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Heckler & Koch HK 45


Semi-Automatic Pistol [ 2013 ]



The Heckler and Koch HK 45 series semi-automatic handgun was developed as an improved form of the 1990s HK USP product.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/23/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
The HK 45 by Germany's storied Heckler & Koch firearms concern is an all-modern semi-automatic pistol marketed to law enforcement, military services, and as a personal defense weapon the worldover. It is an improvement upon the earlier HK USP ("Universal Self-Loading Pistol") which eventually arrived in various forms (including compact) and chamberings. The HK 45 favors the .45 ACP, a proven man-stopping in the pistol realm, and has its own full-length and compact models available. Its development was tied to the American military's "Joint Combat Service" (JCS) and "Combat Pistol" programs to succeed the aging Beretta M9 (eventually succeeded by the SIG-Sauer P320 detailed elsewhere on this site).

The HK 45 has a conventional Browning M1911 design layout: the slide runs the length of the gun and showcases ribbed sides for gripping. The hammer is exposed at the rear of the weapon and forward and rear iron sights (adjustable, 3-dot) are noted over the receiver. The slide release arm and magazine release controls (integrated into the trigger loop) are ambidextrous while the safety mechanism is set to the left side of the body. The ejection port favors the right side. The ergonomic grip (replaceable) handle doubles as the magazine well with the magazine's base exposed at the bottom in the typical fashion. The trigger loop protects the slim trigger component and can accept a gloved hand. Tactical accessories can be mounted under the barrel ahead of the trigger group on the integrated MIL STD 1910 Picatinny rail section. Specialized threaded barrels can accept suppressors for clandestine work favored by special forces operatives

The basic full length form is 8.03 inches long with a barrel measuring 4.46 inches in length. With its magazine installed, the complete system weighs 31.2 ounces.

In its .45 ACP chambering, the metal, spring-loaded magazine accepts ten ready-to-fire rounds. Internally, the handgun fires using the proven Browning "linkless" recoil operating system. The barrel relies on polygonal rifling to help improve accuracy and long-term resistance to general wear-and-tear.

Several versions of the HK 45 are currently marketed, differing mainly in trigger function: Double-Action (DA) / Single-Action (SA) (V1 with two or three magazines) and Law Enforcement Modification (LEM) Double-Action Only (DAO) (V7 with optional night sights).

Compact forms include the HK 45 Compacy (HK45C) that feeds from an 8- or 10-round magazine with revised grip styling and the HK 45 Tactical (HK45T) / HK 45 Compact Tactical (HK45CT) with tritium-based sights and optional threaded barrel assemblies.

To date (2020), the HK 45 is featured in the inventories of Australia's Tactical Response Group (Western Australia Police), Singapore's special forces branch, Malaysia's PASKAL special forces troops, America's Maine State Police and Fort Lee's police force, and U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command (as the "Mk 24 Mod 0").©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications



Service Year
2013

Origin
Germany national flag graphic
Germany

Classification


Semi-Automatic Pistol


Heckler & Koch GmbH - Germany
(View other Arms-Related Manufacturers)
National flag of Australia National flag of modern Germany National flag of Malaysia National flag of Singapore National flag of the United States Australia; Germany; Malaysia; Singapore; United States
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
Pistol / Sidearm
Compact design for close-quarters work or general self-defense.
Special Forces
Qualities of this weapon have shown its value to Special Forces elements requiring a versatile, reliable solution for the rigors of special assignments.
Silenced
This weapon is either inherently silent/suppressed or can be made so through special assembly added at the muzzle, specialized subsonic ammunition or a combination of both.


Overall Length
204 mm
8.03 in
Barrel Length
113 mm
4.45 in
Empty Wgt
1.94 lb
0.88 kg
Sights


Iron Front and Rear.


Action


Semi-Automatic; Single-Action / Double-Action / Double-Action Only

Semi-Automatic
One shot per trigger pull; self-loading or auto-loading action aided by internal mechanism; trigger management (and initial cocking) typically required by the operator; subsequent shots are aided by the unlocked / moving bolt.
(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)


Caliber(s)*


.45 ACP

Rounds / Feed


8- or 10-Round Detachable Box Magazine (model dependent).
Cartridge relative size chart
*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources.
**Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.
HK 45 - Base Series Designation.
HK 45 Compact (HK45C) - Compact, short-form model with revised grip handle design; 8- or 10-round magazine support.
HK 45 Tactical (HK45T) - Tactical model with tritium sights and optional threaded barrel for suppressor support.
HK 45 Compact Tactical (HK45CT) - Compact version of the HK45T.
Mk 24 Mod 0 - Naval Special Warfare Command designation of the HK 45CT V3.


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Images Gallery



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Image of the Heckler & Koch HK 45
Image from official Heckler and Koch marketing materials.

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