I want to buy another HK pistol...

[gsperling]

I currently own an HK USP 9mm pistol. It was my first gun, and has served me very well. I belong to the North Suburban Police Pistol League (NSPPL) and placed 4th Sharpshooter last season. As a result, I won a Sig Pro P2022, and hated it. I sold it out of necessity to household finances. As luck would have it, I am now being given the green light (by my wife) to replace the gun that I sold.

Since I have a 9mm, I would think the next logical choice would be .45 ACP. I really had my eyes set on the HK USP .45, but I guess now HK recently came out with the HK45 which is supposed to be even better.

I am planning on relocating (in the next 60 days) from The People's Republik of Illinois to a CCW state (I have my Utah permit) so I'll likely be using this gun as my CCW gun under my 5.11 Tactical Vest, holstered in a new BlackHawk! SERPA holster.

Please share your comments and opinion with me. HK45 owners? Feedback? Others? Is .45ACP the way to go, or would you suggest 40cal? Why? Your opinions will very likely influence my decision.

Thanks in advance!
Gregg in Gurnee, IL

[mlm]

If the gun is to be used as a main CCW I would go with something smaller like the HK45C if you must have a 45ACP.

[gsperling]

Do you believe smaller is better for CCW? I don't mind the full size. I've recently CCW'd in AZ with my USP 9mm and had a great time with it. The Blackhawk! SERPA holster made it as if it wasn't even there...very comfortable fit.

If the gun is to be used as a main CCW I would go with something smaller like the HK45C if you must have a 45ACP.

[cmdrdredd]

Not to throw a wrench in the works but the P30 is a really sweet gun. It's 9mm though, but I urge you to look closely at it as it's a good CCW size and very comfortable.

[tavo94]

Compradre, you should try the P2000.....it´s a really nice pistol......compact, easy to conceal and lightweight....what else can you ask for..

[Jagdraben]

The last two posters seem to be missing a fundamental part of the equation: The man wants a .45 Auto, not a 9mm or a .40. :P

[Volodymyr]

Since I have a 9mm, I would think the next logical choice would be .45 ACP. I really had my eyes set on the HK USP .45, but I guess now HK recently came out with the HK45 which is supposed to be even better.

Can perfection really be improved on?

=D

[BanditSRT8]

I currently own an HK USP 9mm pistol. It was my first gun, and has served me very well. I belong to the North Suburban Police Pistol League (NSPPL) and placed 4th Sharpshooter last season. As a result, I won a Sig Pro P2022, and hated it. I sold it out of necessity to household finances. As luck would have it, I am now being given the green light (by my wife) to replace the gun that I sold.

Since I have a 9mm, I would think the next logical choice would be .45 ACP. I really had my eyes set on the HK USP .45, but I guess now HK recently came out with the HK45 which is supposed to be even better.

I am planning on relocating (in the next 60 days) from The People's Republik of Illinois to a CCW state (I have my Utah permit) so I'll likely be using this gun as my CCW gun under my 5.11 Tactical Vest, holstered in a new BlackHawk! SERPA holster.

Please share your comments and opinion with me. HK45 owners? Feedback? Others? Is .45ACP the way to go, or would you suggest 40cal? Why? Your opinions will very likely influence my decision.

Thanks in advance!
Gregg in Gurnee, IL


Well, here's how I see it.

If .45 is a must, the HK45 is about as perfect as any 45 can honestly be. Soft shooting and extremely accurate. It is a large weapon though, and quite thick. The HK45C might be a better choice for carry. Even though you are used to carrying a large weapon, the HK45 is much bigger than the USP9 that you commented on.


If you enjoy 9mm and want to see how HK upped the ante over the USP then the P30 is a perfect choice. Fits like a glove and shoots scary-accurate. I had always liked the USP series (not a LOT, but I did like them) but all that ended when the P30 came out. I had to own it, and it is to this day one of the best purchases I have ever made.

[Mark71]

Compradre, you should try the P2000.....it´s a really nice pistol......compact, easy to conceal and lightweight....what else can you ask for..


Thats why he should go with the HK45c. It has the same features as the P2000 but in .45 and the ability to carry "cocked and locked". I love the HK45c as it feels great in the hand, is a perfect size for CCW, and is VERY accurate.

[gsperling]

Please keep the comments coming. All are very helpful.

I'm also a competition shooter, so I'd like to use my .45 for the Combat match venue. The off-duty venue my USP 9 will work just fine for (4.25" barrel length limit, USP 9 just makes that requirement.)

