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H&K P2000sk
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The P2000sk is as handsome as it is effective.
The Heckler & Koch P2000sk is a polymer framed hammer fired sub compact with modest dimensions and better than average capacity. The 9mm holds 10 rounds and is still only 4.55″ high. The cold hammer forged barrel has polygonal rifling, and is 3.26″ long. It’s tucked neatly within an overall length of 6.4″, making is easily concealable. Yet the length of the barrel gives it more ballistic punch (when you compare it to some of the shorter 9mms on the market now). It isn’t the thinnest sub compact on the market, but its 1.37″ width is by no means bulky. The controls don’t stick out, but provide exceptional leverage. They are much easier to manipulate than many sub compacts.
For those who use H&K pistols, having cross platform familiarity is a strong selling point for the P2000sk. It is the smallest pistol H&K makes and it is a pistol with a purpose. The subcompact H&K is built for self-defense. The P2000 pistols are logical pairings with the larger H&K USP. They’re small, ergonomic, and have easy to use. So why isn’t the P2000sk any more popular than it is?
The P2000sk broken down. While the gun is more expensive than some of its competitors, it is built robustly.
The P2000sk was developed as a subcompact ambidextrous defensive handgun. Utilizing low profile controls, low profile sights, no external safeties, and the reliability of a full size handgun, the weapon seems to fit well within the pantheon of subcompact 9mms. At the time of its inception, the P2000sk seemed more unique. Its biggest competition was the Glock 26/27.
Shooting the P2000sk
Shooting the P2000sk takes some getting used to. Its grip is very tight–maybe cramped is a better. I have a hard time getting three fingers on the gun comfortably. But it isn’t about comfort. If you’re drawing the P2000sk in a defensive situation, you won’t be thinking about comfort. And there is a replaceable back strap to enlarge the grip if you find yourself too jammed up on the grip.
Firing the pistol starts with a long double action trigger pull that breaks at a hefty 11 pounds. That may seem excessive, but the pull isn’t gritty. It is crisp and manageable and easily staged. After that initial round fires, the pistol picks up a much more manageable 4.5 pound trigger pull in single action.
The P200sk shoots flat, thanks in part to the deceptive mass of the pistol.
One of the best features of the P2000sk is the way it handles recoil. The pistol’s recoil is not sharp, nor is it snappy. I’ve shot a lot of 9mms in this size, and some of their muzzle flips can be especially brutal. But with proper grip and form the P2000sk is easily managed. Repeat shots are fast and consistent. The gun simply handles like a full size pistol.
The ambidextrous slide drop and magazine release make feeding the weapon effortless, with either hand. When holding the pistol with both hands all the controls are right where they should be and easily accessible, elevating any need to shift the gun to actuate any of its functions.
The magazines are stout, like all H&K mags, and hold 10 rounds of 9mm. If you prefer .40, the mags hold 9. The mag plates have a small nub for extra grip. It isn’t much to hold onto, but it does act as a leverage point. This is one of the extras that helps with the mitigation of muzzle flip. It is like a small anchor.
Clearing your palm from the mag well makes loading easier.
The fact that the pistol doesn’t have an external safety is unnerving to some. I grew up shooting Sig Sauer and H&K pistols. I’m a huge fan of decockers. The decocking button sits on the rear of the P2000sk’s slide and allows the user to safely carry a round in the chamber. The double action first shot is heavy and long but easily managed to be just as accurate as the single action shots to follow.
If you would rather have a double action only version, H&K makes the Law Enforcement Modification package (which they also call Combat Defense Action). It is effectively a double action only trigger that can be dialed down from the heavy pull to as little as 5.5 pounds. The LEM package uses a precocked hammer that works similarly to striker fired pistol, offering the same pull for every round.
The P2000sk with the Viridian C5L.
Another great feature of the P2000sk is the accessory rail built into the frame. For most of the testing I ran a Viridian C5L on the gun. This light laser combo is compact and easy to use. Paired with the P2000sk this combo becomes even more of a defensive tool. The ECR “enhanced combat readiness” feature of the C5L turns the light and laser on when the gun is drawn from a holster. When you combine this with the readiness provided by the lack of external safeties on the P2000sk, all impediments to use have been eliminated. When you draw the gun, the light comes on and there’s no safety to worry about–just pull the trigger.
