Heckler & Koch - P30L Pistol

[@m0314700308891515]

*Accuracy note:* it may be a combat pistol, but the P30L is capable of 1.6" five shot groups at 25 yards, and I've shot sub 6" groups at 50 yards standing with mine. They are HYPER accurate guns, the stepped chamber seems to help, I'd love to see you address that chamber design in a video (if you already have I apologize)

[@TheBoxingCannabyte]

100% troof here! I did the same with mine and my SK, stock trigger (really the trigger doesn't need to be changed by Gray Guns or LAzy Wolf unless you REALLY are into IDPA,) yeah it's nice to have the Gray Guns metal trigger and the SRT function is near that of a sig but....Really i find the trigger to be what I call "Butter" where my Glock is "Spongy" and my 1911 is "crispy-critter"

[@TheBoxingCannabyte]

I know whtere are some videos out there that break down the rather unique HK build. it's almost like a Chiappa revolver in how it did some revolutionary shit before anyone else (in many ways, USP included)

[@kevinroberts9096]

I've had my P30L 9mm since 2015 and i absolutely love it. I carry it daily.

[@arielbenitez98]

I really want one but cannot seem to find one still holdin up? I’m between this and a vp9

[@fckjoebdn1776]

​@@arielbenitez98i have both, id go with the optics ready vp9 (just because the p30 isn't compatible with a red dot).

[@antondefense3325]

I bet my life on the P30L every day. I go zero places without it.

[@michaelphillips5786]

I own a p30l ..Really appreciate the quality, great ergonomics. It has a quality about it that makes it feel almost like an all metal gun.

[@fightingbear8537]

I remember once I made a suggestion on your channel, without realizing your experience with firearms. I felt like a freshman in college lecturing a professor emeritus! Great review.

[@flatheadfletch]

Yes I just purchased a new v3 it’s 17 rounds. Very sweet pistol. Goes well with my P2000sk

[@skepticalbadger]

If it's good enough for John Wick...

[@JustDefense]

That’s a movie.

[@Mr._Wick]

This gun is the definition of reliability. All features of this pistol except for the trigger and reset are the best on the market even in 2024. It was just a movie, but they got it right.

[@navyman8903]

I really love the P30L, it's a great gun.

[@DEATH_TO_TYRANTS]

Chris and Heather Bartocci are doing us all a real service here. I'm going to buy a hard drive just to save all of these videos.

[@Maniac742]

It's not just a gun. It's JOHN WICK'S gun. oh...

[@antondefense3325]

And it has been my gun for 14 years

[@martinsparks7536]

Great to see you back on KZbin Chris . splendid review as ever ! Thank you !

[@willws2conceptsshephard]

Man I appreciate the history you give us about each firearm you present. Very informative!

[@scorpion520az8]

*"HK" is never a bad choice.;)*

[@decodeddiesel]

I have owned 3 P30s, a P30 LEM, P30SK LEM, and P30L. I absolutely love them. I had sold my P30 LEM to buy a VP9. I ended up buying it back from my friend, I just missed it so much. The only issue with these pistols is that I found that they need about 500 rounds of 124gr "European" (i.e 9mm NATO) before they will digest cheap 115gr completely reliably. And no, it's not a grip strength issue.

[@makatron]

P30LS V3 for me, amazing gun.

[@antondefense3325]

My H&K P30L has fed every weigh of projectile fine from 115gn to 147gn. Zero issues. I have owned P30 but prefer the L.

[@f308gtb1977]

This has been my daily carry for several years now, with the V1 Light LEM trigger, and wearing a Surefire X300. Best gun in the world as far as I’m concerned. I like the largest grip panels as well.

[@MrJason7680h]

What kind of holster are you using?

[@f308gtb1977]

Jason Hannold, I got several from Fury Carry Solutions, including an Appendix Plus (“sidecar type but two piece with shock cord) I wear every day, and a Professional Series (standard 4-O’clock rig you can wear IWB or OWB depending on hardware) I wear occasionally and use for competition.

