What guns have: paddle release, hammer fired, DA/SA, compact, 9mm

[Hasaf]

I am sort of looking at some 9mm pistols and I am having trouble finding what I want (sort of looking means no immediate intent to buy, but interested).

Frankly, while my PK380 never became a favorite, it has a lot of features that I like. I am wondering how many others have the combined feature set in 9mm.

• 9mm (after all, I already have something that checks all of these boxes in .380)
• Hammer fired (yes, I know the Striker Fired pistols have a lot of advantages, I just never warmed to them, my Glock 42 gets almost no carry time at all)
• DA/SA (I am a bit flexible on this, but not very)
• Compact (intended, and suitable, for concealed carry)
• Paddle Mag Release (the PK380 gave me a chance to try this style and I like it better than, the US favored, button style)

Any thoughts?

 

[crestoncowboy]

Usp 9 compact. But it's still rather large. The main thing I dislike about my HK pistols is the paddle release. (And price). But it does everything u asked

Sig makes a few great options too if you aren't set on the paddle release

 

[JTQ]

HK only, I think.

Depending on what you consider compact, USPc, P2000/P2000sk, P30/P30sk

https://hk-usa.com/product/pistols/

 

[JR24]

The Walther P99 compact as well, though not technically hammer fired it is at least DA/SA with decocker

 

[Hasaf]

The Walther P99 compact as well, though not technically hammer fired it is at least DA/SA with decocker

The decocker would probably get past the "hammer" for me. I still like hammer fired. It definitely is a lot cheaper than the HK.

At least on paper it looks more suitable for carry, lighter and smaller.

 

[DairyVet]

The Walther P99 compact as well, though not technically hammer fired it is at least DA/SA with decocker

I was looking for the same thing as the OP and ended up with a p99c AS. Zero complaints about it.

 

[JTQ]

The decocker would probably get past the "hammer" for me. I still like hammer fired. It definitely is a lot cheaper than the HK.

At least on paper it looks more suitable for carry, lighter and smaller.

I don't know how current you are with HK pricing, and I'll admit I'm not too current on Walther's, but if you have in your mind HK's are $1,000 guns, they're not.

HK P30sk https://www.topgunsupply.com/h-k-p30sk-9mm-da-sa-fixed-sights-v3.html

HK P2000sk https://www.topgunsupply.com/h-k-p2000sk-9mm-da-sa-fixed-sights.html

 

[crestoncowboy]

And with HK the pain doesn't stop at the gun. Look up mags or springs. Etc. Lol. I haven't used a 99. I don't think it is as large as the HK either as it's pretty darn big. HK usp "compact" and the "sub-compact" glock 29 and 30 kind of push the meaning of compact imo. I could be wrong though.
Still great guns that fit your question

ETA....I was referring to the USP. I have a couple of those. I know nothing of the others by HK or their consumables prices

 

[Hasaf]

I don't know how current you are with HK pricing, and I'll admit I'm not too current on Walther's, but if you have in your mind HK's are $1,000 guns, they're not.

HK P30sk

That P30sk seems to be checking all the boxes. Doesn't mean I am going to run out and get one, but it is definity one to look at a lot more closely.

I do agree, the price seems to be more tolerable than the USP

 

[Zaydok Allen]

And with HK the pain doesn't stop at the gun. Look up mags or springs. Etc. Lol. I haven't used a 99. I don't think it is as large as the HK either as it's pretty darn big. HK usp "compact" and the "sub-compact" glock 29 and 30 kind of push the meaning of compact imo. I could be wrong though.
Still great guns that fit your question

ETA....I was referring to the USP. I have a couple of those. I know nothing of the others by HK or their consumables prices

While HK mags are expensive, they can be found on sale if you keep an eye on vendor's websites. The cost of the guns have gone down too and are quite competitive with other makes. Look at it like this. If you get a LE package on an HK pistol, you get night sights and three mags, and I think they all come with the light LEM trigger. So even if you spend another $120 for another three spare mags, is that amount of money going to break you? I doubt it'll break anyone if you are already buying an HK.

