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Expert Firearm Reviews & More

Beretta U22 Neos Review

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Some people want a plinker. Some people want a Star Wars blaster. The good news is now you can have both at an affordable price.

A relative youngster in the competition between the plinkers, the Beretta U22 Neos is a weird gun. Clearly made with optics in mind and equipped with only the tiniest of iron sights (that are almost useless), the weaver-style rail that makes up the entire top surface of the pistol can handle basically any size or style optic from red dots to scopes. The drastically dramatic angle of the grips presents even more of an adjustment to anyone used to shooting a “regular” gun – even pistols with already dramatic angles like the Ruger Mark III. Comic-book looks aside, the Neos comes with a standard 10-round magazine that looks and loads like any other .22 mag on the market today.

Shooting the gun was okay. We thought the trigger was very decent and the accuracy was pretty much there after getting used to holding the pistol. While we didn’t get to shoot hundreds of rounds through this gun, from what we understand, the filth-factor does not alter the shooting of the gun all that much.

Takedown and cleaning is easy. The gun breaks into 3 pieces and this is where we saw some questionable issues. When all together the gun looks and feels sturdy enough, but broken down we’re worried about the “plastic-ness” of the whole thing. Let’s just say we would not want to accidentally drop any of the disassembled parts for fear of the resounding “snap” and the resulting bill from Beretta for the replacement.

The controls and safety were easy enough to find and utilize.
Overall, it was a fun-enough gun to shoot once you get used to the grip. It’s kind of like stretching out your arm and pointing at something and then a bullet shoots out of your finger. We aren’t a huge fan of the space-gun design, while looking cool and all that, we like to shoot a .22 that has the look and feel of a real gun, but that’s just our opinion.

Ranked #6 of 7 in our Best 22 Pistol Comparison


Smith & Wesson 22A Review

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We get the question “Is the (insert gun name here) a good gun or a bad gun?” a lot. Typically our answer is, “What do you want to use it for?” and so long as the reply to that question is not “Shooting” or something as generic, then we give them an answer with as much heartfelt truth as possible. In the case of the S&W 22A, my normal reply is “Both”.

You see, the 22A is one of those good and bad guns regardless of what you want to use it for. It’s pretty easy to disassemble and clean, pretty accurate for plinking and a little low-level competition, moderately priced (even for a S&W) and reliable enough to not expect jamming, so long as it has been cleaned. This gun is fun to shoot.

The problems, however, are just as numerous. We don’t like the whole plastic, toy-like feel and design of the gun. The trigger isn’t good at all (VERY surprising for a S&W) and we just cannot stress how badly it performs when dirty – misfires, stove-piping, weird and inconsistent shots were common after a few hundred rounds. Keep in mind also that the large frame of this gun makes it very uncomfortable for smaller-handed shooters to operate it comfortably.

When the gun is clean, the accuracy isn’t too bad – we got 1.25” groups at 25 feet. Accuracy in a “soiled” state, well, we’re surprised we even hit the paper. The adjustable sights (a plus) are just okay, but this gun was clearly made to have an optic mounted on it (the one we shot did not). We also feel that despite the plasticized look and feel, the larger frame did fit our hand nicely as well as everyone else who shot it in our group–large and small hands alike.

The Smith & Wesson 22A is not a terrible gun, but it’s not a great gun either. It’s good for a beginner, but not good for a competition shooter. Good for plinking and practice? Good enough.

Ranked #5 of 7 in our Best 22 Pistol Comparison


Ruger SR22 Review

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We didn’t think we would like this little gun, but we really do. It is so much fun to shoot you can’t help but smile ear to ear when shooting it. Our initial concern was the size of the little pistol –most of the smaller frame guns do not shoot well if you’ve got beefy grips, but this little number was not bad at all.

To begin with, the gun looks like many different guns out there. At a quick glance, a novice shooter might think that he or she is looking at something that could easily be a Walther, Sig, Ruger, EA or any number of smaller frame gun models on the market today. That is in no way saying that these pistols are all the same. The Ruger SR22 really shoots well and mostly fits the hand, thanks in part to a choice of two included replaceable grips and a grip extender to hook onto the magazine. The magazines are relatively standard, but have a good feel to the bases.

All the controls are simple, easy to find and obvious for what they are. The sights are nicely made are fully adjustable for both windage and elevation (not too much of that out there in .22’s). We have no real complaints about the trigger considering that this is a plinker – there’s a little creep and a little travel – but nothing to become frustrated about.

