LeadPumper
Member
Heckler & Koch Tactical Range Report
As promised, I’m sharing with you’ll my good fortunes of late in finding several new firearms to add to my growing collection.
About two years ago I became aware of the existence of the HK Tactical (being the smaller cousin to the SOCOM Mark 23), and thought it deserved serious consideration.
Having handled a Mark 23, I can report that isn’t as heavy as it looks, (maybe as heavy as a full size all steel 1911), but it is LARGE . The trigger is nice, but not $2K nice, and it’s a long reach to that trigger. Small handed folk need not apply.
That in mind, I’ve been questing to find a Tactical model I could fondle (or finger f#$%, as my gun dealer friends call it), so as to determine if the Tactical is indeed worth the extra $$$, because it is a couple of hundred more than a regular H&K USP .45. Now that extra $$ does get you a threaded ‘O-ring’ barrel for better lockup, and a match trigger (it is better than a stock trigger). It also gets you taller adjustable target sights to clear a suppressor, and snazzy little finger extensions on the magazines, (stock USP mags will work in a pinch, but are somewhat lacking in Tacticalness).
In the past two years, I’ve seen exactly two (2) Tactical models for sale either at a show or in a store here in Maryland, both were used. Both were in excellent shape showing little or no usage. But the one I recently came home with was a consignment gun from a fellow who sold off part of his collection to put a down payment on a house. (priorities)
For $950.00, I got a LNIB ’98 date code HK Tactical in the original gray zipper soft case (modular velcro sleeves for gun, two mags, suppressor, and badge case), two magazines, full instructions including warranty card, and the satisfaction of knowing I had a truly Tactical handgun.
Yes, yes, I see you in the back there…waving your hand… $950.00 is indeed too much for a ‘used’ HK Tactical. But as I live in Maryland, (home of the shell case and gun lock laws), my choices are, shall we say? Limited . Besides, this Tac was in better shape and cost less than the other one I saw last year.
Anyway, on to the Gun!
As with most any HK, fit and finish was top notch. All edges were clean and crisp, and the HE (hostile environment) finish was blemish free. The gun was large, but not quite as large as the Mark 23. It was still a reach for my smallish hands, but I could just get my fingertip around the trigger were I like it, (as some have put it: the Mark 23 was a cinder-block, the Tactical was a brick). The trigger was a delightful 8 pounds or so DA pull with a clean pull through and no over-travel (adjustable over-travel screw). The SA was simply marvelous, and I spent several minutes just cocking and firing the Tac to feel that trigger. Outside of a properly tuned 1911, this Tac had the best SA trigger I’d ever felt on a bottom feeder. SA pull through was maybe half the distance of DA with a gradual stack to a 4.5 to 5 pound break with no over travel. (It wasn't the perfect 1911 SA trigger; being no take-up, no creep; just press – break, but this thing was smooooooth…).
Takedown was simple: push in the slide stop lever on the right side of the pistol while cycling the slide and then pull it out from the left side, remove slide, remove captured recoil spring and guide rod from slide, move barrel forward, tilt and remove to the rear. Done. (very 1911ish)
Cleanup was quick as the firearm had seen almost no use and had been put away clean. Reading the instructions first this time, I noticed an interesting oiling procedure mentioned. The instructions indicated locations for ‘light’, ‘medium’ and ‘heavy’ lubrication. Most of these locations were in the fire control group that could only be gotten to via a detail strip. So I lubed per the instructions, which indicated a ‘light’ coating on the barrel and slide rails.
Handling and dry-firing the gun, I felt the serrations on the grip dig into my hand. Fearing an abrasion under recoil, I added a Hogue Handall to add grip. Suitably armed, I made plans to visit the range.
Delayed a week due to work (damn job, always getting in the way!), I patronized my local shooting establishment to exorcise my latest acquisition. After working my way through 150 rounds of .22 to warm up (Sig Trailside), I started in with the Tactical. Loading the all metal double stack magazines was no problem, and I got all ten rounds in with no grunting or cursing. (some double stack mags can be …difficult). Ammo was all factory Lake City 230 gr FMJ.
