Buyers Remorse 2 years later... HK P30

It's a fine pistol. If the 7 lb. pull has you troubled I suggest you exercise a bit more as that is neither heavy nor uncommon in pistols. Accuracy is a learned skill regardless the firearm. Seek lessons from someone who may teach the skills you need to improve your techniques.

Longer sight radius helps but I don't think a Glock 34 would be too much better than your HK as a target gun. 4.5 DAO trigger pull. I'm sure you can get the HK down to that. Some guys do just fine with DAO but I like SA for target purposes. If your stuck on an autoloader for targets and your looking to trade in, might I recommend a 1911 or a bhp? I believe those to be the best centerfire autoloaders for target shooting.

The H&K name speaks for itself & makes your P30 a very desirable pistol - especially if it is in really good shape & is a 9mm. If you must, sell or trade for what you want. You might even make a profit!

I think the issue lies with the operator, not the pistol, and I don't mean that in an insulting way.

But an extra 0.5" slide length on the P30L isn't going to get you a substantial amount of greater accuracy. The single action trigger isn't all that different from striker fired pistols (*cough* Glock34 *cough*) that are all the rage today either, so unless you spend hundreds of dollars on a tuned and lightened trigger, that's not a high yield area either. I have hit 8.5"x11" steel at 65+ yards with the P30SK and it's little 3.3" barrel. The P30 is more than capable.

You even admit you're not a great pistol shooter, it sounds like you already have an idea of the problem. I see you're in Michigan. Take a look at Michigan Defensive Firearms Institute if you're interested in getting marksmanship training that goes beyond the watered down gun shop or CPL classes most people stop at. No, I don't work for them; no, I don't get any kick backs from them. But formal training from a *competent* trainer will save you hundreds, instead of slinging lead downrange incorrectly or buying gear that only masks the underlying issue. Worth a look. www.trainmdfi.com

The H&K P30 isn't really a target gun, it is a defensive pistol vs say a pistol specifically set up for target shooting for accuracy. I'm not saying that your P30 is inaccurate, just that it is a pistol set up for defensive use vs a pistol set up for target accuracy. If you mean "target gun" in terms of being something you want to shoot accurately at the range, I think the advice others have given is sound. Increase your grip strength and get some training. Practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. If you take the advice given on this thread you will improve your groups substantially.

Let us know how you make out...

P30s are great guns. I applaud your acknowledgement that you need to practice with it more.

That being said, there are "target pistols" out there that will be easier to shoot at distance. If you don't shoot it there is nothing wrong with you trading it towards something else. I like the P30 for what it is, a fighting pistol.

olkowsr said:

BUT I wish I would have gotten a glock 34 or the P30L....

I think I kinda screwed myself by getting it as a "target gun".

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Ive owned/own a P30L & G34.. They are not target guns though..
If punching paper/small groups is the only goal for this gun then I would be trading it in for a real target gun.
If this gun needs to be a jack of all trades than you need to practice dry firing daily to help you with your fundamentals.

olkowsr said:

Hello everyone,

I'm experiencing some buyers remorse from my purchase 2 years ago about my HKP30.

Its a fantastic gun with some of the very best ergonomics I've ever experienced.... BUT I wish I would have gotten a glock 34 or the P30L....

I'm not the best shooter by any means and I need all the sight and trigger aids I can get from a hand gun, which the P30 being a shorter sight radius I think I kinda screwed myself by getting it as a "target gun".

Also the trigger is not exactly great for target shooting as mines the DA/SA version with like 7lb of pull or something crazy like that.

Wondering if I should trade it in for something else with a longer slide, I bought it new and its in great condition as it sits in the safe most of its life, except a minor blemish on the front of the plastic frame from breaking out a car window in an emergency.

Just wanted to vent.
Thanks,
Ron.

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The SA trigger pull on a P30 should be about 5.5 LB out of the box and nice and crisp. The DA till be long and heavy but I doubt you are using DA trigger pull for target shooting.

I love shooting my P30L. Target is 30 rounds fired at 3 inch dot target at 7 yards.

I couldnt get over the trigger. I sold the p30, kept all spare mags, holsters etc and got a VP9 (with cash leftover for ammo) and have no regrets.

My next purchase will be VP9-SK.

if you are not a good shot and extra inch of so of barrel and sights are not going to help, work on your skills or seek professional guidance, the P-30 is an excellent accurate gun for combat distances.

olkowsr said:

.....however, revolvers since nothing moves but the hammer I'm surprisingly to some "a great shot" as I dont flinch or squint my eyes when it goes "bang" on my revolvers..

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If you are really comfortable with revolvers, you should try a Kahr T9. I just picked one up. Phenomenal handling pistol. If I sent my hand to a gun manufacturer and said : "build a gun to fit that...".

They would send me a Kahr T9....it's their "target" gun. Not in the league of my Wilson .45, but a very accurate, reliable gun.

I think a Glock 34.3 or 35.4 will be better for moving targets and IDPA, but might need a little work to be significantly better for slow target shooting. I'd also recommend looking at the Glock 41. That's the best fullsize Glock IMO.

A Dan Wesson Valor would satisfy your target wants perfectly. (although with patience, my G41.4 keeps up with it well) Might want day time target sights instead of the combat sights it comes with.

Mot45acp said:

I couldnt get over the trigger. I sold the p30, kept all spare mags, holsters etc and got a VP9 (with cash leftover for ammo) and have no regrets.

My next purchase will be VP9-SK.

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Never had a P30. I got a VP9 when Palmetto had them for $450. Trigger is great. Probably the best I have had on a gun out of the box.