Are HK pistols worth the money?

[918v]

I put a Pachmayr slip-on grip and that cured the 2x4 feel to my USP. Yes, I feel the HK is better than comparable polymer-framed pistols. After 2500+ rounds, my USP does not show any wear. No peening of the slide. No peening of the barrel. No malfunctions at all.

The polymer HK uses is stiffer than Glock's. The machining quality is better, cleaner, smoother. It's like Honda's interior vs. Chevy's. Yeah, they both work, but Honda is noticeably nicer.

 

[schmeky]

I bought an HK USP 45 after having owned practically all the other polymer's out there. All I can say is, based on my personal experience, yes they are worth the money.

I just wish I would have bought an HK first, I would have saved a lot of money.

 

[Dobe]

Still great guns, and Schmeky, I grew up in West Monroe.

 

[schmeky]

Reliability: There’s almost no way the HK45 could have proven more reliable. Only twice in 50,000 rounds did the gun fail to go through its entire cycle of operation, ready to fire again with nothing more than a trigger pull. Once was a light primer hit, the other was a broken trigger return spring. That’s a Mean Rounds Between Stoppage of 25,000 rounds… ten times the industry standard

Here's the rest of the story:

http://pistol-training.com/archives/4027

 

[HKGuns]

HK's are expensive in a world where folks are spending $1500 - $2,000 for a reliable, accurate 1911?

P7M8's (all metal as well) don't even cost as much as some of the tricked out 1911's you see on the market.

Let's get some perspective, please.

When you consider they are for the most part 100% imported, made in a country where every worker is part of a Union (German Workers Council) and are reliable and accurate out of the box, I'd say they are a bargain.

 

[Radjxf]

I currently have three and bought all of them used for very fair prices. I would never buy one new...

I've been shooting for over 30 years, and owned every major brand of handgun made. My HK's have proven themselves the most reliable of all...even more than that vaunted brand that claims perfection.

 

[Fishman777]

No...

I could afford to buy a few HKs, but I really don't see the point. The only HK that I'd consider would be the USP 45, because I've *heard* that it can shoot .45 super without any modification. That appeals to me, but not enough to buy one. At least not right now...

If these guns were in the same price range as the other premium polymer guns, I'd probably have a few. I think that they are great guns. I just think that you get diminishing returns on expensive firearms. Are these guns really $400 better than an M&P, Glock, or XD? My answer is no.

 

[HKGuns]

Are these guns really $400 better than an M&P, Glock, or XD? My answer is no.

It is a free country and I will defend your right to be wrong. It is pretty clear you've never shot one, so how you can form this opinion is somewhat perplexing.

 

[golden]

Not better

HKGUNS,

I have carried a P2000 .40 S&W for the last 4 years. There is no doubt in my mind that the H&K is not a better gun than at least some of the others listed (I have not shot and M&P, so I cannot comment on it).

My agency has had 2 H&K pistols freeze up on the firing line. Also, when reassembling the pistol after cleaning, the pins can slide out of place. That does not justify the extra cost to me.

They are accurate, reliable and compact, but not perfect and they are overpriced in my opinion.

Jim

 

[Jeb21]

No, they are too expensive and with the exception of the LEM trigger, the DA pull on most H&K is lousy, and this comes from a guy who shoots traditional DA/SA pistols and DA revolvers almost exclusively.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

HK's are expensive in a world where folks are spending $1500 - $2,000 for a reliable, accurate 1911?

Those 1911s are custom, when something is custom it demands a higher price.

RIA makes 1911s that are worth $300 that are accurate and reliable.

 

[Jaywalker]

No. I don't trust the company. 10 years ago (or more) they had a safety issue with the H&K 270, a 22 rimfire rifle. Rather than simply recalling them, they waited until they broke and the owner called about repairs. H&K told them to send it in on their own dime, though they had no intention of repairing the rifle. When they received it, they notified the owner it couldn't be repaired, and offered $60 for it, well under it's unbroken value. Underhanded, IMO.

 

[HKGuns]

Those 1911s are custom, when something is custom it demands a higher price.

Kimber Ultra CDP2 $1160 "ON SALE"

Not custom and quite a bit more expensive than most any HK you'll find and as a bonus they have a reputation for being on the unreliable side of the curve. I don't see people crying from the lamp posts over their pricing. They don't have the excuse of suffering Import taxes and duty, not to mention currency fluctuations.

RIA makes 1911s that are worth $300 that are accurate and reliable.

Glock makes polymer auto's that are worth $400 that are accurate and reliable.

Nowhere will you find a post from me that HK's are "perfect". They are however worth the cost delta over a Glock. Every MFG makes lemons, some more than others. HK tends to be on the very reliable end of the curve.

I rest my case.

 

[Erik M]

I have a friend that is a priest in the high church of Glock, his faith is nigh-unshakeable. He traded his model 34 that he bought NIB and didn't shut up for a month about for a HK USP .45. He said that the forum bashing of thier customer service wasnt enough to sway him because he is related to a smith that could fix any forseeable issue. With the value of the 34 and the cash he payed to the shop owner for the HK he has over $1000 invested. Something about them must be good.

 

[frankge]

Glock 34 for USPSA
Glock 36 CCW
HK USP 45 for most reliable hardest hitting weapon I own (it's also big and strong enough to break rocks with!)

