New guy 45C questions.

[HOOKER]

I've been reading this forum for a while now and want to thank you all for the geat information. You've helped me to decide to buy my first HK, the 45C.
I love the gun, but have a few questions.
I'm aware of the polygonal barrel and lead bullet cautions (Glock), but the manual says "NOTE: Currently there are no Known 45 ACP ammunition types that are not compatible with the HK 45 pistols with the exception of some light, match grade wadcutter loads that provide insufficient recoil impulse to reliably operate the HK 45".
Can I shoot lead?
The manual lists Magazine capacities of 8, 10, and 15!!!
Have any of you seen 15 rnd. magazines???
The end of the hammer looks to have a plastic insert at the serrated section. What kind of crap is that? Did that save them a dollar on a high dollar pistol?
And I just have to complain about the plastic sights. But I love my new friend, Seriously.

[cmdrdredd]

No 15 round mag. No Lead.

[bunthius]

I think that "plastic insert" you're talking about is just the left overs from a mold with no follow up finishing. I think it is a flaw in the aesthetics but love the gun.

Congrats on the buy.

[givo08]

No 15 rounders. You can use the full size HK45 10 rounders in it with a X-grip like grip extension on it.

I don't know about no lead. GLOCK states no lead in their barrels due to it being polygonal. H&K does not say anything like that in their manuals. I think a lot of people just lump H&K in with GLOCK because it's common knowledge that you can't use lead in GLOCK's due to the polygonal barrel, but I wouldn't write it off yet. I'd love to hear someone more knowledgable about this chime in.

The piece on the hammer is actually a hard rubber I think. I actually like it for thumb cocking the hammer because it gives a pretty high friction surface for cocking it.

I don't think the sights are plastic. Unless you're talking about the yellow dots? I'm pretty sure the sight housing is metal.

[Big Bore]

The rubber tip on the hammer you can thank the silly safety Nazis. That was added to make the pistol pass some states' drop test. Like it or not, they have been on there for over 10 years and they do not come off or create any kind of problem. It was NOT done to save money, in fact, it very likely cost them money to modify the hammer and figure a way to keep that rubber tip on there through decades of use without it becoming brittle and breaking off. And besides, it gives a lot better grip than a slick piece of steel even with serrations.

The sight are not plastic. They never have been on any HK pistols that I can think of off hand.

The 15 round magazine is a typo.

[orfeo]

Yes, you absolutely CAN shoot lead bullets in an HK poly barrel. . .

Glocks have an issue because their barrel is designed a little differently in the area where the chamber transitions to the bore, and tend to get heavy leading, which can quickly lead to a dangerous overpressure situation.

But even HK (and most other brands) will get leading in the barrel if you push unjacketed lead bullets too fast. That's why you won't see +p in bare lead cartridges.