The C5L ECR system works with magnets. A normal holster won’t activate the switch. With a magnet in the holster, the switch is easily turned on and off. I’m carrying the P2000sk in a Multi Holster that I modified to fit the gun. That’s one of the challenges about carrying an older gun, or a newly released gun, or even an obscure gun. You may have a more limited holster selection. When you add an odd light to it, too, it gets even more difficult. I had this holster made for a similarly sized gun. The P2000sk fit well enough that I was able to reheat the Kydex and get a solid fit.
A re-purposed Multi Holster, complete with the ECR magnet system makes an effective way to carry.
The P2000sk is a pistol after my own heart. Its features put it above the competition. I think its only impediment to success was its hefty price tag. The P2000sks are selling now in the high $800s. There are a lot of polymer framed 9mms now that come in well under that price point. Are they as well built as the P2000sk? That question is easy to answer in some cases, and will spur debate in others. The price, though, is a show stopper for some. Yet for the H&K fan boys this pistol is just about right.
So here’s the big question. The H&K P2000sk is functionally adept, accurate, and reliable. It is handsome, too. Yet it remains one of the more obscure sub compact 9mms. Still, guns like H&K’s own VP9 make the P2000sk seem even more dated. For anyone carrying a larger H&K for duty purposes, the P2000sk is the choice for backup or deep cover. But what about the rest of us…why isn’t the P2000sk dominating the sub compact market?
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The back of the modified Multi Holster.
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While it isn’t geared toward paper-punching accuracy, it is hell on steel targets. Fast form the holster and easy to manipulate–what else could you ask for?
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The gun comes with low profile 3 dot sights.
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The short recoil, locked breech P2000sk has a vertically tilting barrel.
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The P2000sk is a small gun that presents like a much larger pistol.
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The sub compact P2000sk is easily concealable, but not racing to the bottom of dimensional sizes.
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Getting a hold on the small grip isn’t easy–but it isn’t easy on any sub compact.
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The concave front trigger guard is hammer fired pistol available in DA/SA or DA only.
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Ever since I shot my friends polygonal rifled Baby Eagle and was more accurate than anything else I had shot up until then. I have been interested in getting a high quality semi with polygonal rifling. I just bought a H&K P30SK LE NS and although nothing is perfect it has a combination of attributes that makes it my first choice, for one polygonal rifling, second, it’s build quality, thirdly it’s just gorgeous. I don’t care if it cost more or if it just at as liable to jam as any othe semi, if you want something with traditional rifling, that’s reliable and don’t care about looking butt ugly then Glocks are great. I personally have never cared for their looks at all.
I own the P2000sk after doing extensive searching for an every day carry gun. Bought mine with tritium night sights and 3 mags for 670.00. The gun is the perfect size for concealment without being so small you don’t want to shoot it at the range. My girlfriend has a shield and while its a great little gun for the price… nothing about it compares to HK quality. The mag has to be forced in, there are spaces everywhere, and the recoil is worse. Would I trust it with my life – yes, but given a choice its easily the higher quality P2000sk. What is a 350 dollar price difference when you’ll have the gun for twenty plus years.
It’s “a little gun that shoots like a big gun” as someone said. It is the softest shooting .40 I’ve shot. Not comparable to block 19 in size, it is smaller. Very similar to block 26/27. I know what the specs say on width, but it is narrower and less blocky than the blocks. I suspect maybe the width measurement includes the ambi slide releases. Anyway, brilliantly engineered dual recoil spring, it works great. Will also accept longer USP compact mags. Yes HK dropped the price into the $600s. Yes I have shot block 26 and 27, gen 3 and 4. I just can’t deal with the silly grip angle that naturally points high, and the lack of support in the .40 chamber, and resulting bulging brass. I’ll spend a little more for a gun made right. My other HK has 8k rounds and never a malfunction.
I have the P2000sk and I love it. It’s very accurate. I’m a lefty shooter and can operate my weapon easily. I’m glad to be in the H&K family.
