First Post! Mini Range Report, HK P30 (no 56k)

[dfjaws]

Hello Everyone,


First off, I just discovered this forum after looking for information on holsters. I'm glad I found it! Excellent source of information on anything and everything having to do with all kinds of firearms.

Anyways, I recently purchased a new HK P30. I've always wanted an HK (ever since I played "Delta Force" and used the Mk 23) and finally, on my 21st birthday I bought one! I was originally looking for a USP Compact but when doing my first serious research a few months before my birthday, I saw the P30. USP reliability? The best ergonomics of any pistol today (arguably)? Sign me up. All in all it was $860 out the door. I think that's fair at least. I wasn't too concerned though, I wanted my P30, and it was the last one in the area!

My first time shooting it was right after purchasing it. The shop I bought it from had a range in the back, so using one of my newly acquired "5 free range passes", I went out back for a shoot. Now, I know you shouldn't shoot a gun right out of the box due to the inside being gunked up with packing grease, etc. etc. but I couldn't wait. I'm proud to say that it took 100 rounds of 115gr. PMC without a single hiccup. No FTF, no FTE, no nothing. HK WIN!

As I plan on carrying this pistol, I purchased a couple holsters, first one being a Blackhawk SERPA, and the second a Comp-Tac Minotaur. I love both holsters dearly. The Blackhawk feels solid and secure and the Comp-Tac makes the P30 disappear under a relatively loose shirt. I'm 5' 10" and 145lbs so it goes without saying I was surprised when I put my shirt over the P30 and couldn't see it anymore. WIN!

As for my first documented trip to the range, I went through 200 rounds of Winchester White Box 115gr. (found some at Wal-Mart, bought 500 rounds for $109 out the door!). I also shot 50 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense (115gr.) mostly for familiarization and to make sure my P30 didn't mysteriously hate it or anything. After around 400 rounds of WWB and 50 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense, still ZERO failures. Nothing. Nada. The HK does everything I ask it to, every time I ask, and I couldn't be happier!



All in all, I'm glad I went with the P30! Thanks for reading my first (and long) post! I'm looking forward to contributing to this great forum! I'm sure everyone is tired of reading and wants to see pictures (who doesn't?! ) so here you go...

As it came, new in the box (except for the Militec-1)

I double checked to make sure the mag was loaded in the proper manner. I don't want to repeat the same mistake HK's ad department made. Haha.

Yes, it's being held up by a food thermometer... Works Great!

Here's the target from one of my range trips. 35 rounds of the Hornady's at 15 yards. I know I'm not very good, go easy on me! I tried to be cool and go for the 'headshot' with my last round. Center mass every time from now on...

 

[hak]

congrats, and great choice! I'm wearing my brand new p30s in .40 cal right now. ummm HK goodness. I have a .40 USP and it's a tank/runs like a clock. but it's right at the edge of my size handling-wise in DA mode (i carry it in cocked and locked) Bill Springfield of triggerwork.net made it even sweeter.

anways, i handled a p30 (like yours a LEM version) and the ergo's were so sweet, but i wanted a .40 and I liked the 'thumb on safety' and condition 1 carry i was used to, and guess what, p30s is out ! (double win! )

enjoy it.

 

[dfjaws]

P30S .40...



3 things steered me to the P30 (9mm, non-S) I have though...
1) I didn't feel like a safety was something I wanted. I feel comfortable carrying chambered with the hammer down.
2)I like 9mm. I don't have a slew of data to support that, I just like it. It can be found for cheap (sometimes) and there are plenty of potent defense loads for it.
3) I'm a capacity junkie. I like having 15+1 over a 1911 style .45 with 7 or 8+1. Just a personal preference, nothing against larger calibers.

 

[Gungnir]

Yep, they're real nice, my wife has one (and I sneak off and shoot it whenever possible).

Only drawback is magazine availability and prices, and only getting one with purchase. Gun works like a charm.

 

[dfjaws]

Magazines are pricey, but I figure I'll only need 3 or 4. My plan so far is to just get 2 more.

