The PPQ gained a step brother today and we have a new family member now, a trusty HK45. This was bought as variant 1 DA/SA however with about 60 minutes of patience and some replacement items including hammer, sear and a few other components it was converted into Light LEM. I was looking for a .45 caliber semi-auto that had a similar magazine release as the PPQ, and hence the HK45 fits the requirements.

 

The LEM conversion results in the removal of the safety and makes the DA/SA into DAO.

 

Originally as DA/SA

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the LEM conversion - note: the missing External Safety and the different hammer

 

 

 

 

I've only dry fired, so I can't post a range report yet, however the Light LEM works well dry firing so I think I will like this.

 

TheWombat

And I obviously cannot have a thread without some PPQ pictures, so here are some comparison shots of the HK45 and the PPQ

 

 

 

 

 

 

The HK45 is noticeably larger and heavier than the PPQ, however it also has a replaceable backstrap and hence seems to fit even the smaller hands of MrsWombat.

 

hth

 

TheWombat

Nice pick up! I really want to get my hands on an HK P30 but right now it's a little out of my budget. So when are you going to start adding some rifles to that ever growing handgun collection of yours?

how many rounds does she hold? what did she run ya, if you dont mind me askin, Never handled one always wanted to when I was looking for a new 45 cal, but ran into a good deal on an fnh fnp 45, which from what I understand alot of people compare the two .45s. very nice though the grip looks extremely comfortable...

Very nice...I have contemplated a p30 or usp in 9mm lem

Nice photo and write up.

 

Question. I have a HK45 LEM on the way. Is the trigger return spring the only thing different between the normal LEM and light LEM?

 

thanks!

Nice ! Congratulations! I was looking for the HK USP .40 a few weeks ago ..the changeable backstraps are a plus for me too . The place I like to buy from did not have the full size though , just the compact . So I got an M&P ( Pro series DA only) instead. I get it next Friday. Will be looking forward to hearing your range report on this , since I do think I'll get the HK in .40 as my next ( or a CZ 75 , but my husband has one and I hate buying double because of the crazy laws)

 

I see they have twin tactical lights as well

how many rounds does she hold? what did she run ya, if you dont mind me askin, Never handled one always wanted to when I was looking for a new 45 cal, but ran into a good deal on an fnh fnp 45, which from what I understand alot of people compare the two .45s. very nice though the grip looks extremely comfortable...

 

10+1 which is a little odd as the HK USP 45 holds 12+1.

 

TheWombat

Nice photo and write up.

 

Question. I have a HK45 LEM on the way. Is the trigger return spring the only thing different between the normal LEM and light LEM?

 

thanks!

 

Light LEM means you keep the existing Hammer Spring for an existing variant 1 DA/SA. So I am assuming that if you have a standard LEM and want to go to light LEM you just replace the Hammer Spring (item 27 on the attached instructions below)

 

I used the following videos and PDF instructions for the conversion from DA/SA to Light LEM and it was fairly straight forward. There were a couple of slightly tricky bits but considering I am a novice it can't be too difficult.

 

http://www.hkpro.com...ion-videos.html

 

I'd suggest searching the HKPro website to be sure though for LEM to Light LEM

 

hth

 

TheWombat

Nice ! Congratulations! I was looking for the HK USP .40 a few weeks ago ..the changeable backstraps are a plus for me too . The place I like to buy from did not have the full size though , just the compact . So I got an M&P ( Pro series DA only) instead. I get it next Friday. Will be looking forward to hearing your range report on this , since I do think I'll get the HK in .40 as my next ( or a CZ 75 , but my husband has one and I hate buying double because of the crazy laws)

 

I see they have twin tactical lights as well

 

I'll bring the HK45 in addition to my usual PPQ on Sunday in case you can make it to low light and you want to give it a quick try.

 

Well spotted on the light/lasers.

• The HK45 has the Viridian X5L Gen 2
  
• The PPQ has the Viridian C5L
  

I thought you wanted to stick to .45 rather than .40 due to your stock of .45 ammo? (otherwise I thought you'd have gone for a PPQ )

 

:-)

 

TheWombat

Nice pick up! I really want to get my hands on an HK P30 but right now it's a little out of my budget. So when are you going to start adding some rifles to that ever growing handgun collection of yours?

 

I'd go for a Walther PPQ over the HK P30 :-) Half the price and a great trigger without any modifications.

 

Rifles won't be for a few more months however If all goes well I should start trying some IDPA/Steel in April with the P226 and PPQ.

