HK P30: Worth It?

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Panzerschwein

Panzerschwein

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How is the Heckler and Koch P30 pistol? I really like what I've read about them and many say they are one of the most comfortable pistols on the market with the ability to fit backstraps and even side panels of the grips.

Are these reliable pistols? Would it be suitable for home defense? I see there is an "LEM" model that is a DAO. I also see that they come with glow in the dark sights but I've heard you can buy a version with proper night sights. I am not too impressed with the glow in the dark sights idea (sounds gimmicky) but love pretty much everything else I've heard about them.

So should I get one?
 
I've dealt with the glow in the dark sights, basically luminescent paint, and they don't work well. Really bright for an hour, then they died out. Get night sights if that's something important to you. DAo is not something I would like, handicap with a long hard trigger pull every time. I looked the pistol up online and the trigger was the only complaint I heard. HK makes quality firearms, generally, and if the price tag is acceptable to you, and you like what the pistol can give you, then make it yours. Have you handled one yet?
 
my H-Ks are a personal favorite. I LOVE the P30. it wa s one of my first purchases. You get used to a 12 0 clock hold easily as you would with a sig. it is as accurate as a sig too. easy to shoot, feels great in the hand,LONG trigger pull is great for hd/sd. takes getting use d to on the range though(my wife never did get used to it and refuses to shoot it). I cannot say enough about my wonderful H-K P 30 or any of the H-Ks I own
 
HK P30 is an excellent pistol overall, the ergonomics and reliability are superb.

I've used mine (P30L) in several classes and matches and never had an issue, it literally hasn't had a missfire/jam yet for close to 8K through it. The only issue I have with the P series HKs is the reset is kind of long, but I now have had both my HKP30L and P2000 reworked at Lazy Wolf guns, so both have short resets.

As for triggers, for a defensive pistol I prefer the LEM trigger, once trained and practiced with it it is a superb trigger, much like a two-stage trigger. Some guys don't like it though, but IMHO it's the best way to go about getting the added safety of a DA/SA AND get a consistent trigger pull. I've taken 2 of my HKs that started as DA/SA and converted them to LEM. I've tried shooting my P30L and HK45T SA, but on both the safeties were just wrong for me and my current grip. I prefer to shoot an SA pistol like I do a 1911 with my thumb riding on top of the safety, and for me it's not possible with the HKs.

Chuck
 
HK really made a huge jump into the modern market with the USP series (spawned from the MK23) and so on to the current production pistols. When I was in the military I had the opportunity to attend the HK armorers course where I got my certs for the MK23/USP. Great products all around, but pricey. We always joked that HK stands for "High Kost". For various reasons (not the least of which is $) I choose Glock for my handgun needs. If you like the HK and are willing to pay the $ (or just ran into a great deal on one) go for it.
 
I really like my 9MM P30LS and P30SK LEM.

The P30 has proven to be a very reliable and durable pistol. You can read about Todd Green's 91,322 round endurance test of a P30 at link below.

http://pistol-training.com/archives/2668

The LEM trigger is not really a DAO trigger but more like a single action with a very long and light take up and the weight can be easily adjustable changing a few springs. The video below explains it well. I like LEM for CCW as in my P30SK but prefer DA/SA for everything else and have no trouble with either.

If you handle an HK LEM pistol at a gun store be sure to rack the slide before dry firing it otherwise you will experience a 12LB + trigger pull that is available for double strike. Lot's of gun store clerks don't understand HK LEM.

 
I bought my .40 S&W P30 on a Black Friday deal for $525. This is one fine pistol & the way the trigger works is really nice! But for sure, it needs a little getting use to. H&K is top quality & this gun reflects that in accuracy & ergonomics. As for reliability, only time will tell, but my first 300 rounds with factory & reloads never had a hick-up.

Treat yourself & get one.
 
Neat guys, neat. Thank you.

Is the P30L the same thing but with a longer slide and barrel? How does it stack up against the normal P30?
 
I'm also a recent HK P-30 owner, picked one up last year on Black Friday for $525 delivered....hura! This pistol is awesome, very accurate, dead reliable, feels awesome in the hand. The LEM trigger takes a little getting used to, I'm really good with it now. 100% recommend this gun!
 
Cooldill said:
Neat guys, neat. Thank you.

Is the P30L the same thing but with a longer slide and barrel? How does it stack up against the normal P30?
Click to expand...

Basically...yes, but the P30L has a slightly different recoil system:

P30L:

10434d1361578450-new-recoil-bushing-p30l-img_0786.jpg


P30:

hk-p30-9mm-handgun-recoil-system.jpg


I prefer the P30L, but I'm not CCWing it. I shoot it in IDPA and use it for classes. IF I was going to carry a P30 or P30L, I'd probably opt for the P30, although both are the same height and that's the part that normally prints. I carry a P2000, which I honestly find better than both when it comes to carrying.

