Let's see............out of the 7 pistols I currently own.................................4 are HK's!! HK .45 USP, HK45, Mark23 and an HK P7M8.
As mentioned above, zee Germans design and manufacture some excellent products, including guns. LOL
But as we all know, German made products generally cost more.
The quality control system used by HK is almost unheard of in any other gun production company. They have their own 'in house' QA department, however, the production and in house QA is also "overseen" by an outside 'third party' QA department.
Sig earned their great reputation years ago. When Sig began to produce and assembly pistols in the US, the production was closely monitored and quality was pretty good. However as most of us know, Sig quality slipped a few years after, especially in the last few years after a 'bean counter' took control!
This is the reason I own/shoot two older West German made Sigs, a P226 and P220! Take a look at what a fully German made Sig (X Five) will set you back and compare the cost to a US made gun. The pricing almost speaks for it's self! I shot a 9mm X Five this year and I couldn't believe how nice it was to shoot and how accurate it was, better than my 1984 P226! When I get the spare $2K +, an X Five is on my shopping list!
My HK45 was produced/assembled in the HK US plant, using the German production equipment HK imported when they decided to produce this gun in the US. From what I have heard and can tell from shooting my gun, the production of these guns is closely monitored to ensure typical HK high quality is maintained.
Although the Mk23 is a large gun, it is an absolute pleasure to shoot. The design criteria for this gun was produced to meet was incredible. I doubt many pistols would pass the limits and testing this gun had to meet.
You don't think you are shooting a .45 the recoil and action are that smooth. The accuracy is incredible, I get a lot of 'clover leafs' when I shoot this gun. Years ago (early 70's) I bought a brand new Colt Gold Cup Match, I would put these two guns against each other in accuracy any day. The recoil from the Mk23 is not as harsh/snappy as my old Colt.
Then we have the HK P7 family. IMHO, these guns are 'works of art'! I marvel in the design and workmanship in my P7M8. The pistol is a treat to shoot, it's compact, accurate and probably the safest pistol I own. If we had open/concealed carry in Canada, this is the pistol I would be 'packing'!!
I know I'll get "flamed" for posting this, but as far as Glocks go, although I own three poly guns, I'm not a fan of Glock. Although they make different frame sizes in common calibers, basically every Glock is the same design. The variety of pistols, rifles, and SMG's that HK designs and produces impresses me.
As I'm an 'old fart' and have seen all sorts of mechanical devices fail at some point in time during my life, I don't care for the 'striker fire' design. A gun that is loaded, cocked, and you are relying on the fact that a mechical device is holding back the spring loaded firing pin is not for me! I wonder where that term "Glock leg" comes from?! Give me a pistol with an exposed hammer, with an external safety or two, or a squeeze cocker any day!!!!
That's my 2 cents.
Merry Christmas to all CGN'ers and their families. Let's hope 2012 brings us Canadian gun owners more freedom and new 'toys'.