Hk rocks fuck you all go to combat then you can bitch about what to carry in defense of your person I carried hk in combat never once let me down the flock on the other hand failed me when I carried it as a policeman almost got me killed so you trolls can take your comments that hk sucks and stick that up your asses
You sound like the world’s shittiest cop.
I hope you die.
Gents, I agree this pistol is expensive but in my case I searched for something my wife was comfortable with. She has always carried a Taurus .38 and couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with it. I tried to talk her into automatic pistols but they were too complicated and for most women, the slide is difficult to rack. Then I came upon the H&K P2000SK (.40 cal)…we tried it out at a local sporting goods store and her eyes immediately lit up. I bought it on the spot and through some practice and instruction, she handles it like a pro! Several months after purchasing the firearm I tried to talk her into a Sig—something a bit smaller…she would have nothing to do with it (even though I secretly wanted her to go w/a Sig so I could acquire the H&K). So she’s committed to the H&K P2000SK…and won’t give it up. Carries it every day, shoots it like a Banshee, and cleans it better than me. If you have a spouse that you’d like to get into an auto, this might be worth a try.
That’s all that matters.
To each his/her own, and you got her the magic gun.
That’s a great success story.
Maybe the gun doen’t blow my skirt up, but…….
Why isn’t it more popular?
For starters, the old joke about HK stands for Heavy and Kluncky rings true. 1.37 inches across, when the Glock 17, 19, and 26 are all 1.18 inches across. That doesn’t sound like much, but it is a bigger difference than most people think. Pick up a Glock 19, then pick up the H&K P2000.
Second is the price. A Glock will cost you $300 less.
Finally, the Glock 19 carries 19 rounds. The Glock 26 carries 10. You aren’t gaining anything for your extra $300.
The Glock 19 is a great carry gun. It isn’t too heavy, bulky, or cumbersome. So why spend more on a H&K?
Robert Mc Cabe
So why spend more on an H&K??? Because there’s ” NO COMPROMISE ” when it comes to my family’s life or my own. And that my friend no joke…
I don’t want to sound like a troll, but I think Robert was saying Glocks hold more, operate better and cost less.
No compromise involved with that.
Different people with various applications for a variety of firearms.
God bless America.
Glocks do not operate better. I own Glocks and HKs. My HKs hold up much better to hard use than my Glocks.
1) It’s 1.37 across the ambi slide releases which Glocks don’t have by the way.
2) The Glock 19 mag capacity is 15, not 19.
3) Glock = Ford, H&K = Mercedes.
I had a .40 at one time. Got it new for way less than the MSRP. It was nice and compact. It was easy to rack and the slide stop was easy to press. The only thing was the trigger pull. It’s not a true SA/DA, IMO. Once a round is shot, the trigger reset is all the way back where the DA starts. So the pull length of SA is the same as DA, even though the pull weight is not as heavy. I ended up selling it and buying a S&W M&P 40c.
This sub compact is only a half inch smaller in height and length than my PPQ. .40
For a Sub Compact, S&W M&P Shield would be my pick.
Where’s the love? Sorry, It just doesn’t blow my skirt up at all.
My WALTHER is superior in so many ways, and that’s my answer why.
You get real spoiled and picky once you own one.
My opinion is based on the original or M1 that I own.
Not the M2, that I wouldn’t even consider buying.
When you’re buying quality, you’re buying the H&K’s, Sig’s and ect … There’s nothing wrong with the lower priced guns for the average person. However if its quality you want pay the extra dollars and buy the H&K or Sig their worth the investment.
But do us all a favor and don’t attempt to say the lower end guns are the quality and performers of H&K or Sig firearms. One never see’s H&K, or Sig attempting to compare to the lower end firearms, just the opposite for a reason … There Not the Same.
Well said!
Bob: That’s nothing more than your opinion based upon whatever your personal preferences might happen to be. Of course, my opinions happen to be different based upon my mature personal experiences. And although my opinions may differ, I would never go so far as stating “there’s nothing wrong with the lower priced guns for the average person.” Because, while H&K and Sig may be relatively higher-priced (plastic)firearms, they are in no way considered by any means to be premium quality firearms.
