Looking to get an hk45 compact

[neverknow]

Looking to get the hk45 compact not usp any thoughts?? overpriced?? anything else i should look at? Note this not a carry weapon

[Bayou Blaster]

Looking to get the hk45 compact not usp any thoughts?? overpriced?? anything else i should look at? Note this not a carry weapon

I've not shot the compact, but have the full sized variant. I found it to be both reliable and accurate. Overpriced? From the standpoint of it being a polymer framed firearm yes. One of the purposes behind this constructional feature was to cut cost. H&Ks have always been high priced.

I do like the more conventional safety/trigger and ambi slide/mag release of the firearm. The slide release being much easier to operate than say a Glock. It's nice to see that they went with a generic 1913 style picatinny rail. In the past H&K used a proprietary rail making light and lasers an expensive addition to their firearms. The hammer forged polygonal barrel affords both accuracy and long life. By design this type of barrel also helps increase bullet velocity. It also reduces the buildup of copper or lead within the barrel and is much easier/quicker to clean (WHEN USING TRUE COPPER JACKETED AMMUNITION!).

What I DON'T like about this type of barrel is it's propensity for squib loads (stuck bullets). By design lead bullets and polygonal rifling are not a good mix. They suffer more from lead fouling, and require additional/frequent cleaning to avoid a build up of lead smear. I have on several occasions had to remove a squib load (stuck bullet) from a polygonal barrel (all were Glocks). I have yet to remove one from an H&K. The bullets that were stuck in the barrel were either lead, linotype or copper washed bullets. I've talk to seasoned Gunsmiths that have also removed copper jacketed bullets from polygonal barrels. They suspect that the customers at sometime prior had been shooting cheap lead reloads.

If you LIMIT yourself to using/shooting only quality jacketed ammunition and keep these types of barrels clean you should have no problems.

I guess I'm a bit old school when it comes to hand guns, as I still refuse to own a polymer hand gun. This coming from a certified Glock armorer. Go figure. LOL. I've seen the results of these firearms after a catastrophic failure and actually witnessed one. These frames do little to contain the resultant explosive force compared to steel or alloyed framed firearms. The technology/polymer matrixes these firearms are being constructed from are always improving, perhaps one day I'll own one. If I do jump ship it may be to one of Springfield Armory's XD series of firearms.

Good luck with your search.

[neverknow]

bayou

Bayou what would you suggest in stainless semi sidearm? Id have it in a thigh rigg so weight want be an issue i guess.

[Bayou Blaster]

Thigh Rigs Can Be An Issue

Bayou what would you suggest in stainless semi sidearm? Id have it in a thigh rigg so weight want be an issue i guess.

Neverknow

Thigh rigs can indeed be an issue for many. It really has not so much to do with weight, but one of weight distribution, balance, position and body contouring. Don't take this the wrong way, but if you don't have some hip, and the thighs of a body builder these rigs can be an impediment. There are some work arounds...

If you intend to use a thigh rig get one with wide dual elastic webbing straps and wide padding inboard of the holster. Additionally if one is utilizing a Tactical Vest with provisions for a belt I would secure the thigh rig to this point as opposed to your pants belt. Helps to carry the weight better especially if you have to go on the run.

On the subject of stainless semi-autos or semi-autos in general there are primarily two schools of thought working here: Large Caliber versus High Capacity......

Larger Caliber firearms by virtue of greater physical bullet diameter and weight release more of their kinetic energy on the mass translating to greater knock down power. Compromise with this type of firearm is obvious; greater capacity translates to greater weight and physical size.

High Capacity 9mm and 40 cal firearms lose out in knockdown power compared to a 45ACP (normal 25 yd engagement zone). However Hollow-point and expansions bullets help to, in some degree/situations recover some of this loss of knockdown power. What most people forget to realize about these types of cartridges is bullet velocities translate to a slightly better effective range. This can be advantageous in these firearms from the point of standoff fire. Increased capacities also offer longer sustained suppression rates of fire. This is also advantageous if you should have to defend yourself against multiple hostiles.

Stainless 9mm and 40 Cal

What I do own in All-Stainless is a mat finish CZ 75B in 9mm and a Kimber Stainless Target II in 45 ACP:

The CZ is one of the most imitated designs in the world for very good reasons. It's a very reliable, accurate and pleasant handgun to shoot. CZ inspired models or clones include: IMI Baby Eagle, Armalite AR-24, Tangfolio EAA Witness, Toz TZ 75, Bren Ten, AT 84, Sig Sphinx, Israeli Jericho, Norinco NZ-85, and Springfield P9LSP etc. etc. You get the idea. CZ makes some exceptional handguns. I load all my 9mms with Winchester Silver Tips, Federal Hydra Shok or Corbon DPX. I like the 115 to 125 grain bullets for accuracy. Hate the 147 grain; that bullet should be only utilized in a .357 Sig.

I like my CZ 75B. I do wish it utilized a hammer decocker and the double action pull can be smoothed out just a tad and though a little heavy (military trigger) is very accurate when shooting. Maintains nice groups. Trigger pull gets better with use. Don't shoot it much as I've relegated it to Safe Queen SHTF readiness status along with the Kimber. Sig Sauer also manufactures All-Stainless versions in 9mm.

I always wanted an All-Stainless Sig in 40 cal. I kick myself for not getting one. I believe Sig only sells an All-Stainless version in their higher end "Elite" line now. One nice thing about alot of 40 cal handguns is that they can be easily converted to shoot the .357 Sig cartridge. 40 cal is more expensive and as of late harder to find than 9mm. So I'll keep my CZ as I own several other 9mms; it keeps ammunition logistics down.

Stainless 45 ACP: What can you say; Kimber, Wilson, Springfield, Colt, Sig, S&W etc all manufacture 1911 style hand guns. I won't get into an argument here on which one is best. Your mileage may vary.

Sig's double action 220 and 250 series can be had in all stainless versions

Note: Some firearm companies will manufacture handguns that have Stainless slides and barrels while utilizing alloy or polymer frames. These companies include but are not limited to: Ruger, Beretta, Taurus, Sig, S&W etc.

Hope I haven't added to the selection process confusion. Without seeing you and your hands and talking to you in person I'm hesitant to make a recommendation when it comes to hand guns.