But yes, I definitely want .45ACP (no .45 GAP!) and I know that HK is the way to go...not even going to consider G-Lock, SIG, or Beretta. I WAS thinking about buying a Kimber, but I just don't have that kind of scratch. ($1300?!? sheesh!)

G

[robert14]

To start with, I would stay away from the .40 altogether. It has sharper recoil than the .45 and a smaller projectile to boot. No advantage at all over the .45 except a slight increase in the number of rounds in the mag. I have the USP 45 full size, USP 45 compact and the full size HK45. The full size USP 45 is slightly larger (including grip) than the USP 9mm (assuming you have the full size USP 9mm ). The HK45, you just have to hold it to realize how well it fits your hand! Imagine your 1911 with it's grip molded to fit you hand. My USP 45 is now a safe queen (match clone) and my HK45 is my carry weapon in my HK P30 Sepra holster (until they make one for the HK45). By the way, my P30 Sepra will hold all of my HKs, including my USP 9mm. The HK45 mag holds 10 rounds, the full size USP 45 holds 12 (the price for a slimer, molded grip in the HK45). I'm told that the HK45 has match trigger components, although I can tell no difference from the trigger on my well worn USP 45.
Long story short - go with the HK45 full size.

[gsperling]

Robert14: Thank you for the detailed description. I knew this was the right forum for me. I'm really impressed with the wealth of knowledge and all of the die-hard HK fans here. The pistol league that I belong to has a lot of G-Lock shooters as well as SIG shooters. I'm not impressed with either of these guns.

I'm going to have to find a dealer in my area (NE Illinois, Lake County) that has an HK45 in stock, and at least hold it. I wish I knew of a range that had one as a rental gun so I could actually get some trigger time with one...but I'll take the reputation of the HK as enough if that's all I get before I take the plunge.

HK45 as my CCW gun ... The points are racking up for this option! :380:

Long story short - go with the HK45 full size.

[BanditSRT8]

Please keep the comments coming. All are very helpful.

I'm also a competition shooter, so I'd like to use my .45 for the Combat match venue. The off-duty venue my USP 9 will work just fine for (4.25" barrel length limit, USP 9 just makes that requirement.)

But yes, I definitely want .45ACP (no .45 GAP!) and I know that HK is the way to go...not even going to consider G-Lock, SIG, or Beretta. I WAS thinking about buying a Kimber, but I just don't have that kind of scratch. ($1300?!? sheesh!)

G

I love my HK's (obviously) but would never discount Glock. Damn accurate and reliable guns. If the grip angle agrees with your hand then you'd be hard pressed to find a better gun for even 30% more money. I still carry my Glocks all the time, and I shoot as well with them as any of my polymer HK's.


To start with, I would stay away from the .40 altogether. It has sharper recoil than the .45 and a smaller projectile to boot. No advantage at all over the .45 except a slight increase in the number of rounds in the mag. I have the USP 45 full size, USP 45 compact and the full size HK45. The full size USP 45 is slightly larger (including grip) than the USP 9mm (assuming you have the full size USP 9mm ). The HK45, you just have to hold it to realize how well it fits your hand! Imagine your 1911 with it's grip molded to fit you hand. My USP 45 is now a safe queen (match clone) and my HK45 is my carry weapon in my HK P30 Sepra holster (until they make one for the HK45). By the way, my P30 Sepra will hold all of my HKs, including my USP 9mm. The HK45 mag holds 10 rounds, the full size USP 45 holds 12 (the price for a slimer, molded grip in the HK45). I'm told that the HK45 has match trigger components, although I can tell no difference from the trigger on my well worn USP 45.
Long story short - go with the HK45 full size.

THAT was one fantastic and informative post!

[cmdrdredd]

The last two posters seem to be missing a fundamental part of the equation: The man wants a .45 Auto, not a 9mm or a .40. :P

He never said he was ded set 100% on .45 until later on in a seperate post made after my original only that he thought "I have 9mm already so..."

See, 9mm in both weapons allows you to use the same ammo which is much much cheaper than .45acp. That was my reasoning.

Anyhow get the HK45, it's the best .45 pistol out there.

[gsperling]

@cmdrdredd: I thought about getting another 9mm, but for some reason have it in my mind that since I currently only own one gun, it's best to get a different caliber for the 2nd gun. I also figured that .45acp has better stopping power than 9mm and would serve as a better CCW weapon. I never considered 40cal, just because I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about it.

