HK45 or 1911

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My ammo order accidentally sent me some 45 ammo, so naturally I think I need one, always wanted one anyway.

I was thinking about a Springfield Range Officer and adding an ambi safety, a Range Officer Elite Operator, which wouldn't be that much more than the regular RO after I pay for the ambi but has fixed sites, or going all out for the TRP Operator.

Alternatively, the HK45 seems like a really nice options. SA trigger seems nice and is similar to pull of a 1911. For about half the price of the TRP, it offers awesome reliability, night sights, and 2 more rounds in a mag.

What say you? Mostly this would be a range toy, and thought they could be fun to try some pistol matches. I know nothing about that yet, is 9mm better?
 
HK45 will be more reliable than most 1911s. My experience with HKs has been limited to the USPc, in both .40 and .45 -- the DA trigger was egregiously awful, the SA trigger was merely OK, the sights were good, I hate the HK mag release, the slide stop is good, the slide is stupidly oversized. I sold both my USPcs and haven't missed them at all. Good riddance.

For IDPA, most who compete in Stock Service Pistol do so with a 9mm (less recoil, faster on target). You could use either of a 1911 or HK45 for CDP. Most of the shooters in CDP will be using either a 1911 or a Glock 21.

For USPSA, you could use a 1911 in Single Stack. You could use the HK45 in Production, but you would be at a significant disadvantage. In Production, most use a 9mm like a Glock 34. I've joined the cool kids and use a CZ Shadow 2.

I have a Springfield 1911 and I'm not impressed. YMMV.
 
Is 9mm better? No good answer to that.

I have never shot a hk45, but I do have a CZ 1911 and love it. I used to have a RO in 9mm, it was nice but didn’t really scratch the 1911 itch.

And you can get 10 round mags for the 1911 if you want to match capacity.
 
As much as I enjoy/have enjoyed the different lines if handguns I've owned (never had an HK) there's something about the 1911 that just feels right. It's literally like a natural extension of my hand and points/aims effortlessly when shooting offhand. Not my first choice for carry but for fun at the range and its historical significance I love the 1911.
 
an HK45 and a 1911 are quite different. to me the choice is easy as hell to take the HK45 but it's a totally different animal from a 1911. the 1911 is going to be much easier to shoot due to the heavier overall weight (probably 10+ oz) and shorter trigger pull. the DA -> SA transition on a lightweight polymer pistol like the HK45 is no easy thing to learn. to minimize the stacking, many people swap in a lighter hammer spring from Wolff or HKparts.net. it definitely make the DA trigger more natural and less likely to yank the shot low. i have never had a light strike in mine over lord only knows how many rounds. i also do a V1 -> V3 detent conversion to remove the safety feature (i prefer decocker only like a Sig).

if you're looking for a range toy i would go 1911. if you're looking for a combat pistol go HK45. if possible get both. i've had reliability issues with 9mm 1911's. unless your'e shooting a ton through it and want the cost benefit to 9mm i would always go 45acp for a 1911.
 
I own both and enjoy them for different reasons. In life it's rare to have a decision to make where you can't go wrong. This is definitely one of them! If I had to take just one I'd go with the H&K. It's easier to field strip and IMO a better carry gun.
 
If you don't have have a 1911 them get the 1911. Everyone should have a 1911 in their collection. It's not reasonable to compare those two pistols as they are two completely different platforms. The only thing they really share is caliber. It really depends on what you want to do with the gun
 
I was given a case of wolf 7.62 x 39 once so I bought a sks. I could have just sold it but buying the sks seemed like the better choice. OP I like your style. My vote goes to to a glock 21 :)
 
1911 all the way, SA RO elite operator if i were you.
PI9131ER_Featured.png
 
1911 all the way, SA RO elite operator if i were you.
PI9131ER_Featured.png

The more I look, now I’m wondering if I go the 1911 route, if I should pony up and go for the TRP Operator. Not sure I need to really spend twice the amount of an Elite Op. The Elite Target looks good too. I’m terrible at decisions. The more I look the more I usually spend, but I like nice stuff if I’m gonna waste my money
 
