H&K P2000sk or Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II ?

[PX15]

OK folks..

Here's an "apples to oranges" question that should bring the 9MM/vs/1911 45ACP guys around with their thoughts.

I am planning on buying either a NIB H&K P2000sk V3, OR a Kimber Ultra Crimson Carry II in the near future. I'm guessing the Kimber will be around $200 more or less expensive than the H&K but that's not a deal breaker.

My favorite cc guns have always been compact (or sub-compact) pistols ranging from 32, 380 & most of all 9MM pistols. I like 9's for several reasons, not the least of which is the ammo is generally quite reasonable (compared to the 45ACP), and excepting for this crazy time when all ammo is hard to find, normally available locally.

I have one 45ACP (CS45) and it's very nice, but two of my friends have the Kimbers such as I'm considering and love 'em.. Of course they are dedicated 1911 "cock'n lock" kinda guys whereas having a cocked hammer residing in my IWB has always made me antsy..

I know, I know it's safe... It just doesn't "feel" safe..

Another factor is when researching the Kimbers it seems there are two camps of Kimber owners.. One camp loves their pistols, and have never had one seconds trouble with them, but the other tell nightmare stories about Kimbers with problems and crappy Kimber Customer Service.

That 2nd group makes me a bit leery..

Additionally I see where Kimber says their pistols are not to be considered fully reliable until after firing 400 rds thru them... Crap I don't generally shoot 400 rounds thru any of my firearms in a year..

Almost the opposite seems to be true with the H&K P2000sk pistol... It seems these little suckers are reliable right out of the box, and I know it's just me but 10+1 9MM Doubletaps (or 13+1 using the P2000 mag w/Xgrip) give me a warm and fuzzy feeling just as 7+1 45ACP's would in the Kimber.

My use of either pistol would be casual target plinking, and occasional cc duty in an iwb.

So, I know it's anything but an "apples to apples" question, but I would appreciate input from those folks who might have one or the other, or even better, BOTH..

Thanks!

Jesse

 

[usp9]

The HK has four very nice features that would cause me to recommend it (I carry one);
1 It is VERY reliable
2 It is a very easy gun to shoot well...great ergonomics.
3 It is accurate. This gun amazes me and makes me smile whenever I shoot it
4 Did I mention reliability? No break in, no break, just shoot the heck out of it.

I know, I know it's safe... It just doesn't "feel" safe..

I'm just not a "cocked and locked" guy either. I like to draw and shoot, nothing else. You'll feel "safe" and confident with the P2000sk.

 

[PX15]

USP9:

Thanks for the comments..

FWIW I sold a nice "A" grade P7 ( I had three) to finance this next firearms purchase, so perhaps poetic justice would be replacing a sold H&K pistol with another H&K pistol?

I'm pretty sure my next choice will be a P2000sk V3. My gun dealer (and casual friend) is out of town on vacation for the next few days, but as soon as he returns and catches up I'll ask him to try and locate a new one for me at a reasonable price.

I don't have access to $1000.00 to spend on a gun very often so I want to make sure I made the right choice before I hand that $1000.00 (more or less) to someone else..

Thanks Again,

Jesse

 

[raskolnikov_22]

I think that the HK is just essentially reliable, but 3" 1911s are essentially quirky.

 

[Guitargod1985]

I carry an HK P2000SK in 9mm, but I wish I would have stuck with the old USPc in .40. The gun's grip is awkward with the extended baseplate and a tad too short for my liking, but it gets the job done. Never had any failures and it's a great gun, but if it were me, I'd go with the Kimber because it would be more comfortable (for me) and easier to conceal.

 

[Mags]

Buy American! Get a Kimber.

 

[earlthegoat2]

They are both decent guns but unless you are bent on a 1911 get the 2000sk. It will be a bit wider but it is a more modern updated gun and with the LEM trigger will feel like a DA revolver to shoot. This could be a detriment to you though.

On the note of Kimbers: I would say the majority of the owners who have complaints about them probably have them within the first 500 rounds through them. It is no secret that you have to put 1000 dollars worth of ammo through your 1000 dollar Kimber to make it reliable. Read up on them and buy what you want. Dont fall victim to the idiots that ignore advice and ask questions but dont get the answers they want.

