How to Shoot a .45 HK

The Heckler & Koch HK45 is a .45-caliber ACP semi-automatic handgun. Originally developed as a candidate for the U.S. military Joint Combat Pistol selection, the HK45 is a full-size, heavy-duty service pistol built on a polymer frame. It is engineered for a minimum 20,000-round service life and accommodates .45 ACP ball through +P ammunition from a 10-round magazine. An ambidextrous magazine release and slide release and a control lever adaptable to either side make the HK45 standard right- and left-hand issue without modification. A Picatinny military standard accessory rail accommodates a wide range of enhancements. The barrel measures 4.53 inches and the overall length of the pistol is 7.52 inches. With a loaded magazine, the HK45 weighs 1.73 pounds.

Instructions

  1. Loading The Magazine

    • 1

      Hold the magazine in one hand with its back side against the palm.

    • 2

      Grasp a cartridge between thumb and forefinger with the bullet facing the palm.

    • 3

      Push the rim of the cartridge down against the magazine's forward edge or on top of a cartridge already loaded, if any.

    • 4

      Slide the cartridge back into the magazine and under the feed lips.

    • 5

      Repeat until the cartridge contains 10 rounds.

    Chambering And Firing

    • 6

      Move the control level on the left side of the receiver below the rear sight up into the "Safe" position.

    • 7

      Insert the magazine into the pistol grip until it locks securely.

    • 8

      Pull the slide all the way back to the end of its travel and release it. Allow the slide to snap forward and chamber the first round.

    • 9

      Top off the magazine by pushing the magazine release, removing the magazine from the grip and loading one more cartridge to replace the one chambered. Reinstall the magazine in the grip.

    • 10

      Move the control level down to horizontal in the "Fire" position.

    • 11

      Aim at the target.

    • 12

      Squeeze the trigger with firm, gradually increasing pressure until the gun fires.

    Unloading

    • 13

      Move the control level up into the "Safe" position.

    • 14

      Press the magazine release and remove the magazine.

    • 15

      Point the piston in a safe direction. While pressing the slide release button, pull the slide all the way back until it locks open. Any round remaining in the chamber will be ejected.

    • 16

      Verify the pistol is unloaded by visually inspecting the chamber through the open ejection port and by inserting one finger through the ejection port into the chamber.