Posted: 10/8/2007 11:19:54 PM EDT
| any idea on when and if they are going to release the threaded barrel version of the Hk45, ive been holding out for that rather than buying a Usp tac45 |
What he said. |
|
I don't mean to bust any bubbles, so please don't take this that way, but... Back in July when i released the HK45 video review, I had posted my experiences over at HK Pro. Being an owner of a USP45f, there was some issues with the HK45 that scratch it off my list of handguns to buy. Instead of people listening or asking questions about it, I got a lot of flame responses, which I didn't pay any mind to. There's nothing like someone telling you something as if it were undeniable truth, when in fact, it is internet chatter and not first-hand experience. Not a lot of people have had the chance to fire the HK45, but I have, and I quickly found my dislikes. First off, the gun is fugly in my book, but it feels GREAT in the hand. It is a TALL weapon overall, and I've found that grip length is very important with IWB concealed carry (I carry at 4 or 5 O'Clock, depending on garments). It is a BIG gun, although an outstanding quality HK, that holds 10 rounds of .45. The trigger is better than the one on my USP45f, and it should, with 12 years of R&D and a $200 price difference separating the two. It is NOT as good as a Match trigger on the Tactical. The deal-breaker for me is the fact that the bottom of the trigger passes through a raised plastic portion on the inside of the trigger guard. It chafed my finger isn less than 100 rounds. To me, a gun isn't going to hang around my collection too long if I can't fire 200 rounds per range trip. How can I expect to practice proficiency and run through drills when my finger gets rubbed raw in less than 100 rounds? My complaints with the HK45 are the same issues I have with my Gen. II HS2000. I like the gun, but it rubs my finger raw, and the grip is just TOO DAMN LONG for concealed carry. It's a full sized gun with an even longer grip than the regular USP, but it is thinner and holds less rounds. I own many guns and carry a Glock 26 everyday. If I am going to strap on a full-sized pistola to go out, I'd like more than 10 rounds. Otherwise, i can find the same firepower in a much smaller package from other manufacturers, even if they ARE NOT HK pistols. The point to all of this is....be patient. I would highly advise that anyone interested in this pistol hold onto their patience and give the pistol a try before going out and throwing down the $900 (they will $ell for more than that at first, I'm sure). You may find it uncomfortable, you may not be pleased with the aesthetics in all three dimensions, and you may even find it unwieldy or uncomfortable to shoot. My USP45 isn't going anywhere, and the HK45 won't ever have a place in my stable, for the aforementioned reasons. I know this sounds wrong, coming from someone who helped perpetuate the momentum that the HK45 now has, but I snicker at the fact that so many are eager to spend a grand on a pistol they haven't tried yet, or even worse, haven't listened to their good forum buddies about. ;) I applaud HK for their efforts in developing the HK45. in my book, they have addressed some of the concerns of the USP45's bulkiness, but in doing so, they have created other issues, ones which are a deal-breaker for me. Godspeed, Erik@RHP HK45 in Action 
|
30 seconds with a file or a dremel would cure that problem, though I wouldnt want to do it to a 900 dollar gun either. I would agree about the grip being long if the firearm was designed for CCW. I could care less how big a gun is if its going to sit in a 6004. *can you tell Im a mk23 pilot???* 
|
.
Ahh, I should clarify. The trigger on the HK45 actually travels inside a channel in this raised portion of the trigger guard. The channel has a 90 degree angle at the edge (top), which is what was chafing my finger. The P99 family by comparison is like a grease-down in a shiatsu!  I just don't get why HK would make a trigger that is so uncomfortable after so few rounds. Once this pistol comes out, I'm sure I won't be the only one with this complaint. |
| Boricua: Thanks for the info; I love my USp Tac's and I shoot them well. But I love the slim line feel of my 1911's; the HK45 seemed to marry both worlds, but after the disclosure about the HK45, I might wait on selling one of my Tac's to fund that HK45. Of course, not one gunmag whore has talked about this trouble. How was the design in other aspects? |
|
The bore axis of the HK45 didn't strike me as being any lower than that of the USP series. It may be slightly lower, but it wasn't really noticeable to me like it is on the P7 family. The recoil characteristics are surprisingly mild, which I didn't expect considering that the Hk45 uses the bushing setup and not the dual-captive recoil spring of the full sized USPs. With respect to the question posed by the original poster, I think you get a whole lot more gun with the Tactical than you do with the Hk45: Match Trigger, Adjustable sights, threaded barrel. The HK45 will come in at the same price point and won't offer any of those features. Once a Tac version of the HK45 drops, you can expect to pay at least $200 above the base price. |
Personally, I find that the USPf 45 recoils less than my old (and long since sold) steel 1911s, and the HK45 recoil is pretty much identical to the USPf. Again, this surprised me b/c of the HK45's recoil spring setup (bushing), coupled with the fact that the slide seems to have a reduced mass due to being radiused and contoured (although I honestly didn't weigh the slides). This may not be a fair comparison to the 1911, because of polymer's tendency to flex and absorb recoil, whereas all those "leftovers" are passed onto the shooter in the steel 1911 platform. |
|
OK, thanks.. I am headed to a gun show this weekend. I don't like all black sights, since I shoot at a fairly dark indoor range most of the time. So, that cuts out the tac model or Elite, etc (any with the all black adj sites - no white dots). But I am debating buying a standard USP 45 or waiting for the HK45 to be out in a couple of months... |