I have shot two examples of the full size HK45. I have decided I want one.

In doing my due diligence, I have watched the review videos and read what there is on various boards. Other than some claiming the trough, inside the trigger guard, rubs their finger raw while shooting, I have not seen anything negative. A few complained about having "...only 10 round mags..". Capacity is NOT a concern, to me.

So, what say you owners of the HK45? Satisfied with your purchase? Like the gun? Would you buy it again? Thanks! Regards 18DAI

I have a pair of HK45 Tacticals. One is traditional double action and the other is a LEM. I do not like the LEM. I have never warmed up to any of the DAO style actions on autoloaders from, any manufacture



Fortunately HK made the finger grooves very subdued on this pistol. I usually object to firearms with mandatory molded in finger grooves as they are made for the mythical "average" hand. KH's approach gives some finger groove to those that fit it while not being objectionable to those whose hands are either too large or too small

At this point only a few thousand rounds have gone through them.

My preference is for the USP 45t. I find the slightly wider grip of the USP more comfortable in my hands and magazine capacity is a bit of an issue. 10 rounds for the HK45 vs. 14 rounds in the USP

Both pistols have the full size mag extensions available which increase the HK45 to 20 rounds and the USP to 26 rounds



While not an issue, I prefer the adjustable sights of the USP 45t over the night sights on the HK45t pistols. I learned to shoot through the sight picture since back in the olden days there was no such thing as "Suppressor sights"





Would I buy one today . . . NO, I would stick with the USP platform



EDIT...............................
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Thank you colt_saa for the detailed info! Much appreciated!

Interesting that you prefer the USP 45. I have had my HK USP 45, KF date code, since 1996. It has never malfunctioned in almost 7K Rounds. It is extrodinarily accurate as well. I put some Talon grip tape on it and that works, for me.

In fact, after shooting the HK45 for the first time, I thought that since it really didn't do anything better than my USP, I would just stick with the USP. Your post makes me think......maybe I was correct in that choice of action. Thanks again! Regards 18DAI

My personal take is the HK45c is the sweet spot and super versatile. While the full size HK45 is awesome and feels great I think I like the USP with a GG&G rail adapter more.

The 45c, however gives me a carry gun or a “fullish” size 10+1 gun and does both extremely well.

For me personally I stuck with the USP .45 in full size but love my 45c in a compact size.

I mean none of them are bad choices. For some strange reason European HK really knows how to make an awesome “American” .45.

EDITED- I am not an HK45 full size owner but have experience. Sorry I know you wanted owners.

Chris

Colt SAA,
For the love of God man please tell me you have at least once uttered. “EXCUUUSEEE ME…….while I whip this out.” When using that 26 round mag.

Experiences works for me too! Thanks cslinger!

I've looked at and shot several HK45 Compacts. Very nice pistols! But, for me, they were not that much smaller than the full size HK45 or even my USP 45. And every example I have come across has had a pretty high price tag. Compared to the full size guns.

And I have owned three seperate examples of HK USP Compact 45s. I wound up selling all three because they were too thick and fairly big, for what they were. I can conceal a full size USP fairly easily and with not much more effort.

Still contemplating a full size HK45.........but I like my USP 45.......and its paid for.

At the end of the day, if you are anything like me, you are trying to justify the old’ BUTIWANNACOOLNEWTOY!!! and frankly I have come to terms with the justification simply being “but I wanna cool new toy”.

Practically speaking there is nothing the HK45 will do your USP won’t and possibly better. From a PURELY utilitarian, defensive weapon perspective it is completely ridiculous to buy an HK45 or ANY other gun when you have at least one solid self defense weapon, which you and I have.

But are we practical, boring, weapon buyers?? I say NAY NAY! We are big kids who like toys and in my case are collecting the whole set. . So I say embrace it and buy yourself an HK45 and buy it not because it’s a good gun(which it is) buy it because it’s a cool gun and you want it.

Well that’s my take and quite possibly why I am not a financial advisor by trade.

18DAI, permission granted carry on to purchase execution!

I’ve had mine for a few years . A good reliable shooter and the trough has never bothered me .

I have an HK45 tactical and a USP45 Tactical. I love them both but the USP does the job better imo.

Not a 45, but I love my 45c.

I like mine a lot and the trough doesn’t bother me. Realizable. Accurate. It’s a pretty bog gun but it’s a great shooter.

While I spent my career carrying S&W 3rd Gen 45s, I have always been an HK fan. I bought my USP 45 when they came out to compete with in IDPA games. I used it for that purpose for 8 years and for fun at the range, hence its high round count.

I know a bit about 3rd Gens but my HK knowledge is slim. If you HK Guys would entertain a few more questions I would appreciate it!

Does the HK USP 45 share holsters with the P2000? I saw reference on the Don Hume website that seemed to indicate that they do. I have a Kydex IWB for a P2000. My USP goes in, after loosening the retention screws, but doesn't lock in and it doesn't appear to be a correct fit.

Will the HK45 and USP 45 share leather? The dimensions of the two pistols, online, appear similar. I know that they DO NOT share mags. Any suggestions for a comfortable, left hand, IWB and OWB holsters for an old fat guy?

cslinger, YES! A fun, good looking gun and I want it! I called my dealer and asked him to locate me a German made HK45 V2! Thanks to all for the information and experiences. Best forum on the net! Regards 18DAI

quote:

Originally posted by 18DAI:
I have shot two examples of the full size HK45. I have decided I want one.

