P30S 9mm Review & Range Report (Compared with G19)

[Kchen986]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUkBj7UD3hI/AAAAAAAAAaY/lhEsGYoUNEk/s720/DSC_0285.JPG


I was in the market for a 9mm pistol with an external safety. Although I love my Glock19, when carrying without a belt, I had to either forgo carrying altogether, or carry the G19 in my pocket. I did not like how if anything tripped the trigger in my pocket--the G19 would go off. In addition, if my shirt got caught in the holster while I reholstered my G19, I was at risk for an ND [and a hole in my butt!].

I took a long hard look at the M&P9FS ambi safety, and although the M&P is a great pistol I did not like the undetectable reset. While shooting the M&P9FS, I had many times where I had a false reset (Bang, ride the reset, pull trigger again--only to find that the sear isn't engaged--then ride trigger out to get reset....you get my point). In my opinion, the APEX DCAEK is a must. The length of the M&P grip was the final nail in the coffin--the M&P9FS just seemed a little too big IMHO to conceal carry. (I'm sure someone's going to disagree and point out that the M&P9's 5.5" tall while the P30 is 5.4")

I ended up deciding to pick up the P30S I had been lusting after for over a year. I shot a friend's P30 9mm in December 2009 and came away utterly amazed. Hence, when HK offered a promotion for a P30S with TRU-DOT night sights and a Benchmade knife, I went for it.

I bought the gun from nelsontactical--very professional. Good seller.

Package arrived brand new with the HK bathed in oil.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUkA20BClJI/AAAAAAAAAV4/fze7eOinC5Y/s720/DSC_0220.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUkBLHvj0iI/AAAAAAAAAWM/2PpOjAhOTeU/s720/DSC_0222.JPG

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TRU-DOT night sights

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUkBS2PPGSI/AAAAAAAAAXo/Q5eQtklhp8Y/s720/DSC_0243.JPG

After a short experience with Heinie straight 8's (I believe mine were exceptionally high and meant for use as suppressor sights), I find I prefer the 3 dot system.

Low Light Sight Picture

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUkBTzK_-nI/AAAAAAAAAX8/tqRyj917p6o/s720/DSC_0247.JPG

Here is the P30S compared to my trusty G19

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUkBatGoWlI/AAAAAAAAAg0/dhuucoUphVc/s720/DSC_0264.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUkBdLMz7tI/AAAAAAAAAZg/cLkCU6R5Mr8/s512/DSC_0272.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUkBho3qoFI/AAAAAAAAAgg/eGkVxE5OBRA/s640/DSC_0278.JPG

They're extremely similar in size.

The HK's looks about a quarter (0.25") inch taller, otherwise, dimensionally, they're about the same. The HK's safety lever may make the P30 wider than the G19.

G19 also has slightly longer sight radius. G19 has 4" barrel compared to the HK's 3.86" barrel.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUkBjCJLrSI/AAAAAAAAAaM/7efORr0GIds/s640/DSC_0282.JPG

G19 Specs: LxWxH 6.85"x1.18"x5.00"
P30S Specs: LxWxH 7.1"x1.5"x5.4"

Here, while the technical data reveals that the G19 is smaller in all dimensions, the two guns *look* similar sized.

RANGE REPORT

G19 at 30' slow fire. 10 shots.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUtjKxk6OVI/AAAAAAAAAhc/a1swStMrk9Q/s720/DSC_0377.JPG

P30S at 30' slow fire 5 shots.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUtjehH71lI/AAAAAAAAAiI/yhUx70Ffyoo/s720/DSC_0388.JPG

For shits and giggles: M&P9FS at 30'

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUtjc_ofMdI/AAAAAAAAAhw/R7mEbzHt5p0/s720/DSC_0382.JPG

P30S slow aimed fire 30' I was testing the various JHP ammo I had. Notice the big ragged hole where 5 shots went through--the P30 is *VERY* consistent. Especially in SA mode.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUtjdJRo82I/AAAAAAAAAh0/a8fBAh2vQLk/s720/DSC_0383.JPG

