Hello all. Thanks for all the info you provide. I'm looking at a hk45 as a duty weapon (hoping for a Black Friday deal online). I have handled and shot one and find it is a great pistol and the only one on my approved list with the features I want. My question, for those of you with experience carrying it, is how well it does for you concealed. I don't need it to be invisible, just pass a first glance really. Throughout the day I go from concealed to open carry quite a bit. I considered the 45c but will not be in a position to even handle one before I buy.... that makes me a little nervous. I have extremely large hands and like the large grip of the full size. Just seeing if the hk45 really is as difficult to conceal as some make it out to be and if the 45c is so much easier to carry it is worth taking a chance on. I'm concerned I will find the grip too small. Thanks for your input.
Hk45 for duty weapon
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At 6ft,slim build, i can cc this weapon iwb easily with a cover shirt. I find its as easy to conceal as the 45c with an overshirt. The extra inch of barell of the compact comes in handy when sitting, otherwise I'd stay with the fs.
Thanks for the info. I mainly work in jeans and a T-shirt. I have the same build, so that helps. I carry aiwb a lot while in the car. It doesn't need to be invisible. I have other guns for that. Thanks for the response. I am really hoping to find a good deal on the full size. I saw the sand ones for 750 on GB. A buddy of mine will cerakote the slide black for me for pretty cheap. That, some tritium sights, extra mags, and a Taylor freelance extension, and I should be all set.
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After thinking some more, this is another option, a hk45ctac. As you can see from the pic, its almost identical in size, but can be made more concealable by removing the threaded barell, grip, and using a flush mag. Additionally, the tlr1 hl streamlight light fits either.
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I carried the HK45 concealed for over 2 years in a crossbreed supertuck. It was a reliable and solid companion. It's also nice to pull out a full size pistol to defend yourself with. It instills confidence. The HK45c is what I moved towards after some of my summer clothes and carry requirements changed, but ultimately I missed the HK45, I've got more rounds through HK45's over the HK45c, and other 45 compacts. Don't get me wrong, if it's gotta be a compact 45, it's gotta be an HK45c or nothing. But the HK45 is a fine full size carry option, and it's almost designed to be in all honesty. It's a true do it all firearm.
The 45c looks like an extremely versatile size and on paper looks like the gun for me to get, but I am hesitant to buy a gun without at least holding one in person. I am concerned the grip will be too small or have some other issue that would be a deal breaker (which is unlikely). I am also issued an x300 and don't wan to buy another light, but would if I knew the gun would work for me. The other option is a p30 in .40 (the other authorized caliber for us). I have seen those extremely cheap right now.
Thanks for the comparison pics. They are great.
Does anyone know why the sand hk45's and hk45c'a are going for only 750. That appears really low to me. Is the color just not desirable or is it something else?
Thanks for the comparison pics. They are great.
Does anyone know why the sand hk45's and hk45c'a are going for only 750. That appears really low to me. Is the color just not desirable or is it something else?
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Concealment is more about how you carry and how hard you work at it. The way you dress, your belt, your holster, all play a role. I'm not a very large person at 5'8" and 170lbs but I've had no issues concealing the HK45 IWB appendix carry with a Dale Fricke Zacchaeus.
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That is a great price for the sand HK45's....quite a few members have picked them up. I had a hk45c and hk45 and much prefer the grip on the full size. Just sold the hk45c actually (although it is a great shooting 45). I will be keeping the full size hk45 and carrying that concealed when I want a 45....I also have a p30 in .40. That is a sweet shooting gun as well but stock trigger on the hk45 is better (all of mine are LEM). I would be hard pressed to choose between the p30 and hk45 though....
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Have carried USPF .40 (V4) as a duty weapon and it was fine off duty in a Rosen 5JR. When I picked up an HK45 I went with the 5JR again and it carries great, though couldn't carry it on duty. We moved to the P30 .40 from the USP and while easier to conceal it was disliked by those of us who shot more than just on qual dates. Recoil isn't bad in the P30 and the grip is nice but I don't care for the trigger (V3) or the decocker placement. But we just dumped HK and the .40 going to the Sig P320F in 9mm. If the HK45 is an option for you explore it and find a way to make it work.
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I agree the grip on the full size is what sold me. I bought the 45c first, with a Hogue grip as in pics above, it's a pretty sweet pistol, but the full size is still preferable. Both of mine are LEM, and for some reason (HK converted my 45c to light LEM, full size was NIB v7) the full size feels a bit better (probably psychological).
Based on others comments on full size concealability, 'first glance' should pass the test. Worst case would be you carry it for a while, then get a 45c.
My family, friends and I appreciate you service, good luck, stay safe, get both.
Based on others comments on full size concealability, 'first glance' should pass the test. Worst case would be you carry it for a while, then get a 45c.
My family, friends and I appreciate you service, good luck, stay safe, get both.
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820 Posts
I've carried a HK45T on Duty since June of 14'. Great weapon. I carried Glocks for the first 13yrs of my career. Smith and Wesson M&P for 3yrs and 1911's off and on throughout. The HK45, for me, far and away blows them all out of the water. It is the most accurate, ergonomic, reliable firearm I have ever carried. That coupled with the HK45c as a secondary backup to accept the full sized magazines if needed, is a win win.
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The HK45 has been my primary duty gun since they were released (2006-2007). However, that is open carry uniform duty. I picked up an HK45c when they were released (2007-2008). The HK45c has been my plain clothes/concealed carry duty gun as well as my secondary/back up gun in uniform since then. Currently my assignment is a plain clothes assignment, so my HK45c is my current duty/Daily gun.
For me, the combination of the longer grip and the protrusion of the magazine, makes the grip/mag hard for me to conceal, but the compact with a flat base plate disappears easily. I carry the compact both OWB & IWB, with 2 spare full size mags with TF +3 extenders (only run them +2, total of 12 rounds), as well as my other daily carry/work stuff.
I'm not a fan of .40sw, and haven't shot it much for a long time. That said, the HK45 & HK45c are if not the softest, they're some of the softest shooting .45acp handguns you'll find.
For me, the combination of the longer grip and the protrusion of the magazine, makes the grip/mag hard for me to conceal, but the compact with a flat base plate disappears easily. I carry the compact both OWB & IWB, with 2 spare full size mags with TF +3 extenders (only run them +2, total of 12 rounds), as well as my other daily carry/work stuff.
I'm not a fan of .40sw, and haven't shot it much for a long time. That said, the HK45 & HK45c are if not the softest, they're some of the softest shooting .45acp handguns you'll find.
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LCSO, beings we are of the same age n commonality in carrying the HK45 n 45c, I'm curious as to what ammunition you've utilized. I'm kinda vanilla, as I've carried the 230 grain speer gold dot now for almost 19yrs.... I will say though I was given a demonstration by ATK, in which the Federal HST 230 grain and 230 grain + P performed very well, as did my beloved gold dot.
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Do you "trust" the TF +3 ext ?
I have heard good and poor words regarding these. Your thoughts please......
Thank you
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