Hk45 & hk45 compact – Heckler&Koch HK45 COMPACT TACTICAL User Manual

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HK45 & HK45 Compact

Operating Controls & Components

WARNING: The HK45 series or pistols incorporate single-action and double-

action modes of operation. Anytime the trigger is pulled with control lever

(if applicable) in the fire (horizontal) position and a cartridge in the chamber,

the pistol will fire from either the hammer down or cocked positions.

NOTE: Some variants do not have a control lever.

Control lever as a Safety Lever - On HK45s with the “safe” position (Variants 1,

2, 5, 6, 9, &10), the front of this lever is fully raised above horizontal so that the

"S" on the lever itself aligns with the reference line on the frame (See Figure

4). With this control lever engaged, the release of the hammer is blocked in the

single-action mode of fire. In the double-action mode, the hammer will partially

cock but will not release to fire the pistol.

Figure 4 Control Lever in “safe” position

To fire the pistol, the front of the control lever is moved down into a horizontal

position into the “FIRE” position. In this position, the “F” on the lever aligns

with the reference line located on the frame (See Figure 5). With the control

lever set on “F”, the pistol will fire if the trigger is pulled and a cartridge is

present in the chamber.

Figure 5 Control lever in “fire” position

Control lever as a Decocking Lever - On HK45’s without the “safe” position

(Variants 3 & 4), the front of the control lever cannot be raised above horizontal

and the pistol will fire anytime the trigger is pulled with a cartridge in the

chamber. The lever only functions as a decocking lever to lower the cocked

hammer into the double-action mode. The cocked hammer is lowered when the

decocking lever is fully depressed by the operator (See Figure 6).This lever is spring

actuated and springs back up into the horizontal (fire) position when released.

Figure 6 Control lever in “decocking” position

On HK45 variants 1 and 2, the control lever can be placed in the safe, fire, and

decocking positions described above.

An HK45 pistol fitted with this control lever can be carried as a single action

or double action pistol, with or without the safe position. The control lever

also allows the cocked hammer to be decocked when the control lever is fully

depressed. (Figure 6). Optional ambidextrous controls levers are also available

for the HK45.

WARNING: The HK45 should not be carried in the single action mode

without the control lever in the safe position.

Extractor
The extractor located on the right hand side of the slide acts as a loaded

chamber indicator. When a cartridge or case is present in the chamber the red

painted surface of the extractor protrudes from the slide presenting a visual

and tactile indicator to the operator.

Slide Release
This lever is located on both sides of the frame directly above the trigger.

This lever is used to lock the slide open, to release the slide when open, and

to disassemble the pistol. As a slide stop, it is lifted upward by the magazine

follower or the operator's finger as the slide travels rearward during recoil

or manual manipulation. The slide release engages in the recess located on

the left side of the slide at its midpoint. The slide release is spring actuated

and is held down out of engagement with the slide until required. The slide

release will automatically hold the slide open when the last shot is fired. As a