Quote:
Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer
Other than the nicely formed grip, I don't understand the appeal of the P2000. Why did they trash the safety?
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Since I own one of practically every H&K pistol in production I'll try to give you my semi qualified response.
The H&K USP pistol took many of it's cues from the 1911 pistol, but with H&K's expertise in taking the 1911 a few steps into the contemporary relm of practical desires and needs. Such as an frame mounted safety, but with multiple options for the condition of carry with a decocking mode. Something the 1911 does not have. They went with a lighter polymer frame, dual recoil spring, ambi mag release in a more comfortable location, firing pin safety blocker, larger trigger well to accomadate gloves, even winter gloves, and of course a barrel with polygonal rifling. There are more elements that I could go into but let's get to the P2000.
There is a great desire for DA/SA pistols, like the Sig classic series that only has a decocker thus placing the weapon in the double action mode once you've chambered your round. Many prefer to simply pull the trigger without having to disengage the safety as part of the draw and presentation to the target. However, even with the USP you can decock the weapon and leave the safety lever in "ON FIRE" position. The P2000 addresses this market well. The P2000 comes in both the DA/SA operation with a decocker on the rear of the slide or it also comes with the LEM (Law Enforcement Mod) operation. The LEM is simply a single action mode, or as some have said, the double action type mode. I own the LEM and it's more like having a Glock, but with plenty of pre-travel before you break the 6.5 Lp trigger. I like this mode of operation for it's simplicity and it takes the safety off the side of the weapon making it more adaptable to a variety of concealed type holsters. The LEM is not hard to get used to once you fire it enough to realize that you only need to release the trigger back to it's reset point, not all the way back to it's starting point. I will add that the LEM trigger is much more smooth to break than any Glock trigger that I have fired. It's a pre-striker type design and feels more like a 4 Lp break than it's noted 6.5. It's very nice.
In a nutshell, I believe H&K addressed both the DA/SA and single action modes of operation without an external safety with the P2000 and P2000SK. Some simply do not like the safety lever on any pistol. To each their own. I don't mind either way as long as I'm trained on the disengagment of the safety lever to a practical level of proficiency.
In addition the P2000 is much more ergonomically friendly than the USP line of pistols. It's a perfect addition to the perfect manufacturer of firearms. Now the P30 is going to be made availble shortly. It's basically a P2000 with the "SPIDEY" grip with interchangable backstraps and side panels to meet a variety of different hands and grip configurations. The P2000 also has the interchangable backstraps, but not the interchangable side panels.
I would like to add that H&K developed, manufactured and distributed the finest pistols available to both the LEO community and certan military units (mostly foreign. The SEALs chose the Mk23 MOD O, but that's another story that doesn't seem give much praise to the weapon due it's size and highly misunderstood mission profile. As an "out of the box" "service grade" pistol the H&K USP and P2000 series
is in my opinion the finest pistol that anyone could purchase. Sure, you can find 1911's from Wilson, Les Baer, and Night Hawk custom that are nail drivers and incredibly reliable, but just go to any their home pages and look up their pricing. You'll see that these are not exactly "Down Range" weapons. But, these are semi custom production guns that seem to alway's require that an 1911 armorer or gunsmith to be issued along with them. You could also make my same for the H&K lineup for the Sig pistols as well, but I'm convinced that H&K is simply an uncomprimising, utility minded pistols built with the end user in mind, first and foremost.
That was long winded, but it hope it helps.
H&K pistols I own:
H&K Mk23 .45 ACP "SOCOM"
H&K USP Tactical .45 ACP
H&K USPf .40 S&W with Jet Funnel and four 16 rd LEO/MIL stamped
H&K USPc 9mm & .40 S&W & .45 ACP
H&K USP9SD 9mm Luger with threaded barrel and rear ajustable sight.
H&K P7 "Squeeze Cocker"
H&K P2000 .40 S&W
H&K USP Tactical .40 S&W
H&K USPc Tac .45 ACP with LEM trigger.