If you get one, you'll have to change your user name to "AnydamncaliberIpleaseSteve".

 

I have both, in 'Lite LEM'. I much prefer the 45c. I have an 'X-Grip' for use at times with a full sized magazine. I don't plan on selling the full sized. If I was to buy one, I'd start with the compact version.

Since you also mention CC, the answer is easy, the 45c.

 

Right now I'm 95% on the compact, actually the compact tactical. But after feeling the p30 I feel I need to be certain on the grip and feel differences. Sometimes a little thing can make a big difference and I don't have the luxury to buy them all right now. Heck, I can't even handle one here.

Be awesome to get a tan one (not fde, wouldn't ccw that).

 

I have carried both and I prefer the 45c over the full size. I prefer the "compact" size to the HK45 and the only thing I wish it had was a bit more traction on the grip. Conceals well with the 8 round mags as well.

 

It depends on your intended purpose for the gun. If you are looking for a CCW then get the compact. I carry my full size as my duty gun, and love it. I think the full size shoots a little better, prob due to extra (not much albeit) mass. That said, my compact is my daily concealed carry gun (& my backup/secondary gun at work).

So if your intent is a CCW get the compact, if CCW is not your intent, maybe the full size is what you're looking for.

 

I have both and personally I prefer the full size. It balances better and the grip feels better, to me, shooting. I find the 45C to be a little top heavy. I have carried the full size before, but it is a large pistol. The 45C is definitely a better carry weapon. I thought it would replace my P2000SK as a summer carry gun, but it hasn't. If CCW of this purchase is the primary factor then go with the compact. I use different guns in summer vs. winter when the grip will be worn next to skin and the P30/HK45 grip is rough. As an OWB occasional CCW SHTF EOTWAWKI weapon the HK45 is hard to beat. So it all depends on what role you want the pistol to serve. Both are extremely robust, accurate and soft shooting.

Or, get 'em both. Just pick which one you want to get first

 

They're both reliable and highly accurate. The compact's grip is nicer against the skin for concealed carry, but the slick sides also provide less purchase for handling and shooting. Some have complained the compact is too slick. Both are controllable but I found the Compact was definitely "jumpier" under recoil. The compact can be made larger with the ten round extended mags, whereas the full size you are always stuck with the larger size.

 

I made the mistake of taking my hk45c to the range the same time I took my glock 21. Shot them back to back. The glock had a moderately blunt lateral backward push with almost no flip. When I shot the hk45c the gun almost came out of my hand due to muzzle flip. I learned something that day. Go out and shoot the guns your interested in before you buy. I feel pretty sure the difference will not be as pronounced when comparing the hks but I'll bet there will be enough difference to help you make a good decision. I certainly learned that you had better hold on to an hk45c when you fire it. The big glock (g21) will spoil you.

 

To me, the compact is just the right size, while the full-size is too big. The grip of the compact is not uncomfortable by any means, although I think it could stand from a little more aggressive texturing, but that's just me. I'd say my preference is for the HK45c.

 

Deleted.

 

I prefer the full size, it is my EDC, except for summer months. I like the compact, but not nearly as much but for CCW a more concealable choice. I shoot the full size pistol much better as well.

 

^ My thoughts exactly, and I also sent you a PM OP.

 

Hk45 for sure. Actually I prefer all the full size pistols to their compact counterparts.

 

Full size. Just my .02

 

In all honesty, for most people, the full size is just easy to shoot. The HK45c is nothing to shake a stick at either, but the full size just makes it easier to work with. The HK45c has a P7 size following. The HK45 only seems to have a USP 45 size following, if that makes any sense.

But both will get most of the same job done. The HK45c is the most adaptable I think, but the HK45 still does it all for me honestly, and It will take a full size pistol light too, which is super important to me.

 

Any chance I can talk someone into taking a couple measurements of the full size? I have an accurate measuring of the compact I found but not the fullsize. (Hk's website for example has the height of the fullsize ranging from 5.51 to 5.83) All I really need is the height of the whole thing and the width of a magazine. This way I can compare it to my USP9, I know it's a little longer but it's also a thinner if I recall and that can make a difference in this.

Once I know how much it differs I'll see if I can't adjust my USP9 a little to mimic the height difference and if I can find a way to make it disappear. It currently prints just a tad at the bottom of the magazine, but if I can get rid of that it should let me know how the fullsize will compare, as best as I can without having one.

