The H&K P2000 seems to glide under the radar of many H&K fans. It is either the classic hardcore USP fanaticism, or the new, cutting edge craze over the P30(SK) and VP9(SK) that causes the P2000 to go unnoticed.
But the P2000 seems to get caught in “no mans land” when it comes to raving about H&K pistols. The only one that does get attention is the P2000SK, but that may change due to the P30SK coming out. For the life of me, I can not understand why an H&K that is built to the same standard as the $1000 P30 is ignored when it costs only $500-$650.
The H&K P2000 was an intentional upgrade to the beloved USP Compact models, which seems to have the most contracts worldwide of all the H&K pistols. This made it an obvious choice as the model to bring H&K into the 21st century. I think it is a great design upgrade for the most part.
There are so many good qualities about the P2000 that improves on the USP Compact per the feedback they received from users.
https://youtu.be/kz8e0aNRCSc
For me, deciding between the P30 and the USP was hard, but it was the small things about the P2000 that made it just right for my needs. Things like the sights being full size USP sights so the sight picture is better and there are more aftermarket options.
They took away the manual safety and now there is simply a DA/SA or LEM trigger system to choose from. The LEM, or Law Enforcement Modification trigger is very popular and is the chosen trigger system for the Border Patrol. I personally like the classic DA/SA system(Variant 3), because I am a weirdo.
The trigger guard design was a big player in what drove me away from the P30. On the P2000, the trigger guard lacks the trough that many shooters have grown to hate. The trough on the P30 trigger guard constantly rubs on my finger edges and gives blisters easily.
The P2000 carries on with the standard USP trigger guard design that does not get in the way of the trigger finger.
This is a much better design in my opinion, and again, it was a deciding factor that almost pushed me all the way to the USP line until I found that the P2000 had it too.
In the end, my decision to go with the P2000 was a good one in my opinion. The more research I do on the platform, the more I feel like H&K hit a mark with it. If the P30 had kept in line with the USP as far as sights and trigger guard, I would not have even considered the P2000. But here we are, and the P2000 is going nowhere. It is the same price as a Gen4 Glock and there are plenty out there getting no love.
I also don’t understand why the P2000 is not more popular. I love mine and chose it over the P30 and the price was the same for both.
Your totally correct, I have the P-30 love it, can’t miss out of the box. I also have excess 10,000 rounds out the barrel, with only two spring changes. I’ll stand by it every time I use it. Now I’m on the p 2000. We’ll see how it holds up to the wear.
great pistol. lem takes some getting used to, but once you do, it’s very nice.
With todays civil situation, my thoughts were: If I bought 1 last gun, what would it be? The answer came down to 3. Barretta 92 compact 9mm , CZ 75 compact 9mm, or HK USP compact 9mm. I found all 3. I liked the USP compact the most, but the cheapest one I found was $1,040+ tax. I’m not doing that. I saw the P2000 V3 at the same time. They were so much alike in appearance, and at $700 out the door, a better deal. I have run about 1000 rounds through it. Simply love it. This is my carry weapon.
I’m late to the thread, but wanted to double-down on the positive attributes of the P2K. The P2000 checks all of the boxes:
Accuracy – For SD distances of 15yds or less, when things are moving fast, I believe my P2K9 will do everything I could expect with my level of experience and ability. My USPC45 is slightly more accurate for me at distance, and the P2K is noticeably more accurate than my P2Ksk40 when engaging targets at just about any distance. The SK is still an accurate weapon, but its’ 3.27 barrel length impacts the versatility of its’ performance. The 2K barrel length is 3.66, and that small length difference is huge when it comes to quickly punching holes in a target. The SK is perfect for carrying around, and I am confident with it, but if I knew my day was going to include a shootout, I’d opt for the P2K9’s accuracy over the P2Ksk40’s.
Size – The P2K9 carries well. The only difference between it and the P2Ksk is about 1/2 inch in grip height and 4 tenths of an inch in overall length, yet it performs at the level of a full size. The P2K is a full-fledged tool in a small but ergonomically practical package. It is noticeably in a smaller class of weapons than the USPC.
Ergonomics – I’m easy to satisfy, but I like the hold that I can get on it. Compared to my USPC, it has a thinner grip, and compared to the P2Ksk, you can get your entire hand on it (that is part of the beauty of the P2K…it is small, but has a big gun’s personality…think of a J frame that feels [and performs] like an L frame). In terms of grip texture, grip angle, bore axis, slide placement, etc., I’m pretty flexible and tend to adjust to the tool. So, I can’t help much in that area. I have long fingers and relatively wide hands, so anything I shoot other than stuff like a Beretta 92 feels cramped and makes me have to really focus on trigger pull. That said, I used the largest interchangeable grip that came with my P2K and it really does work for me. Again, it allows a small gun to fill my hand. I actually find that very helpful when drawing from an IWB.
Trigger – Again, I’m easy to please. I have a 3rd gen SW that is really smooth and steady, so I can appreciate the feel of a nice squeeze, but in an SD weapon, I could care less about smoothness. My USPC was originally DA/SA, but I had it converted to light LEM. My P2K is the standard LEM. For SD, I’d have it no other way. This is personal preference, but the last thing I would want at the end of a stress and panic inducing encounter is to have to be mindful of a ‘ready to rock and fully cocked’ SA trigger. Some how, I think it would be hard to prioritize that in such a moment, but not prioritizing it could be a crucial oversight. So, I opt for the LEMs for SD. Strikers are cool, but I can envision things that make a hammer better suited for all but storming the citadel…namely, countering fear induced panic. And, it only took me about 200 rounds to reach agreement with my standard LEM trigger…think a 7lbs striker pull with a hammer-fired take up, Don’t think 12Lbs DAO – Totally different animals. Moreover, I can see the 4.5Lbs light LEM pull being adequate for most applications other than target competition. To me, for purposes of surety, I’d still prefer to walk with the standard LEM. When I get happy and shoot at speed, the light LEM can still get too far into the firing cycle before the sights are exactly where I want them to be. I’m trying to teach my pointer figure better manners, but I think it has a learning disability.
Capacity – 13rds…..for a small weapon, that is a respectable count. The USPC in 9mm holds the same number, and is notably larger and more intrusive to carry. It does shoot better, but the improvement over the P2Ks shoot ability is moot for SD, IMHO.
Overall – The P2K is a really high performing weapon. Small and comfortable to carry; holds enough ammo for you to extricate yourself from most any situation you don’t want to be in; accurate enough to make the party short if that is what is called for; durable and reliable enough so you can leave concerns about stuff like barrel life to your estate executor (no malfunctions at all). However, the spring on the P2K is spec’d for NATO/+ P, so expect it to take a few hundred rounds to loosen it up…it really is very stiff. The various sized grips mean it can fit a wide range of users. Additionally, it just feels and performs the way I want it to. There are guns that are noticeably more accurate, but they are of the 5inch barrel, 35 oz., match trigger category. There are smaller guns, but they lack the capacity and performance of the P2K. What good is carrying something so light and small that it is a questionable resource when the target is beyond 7 feet away and you are experiencing cognitive and adrenaline inducted mayhem.
I like lots of firearms, but the P2K is everything I could practically expect and need from an EDC.
Great synopsis.
The P2K is the perfect CCW for me. 13 rounds, full grip, night sights, hammer-fired V2 LEM (a “thinking trigger”), 17 round mags as spares, and HK reliability. Not a great selection of holsters, but they’re out there if you look (my kydex choice is Cook’s). Like most, I’ve changed to the larger mag release.
I keep looking for a better CCW, but so far I’ve not found one.