We’ve got to disassemble one of the SR22’s \and found it intuitive and relatively easy to do. Like all .22 pistols, it will require attention when it comes to cleaning.

Circling back to the fully adjustable sights, this feature allows an okay shooter to become a great shooter when practicing with a pistol that can conform to the way you need it to place ammunition on a target. No one should ever underestimate the value of fully adjustable sights.

The few negatives we have are simple things like a frame that is slightly little too small and there aren’t many accessories out there for conversions of any kind. There is a small utility rail under the muzzle at the front of the frame that helps this negative a little.

But that being said, let’s not forget…

This is a REALLY fun pistol to shoot. The ammo is cheap so you can shoot all day long and then some. It has great control and transitions fast. Why would you want to count the quarters with every shot of a Glock 9mm or more with a 1911 when you can have just as much fun pinging metal plates from five yards away with nary a thought about the ammo?

Ranked #4 of 7 in our Best 22 Pistol Comparison


Ruger 22/45 Review

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So you want to shoot a 1911? Something about that classic John Browning design and power that stirs your coffee? Got a certain affinity to the platform of the .45 caliber? Well here you go! Get yourself a Ruger Mark III 22/45!

The original design intent was to duplicate the grip, feel, fire controls and safeties of the 1911 to be used as a trainer with cheaper ammo or for the good old use of plinking away. Does it feel the same as shooting a 1911?

Not even close.

It’s not a bad pistol or anything. It has much of the goodness of the Ruger Mark III (as well as some of the badness) and it could be used as an entry level 1911 trainer…maybe… but lets focus on what the gun is instead of what it could be.

Much the same as the review of the “regular” Mark III, the 22/45 comes in a few different styles with very few differences to affect the overall package. We aren’t a huge fan of the cheap plastic feeling grips on some of the models; the wooden ones are better if you can find them.

The reliability, accuracy, durability is much the same as the Mark III, as is the cold-sweat inducing nightmare that takedown and reassembly presents. Sights, accessories and shooting are also very much the same as the Mark III – with the one major difference being the difference of angle on the grips which will only result in a few changes to the way you shoot them, respectively.

Overall, the Ruger 22/45 is a very good gun with lots of care and attention given to the important things that has brought Ruger up to being a force to be reckoned with. But if you are looking to learn to shoot a 1911… we suggest you buy a 1911.

Ranked #3 of 7 in our Best 22 Pistol Comparison


Ruger Mark III Review

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Very rarely do we find ourselves eating our words and changing our perspective by 180-degrees. Normally our gut instincts and first impressions do not fail us. However, when it came to the Ruger Mark III .22 pistol, sadly, we must admit that we were wrong.

You see, normally we aren’t a fan of Lugers. For whatever reason, the look isn’t appealing, nor is the historical ties to the Nazi’s a draw to the gun either. So when looking for a new competition pistol (as well as a plinker) we found both reviews and information leading us back repeatedly to the Mark III. The problem is–it’s more than a bit Luger-ish. However, you cannot argue with results and our love for this gun has grown to the point that we could not imagine an arsenal without it.

For a mid-sized gun, the nearly 45-degree backward angle of the grip looks like it could be uncomfortable, but is, in fact, perfect in keeping your hand at a slight, forward angle that is not only comfortable, but we find it better for aiming at longer distances. The barrel and slide combination is low, narrow and very close to the grip so that aiming with one hand or two feels natural and like a true extension of your arm.

Trigger feel and placement are excellent, with the only exception that there is a tiny bit more creep that we would like straight out of the box. The break is crisp and has no overtravel whatsoever. Accurate to within half an inch at 25 yards using halfway decent ammo, it takes equally well to rapid plinking or slow, controlled fire. Although we have yet to find a .22 make of ammo that did not feed perfectly through this gun –even when subway-tunnel is dirty – but accuracy will diminish a little with the cheapo stuff.
What about takedown and cleaning–you ask?

Now is where things get a bit dicey. You see, while yes, you can feed any .22 ammo into this puppy, you are going to have to clean it eventually. And while a little superficial cleaning does work here and there, eventually you are going to have to disassemble this gun. Hang on to your hats.