The more I look, now I’m wondering if I go the 1911 route, if I should pony up and go for the TRP Operator. Not sure I need to really spend twice the amount of an Elite Op. The Elite Target looks good too. I’m terrible at decisions. The more I look the more I usually spend, but I like nice stuff if I’m gonna waste my money

I honestly do not feel you need to go with the TRP "operator" if you are going that much .. skip the SA and do Dan Wesson Specialist
Dan-Wesson-Specialist-45ACP-Black-1913-Rail-900x600.png
 
an HK45 and a 1911 are quite different. to me the choice is easy as hell to take the HK45 but it's a totally different animal from a 1911. the 1911 is going to be much easier to shoot due to the heavier overall weight (probably 10+ oz) and shorter trigger pull. the DA -> SA transition on a lightweight polymer pistol like the HK45 is no easy thing to learn. to minimize the stacking, many people swap in a lighter hammer spring from Wolff or HKparts.net. it definitely make the DA trigger more natural and less likely to yank the shot low. i have never had a light strike in mine over lord only knows how many rounds. i also do a V1 -> V3 detent conversion to remove the safety feature (i prefer decocker only like a Sig).

if you're looking for a range toy i would go 1911. if you're looking for a combat pistol go HK45. if possible get both. i've had reliability issues with 9mm 1911's. unless your'e shooting a ton through it and want the cost benefit to 9mm i would always go 45acp for a 1911.

HK45 seems pretty heavy to me, it's probably the slide. I need to convert mine to V3 as well.

At $1000 the HK45 is a tough sell, but now that they're $600-650, it's a sweet deal, imo.
 
Just get the 1911.

I’ve been trading up on 1911s since 1996, and I’ve worked my way from a milspec Auto Ordnance through an R1, an E series S&W scandium, to my current pair (a Colt LOACP and a 1985 Randall A131).

None have ever let me down. If you do your part, a 1911 will do its.
 
the reliability of the HK45 is on retard level. i've had some darn reliable 1911's and I still do not put them on par with the HK.

HK45 seems pretty heavy to me, it's probably the slide. I need to convert mine to V3 as well.

At $1000 the HK45 is a tough sell, but now that they're $600-650, it's a sweet deal, imo.

Glock 21 gen 4 - 29 oz
HK 45 - 31 oz
1911 - 40+ oz (roughly)
the HK45 and G21 slides weight about the same. the HK45 frame is heavier likely due to hammer, trigger mechanism, steel magazine, etc. Compared to a 1911 the HK45 is noticeably lighter.

the V3 swap takes like 1 minute and is so worth it. the detent plate wasn't available for a long time I stocked up on them:
V3 V4 plate
 
an HK45 and a 1911 are quite different. to me the choice is easy as hell to take the HK45 but it's a totally different animal from a 1911. the 1911 is going to be much easier to shoot due to the heavier overall weight (probably 10+ oz) and shorter trigger pull. the DA -> SA transition on a lightweight polymer pistol like the HK45 is no easy thing to learn. to minimize the stacking, many people swap in a lighter hammer spring from Wolff or HKparts.net. it definitely make the DA trigger more natural and less likely to yank the shot low. i have never had a light strike in mine over lord only knows how many rounds. i also do a V1 -> V3 detent conversion to remove the safety feature (i prefer decocker only like a Sig).

if you're looking for a range toy i would go 1911. if you're looking for a combat pistol go HK45. if possible get both. i've had reliability issues with 9mm 1911's. unless your'e shooting a ton through it and want the cost benefit to 9mm i would always go 45acp for a 1911.
Ditto! At the range 1911 - better. For carry I'd go for HK (if you can get one, most stores I go to are out of it). HK is also easier to clean.
 
I was thinking about a Springfield Range Officer and adding an ambi safety, a Range Officer Elite Operator, which wouldn't be that much more than the regular RO after I pay for the ambi but has fixed sites, or going all out for the TRP Operator.


Just out of curiosity-
Are you restricting yourself to a Springfield or is thats whats available right now? I'm guessing an ambi-safety is a necessity. Southpaw?
 
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