The P30SK is ideal for those who want a compact 9mm with full-sized features.
The new gun: https://hk-usa.com/hk-models/p30sk/
Rumors have been swirling about a new product launch from HK. When we were making preparations for our trip to Nashville, I knew the HK booth would be one of my very first stops. What’s the headline? Well, we’re still waiting. But I wouldn’t be typing this now if there wasn’t something I thought was worth sharing.
HK did bring a new gun to the show–the P30SK. This is a rocking little pistol. The 9mm is 6.42 inches long, and 1.37 inches wide, and only 4.57 inches tall. Even with those dimensions, it still manages to hold 11 rounds. I respect capacity in a carry gun. In fact, I feel almost as much love for inadequate single stacks as I do for bulimic super models. And this gun is hardly inadequate.
The 30SK feels great. The back straps are adjustable. Nothing new there. But the sides of the grip are interchangeable, too. In its largest configuration, this pistol fits my hand and is still very concealable. If you are really tiny–I mean like prepubescent boy tiny, you may need a thinner pistol. Most everyone else would have little trouble concealing the gun.
And the price is exceptional. This pistol should be selling for somewhere in the $600 region. That’s not the lowest priced 9mm, not by a long shot, but it is a great price for this level of craftsmanship. And it has an exposed hammer, and a decocker. All of the controls are ambidextrous. The sights are actual sights, and are interchangeable.
In short, this is everything you’d expect from an much larger pistol, only packaged in an uncompromising compact size. What I’m about to say may shock the pants off some of you, but I’m going to say it. If I came to the NRA show looking for a new 9mm for concealed carry, this would be it. This would be the one. Of all of the guns here (and we’re talking hundreds of models and thousands of guns), the P30SK would be my first choice.
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I wonder what these idiots ever shot a CZ pcr or 75B the most popular military and lem guns in the world!!!!!!
What I would really like to see is a subcompact VP9. Let me be the first to call for a VP9SK. Make it singstack 9mm with 9 rounds and you are saying something totally different.
When it’s all said, and done, what you are willing to compromise with in regards to size (conceal-ability) should be outweighed by reliability, and your own personal trust, and confidence in your firearm. I own a HK P30 40., and a HK P2000sk 40., and I will be purchasing the P30sk in 9mm as soon as it’s released. Then I will purchase the P30sk in 40. If, and when it’s released, and turn the 9mm over to the wife for concealed carry once she gets her CCW. I’ll pay the premium price for a firearm I know will not fail me, and my family when in need. I don’t care about a few more ounces, or an extra half inch in length, or what ever relatively insignificant dimensional variance one may use as validation in reasoning why one firearm is better for concealing than another. I carry a full sized P30 under a t shirt and you won’t know I have it on me, and I carry it all day in comfort, with confidence that it’s there, if needed. I wouldn’t consider myself a HK fan boy because I could honestly care less what the next person carries, and my personal praise of a firearm doesn’t necessarily apply to the next person, so my opinion maybe considered merit less to the next. I’ve considered Glocks, Sprinfields, M&P’s, etc, and I’ve fired those weapons. None of them gave me the same feeling of assurance, and exceptional accuracy found in my H&K weapons, but again that’s me shooting, and the next guy/gal may have a different experience. What’s the means to the end? An effective, and reliable firearm, with the ability to accurately neutralize a threat. The H&K P30 platform delivers that means, and H&K delivering that ability in a smaller package is all the more pleasing. If you like Glock, more power to you, same goes for the XD’s, M&P’s, etc owners. No one firearm is going to please everyone, but as a left hand strong shooter, the Ambidextrous features of the P30 line caters directly to me, and a larger market of buyers, unwilling to compromise any aspect of their firearms capability as it pertains to the individual user.
Opps Looks like a usp landed in a wood chipper.awwww.
Jkn most who bash glocks are either hk or 1911 lovers and I had to throw this bomb.
