The barrel protrusion on this model isn't too bad even if it's longer than the Glock 19 or Sig P229. doesn't affect most holsters. The gun is very reliable and very accurate. Depending on your trigger preference, most stores have the V3 DA/SA while Wolverine has the V1 LEM that is a 5 lb trigger that feels like single action with a longer trigger slack. The LEM in my hands is even better than SA as the bit of slack gives it a smooth roll like a revolver that seems to break better for me (and I'm a cocked and locked SA fan)
The gun is relatively small and in 9mm you only lose 3 rounds from full capacity, 2 in .40. The recoil spring assembly lasts around 15-20 K rounds before needing to be replaced....costs about $80 for entire assembly of rod, spring, buffer, rod end plate. HK does have a special tool to remove the end plate (otherwise you may damage guide rod) so you can switch out just spring but HK USA won't sell stuff to us. However after 15-20K rounds, $80 is not that much all things considered. Only other parts you may need to have spares of are a few springs for trigger and such, few roll pins, extra firing pin and extractor. Like most HK parts they are available but take about a year to get in so order a small parts kit and you're set, the gun will very likely NOT break before your parts arrive anyway.
Compared to older HK guns like P7 this is easy to strip and clean, detail strip perhaps not as easy as Glock or 1911 but a bit of synthetic safe gunscrubber gets the rear hammer block all clean ( I know this from some formal courses where the gun was coated with talcum powder like dust, in and out. Interestingly the gun still ran even coated with dust and grit).
The recoil spring when new is very stiff and gun may bobble with 9mm 115 grain ammo. 124 and 147gr especially are good to break it in. If you have small hands, the adjustable grips allows a good fit. Also if you prefer a less raked angle (ala Glock) this gun is more suitable for that.
In all it is currently my favorite pistol because it works well for me...this I discovered through empirical evidence, when I bought it I never thought the LEM would work better for me vs. the P7 or 1911. The reliability and toughness (also tested through rough formal gun courses) also are a selling point for me. For my needs it equals or surpasses 1911 in accuracy (in my hands) and much more accurate (for me) than my Glock 19. Only thing glock has over HK is parts are easier to get. a Bit a foresight solves that problem.
Test out v3 or v1 trigger and buy the one that works well for you, I recommend the V1 LEM.