Frankly, we’ve filled out business tax forms less complicated than the disassembly of this pistol. Rarely do full grown men burst into sobbing tears when gun cleaning, but we have heard stories of the manliest males coming over with cake and beer to console the owner of a disassembled Ruger Mark III, so that all could have a good healing cry together. To save time, lets just say that a good half-hour of YouTube videos on the subject will help get you through it while you dry your eyes. This would be the one and only “big negative” with this review of the pistol – but it’s a big one.

However, let me also reiterate that the gun is reliable, durable, accurate and a blast to shoot. The Mark III comes generously loaded with two 10-round magazines, gun lock, superb iron sights and picatinny rail for mounting optics (competition model). There is also a host of after-market accessories for the Mark III, including some highly recommended replacement and “accurizing” parts from Volquartzen.

Other than the nightmarish takedown procedure and the slight flaw in that trigger creep (again, completely alterable with the Volquartzen parts or a visit to your favorite gunsmith), you have the ideal pistol here for both plinking or any kind of competition that you can lay on this pistol. Don’t worry, the Ruger Mark III can take it and is top-notch in our book.

Ranked #2 of 7 in our Best 22 Pistol Comparison


Browning Buckmark Review

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While the multitude of .22 pistol options available on the market today flood magazines and online advertising with copycat style and look to their higher caliber counterparts, few pistols have a distinct enough look to compare with the Browning Buckmark. A distinct enough look makes the gun (or series of guns) instantly recognizable – as most Browning guns are – but few have the meat to back up the look of a distinct pistol with the features that truly make a plinking pistol a great one.

Ripping open the box and getting our paws on the grips of the Buckmark, we can’t help but feel that the synthetic grips (standard) were injection molded to our hands. Lightweight, balanced, full-fitted, tactile purchase and overall comfort are all things that come to mind when handling the Buckmark. In cold weather it does not get so cold that it is uncomfortable to hold and shoot – one of the great blessings of a synthetic grip. In hot weather the grip contours also prevent slippage if you are prone to sweaty palms.

When it comes to shooting the Buckmark, you will first notice the lovely trigger action that the pistol has – an unfortunate rarity in .22 pistols – and the transitional ease that you will have when switching from controlled, patient shooting to the giggle-inducing rapid-fire that empties a magazine all too quickly. Almost no creep and just the tiniest bit of overtravel makes this one of the best out-of-the-box triggers that we’ve ever had the chance to shoot. A crisp break with every shot and a tactile “click” when the sear resets will spoil you quickly.

Easily shooting 1” groups at 25 feet, ammo is not a huge concern unless you are planning on using the Buckmark for serious competition. Lead of slightly higher quality will make your overall experience a little neater, nicer and tighter, but for plinking anything will work. We recommend using the Federal bulk pack (cheap and on the dirty side) and CCI blazer (almost as cheap and a little less dirty). CCI “standard” through this gun is like premium gas in your high-end car.

So far the Buckmark seems like the perfect gun. So perfect in fact that you’d think we had stock in the company. But, we must point out the closeted skeleton of the Buckmark. Disassembly and cleaning.

The whole process of takedown and cleaning of the Buckmark Standard, while not involving an inordinate amount of parts, is still akin to self-dental surgery. Once the screws and lock-washers are out and placed somewhere safe, the mainspring carefully removed and set aside, the plastic buffer mounted in the slide removed and placed with the safety of the screws, the slide removed and, if necessary, the barrel removed, then you can finally start cleaning.

The blowback design of where the slide meets the frame is best described as “flat metal surface against flat metal surface”. This means that both flat metal surfaces are going to have hot gunk smashed in between them again and again, every time the gun fires. The problem? Hot gunk gets everywhere and gets hard. You will need some serious solvent and good cleaning technique to get this baby spic and span. A good set of plastic or metal pics is a good investment for this pistol. There are lots of nooks and crannies to get gooped up. Oh, and be sure to clean all the parts you took off as well. Don’t drop them on the floor where the cat can swat them under the heating unit. Then you can try to put it all back together.

The same design that makes the Buckmark a good shooter and a bad cleaner is also responsible for the one other tiny flaw we found in this slugthrower, and that is a question of reliability. You see, because of the inherent dirtiness of .22 ammo, the aforementioned goop will get all over the action in the pistol. The extractor and ejector can have some issues when you have “forgotten” to clean this pistol a few hundred rounds ago. Misfeeds, stovepipes, non-ejections and erectile dysfunction can all occur due to unsanitary habits with the Buckmark. So, make sure you keep the gun clean if you want to be a happy shooter.

