Heckler & Koch HK45
Encyclopedia
The Heckler & Koch HK45 is a semi-automatic pistol designed by the German
arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch
.
program which had the purpose of arming the U.S. Military with a .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol instead of the 9mm M9 pistol
. The Joint Combat Pistol program was suspended indefinitely in 2006, and the M9 pistol remains the standard issue handgun for the U.S. Military. 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. Heckler & Koch, along with Larry Vickers
, an ex-Delta Force
operator, and Ken Hackathorn led the development of the HK45 to meet Joint Combat Pistol program requirements which was canceled due to the price of re-arming the entire military.
The HK45 represents an evolutionary advancement of the Heckler & Koch USP
, 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. 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.
The HK45 is also the first weapon to be manufactured at Heckler & Koch's new facility in Newington, New Hampshire
.
. This design still allows the user to customize the grip size via interchangeable backstraps.
An HK45 Tactical (HK45T) and HK45 Compact Tactical (HK45CT) are also in development which will include an extended threaded barrel for suppressor
s, and high profile front and rear sights
. While these models are still unreleased, HK45 and HK45C compatible extended threaded barrels are currently available for purchase from Heckler & Koch USA.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch
Heckler & Koch GmbH is a German defense manufacturing company that produces various small arms. Some of their products include the SA80, MP5 submachine gun, G3 automatic rifle, the G36 assault rifle, the HK 416, the MP7 personal defense weapon, the USP series of handguns, and the high-precision...
.
Overview
The HK45 was designed to meet requirements set forth in the U.S. Military Joint Combat PistolJoint Combat Pistol
The Joint Combat Pistol was the name for a former US program for a new military sidearm to replace the M9 Pistol, extant from late 2005 to early 2006. The program was started in 2005 and run by USSOCOM. It is the result of a merger of two earlier programs, the Army's Future Handgun System and the...
program which had the purpose of arming the U.S. Military with a .45 ACP semi-automatic pistol instead of the 9mm M9 pistol
M9 Pistol
The Beretta M9, formally Pistol, Semiautomatic, 9mm, M9, is a 9×19mm Parabellum pistol of the United States military adopted in 1985. It is essentially a military specification Beretta 92F, later the 92FS....
. The Joint Combat Pistol program was suspended indefinitely in 2006, and the M9 pistol remains the standard issue handgun for the U.S. Military. 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
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
and military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
groups. Heckler & Koch, along with Larry Vickers
Larry Vickers
Larry Vickers is a former member of the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta . He is also a gunsmith, television host, firearms industry consultant, tactical security consultant, and firearms instructor. He has been involved in the design process of several notable firearms in recent...
, an ex-Delta Force
Delta Force
1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta is one of the United States' secretive Tier One counter-terrorism and Special Mission Units. Commonly known as Delta Force, Delta, or The Unit, it was formed under the designation 1st SFOD-D, and is officially referred to by the Department of Defense...
operator, and Ken Hackathorn led the development of the HK45 to meet Joint Combat Pistol program requirements which was canceled due to the price of re-arming the entire military.
The HK45 represents an evolutionary advancement of the Heckler & Koch USP
Heckler & Koch USP
The USP is a semi-automatic pistol developed in Germany by Heckler & Koch GmbH of Oberndorf am Neckar as a replacement for the P7 series of handguns.-History:...
, 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
Heckler & Koch P2000
The Heckler & Koch P2000 is a German semi-automatic pistol introduced late in 2001 and intended primarily for law enforcement, paramilitary, and commercial markets. It is based around the technology involved in the USP Compact pistol...
. These include an extended ambidextrous slide release, a textured ergonomic grip with finger grooves, and interchangeable backstraps to fit differently sized hands. 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
Picatinny rail
The Picatinny rail or MIL-STD-1913 rail or STANAG 2324 rail or a "Tactical Rail" is a bracket used on some firearms in order to provide a standardized mounting platform. A similar system is the Weaver rail mount.-Description:...
in front of the trigger guard for mounting accessories, and an O-ring polygonal barrel
Polygonal rifling
Polygonal rifling is a type of gun barrel rifling where the traditional lands and grooves are replaced by "hills and valleys" in a rounded polygonal pattern, usually a hexagon or octagon....
similar to the USP Expert and Match models and the Mark 23
Heckler & Koch Mark 23
The Heckler & Koch MK23 is a handgun consisting of a match grade semi-automatic pistol, a laser aiming module , and suppressor. It was adopted by the United States Special Operations Command for special operations units in the 1990s....
for more consistent lock-up of the slide and barrel during cycling and increased accuracy.
The HK45 is also the first weapon to be manufactured at Heckler & Koch's new facility in Newington, New Hampshire
Newington, New Hampshire
Newington is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 753 at the 2010 census. It is bounded to the west by Great Bay, northwest by Little Bay and northeast by the Piscataqua River. It is home to Portsmouth International Airport at Pease , and to the New...
.
Variants
Heckler & Koch also manufactures the HK45 Compact (HK45C), which has an 8 round magazine. The HK45C features the same improvements as the full-size HK45, but has a more conventional straight grip similar to Heckler & Koch's P2000Heckler & Koch P2000
The Heckler & Koch P2000 is a German semi-automatic pistol introduced late in 2001 and intended primarily for law enforcement, paramilitary, and commercial markets. It is based around the technology involved in the USP Compact pistol...
. This design still allows the user to customize the grip size via interchangeable backstraps.
An HK45 Tactical (HK45T) and HK45 Compact Tactical (HK45CT) are also in development which will include an extended threaded barrel for suppressor
Suppressor
A suppressor, sound suppressor, sound moderator, or silencer, is a device attached to or part of the barrel of a firearm which reduces the amount of noise and flash generated by firing the weapon....
s, and high profile front and rear sights
Iron sight
Iron sights are a system of shaped alignment markers used as a sighting device to assist in the aiming of a device such as a firearm, crossbow, or telescope, and exclude the use of optics as in telescopic sights or reflector sights...
. While these models are still unreleased, HK45 and HK45C compatible extended threaded barrels are currently available for purchase from Heckler & Koch USA.
Users
- HK45C adopted by the United States Naval Special Warfare CommandUnited States Naval Special Warfare CommandThe United States Naval Special Warfare Command was commissioned on April 16, 1987, at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado in San Diego, California...
in September 2010.
See also
- Heckler & Koch P30Heckler & Koch P30The Heckler & Koch P30 is a polymer framed semi-automatic handgun. The P30 represents an evolutionary advancement of the technology involved in the Heckler & Koch P2000 and Heckler & Koch USP Compact pistols. Early prototypes of the P30 were referred to as the P3000...
- Chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum and 40S&W, it shares Heckler & Koch's current design aesthetic with the HK45.
External links
- Official HK45 page from Heckler & Koch USA
- Official HK45C page from Heckler & Koch USA
- 2008 Heckler & Koch Military and LE brochure
- Report on the 2007 Shot Show, featuring photos of the HK45 and HK45C
- HK45 video review on YouTube
- Reports on a Heckler & Koch P45 .45 ACP endurance test over 50,000 rounds conducted by pistol-training.com