Being an “average person” myself, I happen to own numerous firearms, pistols, etc., of just about every variety, manufacturer, caliber, etc., (ever) made. And naturally, I own several H&K’s, and even more Sig’s.
My first pistol was a Sig P220 (German-made) and my second pistol was a H&K P200 SK. I purchased both solely upon what I’d read about them online reviews. And just like anyone with a new toy I thought they were both just about the greatest thing I’d ever experienced at the time. And I still do own and enjoy both of those pistols to this day.
However, smugly referring to H&K’s and Sig’s to be the “quality and performers” of which you naively refer is quite a reach. Don’t get me wrong, they really are “good” guns, however there are numerous other semi-automatics and even revolvers that far surpass their build quality.
So, next time you comment, please try a little harder to limit your obvious indignation towards “average people” (as if you are anything remotely special), because your expressed knowledge of what truly is a “high-quality” firearm is obviously well below the mark.
Best of luck to you and yours.
I see a lot of comments about price and that there are other guns available at better prices than the H&K. It would seem that those making these comments have very little experience with H&K products. I also thought H&K made an expensive gun until I had the opportunity to own one. Now I carry either a P30 or P2000 and the P2000SK is on my list. They are very well built with long life between maintenance cycles.
Why buy a glock look alike when the real thing is better and cheaper.
Glock looks nothing like a HK. HK had a polymer gun before Glock ever did. HK is head and shoulders better than a Glock.
I’m sorry. If you have to have a laser sight you need more practice with your gun… I have owned the H&K P2000 SK .40 for years and it works every time I shoot it. I can’t say that with the other auto’s I own. It is my only carry gun. I use a Don Hume H715N #53-145 small holster to tuck into my belt. They both fit and work well.
When was the last time your paper target shot back at you trying to kill you?
I take it you’ve never been in battle or in a gunfight with a bad guy.
If you’re a “vertebrate”, (anything on this planet with a spine and bones), you’ve got a primal fear response that automatically turns you brain off when you’re in danger because your brain likes to take time analyzing things and making decisions.
I learned that the hard way on the first couple of weeks of my first “tour” in Vietnam.
The first night on guard duty I had tracers coming at my head and the damned M14 they gave me wouldn’t fire! Of course it wouldn’t WITH THE SAFETY ON, but my brain, that had all of that knowledge and practice was turned off by that primal fear response.
After a couple of weeks of getting shot at and mortared and rocketed at, I was finally able to overcome that primal fear response and kill bad guys. I came back to the states for 6 months and went back to ‘Nam and was virtually helpless again for a couple of weeks until I got re-acclimated.
That’s what’s meant by the term “battle hardened soldier”. Both you and your well trained cops don’t face bad guys shooting at them daily and that’s why you need that laser grip and a gun with no safety.
The problem is that just like your primal fear response screws you up, (you can’t even see the sights on your gun), your pride makes you think you’re better than anyone else and somehow only you can override that by practicing more shooting at paper targets.
Good luck.
You don’t have time to think things over when someone with a gun, (who’s primal fear response isn’t activated because they’re not being surprised by you — it’s their plan), so the same autonomic instincts that keeps your heart beating without you needing to be involved immediately takes over when it senses danger.
I hate to break it to you long time shooters and “practicers”, but shooting at paper targets is fun, but it doesn’t help you one bit when you’re faced with someone trying to kill you. That’s why your well trained cops, on average, hit only 2 out of 10 times when they’re faced by a bad guy with a gun. (Does that answer a lot of your “Why did they fire 17 rounds at the guy in St Louis” questions?)
I’ve shot over 700,000 rounds in my life and with a couple weeks worth of “refresher practice” will take anyone on in shooting at paper — but a newbie who’s never fired a gun before, given one with a lasergrip on it, will hit bad guys in 8 out of 10 shots while without that lasergrip you’ll only hit 2 out of 10 times while being shot at.
That’s not an opinion, it’s supported by science and statistics.
Holy $#!t Tom, that’s a lot of experience and lead down range.