That all being said, let’s get back to the good stuff, why don’t we? Durability! Can this pistol take a pounding? Yes and no.

This gun is a Browning. Aside from being exceptionally well built, it is not a “cheap” gun and replacement parts can be just shy of a mortgage payment if you really want to put things to the grinding wheel. Our advice? While it probably can take a fall or two (hopefully not loaded though), why take the chance. Like with any pistol, a delicate touch dictates the difference between years of good service and months of good service.

As far as accessories go, you’ve got way more than you could ever fit on a dozen guns. A few simple internet searches will show you things that can make your gun completely unrecognizable to you.

The big, final and most important question – Is it a fun gun for plinking? Yes! Especially for the money you will spend, the unmodified Browning Buckmark is definitely a fun, reliable and versatile .22 pistol that is great for beginners, gun nuts, young shooters, early competition shooters or old crabby men. You ladies–yeah, there are pink grips for it too. Trust us, you’ll love this gun.

Ranked #1 of 10 in our Best 22 Pistol Comparison

CZ SP-01 Phantom Review

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The CZ-75 is a nearly forty-year-old design that was ahead of its time. Designed by the Czech siblings Josef and František Koucký in 1975 (hence the designation) for export to the west for hard foreign currency, the CZ-75 was something altogether different. It was an all-steel 9mm double-action pistol that used a staggered box magazine. When introduced, its closest competitors were the single-action Browning Hi-Power and the aluminum framed S&W M59. Thin, accurate and reliable, hundreds of thousands of CZs and unlicensed clones have found a following around the world.

To compete with the polymer market, CZ went back to the drawing board and came up with the Phantom. Based on the legacy ’75 and its younger brother the SP-01, the Phantom replaced the very heavy steel frame of the disco era and moved to a polymer one.

Ergonomics and Recoil

The CZ is a gentleman’s gun with an old world feel to it. The grip is very thin and almost elegant when compared to the clunkier polymer guns like the Beretta PX4. You almost expect that it is a single stack magazine inside the grip rather than an all-business 18-shot (in 9mm) double. While there is some muzzle flip, the gun fires beautifully. Double action pull is light and the trigger feels very thin, like a Browning HP and the pistols of yesteryear.

Calling the gun mildly recoiling and a joy to shoot is like saying Marilynn Monroe was cute.

However, like the guns of its original designs vintage, it comes standard as a right hand only weapon with very little functionality for lefties.

Trigger and Accuracy

Accuracy was good, but the pistol takes some getting used to before you can make and keep accurate patterns and pull off plate drills. The long double action, thin trigger and narrow slide give it a distinct feel that needs to be overcome through lead equity, but once done it yields good results. In single-action mode, the trigger isn’t as crisp out of the box as most would expect, but after a short break-in period, the trigger works like a charm. A tight slide fit due to inside-the-frame pinned steel rails (like the hyper accurate SIG P210) gives the gun a very efficient lock-up.

The Phantom is accurate enough that competition versions are in heavy use with IPSC competitors.

Reloading and Disassembly

Even though the Phantom is new to the gun market, the pistol will accept many of the legacy CZ75 parts and accessories including (best of all) magazines. The reload process, both for magazines and magazine exchanges is a no-brainer.

Disassembly, however, is a little different story. A hybrid DA/SA design that fires from a locked breech based on Browning’s linkless cam system means that it breaks down rather like a Colt 1911/Browning Hi-Power, which may be odd for someone who has never done it. Instead of a dedicated take down lever, you use a slide lock to hold the unloaded Phantom out of battery before removing the slide stop completely from the frame. It’s not overly complicated, but proper reassembly for first-time users can be a nail-biter.

Reliability and Durability

The CZ functioned well in tests and spit out brass with no issues. While extensive trials have not been conducted to the same level that has been done on other polymer pistols such as the Glock, the Phantom comes from a long line of reliable guns. After testing with the Czech government, they have been adopted by the Czech Army’s paratrooper and special operations units and are seeing hard service.