Give me hammers any day of the week! I own both types of pistols but prefer the safety of carrying one in the tube with choice of firing either DA or SA. H&K USP DA/SA Compacts with conversions to full spur hammers are my pistols of choice. The only thing I don’t like about USP’s are the proprietary rail. I wish a company could reformat the proprietary rail to Picatinny/1913 type. It takes a while to get the hang of going from DA to follow up shot SA trigger pulls but can be overcome with practice. I wish H&K built the new HK 45 pistols in .40 and 9MM and even a 10MM! I prefer the side decockers over the P30 type rear of slide decocker. I do not feel comfortable placing my thumb on the rear of any slides! If you want “cheap” buy a Glock! Most accidental discharges are with striker fired guns. SA pistols have too light a trigger pull under stress because of the loss of fine motor skills.
In a world of compromise, HK needs to join the world. I have a wonderful USP45 from the first year that they came out, and recently purchased a P30s V3. The new P30 was made 2 years ago, while the last 3 Glocks that I bought were made only WEEKS before! HK makes quality products, however finding spare mags (no pistol that I own will not have at least 4 mags) is a pain, and doubly expensive compared to much of the market. HK would inflate their bottom line if they made the P30 $200 rebate permanent. The VP9 is proof: people want to buy a pistol with HK on it, as the name is synonymous with quality. People are willing to pay a little bit more (than say, a Glock) for the name and the features. I am contemplating a VP9 as my next purchase. I agree with the consensus that a VP9SK or K would have been a better choice, but it would have been going head-to-head with the G43. I suspect that a VP9SK is coming soon. It will sell, because the pricing is more in line with the market. As much as like HK products, I feel that they overcharge for reputation.
Wow, you guys do love H&K but I think I’ll stay with my Walther PPQ-M2. It conceals just fine and shoots amazingly nice.
I am sick of ugly plastic guns. I have a Glock 23 that is a great tool but no romance there. My favorite 9mm is my Browning HiPower. It is an older Belgian gun that I added tritium sights to and it looks elegant, like a gun should look and goes bang and hits what I shoot at every time. If I can’t shoot and kill you in 14 rounds then you deserve a turn.
I agree totally. Guns should be made of steel.
Bigger and bulkier than a Glock 26 and just holds 1 more round. Nothing earth shattering about this model. Fine if he likes it, but to me, no reason to celebrate.
H&K needs to come out with a modernized compact version of the P7 squeeze cocker for carry! My favorite gun. The squeeze cockers are pretty much impossible to accidently fire in your pocket or holster or anywhere else. They have become so valuable/collectible in recent years that you don’t even want to shoot them. They are a work of art!
If they have a LEM variant I’m in. I very much enjoy my P30 and P2000sk. Some of us out there still like DA/SA, heck, I carry a Walther P99c AS and find it’s an amazing piece that seems woefully under appreciated.
I look at the comments here and I swear that old grizzly gunfolk are some of the most cantankerous blowhards I’ve ever come across. Will promise to bring their clouds of gloom to a clear blue sky.. jeez
HK for years has told civilians to eat a bag of d**ks. No we are supposed to give them our money when they grace us with an ill conceived, half hearted attempt at a CC weapon? No thanks HK. Too little too late.
Auf wiedersehen!
the only word to remember in carry guns: Ruger!! nuff said
Like it. especially the decocker version. But I could
never afford the $718 retail price, I wonder what it
will be discounted too.
I prefer h&K’s operating system to the striker fired
pistols. Look at it as a tiny sig saurer p220 clone
only in 9mm. And with 9mm I don’t think single stack
9mm is enough. But I’m coming from a long history
of shooting 44’s and 45’s. I guess ammo has improved
so much that caliber size isn’t really important anymore
But if your not big like I am I can see why a single stack
would hide much better. I used to carry a full sized
Sig p220 without problem. A good iwb or sob holster
and stout gun-belt make all the difference.
Having carried and used a double action 9mm for over a decade, I no longer like DA/SA pistols. The first shot is usually off target, a bit, unless you constantly practice shooting first shots in DA only, a lot. I no longer carry either a 9mm, nor a DA/SA, preferring instead something that begins with a .4 and either a striker fired pistol, or a single action only pistol, to the DA/SA mechanism. While it’s true that a good 9mm JHP round can open up to a full .45 cal. hole, a .40, or .45 cal. JHP can open up that much further, making that much larger wound track. They also have greater impact energy, unless you go to a magnum round, in the smaller chambering.
