2,812 rounds
0 stoppages
0 malfunctions
0 parts breakages
Quite a few things to report from this past week:
Tonight, the pistol was a topic of discussion on the Gun Nuts Radio broadcast. As you can see from this photo, the HK45 did an outstanding job during the phone-in interview. Thanks as always to Caleb for having pistol-training.com on the show as a guest!
Over the course of the week’s shooting, it became apparent that the HK45’s recoil characteristics were easy to learn. Week One I was getting aimed fire splits in the .23-.27 range. This week they’ve dropped to 0.18-0.20 during the same drills. I’m actually breaking shots faster with the .45 than I did with the 9mm P30 by a tiny margin. F.A.S.T. runs still show a bit of trepidation, however, with a best this week of 4.78 seconds:
- 4.78 (clean): 1.51, .55 / 1.96 / .27, .25, .24
The test gun passed the 2,000 Round Challenge during the week, firing 2,312 rounds without being cleaned or lubricated during the entire test (which took from 7-Apr through 16-Apr). As you can see above, there were zero stoppages or problems of any kind. Once the Challenge was over, the pistol was disassembled, cleaned, and then some TW25B grease was added to the action parts during disassembly. The result is a trigger pull of 6 pounds (a reduction of almost half a pound).
Last but not least, the Shaggy AIWB holster and BMC mag pouches from Custom Carry Concepts arrived and the HK45 is now pulling duty as my everyday carry gun.
As I’ve mentioned previously, the Shaggy is simply the pinnacle of kydex AIWB technology. Even with a gun the size of the HK45, carrying concealed is easily accomplished. Just this evening I spent a couple of hours at an event where folks were packed in like sardines and no one could tell I was armed as I meandered my way through the crowd non-stop.
In fact, it is actually the magazines that print from underneath my polo the most. Not much that CCC or anyone else can do about that. These mags are big and at least for the time being I’m committed to carrying two spares. The BMC (Basic Mag Carrier) from Custom Carry Concepts is doing a fantastic job of keeping the mags pulled in tight to the body… the improvement is leaps and bounds above the Blackhawk CQC and Galco pouches I bought at the local gun shop for practice while waiting on the CCC order.
Some more pictures of the Shaggy and BMC (click on any image for an enlarged version):
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A variety of options are available when ordering a Shaggy. Mine came with the leather heat shield — which I find adds additional comfort and distributes the pressure from the holster more evenly — and the solid kydex belt loop.
What is in store for the HK45 in the coming week? It’s off to Oklahoma for the Rangemaster/Polite Society Tactical Conference at the U.S. Shooting Academy in Tulsa, where we’ll be running a charity side match for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. So please check back next week.
Train hard & stay safe! ToddG
Previous HK45 Endurance Test posts at pistol-training.com:
- Week One
- Announcement
I really wish H&K had stuck with the original design for the magazine baseplates. Maybe someone like 10-8 Performance will come up with a better aftermarket solution like they did for the M&P baseplates.
I know how much you like Crimson Trace, but what is the next best alternative for a visible laser on this gun?
It depresses me to know you’ve shot more rounds in two weeks then I’ll likely fire all damn year.
Chad — I’ve not found a suitable substitute for the Crimson Trace Lasergrips I used for years prior to beginning the HK tests. LaserMax has a very interesting miniature laser/light combo in development that has a lot of potential.
what’s that weird thing with the cord in the picture with the gun? I seem to recall something like that from about, oh I don’t know, 30 years ago? I think it had a dial face back then too.
Is CT not interested in making grips/backstrap type lasers for the HK market?
How’s the comfort of the shaggy while seated or driving? I’m intrigued by the retention and concealability of IWB but I’m not really interested in having the muzzle jamming into the front of my thigh while seated or driving (6-8 hours a day).
Rob E — I don’t think its disinterest on CTC’s part, simply a matter of juggling resources and priorities. The removable backstrap on the HK45 doesn’t provide a lot of real estate for laser components.
Miles — I find it very comfortable… moreso than behind the hip IWB. But how your particular gun and your particular body (and your particular tolerances) will work is something I couldn’t answer. FWIW, the majority of people who switch to AIWB, once they get used to it, find it far more comfortable than other options.
Thanks for rubbing in that you have a new Shaggy, I can’t even order one right now.
Chuck — understood. If it makes you feel any better, as soon as we knew it was going to be the HK45, I sent a Ring’s blue gun and mag to CCC to get in the queue. That’s the biggest disadvantag to telling you guys about great gear… the companies get swamped with orders and I have to wait for MY stuff!
Well, at least I can check one out in person in Tulsa this weekend, right before or after I shoot holes in a bunch of $20 bills.
hey hk usp compact .45 mag flat baseplates will fill the HK45, much more stream lined, I’ll send a pic soon..Rodney.