If you are looking for a reliable, accurate gun, that will likely last a good long time without breakage, HK's are good bets. My carry gun for 7-8 moths out of the year is an HK P30SK with a LEM trigger. It's fantastic. Carries and shoots very easily. It is a bit bulky compared to some guns out there but it always works. In fact all three of my HKs have several thousand rounds through them, and none of them have ever had a single malfunction of any kind. Yes, that's a small sample, and there are of course HKs out there that are less than perfect, but the company has a good rep for reliability, and their CS has come leaps and bounds ahead of where it once was.

Lots of folks like their Walthers too. I know they have a good rep and following, but their polymer guns just seem a bit cheap feeling to me. I have no quantifiable facts to back that up, it guess I just prefer HK.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

That P30sk seems to be checking all the boxes. Doesn't mean I am going to run out and get one, but it is definity one to look at a lot more closely.

I do agree, the price seems to be more tolerable than the USP

The DAO LEM trigger is very nice FYI with a long light take up and very crisp break. It's a very easy trigger to stage. Traditional DA/SA HK triggers are long, and fairly heavy, but smooth. I recommend you try and handle both versions before you settle on any hammer fired HK.

The LE package includes night sights and a third magazine for like an extra $100. It's well worth the money IMO as it's a better value than their standard package with glow in the dark painted sights, and two magazines.

The interchangeable side panels make it an easy gun to semi custom fit to your hand also.

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I don't have enough nice things to say about my HKs. They are really reliable guns in my experience. And for a defensive gun, that's my first concern.

 

[crestoncowboy]

Yeah. Ive used a USP plenty. I have a 40 and a 45. They are great guns and easily in the running for best guns IMO. One can find them in the 500 dollar range in great condition occasionally. I was just pointing out the 50 dollar magazine's (all plastic) and 90 dollar recoil spring (last time I replaced one. Last one for a glock was under 10 bucks) assemblies are a bit much. You likely would never wear one out as they are incredibly over built. Replace the RSA and O ring occasionally (if equipped) and never worry about the gun. You also have the choice of going from da/sa to SAO to 7 or so other variants any time you wish. I also find their finish (mine are black. No idea on their name for it) to be as durable as any. Way more so than the sig Nitron finish which isn't bad itself. My three most used duty guns are a 226. A G22 and a USP 40. All three are excellent guns. Only one has the paddle mag release though so they are irrelevant.
Requiring a paddle mag release is a great qualifier if that is what you want. Narrows the list from thousands of models to a small number. So far HK and Walther. Im curious to see if there are more myself.

 

[JTQ]

Yeah. Ive used a USP plenty. I have a 40 and a 45... I was just pointing out the 50 dollar magazine's (all plastic)... My three most used duty guns are a 226. A G22 and a USP 40.

It's all relative.

Sure the USP mags (the OP by the way, is looking at the compact version and those have metal mags, though they probably cost just as much) are expensive, especially compared to such common guns as a SIG P226, and Glock G22. However, compared to another relative "odd-ball" like the Walther P99, I suspect price and availability are in the same ball park as the HK mags.

 

[crestoncowboy]

P99 mags are slightly cheaper from what I see but not enough to matter. 226 and 220 mags are right up there around 30 bucks too last I bought at least(2 months ago). I wasn't throwing off on HK I'm actually the first one to recommend them above. Mine are both full size. Odd that they used all plastic in full size and metal in the compact. Just informing.

 

[Hasaf]

Requiring a paddle mag release is a great qualifier if that is what you want. Narrows the list from thousands of models to a small number. So far HK and Walther. Im curious to see if there are more myself.

I am surprised to see that there are this many; however, as was noted, the range seems to be limited to HK and Walther.

As I said, the HK P30 SK is probably going to get a much closer look.

