offers far more tigger set ups than the FNP. You’ve got 9 difference variations to switch the controls around plus a few different combinations of the LEM trigger (using different springs).
The price of mags is still retarded and HK dosen’t have a good reputation for customer service in the past. Latley the guys at HKUSA have been getting great reviews for customer service so it seems that is changing.
pretty much the responses i expected to hear.
i’ve heard there were feeding issues with the mags of the fnp, but they should be resolved by now i guess?
does someone maybe own both, and could provide some further details, f.e. regarding triggers and overall perfomance/reliability?
I ran about 13k of ammo through my Hk45 before I got tired of shooting it. Excellent gun. I have enjoyed shooting the FN also. Between the two I would pick the HK45 but I really don’t think you can go wrong.
What do you intend to do with this one and only one 45???
Cant speak first hand for the FN as I only handled it in the store, but that thing was HUGE for my hands. To put things in perspective the HK was with the small backstrap was still an RCH too big for my teeny hands. I ran my HK45 with the light LEM trigger and it was good to go. The LEM takes some getting used to though so give yourself a chance if you go that route.
I guess between those 2 the HK would be my choice, but knowing what you intend to do may give people more to go on.
The FNP45 is just alright, the rear slide serrations are pretty sharp and the mags aren’t great with WWB, (which is what I normally buy to practice with).
I really liked the FNP-45 Military prototype that both JW777 and I shot and handled, the FNP-45’s ergonomics actually work better for me with my wookie paws than the HK (of which I’ve owned 2), but I honestly feel that the HK45 is probably one of the most bomb proof .45 ACP semi auto pistols made, period.
The FNP-45 Military was one of the softest shooting .45 ACP’s I’ve used.
Bullet has just left the muzzle…
And you can see the ejected case…recoil management was excellent for me.
If price is no objection, go with the HK45. It’s based on a VERY well-established platform (and is well-established as its own platform as well) and has a proven trials record. As others have stated, it’s virtually bomb-proof.
HOWEVER…
If price is a factor, I would not feel under-gunned with the FNP. I actually posted an FNP/X vs HK thread a few weeks back as both guns are very similar, both ergonomically and functionally. The FNP offers virtually everything the HK45 does… for less. I think the HK has had more testing and refinement, but few will ever run their guns hard enough for that to even matter.
I am an owner of multiple HK’s, I love the ergos and the LEM trigger. That said, the only thing that keeps me from buying an FNP or FNX is that I don’t care for DA/SA handguns. Rumor around here is that FN has a trigger group more to my liking in the works, we’ll see.
