Transition: 1911 to HK45

[BanditSRT8]

You had some bad luck then. I've had a Wilson, a Springfield Pro and a custom by Paul Liebenberg and none of them ever had a single malfunction.
And those guns are capable of 1" at 25 yards, maybe even better. Is the HK45 really that accurate? If so, that's simply amazing for a polymer combat pistol.

Agreed on both. Bad luck, and yes... amazing for a polymer pistol. I was amazed at the accuracy, but every time I shoot it, the darn thing just keeps reminding me how wrong I used to be!

[Chui]

The HK45 is a very nice polymer pistol and I do like it much. However, it does not work as well as my TRP and I was under no illusions that it would, really. The action alone would indicate that and since my TRP has a Smith & Alexander grip safety and an arched mainspring housing there's no way it would feel as good in my hand - the P30 is another story, however. The HK45 dissipates recoil very well, but not as well as my 1911. My split times are quicker with the 1911. Accuracy is a wash. Durability I would have to lean towards forged AISI 4140 with tool steel internals, but HK is no slouch in this department. Where I believe the HK wins is repair (if you have the parts and can do it yourself) where the 1911 will require an armorer or someone with gunsmithing skills if not a gunsmith... And the cost of doing a 1911 justice is costly.

That said my HK45 is going nowhere. For what it is (double column, DA, polymer full-size service pistol in .45 ACP it's "the best" to me.

There's room for both to me.

[harrydog]

The HK45 is a very nice polymer pistol and I do like it much. However, it does not work as well as my TRP and I was under no illusions that it would, really. The action alone would indicate that and since my TRP has a Smith & Alexander grip safety and an arched mainspring housing there's no way it would feel as good in my hand - the P30 is another story, however. The HK45 dissipates recoil very well, but not as well as my 1911. My split times are quicker with the 1911. Accuracy is a wash. Durability I would have to lean towards forged AISI 4140 with tool steel internals, but HK is no slouch in this department. Where I believe the HK wins is repair (if you have the parts and can do it yourself) where the 1911 will require an armorer or someone with gunsmithing skills if not a gunsmith... And the cost of doing a 1911 justice is costly.

That said my HK45 is going nowhere. For what it is (double column, DA, polymer full-size service pistol in .45 ACP it's "the best" to me.

There's room for both to me.

It would be nice if the TRP had all tool steel internals, but such is not the case. There is MIM in there. Unless you've changed out parts.

[Chui]

Yep. New internals, Smith & Alexander grip safety, Mars Guns arched mainspring housing, Tungsten Diamond Like Carbon finish, deep cryogenic "tempered".

Times two.

Phenomenal machines.

[justinwb]

I have shot both and prefer the HK seems to sit lower in the hand.

[hkhound]

Haven't tried the HK45 yet- thanks to all so far for your comments/ insights

[Huey]

I've recently made the move from a 1911 to the HK. I notice on the full size that one spot on my trigger finger gets worn by the tip of the trigger. Not sure what to do about it, or whether it is all just technique (or lack of).

[GARY1911A1]

I've recently made the move from a 1911 to the HK. I notice on the full size that one spot on my trigger finger gets worn by the tip of the trigger. Not sure what to do about it, or whether it is all just technique (or lack of).

Does the tip have a sharp edge to it. I ask because I still shoot 1911s' and the new HK45 and I've not been bothered by this. If it's sharp maybe you could round it off.

[Huey]

It's no sharper than the compact, as far as I can tell, and that one doesn't bother me a bit.

I'm taking it to the range next week. I'll see if it happens again. Seems like it's only happening with me.

I'm hesitant to start modifying any part of the weapon. Once it's done, undoing it is impossible. (I know! I'll wear the edge off through use!)

[lrrs1]

Greetings, I am a long time 1911 shooter, have owned les baer, colt, kimber, SA, and wilson over the years. I shoot a lot and have experience malfunctions from each of these pistols. That is just the nature of the beast. The extractor wears out and must be tuned or replaced as they are spring steel. About a year ago I decided to change platforms as I was looking at doing some overseas contract work and found out the 1911 does not fair so great in sand. To be specific, the trigger gets jammed and won't return. That prompted me to look for something different. I wanted the holy grail, tack driving accuracy with 100% reliablility. I started looking to HK due to the O ring technology. I messed around with the tactical, but the grip was lacking a lot IMO. I also tried the xd series, but had some light strikes on primers so I will not be going to ANY striker fired pistol.

I just bought a HK45 as this promises to be everything I have been looking for. I took it out to get some familiarization and I shot some pretty pathetic groups out of it. I committed myself this last week to fix the problem, and yesterday I think I figured it out. I had to change my grip. Instead of going for the highest grip possible like I do on the 1911, I instead take a more relaxed "down the grip" grasp and I shot one hole at about 17m. I still have some work to do, but it is showing potential now. I will be hanging up my 1911s, maybe keep one for target plinking. I still don't think HK got the thumb safety right, so I will be going DA/SA. I have trained extensively on DA/SA transitions with the Sig back in the 90's and it is not a problem for me, but might be for other guys coming off the 1911.

Huey, I don't know if you are having a problem with the trigger or the mag release. I notice I was dragging my finger across the mag release, but originally thought I was getting a pinch from the trigger. Try a higher placement on the trigger. EDIT, it wasn't the mag release, it is a groove on the bottom of the trigger guard.

IMO, the HK45 is very accurate, but not 1911 accurate. However my objective is reliablility, with accuracy being a very close second. This promises to be the best compromise IMO. I will be very happy to excellent accuracy without having to have my pistol constantly "tuned" (what a pita) to be reliable.