HK 45 or USP 45
- Thread starter marteeny
- Start date
HK45 gets my vote.
Love mine - it's a fantastic pistol.
- Mine is a full size frame, which I prefer. Not sure which one you can get locally.
- The grip is superbly ergonomic and fits my hands like a custom glove (and comes with different size backstraps); something you don't get with the USP.
- Soft shooter; feels like a 9mm but smoother.
- Trigger components are of Match quality in the HK45.
and also, if Larry V. says its good for him, it's good 'nough for me.
Can you go wrong with the USP? I don't believe so. I just prefered the HK45 as whole.
Love mine - it's a fantastic pistol.
- Mine is a full size frame, which I prefer. Not sure which one you can get locally.
- The grip is superbly ergonomic and fits my hands like a custom glove (and comes with different size backstraps); something you don't get with the USP.
- Soft shooter; feels like a 9mm but smoother.
- Trigger components are of Match quality in the HK45.
and also, if Larry V. says its good for him, it's good 'nough for me.
Can you go wrong with the USP? I don't believe so. I just prefered the HK45 as whole.
I have both because I couldn't decide. All the cool kids on the internet told me HK45 is better. 
But I prefer the USP. If you went by a point by point list, I'm sure the HK45 would come out on top.
I don't really like the gun stores in the Vancouver area. But last time I was in international in surrey they had an USP45 in stock.
But I prefer the USP. If you went by a point by point list, I'm sure the HK45 would come out on top.I don't really like the gun stores in the Vancouver area. But last time I was in international in surrey they had an USP45 in stock.
HK45 is an update on the USP 45, therefore it's supposed to be better. Best thing to do is to try them yourself and see which you like better (good luck finding either one though). I gave up finding guns locally as there is a bigger world out there than the one store that sells guns close to me.
I never find H&K's to be in stock in large quantities... but Arma Coat has a mass pre-buy going for HK45's, where I just purchased one yesterday. I believe they are due here Nov/Dec. I have a USP in 40 and know the HK45 will be a great pistol. If you remember about a year ago, guys were going crazy as the HK45 wasn't being shipped to Canada. Now several forum sponsors are involved in mass buys.
I never find H&K's to be in stock in large quantities... but Arma Coat has a mass pre-buy going for HK45's, where I just purchased one yesterday. I believe they are due here Nov/Dec. I have a USP in 40 and know the HK45 will be a great pistol. If you remember about a year ago, guys were going crazy as the HK45 wasn't being shipped to Canada. Now several forum sponsors are involved in mass buys.
I have both because I couldn't decide. All the cool kids on the internet told me HK45 is better.
This is kind of how I feel. If I break it down, everything says I should like the HK45 more, and it definitely does offer some major improvements (ergonomics and mag release are the 2 big ones for me). But maybe because I am so obsessed with Collateral, or maybe because the USP is the best looking pistol ever for me... but I love the USPs.
thenewbieglockguy
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Ontario (GTA)
I am thinking of getting the HK45 with the LEM trigger. Does anyone have experience with that trigger?
The improvements in the HK45/P30 line are primarily ergonomic. The internal parts are identical to the USP. The ergonomic improvements are rather good. I'm still a USP fan and prefer it over the P30 for 9mm but is probably due to having far more time with the USP when I did a head-to-head comparison over a few months (including some IPSC matches).
As always the best thing to do is handle or try them both and go with what feels better to you.
Rumblings on HKPro imply that at some point the USP's will be discontinued but since parts are identical this really shouldn't be too drastic an event.
As always the best thing to do is handle or try them both and go with what feels better to you.
Rumblings on HKPro imply that at some point the USP's will be discontinued but since parts are identical this really shouldn't be too drastic an event.
thenewbieglockguy
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Ontario (GTA)
I was thinking about pre-ordering one but the thing is I have never handled a HK45 nor with an LEM trigger so I am in the middle... Will have to see one in person!
I've owned two HK45s--I sold my first, then recently bought another one to give it more of a chance. I do believe that they are the best polymer-framed .45s available (maybe even the best .45) but...something still leaves me a little cold. The grip texture is weirdly a little slippery, even though it's textured...it's like the harder I grip the slipperier it feels. I don't know why H&K didn't use a better texture like SIG's E2 grips, or S&W's M&Ps...or even what they had on the USP. And, if I don't concentrate 100% on a achieving as a high grip as possible the groove in the triggerguard "bites" my trigger finger under recoil.