(I love my 1911 too but I'd grab the HK 1st)

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Kimber Ultra CDP2 $1160 "ON SALE"

You said $1,500 to $2,000. Also using a polymer frame is supposed to make the gun cheaper to manufacture. All metal guns also command a higher price.

Why is it that pretty much all polymer pistols on the market are around $500 when theres HK with their $1,000 pistols?

Also why does HK still make their rifles with thumbhole stocks and ten round magazines that usually have to be modified using parts of the gun that its based off of. What about their 3 grand AR 15? What does that have anything to offer over the other AR 15s?

 

[racky]

here's my HK in action. i love it. i see glocks as the "honda civics" of the poly gun market. sure they do the same thing, but in the end i'd rather do it with style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Riyt6HcKT4

 

[Paddy McWhipsmack]

I vote "YES". I own a 9mm P30 V3 and a USP Compact 9mm. Bought the P30 new and the Compact used, and I like them both. The P30 is my favorite and it has the best feel of any pistol I have ever held. I used to own a Glock 23, and it was OK except that it did jam up at least once or twice each time I fired it. That made me uncomfortable enough to sell. I'm not a Glock basher or an HK fan-boy. Heck, I like all kinds of guns! I think they are worth the money if you want one. It's an individual choice, and I am quite surprised at the emotion this poll has generated. I also think most of the HKs look good. Last few points: I really want a P7, a Makarov, and a Glock 19. (TopGunSupply has grade B West German Police P7's for $499 right now, and I am trying to figure out if this is worth the argument with my wife).

Finally gentlemen, I am new to this forum and I must say, some of the comments posted in this thread didn't seem like "the high road". I was somewhat surprised a Mod didn't step in and cool things off - but then again I am a newbie here and have not yet developed a sense of what is normal in this forum. Maybe it was just good-natured ribbing.

My $0.02

Paddy

 

[DannySeesUSMC]

Definitely yes

Building all the parts in house, stringent quality control, thorough testing before pooping models out into the market (think early feedback on SIG 250 & 238, 220 extractor, Ruger LCP & SR9 issues, Glock old 22 kabooms and Gen4 spring swaps, FNP-9/40 breaks, S&W's first couple years of M&P's and Sigmas, etc.)

Subcontracted MIM parts in a lot of the competition with not enough testing in house. Many LE and Military organizations world wide think it's worth the price difference for HK pistols, I do also. A lot of people shoot 500-1,000 rds. at an indoor range and then tell the world how accurate and reliable the gun is - see no reason to pay more.

If it's just a range gun/fun gun definitely save the money and get something for $500 or less, maybe even a .22 instead of 9, 40, or 45 - ton of plinking for low cash. What's the point of higher priced ammunition anyway.

 

[w1smc]

For Me Its Been An Evolutionary Thing

I have 3 hobbies, Ham Radio, Motorcycle riding, and Firearms.

Over the years, as I've grown into my hobbies and obtained more experience, I have moved to what I believe have been better radios, better motorcycles, and better firearms.

This (for me anyway) has resulted in the purchase of more expensive equipment. But it didn't have to be that way .... for sure. I could have spent a lot less money.

But ..... As I have become older, my employment and salary has gotten (much) better and the results have allowed me to purchase more expensive (I was about to say better ... but thought better of it) hardware.

This is personal taste however.

In radios I started with Kenwood and now use Ten Tec. For bikes, I started with Honda, went through the "Harley (cruiser) phase", and I'm now riding a Ducati. For guns, my first (of many) was a PPK and now I carry an HK45C and will be moving to a Nighthawk T3 soon I believe. I also recently purchased a SOCOM 16 for Christmas and love it.

The equipment has gotten more expensive for certain. However, is a Ten Tec a better radio than a Kenwood, a Ducati a better bike than a Honda, a Nighthawk T3 better than an HK45C?

That all depends on how they perform for me and how satisfied I am. If they don't perform ... they get replaced .... that is for certain.

But yes, as far as I can tell from my own personal experience, "MY" HK is worth every penny I paid for it.

 

[SKILCZ]

For the P7, I would say yes since there's nothing else like it. It's a phenomenal design I wish they still made and refined today into a lighter, higher capacity version.

For the remainder, I would be hard pressed to say yes as the market for accurate, reliable polymer pistols has exploded wide open in recent years. There are just too many good guns out there for the same or less money to justify the price point of most H&Ks, IMO. They used to be more unique and higher end relative to the competition, but I don't think they are to the same extent anymore.

 

[Tomcat47]

I would say there quality does not reflect a true price compared to other quality pistols as well.

I do like HK products, I have just not purchased one due to pricing, and the fact of other quality guns for less $$$.

But my dream gun is not an HK pistol, but an MSG 90 Rifle which is also over priced, and there are other good options that exist for less. ( I have a DPMS LR308 and dont even like comparing it to HK, but I would estimate a range outing would not show much difference on targets ) (Maybe!....thats my assumption!)

HK has been known for Quality! You cannot take that from them!

I bet the PR Guy that done that photo OP is probably sweeping the floor now at HK headquarters!

Or maybe they are worth the money and actually flip the cartridge during cycle!

 

[Doc1911]

I enjoy the P7 series and P30s. Reliable, accurate, and dependable.