P30S Fast Aimed Fire at 30'--10 rounds: Bang-Rest-Sight picture-Bang [Repeat]. The P30S is *VERY* easy to shoot fast and accurately.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUtjfCZO-DI/AAAAAAAAAiM/pPceJkhOBYg/s720/DSC_0389.JPG

P30S @ 25 yards. I only got 3 hours of sleep the night before and was all jacked up on coffee--so my hands were shaking and I patterned all over the place. Pretty sure on a good day I could make this gun sing at 25 yards.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUtjd8u19wI/AAAAAAAAAh8/3pu1f_qC2pQ/s720/DSC_0385.JPG

Gratuitous HK Photo :D

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUtjjN541uI/AAAAAAAAAi0/oo8HoEOlwSE/s720/DSC_0397.JPG

General Impressions:

This. Gun. Points.
The gun comes with a medium backstrap and medium side panels already installed. I pulled the backstrap and panels off to try out some different configurations, but went back to the Medium. I did an experiment where I looked at random objects in the room(like a lightbulb, or orange) and then pointed at the object without focusing on presentation, and found that the sights were naturally aligned on the object. If I swapped out the back panels, attempting to 'point shoot' would result in misaligned sights. In short, with the proper backstrap/panels, this gun, like the 1911, points very well.

Trigger
I don't think many guns can top Glock's reset. It is an absolute joy to shoot and ride the reset on my G19. The P30S's reset is slightly longer than that of a P30, and there is more pre-travel to the trigger. There is almost no over-travel, however.

The DA pull is nice and smooth, and feels *very* good. In comparison, my USP45's DA pull is gritty and really shitty.

Texture
The grip is rough, coarse, and very grippy--and can also rub your waist raw if you IWB the gun. This will be something to be cognizant of. So, while from the factory, the grip is grippier than say, a Glock's factory grip, the texture can rub your skin raw.

Mag Release

I really like the P30/HK45 series mag releases. It's a big paddle that you can hit without needing to "roll" the gun to punch the mag release. However, in the P30, the trigger guard has a notch cut in to it that can rub up against your finger while you shoot. Some P30 shooters reported that it would make their fingers feel 'raw' and after 130 rounds today, my trigger finger did feel raw, too.

P30S's Safety
I had to recondition myself to get used to drawing my P30S from IWB and turning off the safety before presenting the gun. The safety gives a tactile 'click' just like a 1911 safety. In addition, unlike my USP45 V1, there is no chance that my thumb will push the safety in to 'decock' and prevent me from discharging the weapon. It is truely like a 1911 safety.

Furthermore, the gun is fully ambidextrous--the safety and mag releases are accessible from either side.

-Side note: My Comptac Minotaur came too tight--even after backing the screws out all the way, the tension from my belt and the Kydex retention nub would make the P30 impossible to draw. I had to file down the Kydex retention nub in order to avoid running in to 'holster-lock.' I also found that pushing down on the gun before drawing helped.

Reliability
Some users have been reporting issues with their P30 pistols failing to cycle 9mm ammunition. Luckily, all my HKs have been utterly reliable, and my P30 today fired 115gr Federal 9mm, 124gr +P Speer Gold Dots (only a couple of rounds though), 115gr Corbon DPX (ditto), 147gr Hydrashoks (just a few rounds), Winchester White Box and 115gr Blazer Brass without nary a hiccup.


In conclusion, I must say I am *VERY* happy with the 9mm P30S. I might pick up another one just to have a backup. :)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_nfCNisrrsNc/TUkB-p_xyPI/AAAAAAAAAfE/Y9_WMfiacFw/s720/DSC_0356.JPG

[jwperry]

I've read mixed reports and can't find a P30S to put my hands on locally; can you do condition 1?

[Kchen986]

Yep. You can do condition 1, cocked and locked with the hammer back.

[jwperry]

Well crap, now I'm kinda regretting selling off my P30 LEMs, holsters, mags, spare parts and everything else from LEM hatred..

Thanks for the info.