I acknowledge that I am, perhaps, a bit old school, but I was weaned, by my Uncle (Sam) on a M1911A1, at the tender age of 17 years. Even my favorite .380 is a Colt Government Model in .380ACP. I really like my full sized S&W M&P9, as well as my FNS .40 cal., but I never carry the 9mm anymore. It’s just too dog gone big to carry in a non duty situation. It even protrudes a wee bit too far through my ‘Jackass Rig’ shoulder holster and leaves barrel printing on the back of my vest, with it’s 4.5″ barrel. The FNS .40, having a 1/2″ shorter barrel, fits just fine, in it. Of course this wouldn’t be an issue, with an IWB holster, but since I’ve gained about 20 lbs. since last Thanksgiving, my jeans are getting a bit too snug to carry that way comfortably, these days. Which sadly leaves out my full sized Milspec Auto-Ordinance M1911A1, out, as the only holster that I currently have for it, at the moment, is an IWB holster ;~( I reckon I need to spring for a vertical shoulder holster for it, unless I lose those extra pounds.
Try this Rocky.
Appendix CC; https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=9hIvTTUARQc
A MIC Holster; (at 450 he demonstrates the MIC Holster) https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=MDCi2yqcIc0
company web site; http://www.themicholster.com/store_holster.php
This is the best way I’ve found to CC comfortably, good luck.
I don’t believe this is such an incredible piece. I own an XD-S .45ACP and certainly wouldn’t replace it with one of these. Were I to replace it, it would likely be the new XDmod2 in any of the 3 popular calibers: 9mm, 40S&W, or .45ACP.
Too much fawning over something you’ve never fired!
I’m sitting here right now with a Beretta Storm sub compact in my right front pocket of my shorts. It gives me 11 rounds of 40 caliber & is very comfortable to shoot. I have never had a misfire & the gun is accurate at 25 yards & certainly very accurate at typical gun fight distances.
I know H&K builds a very good weapon but, before you buy anything, at least give the Beretta a close look, my friends.
This is by no means anything new. In the world of concealed carry, the “best” fit for any gun owner is subjective and always a compromise. After shooting many of the newest “concealed carry” models, I can say that my Bersa BP9CC is the best fit for me. Single stack 9mm carry pistols are a good compromise for easy draw and good concealment…
looks like a very nice gun …I think a CZ Rami covered this niche years ago….
Too little too late, The Glock 26 is the 20 year old gold standard. If you can’t make something lighter and thinner, why would anyone change?
Indeed.been here done it long ago and now the wifes mad because she got traded in for a super model. Lol
gaston rocks plain and simple.hk is the gun of tactical hipster ninjas because it looks good in their 5,11 short shorts
I love all these comments – and have to laugh at the “loyalty” that guns engender in people. Its the same in politics.
H and K will have a hot seller as they make a great gun.
It might make a nice one to carry around with you in your car or truck, 11 rounds is good. But I won’t be replacing my Springfield XDS 9 mm with it. 11 vs 7 sounds better but not if it get so uncomfortable that you start leaving it at home.I can carry my XDS on me for 7 hours.(with the right conceal holster SHTF gear). My cell phone actually sticks out more then my xds. I’m not trying to knock it down, but in comparison to my xds and other 9mm on the market right now I’m not excited.
Sorry but the XD9C 13rd is every bit as good as the HK. Once you have the polimer workings that mirror about a thousand guns without the conceal carry something stuck between the hammer and the firing pin nightmare.It’s needs the XD and XDS extended mags to appeal to the CC buyer. It is just a fat XDS that is too heavy.
Shhh.are you crazy?theres a bazillion hk fanboys/snobs here lol.
I wish they would’ve went with a compact VP9 instead.. The high bore axis on the P30 series (and pretty much all other HK handguns outside of the VP9) kills it for me
I understand he is excited about the new H&K, but when I compare it to my SCCY CPX-2 I cannot get excited. I carry 10 rounds in the magazine and have a much smaller, in every way, gun that is easy to conceal and I can get all my fingers in the grip (with pinkie ext. on mag). I am always looking for that next gun and the H&K may be a good one, but I want smaller for concealed carry, not bigger.
