Just curious to learn if other owners of the HK 45 had any opinions as to the performance of the HK 45. Looking to share some experiences and insight. Thanks.
I don’t own one but I do know that mags are hard to locate and holsters the same. Online orders may be a different story.
Is this a thread about the world’s most accurate 45 caliber production handgun?
M_P
The HK45 is an excellent handgun. It is essentially an ergonomically refined version of the H&K USP. I think Larry Vickers put it best by saying the HK45 is probably the most “bomb-proof” 45 available. I have 14797 documented rounds through my HK45 (and the total is a good bit higher because I have shot it with friends and loaned the gun out for shooting). I haven’t replaced a spring or mag and the gun looks fine other than a dinged-up mag-well and finish wear. I have two Novak’s custom 1911s and I can honestly say the HK45 is more mechanically accurate than they are (by a hair). I can still shoot my 1911s accurately more consistently, but barely.
The HK45 is a large gun. That is the result of its over-engineering. The HK45 was developed to be a military combat handgun. I don’t think any substantial consideration was given to law-enforcement or civilian shooters. I think the primary focus of this gun was to be able to fire scads of ammo under extreme conditions without parts breakage. I have seen nothing that leads me to believe the HK45 isn’t the very best handgun for this purpose.
Although I am a big fan, and would certainly want an HK45 if I was about to step into a road warrior movie, I don’t carry one on a daily basis. I am a small guy and the HK45 is too big. The HK45 gets shot with my full-size 1911s on the weekend. My daily carry is a Kahr PM9 (although I am tailoring a Colt Officer’s to replace it).
I’m kind of on the fence about mine. I haven’t had it long and only put about 500 rounds though it. It’s certainly accurate, and has not malfunctioned yet. I put the ambi safety in it and it’s pretty ergonomic. The SA trigger pull is very nice, although I’d like a shorter reset. The DA trigger blows, but I’d never carry it hammer down anyway. Overall, it shoots pretty well.
The holster issue isn’t that bad. I contacted Safariland and was told they make a 6004 for it, with and without an X300 attached. Raven Concealment Systems makes their Phantom for it (I have one and love it). So there are some good holsters out there.
The only aftermarket sights I’ve seen so far are the Heinies. Not bad, but I’d like more choices.
Spares parts are kind of iffy. Being a Glock shooter has kind of spoiled me, there are spare parts everywhere. I can have just about anything to my door in just a few days for pretty reasonable cost. The HK is tougher, as stock only trickles in and you are at HK’s mercy. As for customer service, I’ve been treated well by the HK staff everytime I’ve called. I’m not an institutional customer, and all I needed was the ambi safety. So take that FWIW.
The thing that chafes me the most are the mags. IF you can find them, and IF you are lucky, you’ll pay over $55 for them. I’ve seen some places charging $65 and up for them. That’s just absurd.
It’s an excellent gun for sure. Whether it does things better than my G17, I’m not sure yet.
I have seen Glock mags in the $30 region lately. Which is insane. All mags are freaking nuts. I bought a butt-load of Glock 18 mags at $24 last year. I could probably sell them and retire right now. LOL.
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.
Todd,
Wasn’t it you that pointed out that H&K still manufactures their mags in-house rather than subbing it out? Do you know of anyone else that does this?
GB…what operating system do you have in yours?
Or if you prefer…which variant?
To the best of my knowledge, HK and Glock are the only two companies that make their own pistol mags.
Some people hate it, but I love the mag release on my USPs. I use my middle finger to operate it.
The mag release on the HK45 feels even better!
I’ve been fighting urges to get an HK45, especially the compact, but I think I’ll be better off with a more “practical” (read less expensive gun with more parts availability and cheaper mags) gun like another Glock, or delving into the M&P world.
I don’t mind the USP style release. I release its mag with my index finger, but I do have to very slightly shift my 3-5th digits on the front of the grip do avert pinching my middle finger.
Obiwan,
Mine has the standard C&L setup. The trigger on mine is a fairly crisp 3.5 pounds. If I could get a nice over travel stop installed it would be, essentially, perfect.
Was not impressed and sold it within a week…
large gun for sure, but an absolute tack driver. I have a Raven holster on order for mine. Local dealer had spare parts in the $50 range and I picked one up to accompany the two included in the package. If you’re down to pinching pennies and can only afford to buy one gun chambered in .45acp, then perhaps there are much better choices for the average shooter. But since I don’t have that issue, for me it represents another addition to my collection of a very effective blaster, built to stand up to heavy duty use, and fun to shoot. My biggest beef are the sights - don’t know WTF they were thinking there.
I just picked up a HK45, i am a 1911 guy, but i am totally amazed in this HK45. The ergonimcs are fantastic, the contoured grip fits my hand like a glove, and it is built as solid as can be. It can be carried/used cocked and locked, this is great if your a 1911 user or just want to take advantage of the single action trigger. . As Greg Bell said, it is over engineered (built like a tank). When it comes to Glock, i think they build them as cheap as can be, but still get the job well done. It keeps manufacturing cost waaay down and can be sold at a low price and still make a profit. There is a market for lower priced guns, especially police budgets, dont get me wrong, glocks work extremely well and on top of it, can be had at a cheap price. Good business plan. When it comes to the Germans, i think they build it to extreme quality, and price is secondary, even though higher priced, there is a market for that also. Both Glock and HK run great, but with HK, i think it will run the race alot longer and need less maintenence way down the road. Definately take a look at the HK45, and if it works for you, it seems to me, to be an extremely well designed and solidly built platform.
Yes
I have one and love it, its replaced my 1911.
It handles better, is far more accurate, has a better trigger etc
What always bothered me about HK handguns was that I had to apy top dollar for a pistol and then pay extra to get it switched from variant 1
They sing the praises of all the trigger groups but you never seem to see anything except var1
Same.
When I was shopping for a polymer .45 a few months back, I got to shoot the HK45 side by side with the M&P45 and the S&W felt better in every way possble
I was not impressed with the HK45 at all
I have the HK45 LEM(I forget what the variant number is). I originally had the standard DA/SA trigger, but had a hard time adapting to the DA pull. HK did the mod for me. The LEM is unusual feeling, but quite nice for fast shooting once you get used to it.