HK45 preferred date code?

[Desert45]

Hi all, i am a new member and soon to be new owner of my first HK (but not first firearm or handgun by far). I've had a long obsession with 1911's but recently started looking for something a little different, yet still in .45. After a bit of homework on the HK45 i was very interested to say the least. After calling the local gunshop he told me they had a HK45, HK45c and P30 in stock.
The moment i held the HK45 i new it wouldnt be long before i owned one.

Is there a "preferred" date code on the HK45's? Is the finish or trigger or fit any better on a certain dated batch? Should i be looking for the newest date code i can find? Should i be staying away from any particular ones? I also noticed the finish on the slide release was a little worn on the edges of the HK45 and HK45c despite the fact they were NIB. After drooling over some pics of other members brand new guns i noticed what appeared to be similar finish wear on the slide release edges. Is this normal?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[ARKAY.357]

The HK45 is virtually a brand new design, so it hasn't been available long enough for any preference regarding date codes.

The wear on the slide release, as well as on those of the P-series guns is just the nature of the beast, and perfectly normal.

HTH;

ARKAY

[Mark71]

The date codes should not matter as the gun has only been out for a year. The HK45 is either marked with the AH or AI date code. Both guns are exactly the same with no changes. There is one cosmetic difference on the AI coded guns and that is the addition of the "DE" mark on the slide near the serial #.

The finish on the slide release lever has been brought up many times (you can search for more info) but the bottom line is that HK uses a harder steel for the Slide Release Levers which results in the finish having a harder time adhering to the levers. This is common on the HK45,HK45c,P30, and P2000 and is purely cosmetic and does not effect function.

Either date code is good to go. I would get one of the German made guns before they move production to the U.S.

[harrydog]

There is one cosmetic difference on the AI coded guns and that is the addition of the "DE" mark on the slide near the serial #.




But not all AI coded guns have the "DE" mark. The earlier ones don't.

[Mark71]

But not all AI coded guns have the "DE" mark. The earlier ones don't.

Yeah you're right. I remember first hearing about the DE marking around May/June this year.

[mhg2tld]

Yeah you're right. I remember first hearing about the DE marking around May/June this year.

I bought a new HK45C a couple of weeks ago and it does have the"DE" marking. What does it stand for?

[dano1200r]

Dealyed Exit. The new ones have slower muzzle velocity.

[IMTHESKI]

I bought a new HK45C a couple of weeks ago and it does have the"DE" marking. What does it stand for?

The DE is for Deutschland,,aka Germany. I hear Walthers are also being marked with this. Must be a German export thing-just a guess I have no real facts to back it up. My HK45 has it while my HK45c & P30 do not- all are AI date coded. All new HK45, HK45c, P30 and P30L have the DE on them.

[benderx4]

I've got AI code HK45, P30, and P2000sk - only the P30 has the DE. Go figure.

[Jonesaa]

Just got a HK45c this week, its an AH date code....on the bottom it says Trussville, AL. I live in AL and never thought many good things came from Trussville....sometimes I love to be proven wrong....

BTW, didn't they just recently move out of Trussville??

[Mark71]

BTW, didn't they just recently move out of Trussville??

Yes they moved earler this month to Columbus Georgia

[Zapfenstreich]

Maybe they'll mark them GA now.

:)) I think I'm so funny. Sometimes.

But I just got a new Sig made in Germany, and it has the DE too. Definitely a new German export requirement.