Final Verdict

There is a growing underground of CZ lovers in this country and after shooting this gun, it’s easy to see why. While it’s a little heavier and a little funkier than some of the other pistols in its class, the Phantom brings a nice flavor with it that is really unmatched. It gives you the feeling that if John Moses Browning had access to polymer, this is the gun he would have built. It is a brilliant point-and-shoot pistol that just feels good. On the downside, it’s only currently offered in 9mm.

Ranked #4 of 10 in our Best Polymer Handgun Comparison

Springfield XDM Review

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Designed in the late 1990s by Croatian firearms wonk Marko Vukovic as the HS2000, Springfield Armory brought the gun to the US as the XD in 2001. Built after such bar-setters as the HK VP70 and the Glock 17, the pistol benefited from these preceding guns and built upon them. Since then, the XD design has matured constantly and now stands as the XDM.

Ergonomics and Recoil

The XD series of pistols have, since their inception, used a near-vertical 103-degree angle, similar to the classic Colt 1911 longslide. This feature carried over to the XDM. The frame has been molded with thumb cutouts that lead naturally to the trigger guard and the ambi magazine release. Slip resistant slide serrations that are angled and on both the front and rear of the slide give the XDM top end a nice modern look while adding to the overall functionality. There are other neat little bonuses such as a loaded chamber indicator and striker status indicator that can be both seen and felt, which is good in low-light, pucker-factor-rich situations where a press check is impractical. Interchangeable backstraps and Mag X-Tensions provide a level of flexibility in your grip choice.
Recoil is manageable in the 9mm and in the .40 versions has a little muzzle flip which can be expected in a polymer-framed pistol.

Trigger and Accuracy

The trigger of the XDM is nice. Like the Glock, it has a safety trigger with an inset fore-lever that must be depressed before the trigger lever itself will fire a chambered round. Gratefully, it has shorter travel than the Glock and a very short reset for rapid follow-up shots. This is helpful as in many cases the second shot can be even more important that the first.

Rounds on paper are no problem with this pistol due to a precision manufactured match-grade barrel that comes standard. Speaking of barrels, the XDM uses old school Enfield rifling, not the newer and more hip polygonal type. As a crash course in what this means, many prefer the polygonal for longer barrel life, while others the traditional Enfield for the capability to fire unjacketed lead bullets. It’s an apples to oranges type of thing– both are still fruit. Moreover, if you follow this analogy, the XDM has several different sized oranges with 3.8-inch, 4.5-inch, and 5.25-inch barrel lengths offered in all three calibers (9/40/45) to choose from.

Reloading and Disassembly

Unlike the Glock which makes you pull the trigger to disassemble, the XDM breaks down with a dedicated take-down lever like the Beretta 92 and SIG P-series pistols (with the exception that it points up instead of down), which is nice in a polymer framed handgun. It’s hands down safer if you don’t have to actuate that trigger to disassemble. In addition, compared to other guns in its class like the Phantom and P30, which have a slide stop to remove, the take down of the XDM is easier.

The XDM also has the largest in class magazine capacity, holding 19-rounds of 9mm or 16-rounds of .40 in a flush-fitting steel (not plastic) mag. The magazine release is placed a little lower on the grip on the XDM when compared to the previous Springfield models, which allows better actuation.

Reliability and Durability

There have been several torture tests documented with XD/XDM platforms running well over 20,000 rounds without major issue. In our testing at TGR, we found no systematic issues to complain about. The gun is covered with Melonite, a salt nitriding process that has a similar look and feel of Glock’s Tenifer finish. Springfield offers a limited lifetime warranty on their guns, which is refreshing. The only thing that scares us on the XD is that the primary factory is in Croatia and Springfield doesn’t offer armorer classes like SIG, Glock, and other makers do, which means the odds of having your XDM repaired locally are slim. For this, we dinged the gun a couple points just out of wariness over long-term (think twenty years from now) durability.

Final Verdict

The XD was long imported as a rival to the Glock and there is no shortage of Glock vs. XD scraps that have taken place in the vaunted halls of internet message boards. They don’t have the same following in competition circles that CZ does, neither do they have the same mass appeal that the Glock has garnered in law enforcement circles due to brilliant marketing. What they do have is a very nice, affordable and feature packed polymer-framed pistol that holds a lot of bullets and does everything asked of it. While the Phantom tied the XDM with the same number of points in our review, the fact that the CZ is slightly less expensive and has a larger supply of knowledgeable local gunsmiths and parts behind it, narrowly put it ahead of Springfield’s polymer gun.