I recon the fullsize will have issues to work around that the compact won't, but it also seems to preform a little better and has a grip that I love, so it might be worth it to me to adjust for it.

Keep it coming guys, I appreciate it. It's a major PITA not being able to see these in person and trying to figure it out before hand when you can only get one.

 

It may be blasphemous to say -
But if you really want the HK45 full size ergonomics in a smaller package?
IMHO -my P30 40 is like a Jr HK45.

Generally speaking;
I think my HK45C, when converted into HK45CT mode, is close to the same size as a full size HK45.
But as a HK45C? It's about the same size as my P30 and fits in the same holster.

 

You need to find a way to handle these. Trying to psyche out differences in dimensions of fractions of an inch is likely futile and may lead to your drawing conclusions you wouldn't make with them in the hand. The HK45 is larger in height and length than the USP 9mm, which is on a slightly smaller frame than the .45. The width measures are difficult to evaluate, because the your USP has single handed controls, while the HK45 controls are ambidextrous and contribute to the width measure. The 10 rd HK45 mag is about 1/4th inch taller than my USP fs .45 12 rd mag. The HK45, side by side w/ my USP .45, is taller and longer; it's a big gun, but a dream to shoot. It is a wonder that the HK website people don't seem to proof read their own work. Your observation is not the first time they have had inconsistent measure data on their guns. The HK45 and HK45T are the same size except for barrel length. I would go with the taller measure, on the HK45T spec page, because the HK45 I have handled is taller than my USP .45.

 

You need to find a way to handle these. Trying to psyche out differences in dimensions of fractions of an inch is likely futile and may lead to your drawing conclusions you wouldn't make with them in the hand.

If only more folks understood this....

Well stated.

Not dumping on the OP; I understand his problem. But the hard truth is, each gun has nuances that can NOT be discerned through a comparison of stated dimensions.

.

 

HK45c, hands down. The HK45c is the best current production HK.

 

Thanks for the pictures, they're helpful as a USP9 and a P30 are the only HK's I can use to compare them too.

I did play a round a bit this afternoon with my holster, I threw a 18rd jet funnel mag in the bottom which made the thing 5.76" tall. I was able to hide it in a spot that's comfortable to carry and sit (it's about 2:30-3:00 on me). It makes me think the fullsize will be do-able, yet I still feel like I'm trying to make it work. I'm not sure how different the HK45 feels compared to the P30, nor have I held a compact. It's possible the whole grip issue might not be one at all. This wouldn't even be a debate if I could just get my hands on a pair, but I'm about 6 hours in every direction from most Hks, I was highly surprised to see the P30s the other day. Maybe I'll go out and check again, I appreciate the help, this sucks doing it "blind".

 

I think you're over thinking the grip thingy.
The difference is more about ergonomics.
Particularly with the P30, you have S/M/L side panels as well as back straps.
So you can vary the thickness.
The HK45C is very flat. But none of the three are really thick.
IMHO - it's more the length of the grip, and slide, that gives folks trouble with concealment.
Having a good gun belt and holster make all the difference in the world.

 

9mm Steve,

What type of holster do you use? I prefer Appendix IWB and it does an excellent job concealing full-size pistols. May be something to look into.

 

Right now I use an mTac Minotaur and belt, I'm thinking of trying there Appendix version since I'm starting to carry it more up front (prints less,prints A LOT less when standing, sitting, ect)


I think I could get the fullsize to work but I feel like I'm trying to make it do a job it wasn't designed for. Right now a fullsize USP9 is ok to carry, but a touch longer in the grip makes it more difficult to carry, least in the summer when I'm just rocking a t-shirt.

I think I will probably end up with the compact first since its for concealed carry, and then get a fullsize later on... as well as a P30 and P2000... and P7. I think the ergos of the fullsize might be a bit better, but with the added length it's going to make a harder carry. I'll try to see if I can find one in person and go from there (this isn't HK territory, been ten years since I've seen one for sale here outside a gun show, I was highly surprised to see the P30)


I appreciate the opinions, sometimes it's a lot easier to figure it out if you can't see either when owners of both comment on them.

 

I shot my full size much better than the compact and was somewhat regretting getting the 45c. I then bought a slip on grip from Butler Creek
for the 45c and now I love it and I shoot it much better. The grips on the P30`s as well as the HK 45 are awesome. Adding the slip on gets the 45 compact to be right there in feel and control also for me. Both great guns.....get them both!

 

The OP has to buy it blind. So this is going to have to do, I feel his pain, because I had to do the same thing. This is the best feedback, and research he can get before making a decision.