[nickdrak]

Have you tried carrying it "Cocked & Locked" like a 1911? Hammer cocked/Safety on. This will give you the same single action pull from start to finish. How is the single action pull/reset?

I am very interested in this particular pistol. I just wish Safariland would start making more duty holsters (ALS 6300 series) for it with weapon lights attached (Surefire X300)

[Kchen986]

Have you tried carrying it "Cocked & Locked" like a 1911? Hammer cocked/Safety on. This will give you the same single action pull from start to finish. How is the single action pull/reset?

I am very interested in this particular pistol. I just wish Safariland would start making more duty holsters (ALS 6300 series) for it with weapon lights attached (Surefire X300)

Made a quick video of the SA pull & reset. Pretty clean break, IMO. However, reset is a little long with pre-travel, but I don't notice the pre-travel while shooting.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtKFU7AKOXA

[gtmtnbiker98]

Have you tried carrying it "Cocked & Locked" like a 1911? Hammer cocked/Safety on. This will give you the same single action pull from start to finish. How is the single action pull/reset?

I am very interested in this particular pistol. I just wish Safariland would start making more duty holsters (ALS 6300 series) for it with weapon lights attached (Surefire X300)
The reset on the P30S is a bit longer than the standard P30 V3. I've been a "die hard" P30 fanatic for the last two years, but the uptake on the trigger takes some getting used to.

[Cylinder Head]

Glad you like yours, I have both a P30L and an HK45 and they're both a joy to shoot. I've ran courses with both of them and not only were they flawless but very, very accurate when fired quickly, and I'm just a regular finance geek.

I can't imagine what a skilled professional could do with one of these.

[Pistol Shooter]

Very nice review and pics. Thanks for posting!

Congrats on your new P30, it's a fine sidearm. :)

[VolGrad]

I hate every single one of you that has posted any mention of a HK P30 recently. I have wanted one of these since they were released but can't get over the trigger feel. I am a GLOCK fan through and through. I love the feel and reset of a GLOCK and have tried many other platforms but keep coming back to black. I fear I will succumb to weakness soon and buy a P30. I sure hope not though. That's an expensive lesson if I can't get used to the trigger. So, in summary ... dang you all.

[bigdave24]

Nice review. Great gun. Will you really pocket carry it? Seems kind of large for that.

[Kchen986]

I hate every single one of you that has posted any mention of a HK P30 recently. I have wanted one of these since they were released but can't get over the trigger feel. I am a GLOCK fan through and through. I love the feel and reset of a GLOCK and have tried many other platforms but keep coming back to black. I fear I will succumb to weakness soon and buy a P30. I sure hope not though. That's an expensive lesson if I can't get used to the trigger. So, in summary ... dang you all.

....Come to the Dark Side.. :D


Nice review. Great gun. Will you really pocket carry it? Seems kind of large for that.

Yes, the condor Sierra Hoodie and TAD Gear stealth hoodie both have chest pockets large enough to store the pistol, muzzle down. It will fit in a cargo pocket, too.

[ralph]

I hate every single one of you that has posted any mention of a HK P30 recently. I have wanted one of these since they were released but can't get over the trigger feel. I am a GLOCK fan through and through. I love the feel and reset of a GLOCK and have tried many other platforms but keep coming back to black. I fear I will succumb to weakness soon and buy a P30. I sure hope not though. That's an expensive lesson if I can't get used to the trigger. So, in summary ... dang you all.

You know, if you don't like the standard DA/SA trigger, there's always the LEM...:secret:

[willowofwisp]

great review. I am really really considering getting an Hk p30 LEM...i just don't wanna spend the 800$

[MarshallDodge]

Nice review. Being a 1911 guy for so many years it is hard for me to go away from cocked and locked. I know, safety is up to me, but I still redundancy. :cool:

I have tried the HK45 and while it was a great shooter, I could not get over how bulky it was. My next goal is to try a P30. Can you get it with a single sided safety or do they only come with it in an ambidextrous configuration?