[@jalcanites2939]

I have a P30L, P30, and P30SK. In that order. Also have a P7, USP9, HK45. I think it is safe to say that I like HKs.

[@antondefense3325]

Most accurate and reliable weapon I have ever owned it is my EDC.

[@bigB6flyer]

Chris they must’ve listened to you on the 17 round criticism bc HK now offers them.

[@David-rc8hp]

Finally got a chance to pick up my p30L V1 hopping to get it out to the range 👍🏻👍🏻

[@Whitefeather1966]

The notch under the trigger is so you can use the tip of your finger to dig into the very bottom of the trigger for very easy trigger release. I can make very accurate shots that way!

[@BT1776]

This fits my hand like a glove too and would choose this over all of the H&K handgun line. My choice would have the LEM trigger and the DA is a little too heavy for my taste. I like the fact that you can swap out the side panels and backstrap to custom fit your hands.

[@Len_M.]

Those are Meprolight Tritium Night Sights, not Photoluminescent Sights.

[@finteal]

they're photoluminescent. You can get meprolights as an option but that one doesn't have them

[@TJHill-qx9hy]

@@fintealactually - IF you truly LOOK at the sights - they have the Green print on the side of the sight mentioning the Tritium that are present in the vials & the photoluminescent sights DO NOT have a ‘single hand shelf’ to help/assist in returning the slide if you can’t reach the slide return lever. Do your homework before replying next time.

[@aliceakosota797]

@@TJHill-qx9hy well first off OP .. is right but also missed the part where he mentioned very briefly that the pistols originally come with those sights...

[@squircodile482]

The horizontal tracks on the grip frame are dovetailed and care should be taken when replacing grip panels to ensure that panels are captured in the dovetail.

[@rjo8500]

Every right handed shooter I’ve seen, until they master the trigger, shoots to the left with this gun. I did too.

[@alcodie1558]

If it weren't for that slot in the trigger guard those pistols , the HK45 and the P series would be damn near perfect in function , because they can't get any better looking .

[@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595]

Al Codie You can sand it down

[@JimzOnDroid]

Thank you for the review Chris. Very informative as always! Great job

[@TheBoxingCannabyte]

My favorite 9mm got it new for $650 which is nuts but makes me love it even more hehe

[@herman66mi83]

Took forever but my FFl finally got one in for me. Will go well with my HKp30SK and HK45. Wish the HK45c had same grip panels but not that “compact” anyway

[@kevincunningham7334]

Just picked one up and so far I like it! Wanted a hammer fired version of my VP 9 and it’s great

[@johnduchesneau8685]

Could you do a vid comparing SA/DA guns vs striker fired guns. Tell us which one you prefer and why.

[@stevenhoman2253]

You certainly know your sidearms and long rifles. I love forgotten weapons as an historical channel, and yours for contemporaneous weapons. your a born teacher, like it or not😱😂 us Aussie's like this stuff, even if their illegal here.

[@JayDillon-mm6yv]

they're

[@lowhydrogen7018a1]

I bought a VP9 and I thought it had issues only to learn that the LE model has a heavy spring and won’t shot weak 115 grain until it is broke in. I thought it was a very refined polymer pistol but I wound up selling it because I couldn’t get used to the large slide stop, I was always riding it. Kinda wish I had kept it now.

[@f308gtb1977]

Train Wreck, I have both, and the P30 is way better in my opinion.

[@Not-a-bot222]

f308gtb1977 same and I agree, ought VP9SK for edc and not long after went back to the p30L

[@leroyjenkins4811]

The slide stop was the reason I sold my VP9 also. I shoot with a more thumbs up and forward type grip versus a more European tucked thumbs type grip. I couldn’t get used to altering my grip to shoot the pistol. The pistol would either lock open at inoperative times or it wouldn’t lock open on the last round. Don’t get me wrong. It was a good, reliable pistol that worked but that slide stop/release was just frustrating. There was one more thing I never really liked about HK pistols. I owned a Walther PPQ as well that had this problem too. HK and Walther pistols have stepped chambers. When you fire a round, the brass comes out with a small bottleneck near the mouth of the case. The stepped chamber is supposed to provide better bullet velocity by providing a tighter fit in the barrel but it’s a nightmare if you plan to reload the cases.