If only Springfield had a factory that was not ten times zones away…

Ranked #5 of 10 in our Best Polymer Handgun Comparison

Glock 17, 22 & 21 Review

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When someone says ‘polymer handgun’ the first thing that pops into the minds of many shooters is Gaston Glock’s Safe Action pistol. Developed by a firearms newbie (old Gaston made curtain rods and knives in his garage workshop long before he designed a pistol), the Glock 17 was revolutionary for its time. Built around the Austrian Army’s criteria for a new replacement for worn out Steyr pistols, the Glock had only 33 parts, a polymer frame and held an amazing 17-rounds in each polymer magazine. Today, in their fourth generation of evolution, the full sized Glock handgun comes in versions chambered for 9x19mm (Model 17), .45ACP (Model 21), .40S&W (Model 22), .357SIG (Model 31), and the unique .45GAP (Model 37). The 10mm auto caliber Model 20 hasn’t made the jump over to the 4th Generation as of yet, and with the decline in popularity of that round, may never.

Ergonomics and Recoil

Gaston Glock designed the canted grip of the gun to about 110-degrees, which is about the same as a Ruger MkII rimfire pistol or a 1900s era Luger P08. This is a little sharper than most other pistol manufacturers and takes a little getting used to by those who are familiar with a ‘straighter’ grip such as that found on the 100-degree Colt 1911. Early 1980s and ‘90s Glocks have very rough, blocky grips whereas the new Gen 4 designs have a new system of finger grooves in the front, stippling on the grip sides and come with three detachable modular backstraps to semi-customize to the shooter’s hand. The 17/22/31 model is also a winner in the overall thinness category, which earns points in the concealed carry community. Recoil on various models is acceptable but the beefy Model 21, with its double stack of .45ACP rounds, is notoriously hard on the hands of small statured shooters.

The new models have a reversible and enlarged magazine catch that comes standard in right-handed operation, but can be swapped over for southpaws. The slide release, however, is right side only. Striker-fired, there is no hammer or decock to get in the way which streamlines training while eliminating potential appendages for clothing to snag on.

Trigger and Accuracy

The Glock trigger has a ‘trigger within a trigger’ pivoting system that helps eliminate the possibility of the pistol firing unintentionally due to inertia or impact. Trigger pull with this design is right at 5.5-pounds, which is firmly in the realm of a single-action gun, however the trigger travels just a hair under a half-inch which kind of creeps to some extent when compared to other pistols in the class.

Accuracy of the pistol is rather impressive, with a long and workable (6.5-inch) sight radius across a smooth plain of monolithic slide top. Polygonal, right-hand rifling with a 1: 9.84-inch length of twist (in 9mm) contributes to the pistol ‘doing its part’.

Reloading and Disassembly

Glock magazines have a polymer shell enclosing a metal liner, which can be seen around the feed lips. These mags on the Gen 4 guns are some of the strongest in the industry and have an extremely stout spring. We here at TGR are no ‘girly men’ (did we mention the Glock comes from Austria?) but still could not load the final rounds in test G17/22/21 mags without the aid of the enclosed mag loader that ships with the pistol. However, once left loaded for a couple weeks the mags became ‘broke in.’

Field stripping a full sized Glock is not a problem with a cleared weapon. Simply remove the magazine, check the chamber for brass and ammo, work the trigger and push the slide back slide back slightly, and then depress the take down buttons to release and ease off.

Reliability and Durability

The Glock is one of the most durable pistols ever made. For decades, there have been legions of field testers that have abused the pistol with everything from cement mix, potting soil, and vanilla pudding, encased it in ice, Jell-O, and other oddball media, buried it, thrown it from airplanes and dropped thousands of rounds through it. There are early model 9mm Glocks with more than 300,000 rounds through them that are still ticking.

While Glock’s standard warranty is just one year, most report and find that if you do have issue even decades later, the factory is there to assist gratis –so long as it’s not full of pudding when you send it to them. With millions of these pistols out there and the company holding armorer classes every day, odds are there is someone close to you that can affect any repair.

Final Verdict

The Glock is something of the people’s champion. Through its Blue Label program and liberal deals made to agencies of all size, Glock has long cornered the law enforcement market. This has led to the gun being wide spread in all levels of society. However, the design, while revamped every few years, seems a little dated when compared to the newer HK and S&W products that offer better ergonomics. Still, at a price point in the $400 range and its near universal acceptance, it’s hard to beat.