I could buy a house with the money spent on that ammo at todays prices.
Thanks for your service and going to hell and back for the US.
I have a laser problem that maybe you could help me with.
I live in California, and we can’t have a laser on our CCWs
I tend to think lights and lasers on firearms are a good way to give up your position and show the enemy exactly where to shoot. So I train without them.
A lot of good that dose in a theater situation, so I don’t go out to see movies.
The PPQ I shoot holds in my hand naturally, and my off trigger finger points perfectly in line with the sights.
I practice in the dark at home with the TV on to check that hold.
I am very calm, sometimes calmer in critical situations.
I’m a water baby and have been swimming since birth.
I’ve been trained as a lifeguard, and in Kenpo Karate, am a longtime Diver, Skier and a big wave rider.
I’ve saved people in the ocean during high surf, helped them in traffic accidents. never lost a fight, and have even put out a couple house fires, all the while being calm and calculating.
That’s why I think I would keep it together in a gun fight and aim straight.
Besides moving out of state, what can I do about not owning or using a laser on my firearms.
I ask you this because I would appreciate the information from someone of your experience.
A bit off topic but thanks if you can help.
And thanks anyway no matter what.
Here we go again…asking why an over-priced, ergonomically challenged platform is not more popular—because H&K, Sig and others are still producing models with 2 distinct triggers actions, that are mostly only suitable for advanced operators. If this is their intended market, then do not lament that the platform is not more popular. If, however, [they] wish to appeal to a broader market ( read CHL holders, females etc) then make these platforms striker-fired with singular triggers in a comfortable configuration, and get the price-point where “average” buyers may afford it….if not, then quit complaining about sales and just market to professional “operators” For me, the Glock/S&W/S/A et al, continue to be the best and most affordable fighting platforms in the industry.
I love my P2000SK for two reasons. It works 100% and will take well over 100,000 rounds. I might have to replace a spring after 25,000 rounds. You can buy a cheaper gun, but you better not shoot it a lot. The Glock Armorers Class is popular because the parts break early in the service life of those guns. You get what you pay for.
If your gun is going to sit around and get no more than 2,000 rounds in your lifetime, then go ahead and buy a cheap gun. Those $300-400 guns might not even last 2,000 rounds though.
Lololololololol…….. OK, Skippy, guess my SR9c is just gonna fall apart any moment now.
You must not do very much shooting.
In any case, there is a reason why police are not using the SR9 series.
Take care of your SR9 and it should work. Do not expect it to take much abuse though.
Easy answer for me (besides the price), is that I got mine in .40 which is the wrong caliber for this gun. I also got the LEM in regular, which was just “ok” on the trigger. I went to the light LEM and although it was a significant improvement, it made the pull too light for carry (no safety, which I am otherwise fine with as I have Sigs, etc.). Finally, I realized that the P2K is only very slightly bigger. Instead of carrying the Sk with a 2k mag and X-grip, I could just carry the big brother in a more appropriate caliber. The dimensions are very, very close.
About 3 years ago I bought the P2000sk in 40mm. It now has over 30,000 rounds through it; no malfunctions that I can remember and the recoil spring broke after 25,000 rounds. Was replaced at no charge by H&K and the gun has never been detail stripped. Field stripped and cleaned after every range visit but that’s all. Even the mags, both 9 and 12 extended have not been cleaned. Still works perfectly. I doubt that guns costing less would perform that well; shoot well, accurate and recoil for a 40 is moderate. You just can’t get that kind of performance for cheap – rumor has it that the price on the P2000sk is about to drop in Jan. Don’t pass it up!
I have a p2000 and p2000sk among other hl’s, glocks, sigs, m&ps, id’s, ect. I love my p2000sk, i carry it more than any other gun. Exspensive? Yes! But with HK your buying a gun that will last many life times. They are the most reliable small arms anyone can buy, PERIOD. I don’t care what glock says, HK is more robust a reliable. Just look up their torture test. I have seen them go through things you would think nothing could survive. Pull the trigger, and they still fire and cycle. I have never had any type of malfunction in any HK that I have ever owned. But for the average person none of that matters. The average person will be just fine with a glock 26/27, sub compact xd, sub compact m&p, ect.
