New P30 Rumors came true for me? : (

[FChen17213]

I just picked up my new P30 after work today. Before going home, I decided to put 50 rounds through it for function testing. At first, I got tons of FTE's, stovepipes, and the slide never locked back on the last round. Then I realized that my thumb was riding the slide lock so that was causing the slide to not lock open on the last round. Once I modified my grip the slide locked open on every round.

The FTEs were what was killing me though. I had some real crappy ammo from the range (Independence reloads) so I hope this is what contributed to the problem. The range guys were nice enough to loan me some Speer 124 gr Lawman. Once I tried the Speer, the malfunctions went away. I have done some searches online to find that I'm not the only one to be experiencing these malfunctions during break-in period. This makes me somewhat disappointed. I'll bring some hotter ammo next time to break it in. Now I'm not 100% sure I'm not shooting poorly and limpwristing, but I don't think so.

I've been shooting handguns since I was 12 and have experienced no real problems with Glocks, HK USPs, Berettas, Sigs, etc etc. I never experienced any malfunctions with a USP fullsize, USPc, HK45, or P2000. This is why when the P30 first jammed, I was like, "WTF?!?! This shouldn't be happening." I know Glock 17s are extremely prone to jamming when limp wristed and I shoot IDPA and have taken several pistol classes with the Glock 17 with ZERO malfunctions whatsoever. The range officer thinks that it's because the gun's oily and dirty (just picked it up) and that the gun just needs to be broken in with some stouter ammo. Has anyone else here experienced these initial problems with their P30? Did it work itself out?

[LCSO264]

did you give it a thorough cleaning prior to shooting it? I only ask, because you said you decided to shoot before you went home.... I just got the impression you took the gun out of the box and started shooting..... there was ALOT of grease in both my HK45 and HK45c when I got them NIB.....

[FChen17213]

Nope. I didn't give it the usual cleaning I give a new pistol. I literally paid the transfer fee, bought a box of shells, and started shooting. I understand that this may be another factor that contributed to the problem. I just got down cleaning the gun. It was very very dirty and greasy inside. However, I did this with my HK45 too I think.....zero problems with that gun though.

[Chui]

Nope. I didn't give it the usual cleaning I give a new pistol. I literally paid the transfer fee, bought a box of shells, and started shooting. I understand that this may be another factor that contributed to the problem. I just got down cleaning the gun. It was very very dirty and greasy inside. However, I did this with my HK45 too I think.....zero problems with that gun though.
Cleaning it before firing shouldn't make a difference.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

If nothing else, HK is plenty generous with the packing grease. ;)

Clean it good and try again. My uncles P30 has fired WWB 115gr. FMJ from the start with zero malfunctions to date. I noticed alot of thick grease that needed removing when I cleaned it before it's first range trip.

[AZ DESERT JEEPER]

For a gun that doesn't "Compromise" the packing grease shouldnt hurt if this pistol is designed to be fired muddy,sandy,wet,etc.

[LCPL4ever]

After buying and cleaning mine, I broker her in with about 600rds of Wal-Mart Winchester White box in one trip and had zero problems. I will not buy any Remington ammo from Walmart due to issues with the .223 they sell and range reports from this forum. Hopefully your range will let you bring in your own ammo, so that you can use some good quality plinking ammo to break it in. 2000+rds and not one problem.

[ispeed]

I think the OP said he usaully cleans his guns first, but didn't this time. I agree that a gun should function right out the box without cleaning it, but by not cleaning it, there is doubt in the mind that it not being clean could be the problem. Sure the gun should work, but I think this should be a reminder, to just go ahead and give it a quick clean. It takes all of 15 minutes and if you have problems later, you can cross off the "dirty gun" box as the culprit.

[FChen17213]

That's my point exactly. An ultra reliable combat pistol should run dirty....grease or no grease. It shouldn't require a lengthy break in with malfunctions. Lots of my high end 1911s were bank vault tight, but did NOT malfunction at all....not even initially.

[givo08]

I would definitely consider it partly due to cleaning. You never know what kind of crap besides grease such as metal shavings, etc come in a new gun that can really wear on the inside of the gun or cause friction or lock ups where they get in between parts. I would say never go to the range without cleaning all the stuff out. Try it now that it's been cleaned and if it's still FTE then call HK cust service.

[AwaySooner]

Maybe check your grip. Pressing the slide release slightly with weaker ammo might cause problem.

[AZ DESERT JEEPER]

Maybe check your grip. Pressing the slide release slightly with weaker ammo might cause problem.

He checked that and it stopped the slide from not locking back, but that wont have anything to do with failures to extract.