Ranked #3 of 10 in our Best Polymer Handgun Comparison

Heckler & Koch P30 Review

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Heckler and Koch is best known for their superb all metal frame pistols such as the 1980s classic P7M13, and the MK23. However, as a true master of their craft, they have also produced several polymer-framed pistols. They quite literally invented the genre with the innovative VP70, the world’s first polymer pistol, introduced a dozen years before Gaston Glock decided to stop making curtain rods. Their USP and P2000 series pistols have a legion of supporters and users that include the US Customs and Border Patrol agency. Their best full size polymer frame design now stands as the P30 pistol.

Designed by Frank Henninger and using the same basic short recoil–operated locked breech with a modified Browning-type linkless cam action and vertically tilting barrel of the P2000, the P30 is updated with a more advanced set of features. Standard options include the Picatinny rail commonly seen in most combat grade pistols made since the end of the Cold War, interchangeable back strap inserts that are used along with swappable grip shells to adjust grip size and cant, a recoil reduction system and a serrated decocker for SA/DA models. Like the Beretta PX4, the P30 comes standard with Polygonal bore rifling, billed to promote accuracy and extended barrel life.

An optional “S” model adds an ambidextrous safety on both sides of the frame. HK makes extensive use of nitro-gas carburization in metal components to provide an extremely hard coating that resembles a black oxide. It has sold well to German and Swiss police forces, in many cases replacing 1970s and 80s produced SIG P-series pistol.

The P30 was designed to be the ultimate law enforcement pistol. While similar to the P2000, the P30 made various improvements in ergonomics. The P30 is fully ambidextrous and features interchangeable backstraps as well as interchangeable grip shells for even more customization. It has a forged barrel and the overall build quality is top-notch.

Ergonomics and Recoil

If you think three backstraps that come with most polymer guns are “innovative” think again. Even cheap headphones now come with small, medium, and large earbuds. True innovation is the P30, with not only three backstraps, but six asymmetrical side panels as well. That means there are exactly 27 ways to configure the grip on the P30. So is this a marketing gimmick or the real deal? That depends. Many people are just fine adapting to the feel of a specific handgun; for them 27 different configurations is no doubt overkill. However, the P30 is currently the only handgun that doesn’t ask you to compromise. The custom grip and ergonomics make the perceived recoil a non-issue with the P30. This is a very soft shooting gun.

Trigger and Accuracy

A popular option for the P30 is a new hybrid trigger system. The HK gang offers what they call the HK Law Enforcement Modification (LEM) trigger with a bobbed hammer that gives full time constant trigger pull on a double-action non-striker fired hammer, much like the legacy Double Action Kellerman (DAK) concept on SIG’s P-series pistols. With two large German manufacturers who cater to military and police sales producing this same flavor of action that gives you a double action trigger that breaks like a single, expect it to appear in other designs by other companies.

The standard trigger on the P30 is not great. Not only is it a bit heavy, but it is very long and a bit inconsistent. The P30 trigger also has to be fully extended before it resets, something that can take some getting used to during rapid fire. The sights on the P30 are superb and feature a Super-LumiNova paint that really helps when transitioning into a darker environment. Accuracy was seemed better than average in our tests, especially at rapid fire and for a gun this size.

Reloading and Disassembly

Reloading was fast and easy thanks to the dual paddles on each side of the triggerguard. Breakdown is much the same as the HK USP and P2000 designs before it, via a center pin that holds the slide/barrel/spring assembly to the frame itself. Unlike the USP the P30’s take down pin does not come completely out during field stripping, which is a nice improvement.

Reliability and Durability

The P30 performed flawlessly in our tests and most reviews we have read second the P30’s reliability. Also, since the P30 is essentially the same inside as the P2000 which went through extensive trials and R&D before its adoption by the US Border Patrol. In a recent test conducted by HK, a stock P30 fired 91,000 rounds and kept on ticking.

Final Verdict

The only true downside of this HK polymer product is that the MSRP of it is over $1,000, which is almost twice that of its principal competition, the Glock 12/22 and the Smith M&P series. For this, however, the end user gets quasi-night sights, coated with photo luminescent (but non-radioactive) paint standard and HK’s long record of R&D success behind it.

Ranked #2 of 10 in our Best Polymer Handgun Comparison