Test: Heckler & Koch HK 45 and HK 45C

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In the United States, the Heckler & Koch HK 45 models have held a firm position in the market for high-quality defense and law enforcement firearms – their reliability, precision and finish quality are considered excellent. 

Outside new, inside tried and tested

Technically speaking, the HK 45 is basically an updated version of the 45 HK USP with a more slender magazine and improved ergonomics. Like most of the newly developed 45's in recent years, the HK 45 also contents itself with a magazine width of under 23 millimeters. That is still thicker than a double-rowed magazine for a pistol in 9 mm or .40, which comes in at a width of around 21 mm. But this dimension is below that of the classical 45s' 'high capacity' containers which, depending on length, provide space for 12 to 14 cartridges.

And the reasons are fairly handy: many shooters with smaller to moderately-sized hands tend to feel uncomfortable with the voluminous grips of a Glock 21 or HK USP in .45 ACP, especially when shooting single-handed. Pistols with a DAO or DA/SA system come with the added issue of a longer distance between the back of the grip and the trigger blade. So this prompted manufacturers such as CZ, HK, Tanfoglio, Smith & Wesson or Beretta to build their new 45's with a somewhat sleeker look and to accept a (for law enforcement models) capacity with space for 2 or 3 fewer cartridges. 

The process of ergonomic improvement inspired the manufacturer from Oberndorf to fit its newcomer with interchangeable backstrap inserts and, in the case of the law enforcement model HK 45, an anatomically shaped frame-side with finger grooves and a (moderately) embossed grip pattern. 

An additional backstrap is provided with both the Heckler & Koch HK 45 as well as the Compact version. Here, in contrast to the HK P 30, there is no option to individually adjust the side surfaces of the grip area

Apart from the grip design, the full-sized holster model and the HK 45C differ only when it comes to dimensions: both versions have an ambidextrous magazine release and a slide catch lever on both sides of the grip. The safety/decocking lever is the only control found solely on the left side of the frame. 

The finishing meets the high standards expected in the USP: all of the surfaces are cleanly worked, the pistol's inner workings also, while the barrel seat in the slide reveals no noticeable play when locked 

Model portfolio

HK SIDEARMS GmbH currently offers both the HK 45 Compact and the full-sized HK 45 with a DA-/SA trigger system combined with a thumb safety lever that also functions as a decocking lever when pressed fully downward. The HK 45 also comes with the option of a sand-colored grip in place of the classical black polymer chassis. 

Gentle giant

Broadly speaking the new pistols shoot no different to a USP in .45 ACP; however, there is a clear subjective sense of substantial improvement in the grip's ergonomic handling. The alignment between recoil spring, slide mass and the integrated plastic buffer appears successful: the recoil stays gentle even when loaded with "hot" ammunition – there are enough heavy 45 pistols on the market that trail the HK 45 by miles when it comes to soft shooting. Equally though, we have to mention the fairly dramatic muzzle jerk: due to the design of the hammer, the polygon barrel sits relatively high over the hand, and the polymer grip naturally feels quite light. 

There was nothing to criticize when it came to the precision of either pistol, but the grip design and the sight line make it easier to shoot tighter groups with the larger HK 45 than the C-model. 

The HK 45 produced groups of less than 50 mm at 25 meters and with several types of ammunition, while the HK 45C came in just beyond the 5 centimeter mark with selected ammunition. Tighter groups ought to be well within the bounds of feasibility, provided the target acquisition comes without phosphorus sight inserts, possibly also by tuning the trigger.

Both pistols were entirely spot-on in terms of functionality.

The cost

Given that the new Heckler & Koch 45s are marketed in Germany with a recommended retail price of €749, there is basically no difference compared to prices for the current prices of popular polymer 45s such as the Glock  21. The catalogue list price, in Germany for a 45 pistol from the Military & Police series by Smith  & Wesson is just over €800. These prices may vary in different European countries, given the different VAT, but it gives a good indication of the affordability of the HK 45 semiautomatic pistols.

The favorable starter price combined with good precision are good reasons to use the HK 45 for sport. Several manufacturers offer fully adjustable micrometer sights for the HK P 30 at reasonable prices, and they also fit the HK 45. Even if you decide to have the trigger tuned additionally, the cost is still considerably lower than a USP Expert or Elite – even many middle-class 1911s hit the pocket harder than a moderately retrofitted HK 45.

Technical Data for the Heckler & Koch HK 45 and HK 45 Compact 

Polymer grip, ferritic nitrocarburized surface finish, Single Action-/Double Action-trigger, Safety-/decocking lever, reserve magazine

Shooting test: Heckler & Koch HK 45 and HK 45C

The results of the shooting test of the HECKLER & KOCH HK45 (.45 ACP)

Heckler & Koch HK45 (.45 ACP) shooting test results

Remarks / abbreviations: shooting distance 25 meters, 5-shot groups, sitting with gun on bench rest. Bracketed values after subtraction of an outlier. JHP = Jacketed Hollow Point, FMJ = Full Metal Jacket.

The results of the shooting test of the Heckler & Koch HK45C (.45 ACP)

Heckler & Koch HK45C (.45 ACP) shooting test results

Remarks / Abbreviations: distance 25 meters, five-shot groups, shot sitting from the bench rest support. Bracketed values after subtraction of one outlier. JHP = Jacketed Hollow Point, FMJ = Full Metal Jacket. The measurement of ballistic data for the Honady Steel Match had to be interrupted. 

Summary

The HK 45 and HK 45C belong to the somewhat larger and heavier versions of modern 45 defensive pistols with polymer grips. Otherwise, there is a lot to praise about the Heckler & Koch pistols: Inside and out, the HK 45 has top quality finishing; its operation is simple and comfortable, and on top of that it shoots so accurately that it is also suitable for sports.