But, the pistol looks great, has a great trigger pull, nice sights (even if they are "glow in the dark" and not tritium), is exceptionally accurate, and the grip is quite comfortable. The "natural" 10-round mags are nice as well--you're not wasting grips size on a fat 1/3 empty magazine. I'll try and learn to love it.
But, the pistol looks great, has a great trigger pull, nice sights (even if they are "glow in the dark" and not tritium), is exceptionally accurate, and the grip is quite comfortable. The "natural" 10-round mags are nice as well--you're not wasting grips size on a fat 1/3 empty magazine. I'll try and learn to love it.
I've owned two HK45s--I sold my first, then recently bought another one to give it more of a chance. I do believe that they are the best polymer-framed .45s available (maybe even the best .45) but...something still leaves me a little cold. The grip texture is weirdly a little slippery, even though it's textured...it's like the harder I grip the slipperier it feels. I don't know why H&K didn't use a better texture like SIG's E2 grips, or S&W's M&Ps...or even what they had on the USP. And, if I don't concentrate 100% on a achieving as a high grip as possible the groove in the triggerguard "bites" my trigger finger under recoil.
But, the pistol looks great, has a great trigger pull, nice sights (even if they are "glow in the dark" and not tritium), is exceptionally accurate, and the grip is quite comfortable. The "natural" 10-round mags are nice as well--you're not wasting grips size on a fat 1/3 empty magazine. I'll try and learn to love it.
Master,
As always, your wisdom knows no bounds
Can't wait to get mine.
Me too. I haven't touched an HK45 yet, but I know I'll love mine when it gets here. H&K makes great guns.
Posted this on the other HK45 thread...thought I'd share if it will help anyone who is stuck on the edge about getting one!!!
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I own an "original" HK45 full size model, LOVE IT!!! Love the grip, its feel, its looks even. Very happy they went with the P30 style over the P2000!!! I have shot 1000s of rounds and have had 10-15 others shoot it with zero complaints.
Never had the issue they talk about with the trigger "slapping or pinching" my finger ...nor has anyone else who has shot mine or buddies who also own HK45s complained about it either.
Love Larry Vickers, hope to meet him one day and have him sign an HK45 magazine for me!!!...but maybe he is making a bigger deal of it then most cause he wanted them to follow "his" approach/ideas more closely on the model?
On a side note...people who shoot as good/as often as him are in their own class about "tastes" of what is/is not good...why they cannot leave any gun alone/stock and are always modded and personalized to their liking...which is fine, a factory cannot make everyone 100% happy as personal taste can vary greatly, they gave us a great platform that you can build onto if you so desire.
The HK45 is a great gun, very pretty, very very well made and shoots great...feels like a 9mm!!!
Some great things that are rarely talked about I find includes the magazines...they are GREAT!!! Well worth the price IMO. They are easy easy to load, great "bumpers" on them to increase their strength and durability when dropped from the gun as well as the overall capacity seems to be a 10.5 (still legal for all the worry warts out there, you CANNOT fit 11 rounds into it!!!)...meaning you can easily load a FULL magazine into the gun when it too is loaded and/or the slide is forward. This is a nice touch as some people are against loading magazines at FULL capacity due to the stiffness of them and it not being easy or even possible to put one loaded so tight into the gun with the slide forward...reliably anyways. So again, no reason at all to have to download this magazine if you follow that shooting mindset.
The magazine release is not the "American standard" button style, its located behind the trigger, within the trigger guard itself. This is also great...it is ambidextrous and easy to use...I normally use my trigger finger to drop the magazine...but you can you your thumb easily too if that is your preferred method. It is also enlarged quite a bit compared to the older USP models. I also own a HK USP Tactical in .45 as well and find my friends are "okay" with that magazine release but do not love it...but when it comes to the one on the HK45, they adore it. The new style and size of the HK45 magazine release gives you options on how you want to drop a mag...and choice is always a good thing!!!
Lastly...it is not overly "special" but it has an ambidextrous slide release is really handy, especially for left handed shooters. You can also get an ambi safety/decocker too if you wish but will have to buy that separately...side note on this...it takes quite a bit of effort to decock the gun, more so then the USP models require, so your not gonna accidentally decock the gun when flipping the safety down/off. Never was an issue for me, even with HKs older models but I know this is a worry for some...mostly the ones who like to carry "cocked and locked".