There is no doubt SCCY is great.
It’s value will push great companies like HK to put out more affordable quality firearms.
I would own a SCCY, but California feels I don’t need it to protect and plink with.
SCCY torture test; https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=kbYbIxmWnec
I’m tired of sub compact pistols having the grip reduced to a length so short (2 fingers) that the manufacturer has to make magazines with a thicker base plate to make it shootable. The only company that I see that has caught on to this is Kahr. Their CW line is perfectly concealable, and allows for a full hand grip. I hate doing “pinky out” mag changes.
Concealable? 1.37″ wide? Do these writers just regurgitate whatever the manufacturers tell them? Do they not even consider that their audience may not be morons?
Even if you aren’t the sissy little pre-pubescent boy he refers to, you might not want to carry what amounts to a 24oz brick in your pocket. Picatinny rail on a concealed carry pistol?
There are much better (smaller, lighter, more affordable) concealed carry 9mm pistols, but if concealability isn’t your primary concern, this looks like a beautiful pistol. I especially like the ambidextrous features, and the grip looks like it would be very comfortable!
Look’s great I’m sure it functions wonderful. But there’s so many compact guns that are right at that size for concealing. I want HK to make something like the shield size then I’m sure that’s something we all would carry.
What’s it made from — lead? The article doesn’t say what it weighs, but HK’s website says 23.9 oz. with an empty mag. That’s 8 oz. heavier than my Sig P938. If the 1.37″ width is the width of the slide, then that’s almost A HALF INCH wider than the Sig — hell, that’s wider than my 1911. The HK is nearly 3/4″ higher than the Sig and almost 1/2″ longer. With the pinkie extension I can get all three fingers on the Sig grip, and IT’S STILL SHORTER THAN THE HK. That seems like giving up an awful lot for 3 additional rounds.
I really like my Sig P938. The only thing that bothers me is carryig it cocked an one in the chamber (safety on). Better than the Glocks Iv’e had.
I really like my Sig P938. The only thing that bothers me is carryig it cocked an one in the chamber (safety on). Better than the Glocks Iv’e had.
It’s a compact trying to be a sub-compact. A compromise. It’s good looks will sell it.
need name FORT MYERS FL dealer
Go to a Shoot Straight and ask for one.
It looks as though they have made the same mistake as everyone coming into the micro-9mm pistol class, not enough hand hold on the grip for that large a caliber. Others have since added ‘stabilizers’ to their magazines for a better grip.
So unless they have something new to handle the recoil, it looks as though they will need a fix too.
when will it go on sale ??
“What I’m about to say may shock the pants off some of you, but I’m going to say it. If I came to the NRA show looking for a new 9mm for concealed carry, this would be it. This would be the one. Of all of the guns here (and we’re talking hundreds of models and thousands of guns), the P30SK would be my first choice.”
You say that without ever firing it. I call bulls%$t!!! It makes me wonder how much advertising dollars HK spends with you. I’m not one to comment on stuff like this but come ON! How are we supposed to believe you?
Very true, I’m starting to dislike gunsamerica there has been some real garbage articles. The worst was one saying suppressors weren’t necessary.
The worst one was referring to that back job wannabe gun writer Bob Owens. That guy does much more damage to gun rights than any anti gunner ever could……………….
The worst one was referring to that wack job wannabe gun writer Bob Owens. That guy does much more damage to gun rights than any anti gunner ever could……………….
I’ve never noticed an HK ad on here. Maybe he is just excited about it?
that would raise credibility questions too. you wonder if a a guy willing to get excited about a gun’s potential, knowing nothing about its performance, has much experience or healthy skepticism.
in the meantime, he’s slinging words like ‘ideal’ around, same as the gun’s paid marketers and ad copy writers. truly objective critics know their credibility rests on avoiding any hint of such associations.