 

[usp9]

...and with the LEM trigger will feel like a DA revolver to shoot.

The OP stated he's after the V.3, the DA/SA trigger, not the LEM.

 

[benderx4]

Run away from a 3" 1911, Kimber or any other brand name - just too tempermental to trust with your life.
Those HKs go bang EVERY time. The P2000SK allows you to decock the chambered round safely, and then carry knowing you've got the long, hard DA pull to keep you safe. IMHO, this is a safer way to carry than the infamous "cocked and locked" 1911.

 

[10-Ring]

HK would be my 1st choice in most comparisons and I just don't like Kimbers

 

[PX15]

FWIW:

Thanks to all the folks who have made comments, either way...

I've decided to just quit screwing around and go ahead and get a P2000sk V3.

A couple of things I should have mentioned in my original post.

1. I'm a lefty.
2. I have half a century of history behind me with traditional DA/SA firearms and I feel most comfortable with a heavy 1st round DA pull.. I don't necessarily need an external safety (as all my 3rd gen Smiths have) but I certainly don't mind it if the gun I like has one.

Additionally I already have a very nice CS45, and it's not too much larger than my CS9 and absolutely reliable and surprisingly accurate.. Guess I'll let that take care of my 45ACP needs. No need for "cocked and locked".. with the CS45



The more I read and research compact 1911's (not just Kimbers) the more I see functioning problems requiring a different mag, or a new recoil spring, or any number of "fixes" before a particular compact 1911 seems to run perfectly.. I'm too old to get into that kind of situation.

The research of the H&K P2000sk V3's performance is just the opposite.. Buy it, clean it, shoot it....

That works for me.

Thanks again for all the input.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[PX15]

Thanks to all who responded. I've very, very happy with my choice.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

Buy the P2000SK, like laserlips pointed out!!

 

[Dollar An Hour]

Looks good... I need P2000SK one of these days.

 

[CPshooter]

I carry an HK P2000SK in 9mm, but I wish I would have stuck with the old USPc in .40. The gun's grip is awkward with the extended baseplate and a tad too short for my liking, but it gets the job done. Never had any failures and it's a great gun, but if it were me, I'd go with the Kimber because it would be more comfortable (for me) and easier to conceal.

Or you can have both like me (The P2000sk is MUCH better with the flat magazine floorplate installed..see pics below)

Btw, you made the right call PX15. I actually sold a Kimber Ultra Carry II recently..I bought it to carry it, but I didn't like having a manual thumb safety on my carry gun. I also don't feel comfortable with a 3" barrel/.45acp combo. The LEM trigger on my P2000sk is sweeeet for carry. I did the HK factory "light LEM" trigger job on it myself by swapping out some springs. The result is a 5.5# trigger pull that is quite nice. If you haven't tried the LEM trigger, you really should! It's without a doubt the best trigger system I've come across for a self-defense/carry pistol. I'm actually tempted to install the LEM on my stainless USP.40c! The only thing stopping me is the fact that I use the .40c for my night stand gun, and I like having a safety on it. Once I get a USP.45 Tactical or HK45 (haven't decided yet) I'll probably install the LEM on my USP.40c and start carrying it. (If you couldn't tell I like H&K pistols!)

 

[PX15]

CPs:

I'm very pleased with my P2000sk, and being a TDA kinda guy (for over 50 years) I'm perfectly satisfied with the V3 variation.

My hands are not large, and I can use the factory 10rd fingertip mag easily. I also have a 13 rd P2000 mag w/X-grip and that feels great. I have ordered a couple of 357Sig flat baseplates from HK (back ordered) as I want to try one of those to see how I like 'em as compared to the standard ones.

I have no issues with those folks who might have preferred the Kimber, but I can tell you that buying this P2000sk V3 was the right decision for this old fart.

Amazingly accurate and reliable right out of the box.. I can shoot this P2000sk V3 as well as I can my all time accuracy favorite P7, and I have 3 more rounds, it carries easier, and I have the "mental" insurance of the heavy first round DA trigger pull..

This is a fine weapon...

Best Wishes,

Jesse