Grip size is very nice...much skinnier then the USP 45 model...and not much wider then a 1911 but with a better STANDARD capacity and finger groves...which I am a fan of as well as "just right" abrasive texture but not to the point of pain. I shoot the gun with the LARGE back strap installed and my girlfriend can as well but finds that if I put the MEDIUM sized ones one...which is very quick and easy to change out...she finds it more comfortable if shes shooting it for an extended period of time.
Sorry this turned into a mini review...but not many talk about this gun on here and I like to whenever I get the chance. Counting past and present handguns I have owned over 15 different ones and fired many many more and have yet to find a better "combat" handgun then this gem from HK.
My name is jeffcarr88 and I am an HK addict!!!
Safariland makes a great holster for the HK45 as well...the 6004/5 series. It is a drop leg but can easily be converted to a mid ride with a $15 piece Safariland also sells.
---
I own an "original" HK45 full size model, LOVE IT!!! Love the grip, its feel, its looks even. Very happy they went with the P30 style over the P2000!!! I have shot 1000s of rounds and have had 10-15 others shoot it with zero complaints.
Never had the issue they talk about with the trigger "slapping or pinching" my finger ...nor has anyone else who has shot mine or buddies who also own HK45s complained about it either.
Love Larry Vickers, hope to meet him one day and have him sign an HK45 magazine for me!!!...but maybe he is making a bigger deal of it then most cause he wanted them to follow "his" approach/ideas more closely on the model?
On a side note...people who shoot as good/as often as him are in their own class about "tastes" of what is/is not good...why they cannot leave any gun alone/stock and are always modded and personalized to their liking...which is fine, a factory cannot make everyone 100% happy as personal taste can vary greatly, they gave us a great platform that you can build onto if you so desire.
The HK45 is a great gun, very pretty, very very well made and shoots great...feels like a 9mm!!!
Some great things that are rarely talked about I find includes the magazines...they are GREAT!!! Well worth the price IMO. They are easy easy to load, great "bumpers" on them to increase their strength and durability when dropped from the gun as well as the overall capacity seems to be a 10.5 (still legal for all the worry warts out there, you CANNOT fit 11 rounds into it!!!)...meaning you can easily load a FULL magazine into the gun when it too is loaded and/or the slide is forward. This is a nice touch as some people are against loading magazines at FULL capacity due to the stiffness of them and it not being easy or even possible to put one loaded so tight into the gun with the slide forward...reliably anyways. So again, no reason at all to have to download this magazine if you follow that shooting mindset.
The magazine release is not the "American standard" button style, its located behind the trigger, within the trigger guard itself. This is also great...it is ambidextrous and easy to use...I normally use my trigger finger to drop the magazine...but you can you your thumb easily too if that is your preferred method. It is also enlarged quite a bit compared to the older USP models. I also own a HK USP Tactical in .45 as well and find my friends are "okay" with that magazine release but do not love it...but when it comes to the one on the HK45, they adore it. The new style and size of the HK45 magazine release gives you options on how you want to drop a mag...and choice is always a good thing!!!
Lastly...it is not overly "special" but it has an ambidextrous slide release is really handy, especially for left handed shooters. You can also get an ambi safety/decocker too if you wish but will have to buy that separately...side note on this...it takes quite a bit of effort to decock the gun, more so then the USP models require, so your not gonna accidentally decock the gun when flipping the safety down/off. Never was an issue for me, even with HKs older models but I know this is a worry for some...mostly the ones who like to carry "cocked and locked".
Grip size is very nice...much skinnier then the USP 45 model...and not much wider then a 1911 but with a better STANDARD capacity and finger groves...which I am a fan of as well as "just right" abrasive texture but not to the point of pain. I shoot the gun with the LARGE back strap installed and my girlfriend can as well but finds that if I put the MEDIUM sized ones one...which is very quick and easy to change out...she finds it more comfortable if shes shooting it for an extended period of time.
Sorry this turned into a mini review...but not many talk about this gun on here and I like to whenever I get the chance. Counting past and present handguns I have owned over 15 different ones and fired many many more and have yet to find a better "combat" handgun then this gem from HK.
My name is jeffcarr88 and I am an HK addict!!!
Safariland makes a great holster for the HK45 as well...the 6004/5 series. It is a drop leg but can easily be converted to a mid ride with a $15 piece Safariland also sells.
