HK 45 Slide fit

[lrrs1]

The slide on my HK 45 seems pretty loose all of a sudden. I have about 1300rds through it. I don't remember it being this loose when I bought it. Reliability is good, but groups are starting to suffer some. There doesn't appear to be any damage IE scrapes, scratches or abnormal wear on the slide or rails. Anyone else experience this on any other HK pistol?

[cmdrdredd]

The slide on my HK 45 seems pretty loose all of a sudden. I have about 1300rds through it. I don't remember it being this loose when I bought it. Reliability is good, but groups are starting to suffer some. There doesn't appear to be any damage IE scrapes, scratches or abnormal wear on the slide or rails. Anyone else experience this on any other HK pistol?

Is it when the pistol is in battery or what? If the slide is loose when in battery that's no good, but a slight amount of play when it's locked back can be common.

[Scooter]

That's perfectly normal. These things aren't built like a handbuilt 1911 where the slide gets hand lapped into the frame. Put enough rounds through any of the plastic guns and the slide will rattle when you shake it.

[lrrs1]

Is it when the pistol is in battery or what? If the slide is loose when in battery that's no good, but a slight amount of play when it's locked back can be common.


Yes, in battery. The front moves back and forth to the point that the only thing stopping it is the dust cover on the frame. Slide contacts dust cover on both sides. Rear has acceptable play.

[lrrs1]

That's perfectly normal. These things aren't built like a handbuilt 1911 where the slide gets hand lapped into the frame. Put enough rounds through any of the plastic guns and the slide will rattle when you shake it.

I don't mind it rattling, but the accuracy is falling off. I have had plenty of handguns that rattled, but usually after many thousands of rounds...never had one start rattling after this many rounds. At least not enough to effect overall accuracy to where I actually notice. Anyway to tighten just a hair, or might HK be willing to check it out? Or would I be wasting my time contacting them for an accuracy issue?

[BanditSRT8]

Replace your weakened recoil spring, and your rubber O-ring.

Should lock up fine after that.

[lrrs1]

Replace your weakened recoil spring, and your rubber O-ring.

Should lock up fine after that.

Barrel to slide lock up is super, its the frame to slide fit that is loose. Recoil shouldn't be spent after 1000rds should it?

[BanditSRT8]

It shouldn't be no... but if you say that the slide will move rearward when in full battery, then I would think that replacing the recoil spring/guiderod would be the simplest and easiest remedy to the situation.

[BanditSRT8]

Oh wait, I mis-read your post.

I thought you meant the slide was moving a bit REARWARDS... it seems you were saying it moves side to side at the muzzle end of the slide.

I would contact HK about that, this is just poor build quality on their part and it should be replaced.

[lrrs1]

Oh wait, I mis-read your post.

I thought you meant the slide was moving a bit REARWARDS... it seems you were saying it moves side to side at the muzzle end of the slide.

I would contact HK about that, this is just poor build quality on their part and it should be replaced.

I'll give them a call and see what their thoughts on it are.

[harrydog]

I would contact HK about that, this is just poor build quality on their part and it should be replaced.
I agree. I don't think it should be as you described after 13,000 rounds let alone 1,300 rounds.

[rugman1]

Is it at all possible that the recoil rod/spring assembly was from another HK pistol you had been cleaning etc , at the same time? Accidently switched?

I know it sounds dumb , but I almost did that once.

[lrrs1]

Is it at all possible that the recoil rod/spring assembly was from another HK pistol you had been cleaning etc , at the same time? Accidently switched?

I know it sounds dumb , but I almost did that once.

Nope, this is the only HK I own.

[lrrs1]

I agree. I don't think it should be as you described after 13,000 rounds let alone 1,300 rounds.


You agree, I agree, but HK does not. Just got off the phone with Jeff at HK and he states that they are built like that on purpose and said he checked one before he called me back. Like I said before, I don't mind a little play as that is what helps make it reliable. This is too much play in my opinion. Hate to trade it off as I will lose my ass on it, but that is most likely my next course of action. Have no idea where I will go from here. Maybe a USP 45 Tac as I hate to waste the training that I did. Maybe get away from HK, I kind of expected them to say send it in we'll check it just to make sure. Will go print some groups in a day or two to see if I was just having a bad day at the range or what. Last round of groups I shot I could not get 4" out of it at 25yds either benched or out of my hand. Looked like I was shooting 00 buck. Picked up my Kimber and got in the tape 4 out of 5. Fing kimber, the gun I love to hate, and I don't know why I still have it. Picked up my Beretta 96 and got in the tape also, so I hesitate to say I was having a bad day. Wish I would have had my XD45 with me to also compare.

[harrydog]

Well, I checked my HK45 for what you describe and this is what I found.
At the muzzle end, If I push the slide to the side, it will move enough to touch the frame. But it won't do that without me pushing it. The slide doesn't rattle unless shaken really hard. But that's the nature of every polymer pistol I've played around with. The slide on my M&P and it also will hit the frame if I push it to the side.
So, if yours is like mine, I do believe it is normal. But if your slide moves side to side, hitting the frame just from shaking it, I don't think that is normal.