What an SR40 would be if it cost twice as much

[NixieTube]

Heresy! Here I am on Rugerforum, a Ruger owner and Ruger fan myself, about to talk about a different brand of gun. Desparate Housewives everywhere are going to be upset ;).

Seriously, I just clicked on one of the email links I trust, from Gun Reports.com talking about my "gun of the week" - the H&K P30S V3 in .40 S&W.

Here's the link

Looking at the gun, with an MSRP of $1,005 (or $1023), I couldn't help but think: "This is what an SR40 would be if it was hammer fired and cost twice as much." It's a DA/SA gun and since the safety doesn't lock the slide GunReports notes that it probably wasn't meant to be carried in Condition One.

Just a glance at the design shows a lot of similarity to the SR40 -- the ambidexterity of the controls, the low bore axis (from the looks not quite as low as the SR40), the grip contour, and the overall silhouette and proportions. H&K actually goes Ruger one better with an ambi. slide release. It also has interchangeable grip *panels*. Dimensionally and in terms of ergonomics the guns look like kissing cousins. H&K uses the extractor as a visual and tactile loaded chamber indicator, more subtly than the SR40's popup lever.

It's about 1.5 ounces *lighter* than an SR40 at 1.63 pounds with an empty magazine. The mag. capacity is 2 rounds less than an SR40 (13 vs. 15).

I know almost nothing about H&K firearms in terms of my own use but I have to say just looking at this pistol, reading the specs. and test results I was impressed and intrigued. I wonder if H&K has any plans to run the gauntlet here in MA?

Please don't jump all over me for being a "Ruger Traitor." Let's face it the price difference is very significant and the SR40 brings tons of value to the table. Still, what if I won $500 on a scratch-off ticket the same day I went to buy my SR40? I would be tempted to stray with this H&K, especially if I could order one without the bright markings.

 

[gstan1919]

That is a very impressive looking hand gun. With many nice features.

Its okay to stray away from Rugers.

I bet it is a joy to shoot.

I like my SR40 and the price of it.

 

[aWoods]

pistil-training.com did a bit of a torture test.

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

 

[NixieTube]

pistil-training.com did a bit of a torture test.

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

That's quite a bit of one :lol:. Thanks very much for the link, that's one good piece of evidence if it ever makes it to MA and I have some extra cash laying around...

They got to almost 20,000 rounds before the first parts breakage, during Week 11 with the trigger return spring. The earlier stoppages being caused by the out-of-spec. factory mainspring.

Great info., that's an excellent performance in my book, particularly considering...

The Week 11 pictures show the gun positively encrusted in crud, looking like it crawled out of a BBQ pit after not having been cleaned for 7,500 rounds or so. That's real abuse of the pistol and the H&K took it very well, all things considered.

Thanks again.

 

[Cheesewhiz]

It did not pass this test, none of the H&K pistols have:

http://www.cz-usa.com/press-releases/102/

The .40 version is called the P-06.

I have two of the P-01's, never had an issue with either after 8 years. Cost is about $100 more than an SR9 or SR40.

 

[NixieTube]

It did not pass this test, none of the H&K pistols have:

http://www.cz-usa.com/press-releases/102/

The .40 version is called the P-06.

I *knew* it! I knew I was going to eventually get a CZ link in this thread somehow :lol:. Which is perfectly fine, and well-deserved. Unfortunately I cannot buy them (at least not as far as I know). I can't get the H&K either, so right now all this is academic to me as I sit here and look at the fine pistols other people can buy.

Holding that thought for a second, I'd just like to remind all the people in the Free states again: be grateful for the options you have. Defend them vigorously, assertively, intelligently, and constantly - even if you don't own one of the pistols in question yourself - because I can tell you first hand what it's like not to have those options, and it *sucks*.

And the amazing thing is that I don't have those options even after having been fingerprinted and photographed several times, subjected to Federal and State background checks, and having waited more than 3 months and paid a lot of money to get my license - with a spotlessly clean record, and friendly relationships with my local constabulary, I still don't have those options. So don't get complacent.

 

[Cheesewhiz]

Hey Nix, not trying to screw up your post/thread at all. It's just how much H&K and Sig guys hate it when some things get pointed out. I was at a match a couple of months ago and I shot against a guy with a Sig 5 target and before, during and after he preached about the superiority of the Sig over all others. This was before during and after I smoked his a** at that match, he didn't shut up at all, it was like it never happened.

 

[NixieTube]

Hey Nix, not trying to screw up your post/thread at all. It's just how much H&K and Sig guys hate it when some things get pointed out. I was at a match a couple of months ago and I shot against a guy with a Sig 5 target and before, during and after he preached about the superiority of the Sig over all others. This was before during and after I smoked his a** at that match, he didn't shut up at all, it was like it never happened.

NO NO NO problem at all, Cheesewhiz. You and Revhigh have introduced me to these pistols, really, and I'm glad to learn as much as I can about them. If the gun's design is good, people should shout that from the rooftops, man. I have no compunction about spouting off to whoever will listen what a great value my Ruger is, and believe me if I had a chance to buy a CZ it would be right at the top of the list.

I actually made this topic hoping that people would chime in with other pistols they really liked a lot, and I know you and Revhigh know what you're talking about. I really enjoy my SR9 but I'm not a chauvinist (ok maybe a little of one) and my overriding concern where I live is that people here have more options and less nonsense. They'll never have them unless they realize how much they're missing.

High signal to noise and all that, and much appreciated.

 

[Cheesewhiz]

When it comes to centerfired semi-auto pistols, most of mine are CZ's but I also own an SR9 that I'm quite fond of.

My point is you can get some good to fine guns for far less than $1000, Spending excess money doesn't make you or the gun better, it just makes your wallet lighter.

 

[TRanger]

I am a fan of the HK USP series, having been shooting one for some years now with excellent accuracy and zero malfunctions. The P30 is a "refinement" of the USP; although, in typical German fashion, they have gotten carried away with the additional switches, levers, serrations, etc. The HK pistols are high quality weapons. My experience with CZ is somewhat less; but my CZ-75b has performed flawlessly and with good accuracy as well. The CZ is an excellent buy.

 

[Cheesewhiz]

I am a fan of the HK USP series, having been shooting one for some years now with excellent accuracy and zero malfunctions. The P30 is a "refinement" of the USP; although, in typical German fashion, they have gotten carried away with the additional switches, levers, serrations, etc. The HK pistols are high quality weapons. My experience with CZ is somewhat less; but my CZ-75b has performed flawlessly and with good accuracy as well. The CZ is an excellent buy.

I played around (shot) with a newer model H&K last week, might have been a USP .45 (?). I didn't like the switch like decocker at the back side of the slide, seems to be a dumb place to put one.