I'm not one for any DWW's (dick wielding weapons) such as 44 Mag or 50 cal or anything like that. I'm happy with 9mm, .45acp, and 38. Besides, if I shoot an intruder in my little 2BR apartment, I don't want to worry about bullet penetration through walls, etc. (And that's assuming that all of my shots are hits...I'm good, but have never been in a high stress situation before.)

I'd like to get some trigger time with an HK45, but barring that, I think my mind's made up! :13:

Anyhow get the HK45, it's the best .45 pistol out there.

[cmdrdredd]

@cmdrdredd: I thought about getting another 9mm, but for some reason have it in my mind that since I currently only own one gun, it's best to get a different caliber for the 2nd gun. I also figured that .45acp has better stopping power than 9mm and would serve as a better CCW weapon. I never considered 40cal, just because I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about it.

I'm not one for any DWW's (dick wielding weapons) such as 44 Mag or 50 cal or anything like that. I'm happy with 9mm, .45acp, and 38. Besides, if I shoot an intruder in my little 2BR apartment, I don't want to worry about bullet penetration through walls, etc. (And that's assuming that all of my shots are hits...I'm good, but have never been in a high stress situation before.)

I'd like to get some trigger time with an HK45, but barring that, I think my mind's made up! :13:

I like 9mm a lot, and I like .45 too.I never liked .40SW because it seemed to be a round that tried to do too much. Tried to be a .45 in size but isn't, tries to mimic 9mm ballistics and velocity but doesn't. A well placed shot with a good personal defense round in 9mm should do the job anyway. .45 would obviously be better by default when it comes to wound cavity etc. Anyway I'll soon have my HK45, and the only problem with it that I've found (I have fired one) is that ammo prices are pretty bad if you want to shoot all the time. I'll carry my P30, and use my HK45 for a home defense piece.

[nuc_squid]

I have the USP 45 full size, USP 45 compact and the full size HK45. The HK45, you just have to hold it to realize how well it fits your hand! Imagine your 1911 with it's grip molded to fit you hand. I'm told that the HK45 has match trigger components, although I can tell no difference from the trigger on my well worn USP 45.
Long story short - go with the HK45 full size.

I've been agonizing over whether to buy a USPf 45 or HK45 for a few weeks now. I've shot the USPf, but only dry-fired the HK45. Sure the grips feel different, but I don't really notice a difference in the trigger. Am I missing a big revelation about the HK45 by not shooting it or does it really come down to looks, grip and those two rounds of capacity? Any additional guidance would be great, thanks!

(Yes, yes, I know, buy both, but that requires a BIT more cash than is currently available)

[cmdrdredd]

I've been agonizing over whether to buy a USPf 45 or HK45 for a few weeks now. I've shot the USPf, but only dry-fired the HK45. Sure the grips feel different, but I don't really notice a difference in the trigger. Am I missing a big revelation about the HK45 by not shooting it or does it really come down to looks, grip and those two rounds of capacity? Any additional guidance would be great, thanks!

(Yes, yes, I know, buy both, but that requires a BIT more cash than is currently available)

The felt recoil on the HK45 is significantly lower.

[Cadillac Johnson]

What do you carry on duty?

I would go with the same caliber as your duty weapon.

Also, picking a .45 as a CCW might not be the best choice for you. A vast majority of people cant shoot the .45 as well as the 9mm. By 'as well' I mean speed, accuracy, follow-up shots, everything. Bullet placement is MUCH more important than size when comparing common self defense calibers. Stick with what YOU shoot best.

*edit*

I should also add that the HK45 is a big gun.

For carry, the HK45C makes a lot more sense, and some would say that even that is on the large side of what can be carried comfortably concealed all day. As a CCW, the HK45 is not a good choice.

[Badabing!]

IMO it'd be a close call b/w my P30 and HK45C (tough to conceal the HK45 - although it is a dream a shoot). I have large hands (XL gloves) and both are an adequate fit. However the HK45C has the safety feature of the USP while P30 doesn't which is why it is my everyday CCW. To each his own but that was the kicker for me.

FYI the Blackhawk Serpa for the P30 will comfortably secure and click into place all three handguns.....nice little bonus:)

[Badabing!]

I WAS thinking about buying a Kimber, but I just don't have that kind of scratch. ($1300?!? sheesh!)

G
The Kimber Tactical would also be an excellent choice but you're right........that sheesh! is kinda pricey