HK45c Range Report (Lots of pictures)

[givo08]

I've been wanting one of these for about a year and a half now since they were announced in Shotgun news. Finally picked one up today from a local gun store for $859 + tax. Took it home to clean it first then headed to the range.

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3551/45c026sn4.jpg

Initial Impression
The grip feels very similar to the P2000 but it is narrower at the top where your thumb and index finger go which gives it somewhat of a P30 feel where the grip is wider in your palm. I took off the small backstrap (which came on the gun) and replaced it with the medium before shooting. I would rate it better than the P2000 in grip feel for me.

The mag release is a much improved design over the USPc or P2000. I always thought these were a little too small for my index finger to reach. They enlarged them on this model and it's not a struggle at all to reach.

This model does have the O-ring around the barrel

The trigger is about the same as a USPc. It is not the match trigger that is in the full size HK45 imo. I'd rate the SA pull at about 5 lbs and the DA at around 12ish. I plan on primarly shooting SA though and carrying C&L. I definitely don't have a trigger gage though, this is just going by feel. I would say the SA trigger is fairly crisp though, not much over travel, and a short reset comparable to the USP series and not the P2k/P30 series.

I like the sights. Easy to see in the day, very bright when charged. I may even like them more than standard tritium sights due to the visibility in the daytime.

The safety engages very positively. It's easy to manipulate to disengage but locks tight enough that it shouldn't get bumped off while carrying. I rode the safety when I shot like I do a 1911 and did not have any issues w/ decocking the gun. In fact my offhand was up against the safety on the bottom. Here's a picture showing this:

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/6190/45c030nt9.jpg

Size Comparison to G19
Overall height is about 5". I am planning on getting flat floor plates for the mags for carrying, so I was taking most of these pictures w/ mag out to get a feel for the height as it would affect carrying.
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/6756/45c002fe9.jpg
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7982/45c003zs9.jpg
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/2249/45c005kc0.jpg
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3955/45c004ot7.jpg


Shooting Impression
I put 100 rounds of WWB through it today and several mags of federal HST 230 grain +P and Corbon DPX 185 grain +p. There were no malfunctions with anything. Recoil was extremely mild. I did not have my 1911 at the range today to compare side by side, but it seemed to recoil less than that. I was quite surprised. Also, there was no torquing under recoil, the front sight went straight up and came straight back down. Here are some of the targets:

First 16 rounds out of gun @ 7 yards. Controlled fire, probably 1 sec between shots:
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/6815/45c012lk1.jpg


Next 16 rounds out of gun @ 7 yards. Controlled rapid fire, probably ~.5 seconds between shots. I'd reaquire sight picture before shooting again.
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/6408/45c013mb5.jpg


Next 16 rounds out of gun @ 7 yards. Double tap pairs. I would shoot two rounds as fast as I could pull the trigger, then a short pause, then two more as fast as i could pull the trigger for two mags:
http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3506/45c014pv7.jpg

Overall, I think it may be the most accurate combat-type handgun I own. It was a blast to shoot, and it will definitely push me to get into reloading so I can afford to shoot it. For me it fits my collection perfectly as a mid sized "do it all" gun for carry and HD.

[mosesv2]

Thanks for the pics & the G19 comparison.
I was going to ask if the barrel came with the o-ring but you answered that too.

Thanks man.
M

[colbucky]

I too had a great time shooting this pistol. I was surprised how controlable it is after recoil and returning back to target.

[Mark71]

Thanks for the VERY detailed range report!

[99999]

Really appreciate the report. I feel the same way about my new HK45c. Just the best 'over all' gun that I have. Plan on having it near me all of the time. =)

[GARY1911A1]

Thanks for the VERY detailed range report!

Yes, a great report with information on splits, size and accuracy. I do want one even more now and will be saving to try and get one through CDNN. I too plan on carrying it in condition 1.

[Bentonville]

Another Kudo for the report. I really appreciate it. It only gives more urgency to what I must now do. SPEND MY CHILDREN'S inheritance.....again.

[quikz]

Thanks for the range report. IMO, i think it's a good idea to keep the thinner, slab sided grip of the HK45C model and to make it comparable sizewise to a G19, EVEN BETTER.

I placed an order in for it, but so far NO word from CDNN. Anyone have inside info?

[givo08]

I was on the CDNN wait list too and no word. Called them almost every day last week and they kept telling me they had it on order but hadn't shown up yet. Finally went to local gun shop and negotiated a great price.

[ulose2]

Nice detailed range report, Thanks

[CyberH&K]

Very nice pics and report on your new HK45c. Thanks.

[Tuff]

Thanks for the RR, and congrats on the Compact..

[Mark71]

I placed an order in for it, but so far NO word from CDNN. Anyone have inside info?

No word on CDNN but the same thing happened with the P30 and HK45. Both guns arrived about a week after people stated they bought them already from other shops. I am hoping for them to come in this week.

[mdavis]

Thanks for the review.

I am now completely sold on the HK45C (as if I wasn't in the first place). :)

[bauerrules]

Thanks very much for this information. Does it also except the USP compact magazines?
If so that is going to be great and i will be getting one soon hopefully as soon as they become available in my area.

[targetshooter]

Thanks for the report. I have been on the lookout for one of these units but I hav not found one in stock yet.

[Mark71]

Thanks very much for this information. Does it also except the USP compact magazines?

Yes the HK45c accepts the 8round USPc mags as well as the 10round mag with extended baseplate and the HK45 mags.

[Huskyoff]

Hmmm...now i'm going to have to have one...great...not my baby won't get her formula.

[loupav]

Wow! Now thats a compact .45! Nice report, excellent pictures.

Enjoy your new weapon!

[Bubbaman]

How's everybody like the 45c when compared to the HK45? As far as shooting impressions, recoil, accuracy, etc?

[Hedge]

That's a dam nice price! I was quoted $1030 for the HK45c and $1080 for the HK45! I so want the HK45c but I just can't get past the difference in comfort between the HK45 & HK45c. After gripping the HK45 the 45c was a complete ergonomic let down! :(

[AZGlock21]

Very nice range report. Thanks.

[Jason R]

What are the going prices for the HK45/HK45c?

[Mark71]

What are the going prices for the HK45/HK45c?

CDNN sells both the HK45 and HK45c for $829.99 + $13 for S&H.

[steelshooter]

Great review. The HK 45c does not fit my hand at all but I'm fine with the P30.

[cmdrdredd]

Great review. The HK 45c does not fit my hand at all but I'm fine with the P30.

Me too, I kind of wanted one. After getting a close up look and feel of it I decided it's not what I want. The P30 and HK45 feel very different from anything else I've held.

[rhmcl]

Thank you for the detailed write up. Another reason I enjoy this site so much.

[steelshooter]

I just reread the review and saw that you said the store model had the small grip installed. Maybe I should try it in the store with a larger grip to see if it would fit my hand better. I also wonder why they didn't put the match trigger on the c model.

[Mark71]

I just reread the review and saw that you said the store model had the small grip installed. Maybe I should try it in the store with a larger grip to see if it would fit my hand better. I also wonder why they didn't put the match trigger on the c model.

Yeah unfortunetly the match trigger does not come on the HK45c (I believe its because certain match trigger parts will not fit into the compact) but it is still better then the P30 trigger.

[steelshooter]

I really think my P30 trigger is better than most of the P30's I have seen. Not as good as the HK 45 match trigger. It would be nice if we could confirm that HK has actually started putting better triggers in P30's as they said they would.