[VolGrad]

Went to my local shop today and handled a P30L in 9mm V3. It was pretty awesome ... except for the lack of reset and really, really long trigger pull. I could prob learn it but I need to find someone locally that has one I can shoot before sinking that much $ into one.

It felt amazing in my hand though.

[F-Trooper05]

Went to my local shop today and handled a P30L in 9mm V3. It was pretty awesome ... except for the lack of reset and really, really long trigger pull. I could prob learn it but I need to find someone locally that has one I can shoot before sinking that much $ into one.

It felt amazing in my hand though.

You made a big mistake in handling one. It's only a matter of time now...

[dc202]

I can't seem to find the HK P30 in LEM. Any ideas?

[Cylinder Head]

Went to my local shop today and handled a P30L in 9mm V3. It was pretty awesome ... except for the lack of reset and really, really long trigger pull. I could prob learn it but I need to find someone locally that has one I can shoot before sinking that much $ into one.

It felt amazing in my hand though.

Bill Springfield made the trigger SING on my P30L. GrayGuns has an even better package.

[VolGrad]

Bill Springfield made the trigger SING on my P30L. GrayGuns has an even better package.

I think that's what I would have to do if I were to purchase one. However, I don't care to spend $900 on a firearm only to send it off for additional work. I will resist for a while longer.

[Cylinder Head]

I think that's what I would have to do if I were to purchase one. However, I don't care to spend $900 on a firearm only to send it off for additional work. I will resist for a while longer.

I understand, I had the same misgivings when I purchased both of my HK's. I sent them to Bill Springfield to have Heinie Straight 8's installed and get his trigger work. Pricing was almost shockingly low and turnaround was a week total with shipping. Unfortunately it seems Bill is not in good health as of lately.

On the pricing side, I bought my P30L from CDNN and it ran $750.

[Kchen986]

I can't seem to find the HK P30 in LEM. Any ideas?

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=4438917#post4438917

Used P30 LEM. $725

[montanadave]

I understand, I had the same misgivings when I purchased both of my HK's. I sent them to Bill Springfield to have Heinie Straight 8's installed and get his trigger work. Pricing was almost shockingly low and turnaround was a week total with shipping. Unfortunately it seems Bill is not in good health as of lately.

On the pricing side, I bought my P30L from CDNN and it ran $750.

The name rang a bell and I recalled a thread a couple of months ago discussing some concerns with respect to Bill Springfield.

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=69659&highlight=Bill+Springfield

I do not know the man and have never had any dealings with him. Like I said, the name just rang a bell.

[Rated21R]

I lusted after one of these for some time before they were released and since no one seemed to know when they would be out I went ahead and purchased a M&PFS. I fear that if I ever shot a P30S or held one again I would buy one.

[JHC]

I hate every single one of you that has posted any mention of a HK P30 recently. I have wanted one of these since they were released but can't get over the trigger feel. I am a GLOCK fan through and through. I love the feel and reset of a GLOCK and have tried many other platforms but keep coming back to black. I fear I will succumb to weakness soon and buy a P30. I sure hope not though. That's an expensive lesson if I can't get used to the trigger. So, in summary ... dang you all.

I had the chance to run just 50 rds through a P30 Friday; barely a fam fire. Nice enough gun. Nothing hit me that offerred me any advantage that would cause me to change from Glock 9mms even if they were priced like a Glock. But Glock 9's have always fit my hands well.

The DA pull was 3/4 mile long. The SA was ok. Not a lot better than the final break from the stack on my last several Gen 3s and 4s. Not "enough" better imo.

I was impressed that even with the higher bore axis - the gun was very easy to shoot quickly; tracking the front sight, etc. This factor would be a non-issue to me in shooting although I have grown quite fond of extreme low bore axis for the fast sight picture as well as the guns handling.

The reset was of course longer than I'm conditioned to and it was noticeable but didn't feel like anything that would be hard to learn to manage in a few hundred rounds of drilling.

Really liked the slide release but I didn't shoot is long enough to see if my grip would trip it inadvertantly.



Nice gun.