Setting my target at 25 feet, I sighted in. Here I felt was the first real problem. Those taller black on black adjustable target sights might be fine for some, but I just don’t care for them. Don’t get me wrong; they’re plenty accurate, just not fast enough for my taste. And, when used against a dark background (like my target here) they tend to ‘get lost’. Extra concentration is required to keep proper sight alignment. Not a big deal, but annoying non-the-less. I re-griped the gun, adjusted my sight alignment to cover the bulls-eye and proceed to shoot.
The SA trigger was just as sweet, but the muzzle jump was more than I expected. My stock Kimber Custom didn’t jump that much. Accuracy was POA=POI, bulls-eye first shot. Re-griping the gun, I put several more magazines down range, slow fire. The sweet match trigger and ‘O-ring’ barrel really made a difference in accuracy. The first forty rounds made a single ragged hole maybe four or five inches across. Then I started having problems.
My right hand was getting tired; I was feeling every shot. Switching stances and re-gripping, I continued to shoot. By shot 60, I was limp-wristing the gun and causing failure to return to battery jams (FTRB) every eight or nine shots. Accuracy was falling off with flyers out to nine or ten inches from POA. By shot 100 I was done, FTRB jams were occurring every five or six shots, and my accuracy continued to degrade.
Overjoyed with my accuracy, but dismayed with my lack of stamina, I packed up and headed home rather than continue down a bad path.
Cleaning up at home, I came to two conclusions. One (1): maybe I’m gripping the handgun too tightly due to it’s size, causing accelerated fatigue in my hand. (Off comes the Hogue Handall, thank you very much!) Two (2): maybe oil isn’t enough to slick up that slide to frame fit, exacerbating the problem, (Out comes the Tetra Gun Grease).
I do feel this pistol is head-and-shoulders above a stock service USP (not that there’s anything wrong with a stock USP), and capable of greater accuracy than I am. Now I just have to step up my game to meet this, my newest challenge.
To the range!!!
-Leadpumper
As promised, I’m sharing with you’ll my good fortunes of late in finding several new firearms to add to my growing collection.
About two years ago I became aware of the existence of the HK Tactical (being the smaller cousin to the SOCOM Mark 23), and thought it deserved serious consideration.
Having handled a Mark 23, I can report that isn’t as heavy as it looks, (maybe as heavy as a full size all steel 1911), but it is LARGE . The trigger is nice, but not $2K nice, and it’s a long reach to that trigger. Small handed folk need not apply.
That in mind, I’ve been questing to find a Tactical model I could fondle (or finger f#$%, as my gun dealer friends call it), so as to determine if the Tactical is indeed worth the extra $$$, because it is a couple of hundred more than a regular H&K USP .45. Now that extra $$ does get you a threaded ‘O-ring’ barrel for better lockup, and a match trigger (it is better than a stock trigger). It also gets you taller adjustable target sights to clear a suppressor, and snazzy little finger extensions on the magazines, (stock USP mags will work in a pinch, but are somewhat lacking in Tacticalness).
In the past two years, I’ve seen exactly two (2) Tactical models for sale either at a show or in a store here in Maryland, both were used. Both were in excellent shape showing little or no usage. But the one I recently came home with was a consignment gun from a fellow who sold off part of his collection to put a down payment on a house. (priorities)
For $950.00, I got a LNIB ’98 date code HK Tactical in the original gray zipper soft case (modular velcro sleeves for gun, two mags, suppressor, and badge case), two magazines, full instructions including warranty card, and the satisfaction of knowing I had a truly Tactical handgun.
Yes, yes, I see you in the back there…waving your hand… $950.00 is indeed too much for a ‘used’ HK Tactical. But as I live in Maryland, (home of the shell case and gun lock laws), my choices are, shall we say? Limited . Besides, this Tac was in better shape and cost less than the other one I saw last year.
Anyway, on to the Gun!
