Heckler & Koch HK45
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| Heckler & Koch HK45 | |
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 The Heckler & Koch HK45 |
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| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin |  Germany |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Larry Vickers, Ken Hackathorn |
| Manufacturer | Heckler & Koch |
| Variants | HK45 Compact, HK45 Tactical, HK45 Compact Tactical |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 785 g (27.69 oz) (HK45) 812 g (29 oz) (HK45 Compact) |
| Length | 191 mm (7.5 in) (HK45) 183 mm (7.2 in) (HK45 Compact) |
| Barrel length | 115 mm (4.5 in) (HK45) 99 mm (3.9 in) (HK45 Compact) |
| Width | 36 mm (1.4 in) (HK45) 29 mm (1.1 in) (HK45 Compact) |
| Height | 148 mm (5.8 in) (HK45) 128.5 mm (5.1 in) (HK45 Compact) |
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| Caliber | .45 ACP |
| Action | Short recoil operated, Browning-type tilting barrel, locked breech |
| Feed system | Detachable box magazine; capacities: HK45:
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| Sights | Drift adjustable 3-dot Super-LumiNova night sight system |
The Heckler & Koch HK45 (Heckler & Koch, .45 ACP) is a semi-automatic pistol designed by the German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
The HK45 began life as a now-defunct project to create a Heckler & Koch 1911-style pistol with Larry Vickers, an ex-Delta Force operator, and Ken Hackathorn.[1] Though that project was cancelled due to the market price of such a weapon, their contributions led directly to the HK45.
"The HK45 [was] developed to meet the needs of the most distinguished, elite U.S. military operators."[2] As such, the HK45 was designed to meet requirements set forth in the U.S. Military Joint Combat Pistol 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 to civilians and law enforcement/military groups to purchase.
The HK45 represents an evolutionary advancement of the Heckler & Koch USP. 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 P30. These include an extended slide release, a textured ergonomic grip with finger grooves, and interchangeable backstraps to fit differently sized hands.[3] In order to accommodate the smaller, more ergonomic grip, the HK45 has a magazine capacity of 10 rounds versus 12 rounds of the USP. 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 for increased accuracy.[4]
[edit] Variants
Heckler & Koch also manufactures the HK45 Compact (HK45C), which has an 8 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.[2]
An HK45 Tactical (HK45T) and HK45 Compact Tactical (HK45CT) are also in development which will include an extended threaded barrel for suppressors, and high profile front and rear sights.[6]
[edit] See also
- Heckler & Koch P30 - Chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, it shares Heckler & Koch's current design aesthetic with the HK45.
