Heckler & Koch HK45

The Heckler & Koch HK45 (Heckler & Koch, .45 ACP) is a semi-automatic pistol designed by the German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch.

Heckler & Koch HK45
The Heckler & Koch HK45C Tactical with threaded barrel.
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originGermany
Service history
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerFrank Henninger, Larry Vickers, Ken Hackathorn
ManufacturerHeckler & Koch
Produced2006–present
VariantsHK45 Compact, HK45 Tactical, HK45 Compact Tactical
Specifications
Mass770 g (27 oz) (HK45)
720 g (25 oz) (HK45 Compact)
Length204 mm (8.0 in) (HK45)
184 mm (7.2 in) (HK45 Compact)
Barrel length113 mm (4.4 in) (HK45)
99 mm (3.9 in) (HK45 Compact)
Width39 mm (1.5 in) (HK45)
39 mm (1.5 in) (HK45 Compact)
Height144 mm (5.7 in) (HK45)
129 mm (5.1 in) (HK45 Compact)
Caliber.45 ACP
ActionShort recoil operated, Browning-type tilting barrel, locked breech
Feed systemDetachable box magazine; capacities:
  • 10 rounds (HK45)
  • 8 or 10 rounds (HK45C)
SightsDrift adjustable 3-dot Super-LumiNova night sight system

Overview

The HK45 was designed to meet requirements set forth in the U.S. Military Joint Combat Pistol program[1] which had the purpose of arming the U.S. Military with a .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol instead of the 9mm M9 pistol. Heckler & Koch developed the HK45 with the help of retired SFOD-D operator Larry Vickers and firearms instructor Ken Hackathorn. The Joint Combat Pistol program was suspended in 2006 and eventually cancelled due to the price of re-arming the entire U.S. armed forces. The M9 pistol remained the standard issue handgun for the U.S. Military until the adoption of the Sig P320 by the U.S. Army in January of 2017. Even though the Joint Combat Pistol program had ended, HK decided to make the HK45 available on the commercial market as well as to law enforcement and military groups.[2]

The HK45 represents an evolutionary advancement of the Heckler & Koch USP,[3] and shares the same operating principles of that weapon. It is available in the same ten variants as the USP. The HK45 is a full size model pistol, but significant effort went towards making it more ergonomic than the HK USP full-size chambered in .45 ACP by incorporating features found on the Heckler & Koch P2000. These include an extended ambidextrous slide release, a textured ergonomic grip with finger grooves, and interchangeable backstraps to fit differently sized hands.[1] The newer grip and backstraps allow the pistol to sit lower into the web of the hand, contributing to greater control of the weapon and recoil management. In order to accommodate the smaller, more ergonomic grip, the HK45 has a magazine capacity of 10 rounds versus 12 rounds for the USP45. The HK45 also added grip serrations on the front end of the slide, a Picatinny rail in front of the trigger guard for mounting accessories, and an O-ring polygonal barrel similar to the USP Expert and Match models and the Mark 23 for more consistent lock-up of the slide and barrel during cycling and increased accuracy.[4]

In 2011, the United States Naval Special Warfare Command adopted a variant of the HK45 Compact Tactical under the designation Mk 24 Mod 0. At least one Mk 24 Mod 0 was used in Operation Neptune Spear.

The HK45 is also the first weapon to be manufactured at Heckler & Koch's new facility in Newington, New Hampshire.

Variants

Heckler & Koch also manufactures the HK45 Compact (HK45C), which can use an 8-round and a 10-round magazine.[5] The HK45C features the same improvements as the full-size HK45, but has a more conventional straight grip similar to Heckler & Koch's P2000. This design still allows the user to customize the grip size via interchangeable backstraps.[1]

An HK45 Tactical (HK45T) and HK45 Compact Tactical (HK45CT) are also available; these variants include an extended threaded barrel for suppressors, and tritium front and rear sights.[6] Extended threaded barrels compatible with the HK45 and HK45C are also available for purchase from Heckler & Koch USA.[7]

Users
HK45C Tactical (note the threaded barrel).

See also

References
  1. "HK45 - Heckler & Koch - USA". Hk-usa.com. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
  2. "Birth Of The HK". Gunsandammomag.com. 2007-03-30. Archived from the original on 2012-03-24. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  3. Title: Military Power Author Fred J. Pushies Edition illustrated Publisher MBI Publishing Company, 2007 ISBN 0-7603-2947-8, ISBN 978-0-7603-2947-4 page 99
  4. "Modern Firearms - Handguns - Heckler Koch HK 45 pistol". World.guns.ru. Archived from the original on 2010-03-10. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
  5. "HK45C - Heckler & Koch - USA". Hk-usa.com. Retrieved 2009-12-16.
  6. HK45 operator's manual (PDF)
  7. HK USA Forums - HK45 and HK45C Tactical Barrels Archived July 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Police Greenscreen Portraits". eyeinthesky.com.au Retrieved 21-01-2016.
  9. Dan, Alex (23 November 2020). "Heckler & Koch HK 45". Military Factory (Infantry / Small Arms). Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  10. "H&K HK 45 - Weaponsystems.net". weaponsystems.net.
  11. "Latest Laser Sight News and Events - Crimson Trace Lasergrips". crimsontrace.com. September 9, 2010. Archived from the original on June 5, 2012.
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