[@stevenhoman2253]

in my home state of Victoria in Australia, our police forces were finally moved from a shit .38 S&W revolver to a 40mm 15 round magazine SW automatic pistol. I cant see a down side to this, apart from a lack of training, due to the cost of ammunition.

[@tm1182]

They're using grenade launchers????

[@Lexicologist1971]

Im liking my 40S&W P30LS.

[@mexicangator]

This pistol is so smooth racking the slide after 1000 rounds is so easy

[@Nierlock]

2:00 those are tritium night sights, not the glow sights. I think those are Meps?

[@86F350]

The German Death Laser !

[@EastCoastMan603]

If I could find one for decent money I’d take it. Would love the lem trigger although I would take this variant with decocker only.

[@MrSmith-dt2pi]

HK has dropped their prices. I picked up a brand new P30 in April for $550.

[@f308gtb1977]

C.E. VIII, LEM is totally worth holding out for.

[@m0314700308891515]

Chris, can you please explain how the recoil buffer works? I absolutely love my P30L V1, it's the softest shooting 9mm of all I own (even softer than my USP9) but is it a physical impact buffer? A weight that decelerates the slide? What's going on there? *Also, the 15 shot capacity is due to the large anti tilt follower and the magazine body being thinner than a G17 due to the "rails" that the follower runs on.*

[@TakedaKenshi]

Would love to hear your thoughts on the LEM variant of this particular pistol.

[@oddyseus91]

Excellent review. I love the P30L. Even considered getting a second.

[@f308gtb1977]

oddyseus91, same here. So I did. Couldn’t stop myself. (Ok ok, so I didn’t try.)

[@JustDefense]

Was lookin for a history of the P30. Shouldn’t have looked up SAS first off. Thanks again for an excellent presentation. But a deep dive into its testing would have been greatly appreciated.

[@AndrewIsNew]

How does the P30 compare to the USP? USP cost almost $1k and P30 is around $700. You called USP state of the art. What corners did they cut on the P30?

[@americankahn8795]

Excellent Review as always!

[@michaelphillips5786]

The p30l is capable of sub 2inch groups at 25yrd, 👍

[@Rnemhrd]

I had a P30. After shooting it the finger grove was irritating, and it was the snappiest 9mm duty size pistol I owned.

[@irafowlerjr.7492]

Thank you, very helpful.

[@jimmock8975]

Awesome Video

[@Olympiansunrise]

I got 2 …17 shot mags with my V3

[@jimtheedcguy4313]

I feel like the p30 has a lot of usp DNA in it. It's the one hk I don't like at all. Like I literally like all of them except for the p30.

[@chrisdalton5521]

The USP platform was built around 40 S&W initially. I am curious, was this platform built off of 9MM and scaled up to 40S&W or vice versa?

[@SmallArmsSolutions]

I believe the P30 was built as a 9mm but not sure

[@38north15]

Would it be wrong to consider the p30 a USP THAT HAS EVOLVED COSMETICS?

[@gregmattson6909]

I’m more a fan of the old school decocker on the USP/ hk45

[@finteal]

As a LH firer I like the older one on the USP as you can get it ambi or specifically for LH. If I was RH I think I would like the new one better. I wish HK would put the rear decocker button on both sides or come up with some way to flip it

[@Elvis68spec]

Excellent Video! What size punch was that you used to remove the Back straps?

[@fireyourrocketts]

That decocker does not work for left hand shooters I reckon.

[@shelbyfowler8946]

He kept saying usc i believe he meant usp

[@apbiggins8mm]

I have a question for you. Would you choose the p30 or the usp 9

[@jakesoros2376]

Probably the P30. The USP is a little too heavy and expensive for a 9mm. The standard mags only hold 15 rounds and are made of plastic, yet they cost more than Glock 19 magazines. The P30's mags, whilst more expensive than Glock 17/19 mags, are made from steel and hold 17 rounds now. Overall, the P30 gives you the same great accuracy and reliability a USP 9 will, for a more cost effective price and with a Picatinny rail to boot.

