The new HK45 and HK45C were designed for use by Elite US Special Forces operatives as the primary sidearm for tactical applications. Heckler & Koch have long been at the fore front of firearms design. From the HK 91, 93, G36, and MP5 long guns to the USP, P7 and P2000 series handguns HK has always been a leader in high quality reliable firearms. The HK45 & K45C are no exceptions. Developed for US military Combat Pistol Trials the HK45 is built from the ground up with the accuracy, reliability and durability to live up to the companies “No Compromise” motto. Developed with the input of Ken Hackathorn and Larry Vickers, two prominent Military firearms instructors and Special Forces operators, the HK45 and HK45C were developed to be the finest fighting pistols the world has ever seen. Hackathorn has been quoted stating “Yes, the HK45 is going to be the 1911 of the 21st century."
The HK45 and HK45C are offered in 10 different variants including the LEM (Law Enforcement Modification) trigger in use by the FAA. Like the P2000 the HK45 and the HK45C are equipped with an ambidextrous slide release allowing the pistol to be operated from either side. The Magazine release on the HK45 series is an enlarged version of the same ambidextrous system used on the HK USP series that can be activated with either the thumb or index finger of the firing hand. Likewise the ergonomically redesigned controls for the safety/decocker can be switched for right to left-hand use.
The frame on the HK45 and HK45C pistols is constructed of polymer and incorporates a MIL STD 1913 rail for equipping the pistol with tactical lights and lasers. The grip on the HK45 has been slimmed down and ergonomic finger grooves added affording the shooter a more positive grip. The HK45 and HK45C utilize interchangeable grip panels to fit the pistol to the individual shooters hand. A lanyard loop is incorporated into the backstrap of HK45 and HK45C pistols to facilitate use of retention devices should the weapon become unsecured during operations.
The magazine well on the HK45 series accepts a 10 round steel magazine that easily drops free of the gun when the magazine release is actuated. The HK45C works the same but can also be fed by a shorter 8 round magazine as well as the 10 round magazines from its big brother. The frame on both the HK45 and HK45C have been designed to sit lower in the hand giving the pistol a lower bore axis to aid in recoil control and speed up recovery for faster follow-up shots. The recoil system on the HK45/HK45C series pistols eliminates 30% of the pistols recoil making it a soft shooting pistol even with full power duty/defensive loads.
The slide on the HK45 and HK45C has forward and rear cocking serrations. In addition all sharp edges have been rounded off to resist snagging on flesh and clothing. Sights on the HK45 and HK45C are a conventional fixed post-and-notch 3 dot combat system that are dovetailed in to aid in adjustment for windage.
The HK45 and the HK45C barrels are equipped with H&K’s O-Ring system like the one found on the Mark 23 SOCOM pistol. The O-Rings help to enhance accuracy and prevent wear from slide to barrel contact. Both will also accept a threaded barrel for addition of a suppressor for covert operations.The finishing on the HK45 and HK45C slide and major metal components is Heckler & Koch’s “Hostile Environment Finish” which is proven to resist corrosion even with exposure to salt water