 

[crestoncowboy]

I think the paddle is ranked about down there with the European heel mount or the low on the grip button like the old berettas had. Everyone who has ever used my HK guns has disliked that one thing but loved the guns. Some people love either of those though and they are still made for good reason. That's the Great thing about variety. Reminds me of the 870 vs 500 shotgun debates. Both great guns but always comes down to where the safety is. Both sides have thousands of fans. I have a few of the old berettas myself. Just curious but why do you like the paddle release? Other than gloved hands ( I had a friend issued a USP 45 and he liked it with gloves. And I can appreciate that) I've not heard many compliments.

 

[Hasaf]

Just curious but why do you like the paddle release? Other than gloved hands ( I had a friend issued a USP 45 and he liked it with gloves. And I can appreciate that) I've not heard many compliments.

This is going to sound silly, but I have a bit of arthritis in my thumb. I was on a bicycle several years ago and I made the mistake of moving to the right, in a construction zone, so people could pass me. Of course, I got squeezed off the road and I crashed in some gravel. . .gotta remember not to try to be nice. Anyways, since then I have had issues using my thumb as well as before.

Back to the point, I was doing quite a bit of shooting this week, I had a day off. I noticed a big difference in the ease of reloading the pistols I had with me. In a side to side comparison the paddle was much easier to use.

 

[crestoncowboy]

Doesn't sound silly at all. I have a Dr. file with over 20 or 30 broke bones (that I actually went to the dr over) throughout 40 years. Lol. I'm a weightlifter and I know all about modifying plans to get around pains. Lol. Makes perfect sense to me

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I think the paddle is ranked about down there with the European heel mount or the low on the grip button like the old berettas had. Everyone who has ever used my HK guns has disliked that one thing but loved the guns.

Hmmmm, the paddle is the exact reason I did by my first HK.

I have larger hands (XL glove size), with skinny boney fingers. I can eject a magazine out of my Beretta 92 with the tip of my strong hand with the tip of my middle finger without shifting my grip if need be. This results in me having to have a very firm grip to shoot my guns efficiently at speed, and no matter what I do, my trigger finger slides around on the trigger and usually ends up with the first knuckle resting on the trigger. I used to own an FNP45. They have a large grip to accommodate a true double stack 45 magazine. Despite having the largest backstrap in, the tip of my trigger finger would constantly get impacted by the extended magazine release. It got painful after a few magazines. Now I obviously had way too much finger on the trigger and I was a much less practiced shooter at the time, so it's partly my fault, but some of it is just the physical nature of my hands.

I wanted a gun with a paddle mag release, and that's what I got with the HK45. Problem solved. I liked it enough that I got a VP9 and P30SK also, and I doubt I'll ever buy another polymer gun that doesn't have a paddle style.

Once I got used to it, I realized I loved that style, and found it just as fast as a button. Different strokes hey?

 

[JTQ]

Hmmmm, the paddle is the exact reason I did by my first HK.

I have larger hands (XL glove size), with skinny boney fingers. I can eject a magazine out of my Beretta 92 with the tip of my strong hand with the tip of my middle finger without shifting my grip if need be.

It's not an issue I have, but I get a kick out of watching Patrick E. Kelley drop mags out of his guns in the "Out of the box to match" reviews. He's a lefty with long fingers and it happens to him a lot with traditional mag buttons. Here he explains his problem with a Beretta PX 4.



While I don't have his problems, there is a certain advantage to having a mag release that you can use on either side of the gun such as the paddle mag release.

 

[crestoncowboy]

Yeah. Ive gotten used to it too. I have big hands and skinny fingers as well. A glock 20/21/usp/96 etc is my best fit. I can get my mag release on my 96 the same way I catch myself doing it too often. Lol. I put hogues on my 1911 and sig guns to make them larger to fit my hands. I know exactly what your saying. I can either let my finger stick awkwardly out to the right of the gun and try to use my trigger fingers pad like most people recommend on most triggers or I can use the fat between my two knuckles to pull it without being a contortionist. Lol. I prefer the normal small profile buttons but not lost with the HK style either

 

[JR24]

I am used to the thumb mag release and prefer it, but after messing around with my fathers Walther a bunch I can see the appeal.

I'm sure I'd be OK with one after some practice.