[@A5JDZK]

If you get into a gun fight...that makes whatever gun you have a combat pistol. An H&K is absolutely NOT the only handgun that can be a "combat pistol". Seems pretty silly and semantical to say such a thing.

[@moladibari0482]

Hk45 no compromise

[@Rogertelle]

Wish this was legal in California....

[@Blacksheep1042]

Thank you very much. My 50 cents - 15 round is the maximum aloud on “production” class in IPSC. Police management rarely care for the details* like more or less 2-3 rounds and the IPSC market as much as HK reluctance to deal with civilians this market is still something that even the mighty HK learned not to dismantle. *police management take notice only for things that have to do with police management. The rest is just an interference to the management. So ... 15 it will be.

[@JayDillon-mm6yv]

allowed

[@mossydog34]

He's wrong about the sights. That model has tru-dot sights. Their tritium sights in the LE package with 3 mags.

[@french-connection.]

what state are you based in, out of interest, if you can say, you did mention moving to texas once. i am in europe so no threat to your safety?

[@SmallArmsSolutions]

SAS is a Texas based company

[@french-connection.]

@@SmallArmsSolutions thanks, regards to president bush, amber heard and the cast of Dallas

[@facetiousmonkey5322]

Wick went from a P30, to a Glock 34 (which was clearly a product placement) to a to toy gun being shilled by a fat sex offender.

[@rockerdude8000]

Should have put John wick in title. For more views

[@brentfoto]

Decocker NOT for left-handed shooters! Deal- breaker!

[@DocMitchell69]

They literally have an ambi decocker lever model called the P30LS V3. Look on their website and they tons of variations to choose from.

[@elijahbrooks8589]

I was just unsubscribe from your channel. KZbin!!!

[@viprdude]

$449 MSRP. Shipping immediately.

[@Not-a-bot222]

viprdude where?

[@danunger3240]

Yeah, right.

[@rustknuckleirongut8107]

No other gun has shot more Norwegian police officers than this model. After the 2011 terror event in Norway the police were given permission to temporarily arm themselves 24/7, this due to the lack of familiarity with weapons lead the police to rack up an almost 10-1 ratio between accidental discharges and shots fired in relation to crimes. I think it was 27-3 at one point. For a police force as "green" as the Norwegians this guns was dangerous as they never did the required training to make sure the police officers were over the "Oh cool, a gun" factor that causes reckless behavior. One police officer actually shot a mirror doing the "You talkin' to me?" bit from Taxi Driver. Several officers discharged the gun when cleaning because they forgot to clear the chamber, some shot their vehicles and colleagues and others shot themselves when keeping a finger on the trigger while holstering the gun. For a police force as under trained as the Norwegians were this gun was a horrible choice and they should have had a gun with magazine safety and external safety as the everyday threat level in Norway does not warrant a gun such as the P30 . A lot of police officers would not be limping today if better choices had been made. Its a great gun of great quality, it just should not be the first choice when arming people that have hardly seen a gun and then telling them they need to carry with one in the chamber.

[@DocMitchell69]

So nothing is wrong with the gun, its literally a training issue. The command really need to step their game up if they actually care about their officers, because that's unacceptable.

[@eg7381]

This gun can be had with a manual safety. Also this gun didn’t shoot officers. Officers shot themselves or other officers with this gun.

[@rudrashakti108]

The double action requires like 50 lbs of pull to fire. It's practically a safety all unto itself. Those officers were all idiots. Like others have said, don't blame the gun. And yes believe me you need to carry one in the chamber.

[@dattape2828]

P2000 is way better

[@f308gtb1977]

DAT TAPE, it’s excellent, but “way better?”

[@Whitefeather1966]

Of all the hk pistols in 40. The p2000 was the easiest to shoot. I purposely limp waisted the gun and it still performs well