Chuck
 
I just picked up a P30L a couple weeks back. I got the night sight V1 LEM flavor and absolutely love the gun. The V1 LEM has a longish but smooth and negligible weight take up and a nice crisp, light break. The reset is longish when compared to something like a Glock or a Sig with an SRT kit installed, but it will be a non-issue for someone who is accustomed to about any DA/SA pistol (i.e. Beretta M9/92F; non-SRT Sigs; CZ, etc.) I had no problems at all with the gun from the first round and it is currently at 530 rounds (500 115 gr. FMJ and 30 115 gr. +P Barnes Tac XPD). The only thing that I noticed early on is that ejection is a little weak, but after about 200 rounds, it improved greatly. I'd imagine if you were to run slightly hotter ammo early on, you won't notice the anemic ejection as much. I've carried the P30L a couple of times in a Black Arch Ace-1 holster since and it carries easily enough. It's really no different than carrying ,my Sig P226 (it's about the same size in terms of length, height, and width), but it's much lighter with it being a polymer frame rather than alloy.

In regard to reliability, I've not owned an HK pistol that wasn't reliable right out of the box. They make excellent high quality pistols. Accuracy is also very good with the HK pistols that I've owned or shot.

Bottom line, if you've got the cash to spend on one, I highly recommend it. The V1 LEM trigger is excellent for HD or even for CCW if you carry in a proper holster and with a proper gun belt. FWIW, the V1 LEM trigger breaks at around 5 and a half pounds. It's definitely lighter than a box stock Glock trigger, but not quite as light as a tuned 1911 trigger. Don't let the naysayers scare you off of the trigger. The reset length is about the same as my P226 and P245 that are sans SRT kit.
 
I have an HK45 which is a little beefier than the P30, but pretty much identical in form and function. I also primarily carry a P30SK in winter. I also have a VP9 but that's a different beast and not of interest to the OP.

The P30 is a great shooter. It's easy to look at them and ask "Why the high price?" After all it's just another plastic gun right?

As stated, the adjustable ergonomics are fantastic, and you can suit the gun to your hand. The finish and overall durability seem to be very stout. When hand cycling the gun, if you have any discerning taste at all, you'll notice how smooth the cycle is. Most importantly, they are very reliable and accurate guns. You can depend on them to function.

Other bonuses included a factory night sight option, which is definitely worth the extra money. The paddle mag release is fantastic to use and a real benefit if you have large hands.

The LEM trigger is great and once I tried it, I never wanted a different trigger on a defensive gun.

I don't think you'd be disappointed.
 
redbone said:
Might be worthwhile to do a side by side comparison with a VP9.
Click to expand...
Because of the polymer damper on the RSA, the P30 has less recoil (about 20% less felt recoil) than the VP9, so you are back on target quicker for a follow up shot. I pointed this out to Larry Vickers in a class I took with him using my P30, and he was surprised by that.

In that class, I ran 600 rounds, without a single burble. I have four HKs...two P30, a P30sk and an HK45c, all with the Light LEM trigger. I had an HK45 that was DA/SA, but it was the odd duck. I love the LEM trigger which is about 4.5lbs.! You'd be hard pressed to find a better pistol.
 
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As to LEM triggers try before you buy. I thought they were great dry firing but HATED THEM live fire. The weird reset/hammer movement drove me crazy. They are very light and smooth however.

I very much like my HKs and the P30 has been fantastic.

As to VP9 vs P30 I owned a VP9. Didn't care for it. Didn't care for the way it recoiled (not so much the force of it just how it felt, hard to explain. It also didn't SUBJECTIVELY "FEEL" like a hell for stout HK. Never a problem just never warmed up to it.

The P30 feels like it's in a whole different class "FEELS" again I saw no issues with my VP just left me cold. I LOVE my P30.
 
My HK P30s V3 is the best pistol in my collection for all of the reasons already mentioned above by others. I love it. I don't know why I haven't purchased a P30L yet.
 
prefer the usp, but the p30 is a fine weapon. i prefer the longer barrel myself so the p30l. its easy to carry longer barrels its the grip that is the issue and prints.
 
HexHead said:
You obviously haven't, as you have no clue what you're talking about.
Click to expand...
Thank you, continue to have a wonderful day, and enjoy the warm weather.



Edited to remove my snark, my apologies to the rest of the board.
 
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armoredman said:
Thank you for the enlightening, insulting and useless tip,, sir, as you know nothing about me or what I've done/handled/shot/etc, including several DOA pistols over these many years, So, please, continue to have a wonderful day, and enjoy the warm weather.
Click to expand...

And like I said, obviously never touched an LEM trigger, so your input was worthless. It's anything but a long hard trigger pull. That's all I need to know about you.
 
Armored,
The HK DAO (LEM) is really more like how can we make this gun appealing to people who really want a striker fired gun. :)

Some people LOVE it. Some like me, HATE IT. there are few folks in between.

It is a pretty silky smooth light pull nothing like what a traditional DAO feels like. SIGs DAK was/is similar.

Give me DA/SA or a striker any day vs LEM.
 
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