As with most any HK, fit and finish was top notch. All edges were clean and crisp, and the HE (hostile environment) finish was blemish free. The gun was large, but not quite as large as the Mark 23. It was still a reach for my smallish hands, but I could just get my fingertip around the trigger were I like it, (as some have put it: the Mark 23 was a cinder-block, the Tactical was a brick). The trigger was a delightful 8 pounds or so DA pull with a clean pull through and no over-travel (adjustable over-travel screw). The SA was simply marvelous, and I spent several minutes just cocking and firing the Tac to feel that trigger. Outside of a properly tuned 1911, this Tac had the best SA trigger I’d ever felt on a bottom feeder. SA pull through was maybe half the distance of DA with a gradual stack to a 4.5 to 5 pound break with no over travel. (It wasn't the perfect 1911 SA trigger; being no take-up, no creep; just press – break, but this thing was smooooooth…).
Takedown was simple: push in the slide stop lever on the right side of the pistol while cycling the slide and then pull it out from the left side, remove slide, remove captured recoil spring and guide rod from slide, move barrel forward, tilt and remove to the rear. Done. (very 1911ish)
Cleanup was quick as the firearm had seen almost no use and had been put away clean. Reading the instructions first this time, I noticed an interesting oiling procedure mentioned. The instructions indicated locations for ‘light’, ‘medium’ and ‘heavy’ lubrication. Most of these locations were in the fire control group that could only be gotten to via a detail strip. So I lubed per the instructions, which indicated a ‘light’ coating on the barrel and slide rails.
Handling and dry-firing the gun, I felt the serrations on the grip dig into my hand. Fearing an abrasion under recoil, I added a Hogue Handall to add grip. Suitably armed, I made plans to visit the range.
Delayed a week due to work (damn job, always getting in the way!), I patronized my local shooting establishment to exorcise my latest acquisition. After working my way through 150 rounds of .22 to warm up (Sig Trailside), I started in with the Tactical. Loading the all metal double stack magazines was no problem, and I got all ten rounds in with no grunting or cursing. (some double stack mags can be …difficult). Ammo was all factory Lake City 230 gr FMJ.
Setting my target at 25 feet, I sighted in. Here I felt was the first real problem. Those taller black on black adjustable target sights might be fine for some, but I just don’t care for them. Don’t get me wrong; they’re plenty accurate, just not fast enough for my taste. And, when used against a dark background (like my target here) they tend to ‘get lost’. Extra concentration is required to keep proper sight alignment. Not a big deal, but annoying non-the-less. I re-griped the gun, adjusted my sight alignment to cover the bulls-eye and proceed to shoot.
The SA trigger was just as sweet, but the muzzle jump was more than I expected. My stock Kimber Custom didn’t jump that much. Accuracy was POA=POI, bulls-eye first shot. Re-griping the gun, I put several more magazines down range, slow fire. The sweet match trigger and ‘O-ring’ barrel really made a difference in accuracy. The first forty rounds made a single ragged hole maybe four or five inches across. Then I started having problems.
My right hand was getting tired; I was feeling every shot. Switching stances and re-gripping, I continued to shoot. By shot 60, I was limp-wristing the gun and causing failure to return to battery jams (FTRB) every eight or nine shots. Accuracy was falling off with flyers out to nine or ten inches from POA. By shot 100 I was done, FTRB jams were occurring every five or six shots, and my accuracy continued to degrade.
Overjoyed with my accuracy, but dismayed with my lack of stamina, I packed up and headed home rather than continue down a bad path.
Cleaning up at home, I came to two conclusions. One (1): maybe I’m gripping the handgun too tightly due to it’s size, causing accelerated fatigue in my hand. (Off comes the Hogue Handall, thank you very much!) Two (2): maybe oil isn’t enough to slick up that slide to frame fit, exacerbating the problem, (Out comes the Tetra Gun Grease).
I do feel this pistol is head-and-shoulders above a stock service USP (not that there’s anything wrong with a stock USP), and capable of greater accuracy than I am. Now I just have to step up my game to meet this, my newest challenge.
To the range!!!
-Leadpumper
