H&K Question

[mjoseph243913]

Inherited a H&K Model 4-.380 handgun. Limited gun experience. Tried searching info regarding this gun and proper cartridges but unsuccessful.

Any info would be appreciated.

 

[usp9]

Start here,
http://www.hkpro.com/hk4.htm

.380 = .380acp = 9mm short = 9mm Browning

 

[Guitargod1985]

Aslo known as 9mm Kurz ;-)

 

[jsbethel]

Take a look at this thread -
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=421216&highlight=hk4

Good info and pdf manual here -
http://hkp7.com/hk4/index.htm

There is a plastic recoil buffer that you should change before you shoot it - info and link here -
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=422371&highlight=hk4

 

[Guns and more]

My neighbor inherited one and asked me to help with it. Yes, his barrel was marked "9K" which I found meant 9mm. Kurtz, or "short" in German. That translates to a .380.
The model 4 is a cool little gun but here's what I found. It's very hard to get the slide off. Inside the trigger guard front is a little release that you can get your thumbnail into. Remove the magazine.
I got really good at this. Hold the gun in your right hand as normal, but flat. Hook the index finger of your left hand on the magazine extension while at the same time pressing the mag release (euro style) with your left thumb. Once the magazine is out. depress the release inside the trigger guard with your thumbnail and move the slide about a 1/2" forward. Then lift it straight up. It took me many tries to do this, although the gun hadn't been fired in probably 20 yrs.
The weak point in this gun is the buffer, and indeed on my neighbors gun it was broken with a little piece floating around.
Google is your friend. You can find a diagram and download the owners manual. Finding replacements for the buffer have proven difficult.
Several people on THR helped with links to get me where I am.
I hope they jump back in.
Mine turned out to be a "Harrison & Richardson" commemorative edition made in 1971. So that's the ballpark age.
I'd love to get it working 100%. I fear without the buffer, I would crack the frame firing it. (We did fire it twice before it locked up, requiring the disassembly).

 

[Guns and more]

Is the piece you're talking about nylon or metal? Looking at the schmatic on the Numrich website, it seems to me that the buffer and buffer plate are switched numerically (26 and 27). (This is the piece I think you are talking about - http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd....rSuperSKU=&MC= ). I have a copy of a detail strip on the HK4 and it states "removal of the nylon recoil buffer in front of the takedown latch is not recommended". That seems odd for an essentially perishable part. They are meant to be replaced over time. Then again, maybe they are just trying to say don't shoot it without the recoil buffer! If that has never been replaced, do it before trying to shoot it again. I can't imagine that this needs to be done by a gunsmith.
Last edited by jsbethel; January 23rd, 2009 at 06:49 PM. Reason: addition

Good source. In my case I found the exploded diagram and the piece that was floating loose was #26 (buffer plate) It was a little piece of metal but I never saw how it went in or where. It looks to match up with the front of the casting in front of #17 while in place.
It appears to match the front casting of the body of the gun, but what holds it in? The buffer itself is fiber or plastic but on mine it has disappeared. If they sit right on the frame under the barrel, I don't get it, but that's where it looks like where it matches up.
What are the two dimples for? Was there a clip or other attachment?

Thanks for the help.

Added> Further research shows a photo showing the buffer and buffer plate installed. It appears the slide holds them in, nothing else.

 

[Guns and more]

Research is good.