 

Oh trust me, if I had the option I would, I know this problem well.

The problem is my location, I'm actually pretty sure I am as far away as possible from everything as one can be in the lower 48 states, lol. It's a geographical anomaly. This isn't HK territory, people like 1911s, Glocks and revolvers, the few places that sell guns don't see the need to put anything else on the shelves. The P30 I saw the other day was the first HK on a shelf that I've seen in 10 years. Ten. Even at the gun shows, the last big one we had only had two USP's and a P7. It's about a 6 hour drive to the closest place that would have one, Denver, and that's several hundred in gas and a whole day trip, it's simply not something I can do at this time. I've been trying to find someone locally with no avail as I know all of these questions I could answer in about 5 minutes if I could see them. Alas I am stuck on the internet, I might as well be using this to discover what food taste like, but it's the best that I can do in my situation, and I appreciate all the help I can get.

Normally I would just buy one and sell it if it didn't work out, but let's be honest, this is a decision between two very great guns, if it doesn't work out I'm not going to end up selling it, no one does, that's how HK gets you, lol.


Anyways,
I think my biggest obstacle is the length of the fullsize grip, however the difference in thickness I think could make a difference. If it was as thick as a USP I would know how it would print, it's possible it's not an issue.

You know what I might do, as silly as the idea sounds, is to see if I can't find some airsoft replicas that are done accurately but cheaply. It might allow me to get a feel for the size of things and test out the issues I see as best I can without being able to see a real one. My concerns are with the grip, one for each gun, nothing else. Course the cheapest I can find is $160, so that might not be possible.



Anyone with a caliber and a couple minutes to kill? I could really use the width of the bottom of the magazine (either works) and an accurate measurement from the top of the slide to the bottom of the magazine on a fullsize Hk45. This is about the only way I can figure I can find the measurements that really matter in CCW this.

Since the Hk45 is noted to have a thinner grip than the USP, I am thinking a difference in width could play a real part in it's printing. It's longer yes, but thinner also, it might prove to be a combination that works for me. I would like to rock the fullsize if I could, but in ccw printing must be figured out.

Ah what a pain.

Again, I appreciate the help

 

You may want to look for nyeti's article in "Surefire Combat Tactics," which he just announced in another very recent thread, on the HK45/HK45c. It's near the top of the threads on this forum. He writes a very good article.

If carrying is a big deal, the clear winner would be the c, as one can use the 8 rd mags w/ flat floor plates - easily the most concealable config among the two guns.

As for mag widths, the .45 8 and 10 rd mags are about 1/16th inch narrower than the USP fs .45 mags. But that little difference of width makes a significant difference in the feel of the fs and c .45 USPs, and in the HK45/c grips.

 

That would be awesome... if I had a place to find a copy, lol. *Btw, it sucks living in the middle of no where* Maybe I can find one online.

Thanks for the help. A 1/16" isn't enough to make a difference on the width in carry, but at least that's clear now.

I came across a guy who took pictures set up to over lap to show the size differences between guns. He had one on the HK45 and Hk45c, and had a USP Expert. Using the USP one it looks like it's safe to say the HK45 is the same height as a USP with a Jet funnel magazine. Something I actually happen to have. So I guess it's down to seeing if I can make my USP with a Jet funnel magazine disappear in a comfortable spot, if I can well enough the fullsize HK45 should follow suit and give me better ergos and what not, if I can't, I guess it's the compact for me!

For the record, small towns are quite nice at times, but it sucks when you're a small town very very far from anything larger than you. I feel like I live in Canada, lol.

Thanks for the help! What a pain...

Update: Seems do-able. It's easier without the Jet funnel mag but the printing is pretty low where I normally carry it and goes away if I move it more forward to 2:00 (course I can't sit down comfortably that way). I think I need to research out how much printing is normal, right now I'm rocking a T-shirt that's fairly snug, not like 'Bro' snug, but far from oversized. I'm not a fan of oversized shirts, I'm a big enough guy already, too big of a shirt just makes me look fat rather than big lol.

I might see if I can do the fullsize, I'm planning on moving to the Seattle area so I'll be with a light jacket most of the year anyways, and I seem to be doing ok in just a T-shirt. Course going smaller might just be better piece of mind in that department (but the fullsize is better piece of mind in the using it department). So now to just figure out what's normal printing and what's me being overly sensitive to seeing it.


Thanks again for the help!