HK45 and IDPA Class

[TxDrifter]

I recently acquired an HK45 and I was thinking of using it in IDPA as well as my 1911. I'm just unsure of the class(es) it can be used in. Is it only usable in CDP and it has to be held to 8 rounds in the magazine or can it be used in other classes? It is a variant 1.

[SRVA]

Your H&K can be shot in CDP with 8 rounds in the magazine and 165,000 power factor ammunition, SSP with 10 in the magazine and 125,000 power factor, and ESP with 10 in the magazine and 125,000 power factor. Normally, when a USP is run in ESP, the shooter begins single action. The HK is a good gun and will work very well in IDPA matches.

Regards,
Steve

[TxDrifter]

Thanks. So far I like it a lot. It handles well. It is now getting used to the location changes in everything.

[killerfly128]

Your H&K can be shot in CDP with 8 rounds in the magazine and 165,000 power factor ammunition, SSP with 10 in the magazine and 125,000 power factor, and ESP with 10 in the magazine and 125,000 power factor. Normally, when a USP is run in ESP, the shooter begins single action. The HK is a good gun and will work very well in IDPA matches.

Regards,
Steve

What about LEM pistols?

[SRVA]

The LEM module guns can still run either SSP or ESP, you just don't have the option of running it in single action when shooting ESP.

Steve

[TxDrifter]

Thanks SRVA, you are a wealth of information. I will likely be at Thunder Range this Wednesday as, for once, I am not traveling out of town for work. I will be using that H&K in CDP probably since that is what division I shot the classifier for in January. You mentioned minimum power factor. I currently shoot a 230 grain FMJ bullet. My reloads were clocked with the following speeds for five rounds: 817, 834, 847, 838, 819 and I think in fps.

Therefore:
(817 + 834 + 847 + 838 + 819) / 5 = 831 would be the average, but using 817 as the minimum.

Bullet Weight (in grains) * velocity (fps) which would give me: 230 * 817 = 187,910 as the power factor. Does that sound correct?

If that is the case then I could reload 2 sets, one for CDP with a minimum velocity of about 717 fps calculated by using (Power Factor)/(Bullet Weight) and substituting numbers: 165,000/230 so staying above about 720 fps or higher should be fine for CDP. The second for ESP and SSP with a minimum velocity of about 544 fps calculated by using 125,000/230, once again staying above about 550 just to be comfortably above the limitation.

The question then becomes, can I use the same power factor that meets the limitation for CDP in ESP and SSP? I do realize that I would be well above any 9mm and 40s in that class, but is it legal? I think it still would be best to use two sets of rounds for the appropriate class, but just wondered.

I also figured it is nice to put this information on the forum so that others can learn from my questions. I always say that the stupid question is the one you didn't ask. It may sound stupid to some, but it may be what helps you learn a lot more and someone else may have been too afraid to ask it on their own behalf.

Thanks,
John

[MoJo]

IDPA power factors are the minimum not the maximum. Your ammo for CDP will be just fine for SSP and ESP.

[TxDrifter]

I thought that was the case, but just wanted the clarification. Thanks.

[SRVA]

John, I would only develop ammunition that meets the 165000 power factor and shoot it in any division. Changing ammunition requires an adjustment period so I would only learn and shoot one load. It won't be much of a handicap when shooting ESP or SSP.

Steve

[TxDrifter]

John, I would only develop ammunition that meets the 165000 power factor and shoot it in any division. Changing ammunition requires an adjustment period so I would only learn and shoot one load. It won't be much of a handicap when shooting ESP or SSP.

Steve

That was my thought too and why I asked if what would be set for CDP would be okay. I'm not even sure I want to delve into the other classes except to be able to use the magazine at full capacity (10+1). I really didn't want to have to keep track of two types of rounds. My second thought on it is that I would rather remain closer to a factory load since that is what my carry uses. If I use a lower power factor I would be used to a lighter recoil and, heaven forbid, if I ever got into an actual situation I would prefer that I am used to what is in my carry weapon rather than making adjustments to something I'm not in a dangerous situation.

I am not doing IDPA to compete with others, but rather myself and improving my own skills. You guys are a huge help and I learned a long time ago in the Air Force that the old timers (based on experience, not age) have a lot to teach and that it pays to learn from their previous trial and error. Even rarer are those that are willing to pass on that knowledge without fear of either losing or damaging their own job, position, status or ego.

Thanks for the good and constructive advice and hopefully it is useful to others as well.

[CWOOD]

I am not doing IDPA to compete with others, but rather myself and improving my own skills. You guys are a huge help and I learned a long time ago in the Air Force that the old timers (based on experience, not age) have a lot to teach and that it pays to learn from their previous trial and error. Even rarer are those that are willing to pass on that knowledge without fear of either losing or damaging their own job, position, status or ego.

Thanks for the good and constructive advice and hopefully it is useful to others as well.

Let me add one or two cents worth of opinion.

First of all, your handgun and ammo are fine. The only time power factor is examined is at an IDPA sanctioned match, which is a regional, state or national level match. Local matches do not normally check such things.

When I first started IDPA several years ago, my thoughts were the same as yours...to improve my skills. I felt that if I were going to carry this thing around every day, which I do, that I better have a means to improve and maintain my skills with it. Like any physical, and mental, skill, if it is not practiced, it will be lost or reduced in value.

I still do that. My carry pistol is a Glock 30. It is an excellent carry pistol for me. It is not the most competitive pistol to use in competition. The improvement in my skills has been dramatic compared to where I started, and I was not a newbie to handguns. I was a State Trooper many years ago and have carried "while traveling" for decades. The learning you acquire with IDPA is invaluable.

Such skills as target identification and acquisition, drawing safely and rapidly from concealment, reloading safely and rapidly, clearing malfunctions safely and rapidly, use of cover, shooting while moving (both advancing and retreating), shooting at moving targets, shooting at moving targets WHILE moving, shooting while experiencing an adrenaline dump. You will really feel the adrenaline the first time.

It is not training. It is a game. You keep time and score...game.

Now with all the serious stuff being said, IDPA IS FUN!!!!

As they say in 'the box o' truth'...shooting stuff is fun. You will meet some truly nice and good people. Some of the very best shooters are very helpful, if you express an interest. You want to try out a pistol, they are generally very generous in letting you shoot a few rounds of theirs after the match. You have a faulty mag, many will offer you a loan if they have a spare. Loose you expensive knife (as I did once) and you are very likely to get it back if there is any way to match up you and it...or ask the match director as he may have already have had it turned in (as was mine).

The two primary precepts of IDPA is BE SAFE & HAVE FUN. I heartily recommend that you do both.