Agree with JonInWa. The P30 was once my favorite pistol. Then i tried a Glock 19 and realized the simplicity and trigger, made more sense overall.
I’ve been content with the Gen3 Glock 19 for years. But my newest one was bought in 2004. To me, it’s the perfect size for my needs, to include concealed carry.
But there are enough issues with current production guns that I would be hesitant to buy a new one at this time.
My agency transitioned from S&W 5946’s to M&P9;s a little over six years ago. These guns are excellent. But they don’t conceal as well for me as the Glock 19. The M&P9c doesn’t work for me as well as a Glock 19 does either.
But with the intermittent accuracy issues lately on current production guns, I’d be hesitant to buy a new M&P 9mm also.
I have a limited amount of time shooting a P30. Whoever designed the grip must be my identical twin. I have never felt a grip that was so comfortable and felt so right. The P30 is reliable and accurate enough. The thing is so over engineered, the thing is built like a tank. I have heard from several individuals that H&K has stepped up their customer service to an acceptable level.
The initial cost of the P30 is a hard thing to overcome when compared to the cost of a new Glock 19. But when compared to the cost of a decent 1911, all of the sudden the P30 doesn’t cost that much. The difference in the cost of the magazines is there, but I could live with it.
The deal breaker for me would be the difference in the triggers between the two guns. The DA/SA would not be an option for me, so I’d be looking at the LEM. With training I’m sure the LEM could become manageable, especially if it were the only gun you used. But I prefer the triggers on the Glock personally.
With that said, I’d trust a NIB P30 to be reliable and accurate out of the box. I don’t fell that way about newly produced Glock and M&P 9mm’s.
P30 with light LEM. Best 9mm available on the market, hands down.
Quick question, would you be comfortable with the idea that a current gen 4 g19 might have a small chance of developing problems?
It all of course boils down to what you prefer. I personally had both and now have only p30s in LEM. I also find that triggers for the most part are personal too. Triggers seem to be that thing everyone likes to talk about or complain about. To me triggers are really not a big deal. It just takes time and practice to learn a certain gun.
Maybe it’s because I learned how to shoot with a revolver in DA first or something.
With that being said glocks are great guns. The two g19’s I owned were older gen 3s. With glocks you do have easy access to parts and accessories. But I have not had any issues with getting parts from HK. Things have changed around at HK for the better. With the new HK pistols you don’t need to service the pistol till 20k rounds. Although you would be wise to switch out your trigger return spring at 12k. Magazines for the HK can be had for 31-32 bucks. Don’t believe everything people will tell you about one make of pistol or another. Do some research and see for yourself.
The p30 works better for me as I prefer a rolling trigger plus all the other good characteristics that you have heard about them. I also like a hammer fired gun for added safety with how I carry.
The only thing I hear people complain about the p30 is price and trigger. Which both are two user specific issues.
The DA/SA on the P30 , to me, isn’t the issue that i have with the trigger, it’s the ungodly long reset of the SA that chaps my ass. Hell i had a $300 P-07 with a better SA reset.
I just don’t understand why the P30 is the black sheep… all of the other HK’s in the display case usually have better stock V3 triggers than the P30. If i had the feel of the HK45 V3 i’d be a very happy camper.
Ergonomics - hands down HK. Both a very accurate. Both need sights changed (H&K has glow in the dark sights, Glock’s are not really sights, just place holders) Trigger, Glock hands down. That’s what it came down to. I sold 4 of my HKs and switched over to Glocks.
Stay far far away from the Gen 4 Glocks IMHO. There are many threads and SME inputs on this forum, and many others that explain why. If you go Glock, tis a fine choice, but as a carry/hard use piece…stick with an early (pre-2011) glock gen 2 if you can find one of gen 3 19.
If you must buy new, buy the P30. its about as bomb proof as you can get from a NIB handgun. reliable, dead accurate sights, ergonomic, the list goes on. Obvious downside, the initial and mag prices. But as a counter to that, ask yourself, how much is your life worth?
After owning many Glocks and currently owning a P30, I’d vote Glock.
