The P30SK

As most of you know, we like full-size guns here at Pistol-Training.com. And why wouldn’t we? They shoot better and we shoot better with them. Since the point of shooting is hitting, I’ll take all the advantages I can get. They say you can’t buy performance, but that’s not true. If you carry and shoot a compact handgun, buying the full-size version will let you shoot better. I know all sorts of people who say they shoot compacts “just as well”, or “well enough that it doesn’t matter.” I am unaware of any national competitions being won with compact guns when a full-size gun is allowed under the rules of the game.

What it comes down to is that people don’t like to carry full-size guns. Sometimes that is just laziness, and sometimes it is simply not possible to carry a bigger gun. Though I carry a full-size weapon concealed every day, that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate a smaller gun from time to time. There are times when a compact gun is called for, and situations where the pure shootability of the gun is not a part of the equation. Relatively small differences in shootability do not decide basic self-defense outcomes. Enter the P30SK.

Mine is the light LEM version, with no modifications or customization. It shoots great but carries even better. If I carry a full size normally, what possible use could I have for the sub-compact SK? Don’t laugh, but it is my “pajama gun.” Now, don’t misunderstand. I don’t carry this gun while I’m asleep in my pajamas. As I said, I carry a full size. That’s a joke, in case you weren’t paying attention. No, I don’t sleep with a gun on, but if I am lounging around the house, I don’t wear my street clothes. I usually wear some sweatpants or pajama-type pants with a drawstring.

For many years, I have carried a J frame in that role. I’ve used LCPs, S&W 380 Bodyguards, and even a belt to carry my full-size gun and concealment holster. Since jumping on the HK double action bandwagon for most of my needs, the SK seemed like a logical addition. I was able to shoot one at the Tom Givens Rangemaster class I took earlier this year. A fellow student and HK double action enthusiast was carrying one and graciously let me shoot it on a break. It was excellent and so I added one to the armory a little later this year.

My sample came with a 15-round magazine and a 13-round magazine but as far as I can tell, they’re the same length. I then bought a 10-round mag to better compare it to my old standby backup gun, the Glock 26. Around the house, I keep the 13-round mag in the gun, but if I were carrying this gun as a backup to my duty gun, the 10-round mag would very possibly get the nod, simply based on available real estate and how I prefer to carry a backup gun.

My holster of choice for PJ duty is my original AIWB holster design, executed very well by Tony at JMCustom Kydex. The original version of this holster called the Shaggy, is no longer in production as Custom Carry Concepts closed up a few years ago and JMCustom now makes the best version of it. I specified the DCC Monoblock, which clips over my drawstring pants and holds nicely under all sorts of adverse tactical circumstances I find myself in at home. That clip was not an option on the original Shaggy. Though slightly heavier than my usual airweight J frame or Agent, it is a much more shootable gun, with many more chances for excellence in marksmanship on board. Since it feels and handles very much like my favored P30L, I think it will remain my PJ gun of choice for some time to come.

Until this week, I had only actually shot the gun in one session on the range, shortly after getting it. I vetted my carry ammo and sight regulation, and after a short session, felt that I knew the gun well enough to carry it around the house.

January 1st, I took it out for some nice cold-weather shooting fun. I wore PIG gloves for much of it but also shot without them. This little gun can shoot! Maybe I was wrong and someone can shoot it better than the bigger gun, I don’t know. I was pulling splits just a hair slower than my bigger P30s, and the accuracy for such a short radius, iron sight gun is just excellent. It might be time to send one of these off to LTT for an RDS and see what I can do with it.

One of the key points is that I don’t shoot LEM, and have very little trigger time with one. It is a different pull than I am used to but it is every bit as shootable for me as a DA/SA. It also didn’t take me any rounds to acclimate to it. Pick up gun, pull trigger, that’s about as complex as it gets. With the Blaser aluminum that shot so well for me at Justin Dyal’s class last year, the SK also excelled, even with the previously mentioned short sight radius. As before, Ammoman.com was gracious enough to send some ammo out for training purposes.

Many people before me have extolled the virtues of the LEM as a street trigger for cops or civilians. I certainly agree with that. Other people think the LEM is sub-par for performance shooting. I can’t agree with that. I may have to shoot a P30L LEM in competition this year and see how it does.