 

:-)

 

TheWombat

Very nice!!! That is on my short list - M&P 22 (ordered), Beretta Nano, HK45 DA/SA, HK P30L Light Lem.

I'll bring the HK45 in addition to my usual PPQ on Sunday in case you can make it to low light and you want to give it a quick try.

 

Well spotted on the light/lasers.

• The HK45 has the Viridian X5L Gen 2
  
• The PPQ has the Viridian C5L
  

I thought you wanted to stick to .45 rather than .40 due to your stock of .45 ammo? (otherwise I thought you'd have gone for a PPQ )

 

:-)

 

TheWombat

 

lol no , I was wanting to stick with .40 . Originally , before I even had my FID and PPs I professed my desire , to my husband , to immediately get a CX4 storm in .40 cal. I said that was" the only gun I would want anyway "( I laugh now at my naivete ) . So , Pete added a .40 cal CZ75 Sp01 tactical to his PX4 9mm..since I would have a .40 cal too. THEN I went and bought a.45 for my next gun lol ..then I bought a revolver lol lol . And a .223 rifle ( cracking up now)

 

So when I went to go buy my 3rd handgun I had that radar you develop during a marriage..and it said " get a .40 like you said you would" .

 

I will definitely take you up on your offer to try your HK , thank you very much Since I will have that M&P .40 you never know , I may just pick up another .45 for my HK gun. Who knows? Women , always changing our minds

great pistol, i want to get my hands on the hk45c. My p30 needs a brother.

Nice gun!

 

Why no love for DA/SA?

Great pick up! I love my HK45c!

Very nice indeed.

Nice gun!

 

Why no love for DA/SA?

 

I have a Sig P226 DA/SA however with the HK45 I have heard so many positive things on the light LEM conversion I thought I'd give it a try. Purely from dry firing I prefer HK light LEM to the HK DA/SA however it would only take about 60 minutes to convert it back if I find I don't like LEM after this weekend's range visit.

 

TheWombat

 

Oh well thats good to know its so easy to switch.

Very nice acquisition ! Feels like there are not enough HK owners out there. =[ I am contemplating whether or not to pick up the HK45 /45C to keep my P30 company or go with the FN45 Tactical (gotta love the thought of a RMR on a pistol)

I wonder if this is going to turn into a 10 page thread that makes other forum members want HKs real bad.

 

Nice pickup though, and someone drank the Viridian kool-aid.

I want an hk real bad. But I want everything so don't go by me I am a hoarder

Fantastic weapon. The 10rd mags and ergonomics of the channel in the trigger guard killed it for me though. Enjoy it!

Can you switch to the Light LEM trigger on the USP Series and other HK Pistols?

 

Man, gun looks great. I'd like to try one out some day. i used to have a USP Compact.

Can you switch to the Light LEM trigger on the USP Series and other HK Pistols?

 

Man, gun looks great. I'd like to try one out some day. i used to have a USP Compact.

 

Yup.

I wonder if this is going to turn into a 10 page thread that makes other forum members want HKs real bad.

 

Nice pickup though, and someone drank the Viridian kool-aid.

 

My go to firearm remains the PPQ....

 

Have you noticed the PPQ thread has now passed 7100 views! http://njgunforums.c...06-walther-ppq/

 

On the Viridian, I prefer the X5L gen 2 over the C5L, however for the PPQ I wanted a smaller light/laser. The green dot instead of the normal red dot is nice and the 6 different programmable modes adds some flexibility. Is it really necessary though? Who knows!

 

TheWombat

What backstrap do you have on there in the pics? Does the Mrs like the small backstrap , and will she be at LLNL Sunday?

 

Nice pictures too. Except something happened to your white balance there on the last shot in the 1st post lol

Nice buy. Good luck.

 

If you covered the names on those 2 guns I would swear they were from the same manufacturer.

What backstrap do you have on there in the pics? Does the Mrs like the small backstrap , and will she be at LLNL Sunday?

 

Nice pictures too. Except something happened to your white balance there on the last shot in the 1st post lol

 

The HK45 comes with the small backstrap fitted as standard and with a medium backstrap in the box. A large backstrap can be bought separately. MrsWombat finds the grip fine with the small backstrap and she has small hands. I'm still deciding which I prefer.

 

Technical issues with the camera :-)

 

TheWombat

The advent of interchangeable backstraps has single-handedly improved the ergonomics department of all firearms. I only wish they did the sidestrap deal like they did with the P30. Not sure why that did not happen again but maybe it is because of the limitations of the wider .45 ACP magazine?