If he were talking about anything other than a HK, I would agree. I have never seen a “bad” HK. I bought my first one and had never fired any thing but 1911’s and Glocks. I had also never picked up a pistol that fit my hand so well as did that USPc .40S&W. When I got it home and put the first 12 rounds into a 3″ circle at 7 yards I was amazed. I kept saying to myself, “Did I really do that? Was that really me? I could not shoot like 40 years ago” I no longer own, (strike that) I no longer shoot, any pistol other than HK’s. Yes, they are that good.
Mr. Morris- It seems to me that GunsAmerica is good for letting me know what’s new on the market- period. Most people are smart enough to realize that if they want unbiased reviews of new items, they should probably look elsewhere. That’s not to say that this site isn’t worthwhile, just that it pays to keep in mind what the source of the information is. This article is a perfect case in point. I was not aware of this new HK pistol until seeing this ‘review’. Now that I am aware, I will research it myself. Just some food for thought…..
He has the confidence to say that because he knows HK’s reputation for making high quality accurate and dependable firearms.
There is nothing in HK’s past that could make you question its ability to turn out a great firearm.
So DAVE HIGGINBOTHAM is going on what he see’s with his eyes and how it perfectly feels in his hands.
I’m a Walther PPQ M1 guy, and I’m going to say this HK just reached the excellence I demand, with it’s size and ergonomics.
I also know without firing it, it will be accurate and not a POS.
Be informed; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heckler_%26_Koch
Great video history; https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Fjomb1vHoOs
“There is nothing in HK’s past that could make you question its ability to turn out a great firearm”???
There is the G36 problem.
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2012/04/26/hk-g36-useless-at-200m-when-hot/
Allegations.
I’ll believe that when they proove it.
Gee. I have to agree. The review also didn’t involve any real carry, just handling. I think the author is entitled to say, “based upon handling and examination, subject to reliability and accuracy testing and actual carry experience, I would likely adopt this pistol for my own needs.”
I’m an HK fan from way back and would like to handle this model. I currently rely on a Kahr PM9 for deep concealment. From what I can tell the P30SK is a bit larger than the P2000SK. Other than the price I see no reason to get one other than to say I have it. I own several HK pistols Starting with the P7PSP on up to the VP9 so it’s not like I don’t appreciate the quality. I just want a true sub compact from HK. I’d take a single stack as long as the dimensions are reduced. Kahr has done it quite well with the PM9. I know HK could do it better… if only they tried. JMHO
I’m with you, Steve. I carry a Kahr 45 because it is so much thinner than practically anything else. I’ve had a USP40 since 1998 and absolutely love it, but it’s just too bulky for concealed carry (at least comfortably). There is, of course, no way HK can thin the weapon down to Kahr dimensions as long as they have the safety/decocker and I’m OK with that, but I think they could still trim it down a bit more.
Agreed. The P2000SK is a great weapon (I’ve owned two), but should properly be called a P2000K, as it is a compact and not a sub compact. Looks like ditto on this P30SK, which should be a P30K. With HK having financial troubles they need to be listening to the market. The market wants ccw pistols, ie sub compacts. This P30SK should not have been developed. HK has a winner in the VP9 striker fired platform and should have released a VP9K and VP9SK. Striker fired guns have less parts and are cheaper to produce. The market has spoken on this issue and I thought HK had found religion with the VP9, but they are wasting their time developing variants of the P30. Let’s see a VP45, too!
I agree with you, Will. I hope H&K develops a striker fired 45 as well as a 40. My VP 9 is by far the best striker fire I’ve owned or shot.
I think they missed the boat on this one. With the popularity and awards the VP9 has been getting. Why introduce another hammer fired compact/sub-compact into an already crowded market of older designs. Why not introduce the sub-compact version of the VP9 to complete with the popular and newer striker fired 9mm’s from Springfield, FNH and Ruger and the newly announced Sig-Sauer P320 sub-compact.
Striker fire is not for everybody. It seems hammer fire and DA/SA are hard to find in a compact 9mm.
If s&w came back out with there 3913 in a polymer version it would fly off the shelf!
You have 10-1 striker fire ratio so what’s wrong with having something a little different.