I absolutely HATE the trigger of the P30. Mine is a v3 (DA/SA), and I bought it intending to carry Cocked/locked. The SA break is so close to the end of its travel that there is a mile of take up, and the reach is just to short to adapt easily to. I keep thinking that I’m going to get used to it. Ain’t happening.
Here’s a review I wrote almost a year ago:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=73118
Years ago, when I was chasing the next best pistol I went from a G17 to a P30. Oh the days of $70 unobtanium P30 magazines, stock sights or Trijicon(only choices) and custom holsters that required months wait time made me grow a strong loyalty to my P30.
If I would have spent all that time and money into the G17(or G19) I wonder what kind of shooter I could be today?
The ease of work/maintenance on the Glock series compared to the Hk is hard to describe. I can take a Glock apart to the frame with a ball point pen and put it back together in 10-12ish minutes. The Hk requires my little hobby vice, patience, eye protection, 2 different sized pin punches, needle nose pliers, patience, a hammer and depending on my focus level about an hour.
I can get new factory spare parts for the Glock nearly everywhere including local. The Hk limits you to calling Hk-USA/hkparts.net or maybe some forums. Nothing nearly as convenient as procuring Glock parts.
The LEM trigger is not a striker fired action style trigger. It may be consistent but, IMO, more difficult.
I’d buy a used Gen 3 Glock. Gently used, roughly used or buried in mud it will be easy enough to get working again.
Signed,
an M&P shooter(who is patiently waiting for gen4 Glock problems to go away to return ‘home’)
Thanks jwperry, nice contract outlining benefits of the Glock.
I am amazed how simple the slide is! Amazing design.
My .02 cents would be to go with the battle proven Glock and buy a dump truck load of ammo with the money you save.
Assuming money is no object (you’re a gazillionaire) would you still choose a Glock over the P30?
I know I would personally. The Glock’s a few ounces lighter and is striker fired (which I prefer over DAO and DA/SA.) Parts and accessories are more readily accessible (in my area at least.) More things to consider but that’s my main reasons.
I’m not sure who you’re asking. In my case, I have plenty of handguns, and as soon as I get off my ass and do it, I’ll have the P30 sold, and probably replace it with a Glock 20 with a .40 conversion barrel.
This is the problem with these types of threads; no one can tell you what works best for you. I’ve shot HKs and Glocks. I think they’re both excellent guns, but very different. If you want to know which will work best for you, go to a range, rent both a lot and shoot both a lot. In other words run them and keep running them until you get a GOOD idea of which one works better for you. Unless you need to buy one tomorrow, and I can’t think of any reason why you would, take your time and figure what works best for your situation.
My god… These are some good posting! Lots of info and less drama of “my gun better than yours” type of post. Very constructive, guys!
If they haven’t screw up the Glocks, there wouldn’t be this post. I know I can get a G19 with tuned trigger, night sights, extra mags with +2 extension, and a holster before even tap into a bare-bone P30 price before tax!
But, that’s isn’t the case…
Selling something just to get rid of a bad purchase makes it even pricier in the end. As someone have already pointed out here, if it doesn’t go bang the way it supposed to when it supposed to, what are you gonna do with the money you save then?
I really wish it was easier. I hate to get ripoff, paying for something more than I should, but there really isn’t a perfect middle ground here. Take a $550 gamebleling, or spend $1000, shut up and go to bed.
I guess the sweetest spot of my situation here is to keep an eye out for a nice, pre owned, P30 with some extra goodies popping up for sale. Big thanks to everyone participating in this tread. There’s wealth of knowledge and friendly advices here in this forum.
Last but not least, very good to be here! :thank_you2:
Don’t forget to check your local cop shops. You may be able to get an utterly flawless used Gen 3 for $369 or less.
The police here use .40 though, so downside if you’re looking for a 9mm. With GSSF pricing though a brand spanking new Glock is $425, so maybe more worth the risk if you pick up a really recent 2011 model (or wait until 2012 hits the shops even).
I am always entertained by people selecting their handguns by parts availiblity. I understand that you probably don’t want to equip a police department with Steyr GBs, but come on.
i really mean the affordability of the spare parts vs Hk Parts