 

[hak]

tomatoe tomato

external safeties: my Glock 19 doesn't have one and it has it's place (it's the wife's nightime gun, with Crimson Trace laser) nothing to forget, just pull trigger and bang. But my USP (which i've owned for 15 years) is cocked-and-locked carry, and my grip is "thumb on top of safety" so although i started out looking for a v2 LEM, I ended up with something more similar to what I had but with the better ergo's as you note. It's a great pistol line with so many config choices. And i'm not going to lie, there's some comfort in knowing there's a mechanical safetey when carrying concealed - I too have a Minatour and prefer my Crossbreeds, so my trigger is protected when wearing, but it's nice to be able to reach down and know the safety position. and we all know to keep our finger off the trigger until our sights are on the target and we're ready to shoot - but when I hear of folks ND'ing when re-holstering, or when in the pot, or like an idiot mexican-style without a holster illegally - i think: I bet he had one of those "my safety is my finger" guns my personal concern is actually mundane: when going into the Post Office, or an establishment where firearms are banned, the "placing in the center console" and after we're done and leaving: "reholstering while sitting in the car seat" are two very stressful times with kids in the backseat - an additional physical safety, beyond strict trigger finger discipline helps, for the errant shirt tail on self or pen in the console.

capacity: yeah, funny, when i bought my usp .40 during the 'ban' not being an LEO i could only get 10 round mags, so back then i was thinking "well, if i can only have 10, might as well make them bigger!"

caliber: I like the 9mm, a bit cheaper and the capacity is nice (i have 33+ round mags for my Glock 19) and my little HK P7 is great for deep concealment - but the difference between the 13 round P30 in .40 and 15 round P30 in 9mm is an acceptable trade off, for me at least, for the penetration a 180grain .40 will provide. The point is to carry a spare mag - many folks find their feed problems are mag related, so you're better off having two 8 round mags (one in gun one in pouch) than one 16 round mag, reliability wise. always carry a 2nd one if you're carrying your gun. your mag size is useless if it malfs... want two 15 round mags like your P30 came with - even better, but carry both.

cheers.

 

[dfjaws]

^Thanks for the advice on magazines! I'm here to learn. I agree with your point on gun safety while holstering/removing. I'm extremely careful each and every time it moves to and from it's holster. The last thing I need is an AD!

 

[Kangspec]

awesome!!!
enjoy your awesome gun.

i have P30L.

 

[hak]

'i have P30L.' you know, if they had a P30S+L out now, I would've bought it. the "L" is actually the same barrel length as my 'normal' (fullsize) usp. the p30 (non-L) is about 5/8" shorter barrel.

here they are back to back:



for appendix carry, and seated/driving, i can see the shorter barrel being a bonus. but i don't AIWB, just IWB at 3oclock, so the extra .675" of barrel I would've welcomed, can't hurt balistics after all...

 

[nwilliams]

Welcome to THR and congrats on your new gun!

 

[wild cat mccane]

looks like an unsculpted P99

 

[dfjaws]

Thanks for all the replies everyone! Hak, that USP is beautiful. A USP (probably tactical) is on my list. Going shooting again this weekend, I'll let everyone know how it goes. Thanks!

 

[PT1911]

hmmm... do you adjust your finger on the trigger between shots? your horizontal string is much wider than your virtical string is tall. Logic would assume you are adjusting your finger on the trigger between shots with varying amounts of your finger on the trigger with each shot resulting in the stringing...

SUPER nice gun... makes me want to go shoot my Steyr M9-A1 and CZ P07... tomorrow perhaps.

 

[lions]

Nice gun, I can practically hear the excitement in your post. Congrats and glad you like it!

My piece of advice, move in a little closer next time. 15 yards might be a little far for your first time out. I would bring it in closer, maybe 7 yards or so and move back as you improve. Just keep practicing, it is fun after all!

 

[dfjaws]

PT1911: I try to keep my finger on the trigger between shots, letting it out until I feel the 'reset', then I begin depressing the trigger again. It usually turns into me re-adjusting though. It's not like my hand/finger are uncomfortable or anything, I guess it's just something I need to work on.

Lions: That's probably a good idea, start short and move it further. I used the thought process of "pushing myself" at the beginning, maybe I shouldn't, haha.

 

[benderx4]

Welcome to the darkside! Nice to see another HK convert, you've purchased yourself one of the finest 9mms in the world, and I can guarantee you that it won't be your last HK. As fine as the P30 is in 9mm, the HK45 is just as awesome in 45acp. Now practice, practice, practice! Happy Shooting!

 

[dfjaws]

^Definitely not my last, that's for sure. HK has quickly become my favorite company. My future list so far is USP Tactical (next for sure), P7, Mk 23 (not for awhile), USP Compact, HK45 and an MR556 whenever HK gets around to getting them here! HK

This isn't to say I don't like other manufacturers though. I'm a huge fan of Beretta 92's. Smooth shooters and they look great too. I also would like a Glock in my collection, probably an OD 19. I don't see why people think the 'kool-aid' tastes so good though, they aren't that special I'm my humble opinion. I believe "Combat Tupperware" was the term I heard used in a shop one time, haha.