[LCPL4ever]

I was have been told to always clean a new gun and I always do. Aside from wiping off the packing grease, you also check the condition of the parts inside of the weapon. Who knows he may have some me-chanical problem present in the pistol, and it takes all of 10 minutes. Some stuff just doesn't get caught by the factory, the QC guy or function tester may have had a bad day.

[Mark71]

the gun just needs to be broken in with some stouter ammo. Has anyone else here experienced these initial problems with their P30? Did it work itself out?

The problem is not the gun but the ammo. Independence reloads are a very light/weak round and the new stiff springs on the P30 are having a hard time cycling the round (Remember these guns are tested to run/be used with NATO spec 124gr ammo). This is the reason why you had no issues when running the Speer Lawman ammo. There have been many threads regarding the same problem with a new P30 and each time it came back to the ammo being used. Many people have had issues with Remington UMC 9mm with the same issues as you. Give your gun a good cleaning and run a few boxes of quality ammo (WWB, Speer Lawman, Federal AE, or Fiocchi) through the gun. After a break in of about 200-300 rounds you will have no issues feeding any ammo or malfunctions with the gun.

[Rayden]

HK is not immune to produce an occasional lemon. Maybe you just stumbled onto one.

[Bentonville]

+1 ammo. Blazer Brass didn't do it for me when I first fired my new P30. I got some Fiocchi at the suggestion of someone on this board and then some Federal. Now BB works fine but doesn't eject with force as does the Federal etc. I have close to 2000 rounds now through it with no further problems after starting off with hotter ammo. Try it. Can't hurt. Good luck.

[Newbiehk]

I had exactly the same problem with mine, although mine also eject rounds square in the middle of my forehead. Took the advice of the members of the forum and fired some quality 124 gr. ammo for about 200 or 300 rounds and never had the problem again. I only use fiocchi, PMC or Lawman now. I've stopped using 124 grain for the most part and use 115. From what I've read, it's not a rare problem for this gun.

I just want to add that since those original problems, the P30 has become my favorite weapon.

[robert14]

HK is not immune to produce an occasional lemon. Maybe you just stumbled onto one.
Yea, mine was never 100% either, even after replacing the mag springs. I had at least 1 FTF or stovepipe every 30rnds. The most common stoppage was a combination of a FTF along with a stovepipe using ammo that functioned 100% in my USP LEM 9mm. This is aside from me hitting the extended slide lock with my thumbs forward grip. I guess the P30 was just not for me.

[Tango Down]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I don't have much to offer that hasn't been suggested already. I had no trouble whatsoever with the first 600 rounds that I've put through my P30 to date. I fired it a week out of the box with no cleaning prior to firing and shot Winchester white box Wal-Mart ammo exclusively. This is the same process as with my USPf .45 and have had no problems with the 1200 rounds through it. I would lean towards the ammo for the blame in your case.

[Miller23]

For what its worth, my P30 had the stove pipe + brass hitting me in the forehead issue for a 150-200 rounds. I pumped some better ammo through it (thanks to the recommendations from people on this board), and it went away. I am now back to using the WWB from Wal-mart. The P30 no longer ejects in my face, and after the first few rounds no more malfunctions.

[steelshooter]

My P30 had lots of cosmoline like grease in it out of the box and gobs along the slide rails. A good cleaning and lube is mandatory prior to shooting or expect issues.

[spyder1439]

clean it good and switch ammo

[steelshooter]

+1 Independence is garbage.

The problem is not the gun but the ammo. Independence reloads are a very light/weak round and the new stiff springs on the P30 are having a hard time cycling the round (Remember these guns are tested to run/be used with NATO spec 124gr ammo).

[FChen17213]

Just got back from the range. I put 250 rounds of WWB through the gun. 1 Malfunction near the beginning. It was a FTE on the last round. Other than that, it performed flawlessly and accurately. I was even proud of my 1.5" group at 25 yds. Probably luck, but still happy. I think another 250 rounds and the gun should be good to go. Thanks everyone. I'm getting more used to the reset, but I'm still a little annoyed at the grip I have to use to prevent the slide from not locking open on the last round. I don't think I"m the only one here who has had to change their grip. Overall, I'm much much much happier and satisfied now.

[steelshooter]

I have not had to change my grip but your not the only one. I sure would like to get a match trigger on my P30's or find someone who can make it better. It's not horrible but takes a little more effort to shoot well than my HK 45's.

[Mark71]

I have not had to change my grip but your not the only one. I sure would like to get a match trigger on my P30's or find someone who can make it better. It's not horrible but takes a little more effort to shoot well than my HK 45's.

The only main issue IMO with the P30 trigger is the loooong single action reset. If there was a way to fix that the P30 would be close to the perfect handgun.

Bruce Gray does trigger work on HK's. If his HK work is anything as nice as the magic he does with Sigs then I am sure it would be worth the $.

http://www.grayguns.com/