In doing my due diligence, I have watched the review videos and read what there is on various boards. Other than some claiming the trough, inside the trigger guard, rubs their finger raw while shooting, I have not seen anything negative. A few complained about having "...only 10 round mags..". Capacity is NOT a concern, to me.

So, what say you owners of the HK45? Satisfied with your purchase? Like the gun? Would you buy it again? Thanks! Regards 18DAI

Had the HK45 years ago in its early days. Don't know if anything has changed subtly or not, but regarding the trigger guard and capacity, I'll say this about my experience.

- There was some rubbing, but not enough to make your finger raw.
- You can actually put 11 rounds into that mag.

Nice gun. But its grip, although they made it ergonomic similar to the P30, which is superb, felt just wrong for my hand. Similar situation with the Glock 19 vs 17. The G19 feels good in the hand but not so with the G17.

I actually like the USP better, so I eventually sold the HK45. So, not going to buy it again. If I'm going to buy a .45 from HK again, it would be the full size USP with the target sights and the match trigger that THE ATTIC has been importing from Germany recently. Not the Tactical, though. Or, get the USP Expert, a favorite HK of mine.

I have all the HK .45's and the variants. You didn't say what you wanted to do with the gun? But in any case I have no issues with the grip or trigger guard, not even a little over what is now many, many rounds. I personally prefer the USP45 shape, but that's just me. I'm a convert to red dot's on pistols so I had a HK45 milled (since getting another one of those slides was easier than the USP one) and I've been shooting it a bunch. Boringly reliable, accurate beyond me, and seriously what is there to complain about? The trigger like all of them is nothing special in TDA but is any HK?
If you want one have at it, there is literally no gotcha or downside to this gun of any kind.

Thanks guys! More great info and experiences! Very much appreciated.

My "purpose" for the HK45 would be carrying - on duty in the Magistrates office and while working the local indoor range. I am 6'1" 26......250 and am able to conceal a full size USP 45 with no issues. Even under an untucked shirt.

The HK45 grip is one of the reasons I want one. At the range, I use the VP9 and P30 to teach new shooters. I really like the grip. Don't get me wrong, I have never had any issues with the USP grip. In fact, I was always amused when Glock 21 fans criticized the USP Grip. And since I put the Talon grips on my USP I REALLY like it.

I have started having arthritis problems in my shooting hand. The Doc said it was from a long history of shooting 357 and 45s. He suggested shooting less 45 and more 9mm. One of the range monkeys suggested using a softer shooting 45, like a USP.

Viola! I ran 200 rounds through my USP 45, re familiarizing myself with it and did not need an advil that night! Then the same Doctor (a student of mine) let me shoot his HK45 and HK45C. I was hooked! But I liked how the full size HK45 shot for me and felt in the hand, more than the compact.

I have parked my other pistols and have been carrying the USP 45 full time for the last few weeks. I am thinking that as the HK45 is a little more........svelt? than the USP, it will be even easier to carry, for me. Thanks again fellas! Regards 18DAI

It is all about personal preference and what fits one best. I really really wanted to love the USP series and rented a few times but did not like shooting them and had not the best results so I don't own or want to own a USP series HK. The P30L and HK45 are two of my very top shooting pistols for me that I bought after first time trying each. Unlike the USP series the P30 and HK45 have multiple back straps and the P30 also has changeable palm inserts to help customize the fit of the pistol to the shooter's hands.

Todd Green did a 50,000 round endurance test of the HK45 and had lots of great things to say about it.

http://pistol-training.com/archives/4027

"50,000 rounds in just over eight months.

Over the course of the entire test, just one single spring broke. The gun is still perfectly reliable and suitable for daily use. Now my wrists and elbows, on the other hand…
In fact, the HK45 had fewer problems at the 50,000 round mark than either of the previous two 9mm test guns, the S&W M&P9 or HK’s own P30! The HK45 truly is bomb proof, especially when you consider that except for two spring change maintenance cycles, every single part in the gun is original. Most companies recommend changing the recoil springs on their 9mm pistols three or four times more often than Heckler & Koch recommends for the HK45. The HK45 fired its first 31,522 rounds without a bobble of any kind, another pistol-training.com endurance test record....."

"The pistol was only cleaned seven times during the entire test, going 10,181 rounds between cleanings at one point."

Another vote for the full size HK45. Fits my hand better than the usp, and was more accurate for me. If I have more than 1 can I vote again?

I have the Tactical I purchased it way back in the 90's, its a fantastic shooter, cleaning and maintenance is a breeze, the finish is very durable. It's definitely a 'combat gun' with its oversized controls, enlarged trigger guard and general ergonomics. If you've got avg to large hands, the USP series is a solid option to consider, especially since your body type is larger than avg. The HK45 grip is less girthy than the regular USP's so, carry and concealment should be easier. My Sigs and G19 are my carry-guns so, the Tac serves as my bedside/house gun with a x300 WML attached.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:Similar situation with the Glock 19 vs 17. The G19 feels good in the hand but not so with the G17.

Same, which is why I cut my G17 grip to fit G19 magazines. The longish grip juts out a bit too much for carry but, the longer barrel is nice.

Not a HK45 owner, though for the longest time I did think that I wanted one. Then I shot it a couple of times and discovered that it didn't really do all that much for me. I too prefer the USP 45s more.