I own one of these, actually it is my wife’s gun. It is a gem, shooting it is great, we almost fight over who is going to shoot it at the range. It was expensive, I did not remember plopping down $800 when I bought it a few years back, but I might have, she liked how it fit in her hand (the glock felt like a 2×4 with a trigger), and nothing else really made her grin. If you have ever put in your hands a P2000 or P30, you will understand why some go out of their way to stick with HK regardless of price…
Of course it’s the price….. Why are they not including they not including this particular model in their $200 rebate before 12/31/14.
I’d buy one today….
Yup, Price. Same with the Sigs, great guns but there are equally as good options from Springfield xd or S&W m&p. – practically buy one get one free when spending $800…
The simplest answer to your question is price. For the price of a single H&K pistol, I could buy an equally functional Smith & Wesson plus a couple of thousand rounds for practice — or, instead of the ammo, a Bodyguard .380 as an additional carry gun.
Being a great gun is less than half the battle. Being affordable matters at least as much.
Funny because that’s how I’m looking at it, too. But instead of paying over $1k for a Springfield EMP, I’ve decided to pay $625 for the H&K P2000SK and buy accessories/ammo with the savings.
I owned one and loved it except for one glaring, (and to me VERY important problem), it, and all but one HK, don’t have a lasergrip made for it. Without getting into a long dissertation, the reason that most modern handguns don’t have a safety that you must remember to physically turn off, is that your primal fear response, (no matter how much you practice), will cause most people to forget to turn off the safety.
Finding a button to turn on your laser falls into that same category.
So while your “C5L” solution comes close to a lasergrip, most people shudder when you even mention “gun” and “screwdriver” in the same paragraph. Not many of those people are going to be willing to “melt” their holster to fit the gun or pay for a custom holster.
Crimson Trace’s reasons for not making a lasergrip for it are obvious: The price of the gun causes less sales volume so therefor the number of potential lasergrip sales doesn’t make it worth the engineering and development cost to come up with a grip for it; and that “below and behind the trigger guard” magazine release makes it impossible to put the laser actuation button of a “LaserGuard”, (which normally clamps to the bottom of the trigger-guard), on that gun.
That’s why I’m packing a Sig Sauer P239 SAS instead of my old P2000SK.
I will agree that due to low volume the Lasergrip is probably not going to happen, however, if someone is willing to spend $800 on a gun I would imagine they would be willing to pay more for the lasergrip…
Sure, but again, the small number of relative sales on high-dollar guns makes those people willing to pay for the grip a very small number of potential customers for Crimson Trace.
Interesting, but who wants to spend $800 plus tax when you can buy similar for $3-400 less? HK lovers, I guess….
Hey I have the utmost respect for H&K to be sure–I am aware of their stellar reputation almost exclusively via the LE/Mil realm of the world (personally I have rented them at the range but know only one guy who actually owns one). As others have stated, H&K’s are mostly found in LE/Mil circles precisely because they are extremely expensive when sold individually but are substantially discounted via huge bulk-sales to the aforementioned agencies.
I have a Kel-Tec P11 that really was groundbreaking in its design inception beginning the hi-cap sub-compact 9mm revolution. and, of course, it’s 4 times less than the price of this particular H&K.
If money is no concern I get the H&K but in the real world…
Happy Holidays!
I just paid $600 plus tax and fees for mine. $800 might be msrp but who pays msrp?
Where did you get the P2000SK for $600?
Just about anywhere. Huge price drops recently on the p2000sk’s. You can find them between $599- $650 at the moment, and $50-$80 more for the law enforcement version which includes HK installed night sights and three mags, if you can find those in stock.
KyGunCo (Kentucky Gun Company) has them in the low 600 range (Sep 2015) – and they usually offer free shipping. I’ve bought from them with good results (low price, quick shipping). Good luck!
Try Fla. Gun Exchange
I’ve got one sitting on my desk right next to me (in .40 S&W) that I happily sell you for $600. With the plastic case it came in and the extra magazine, lock, manual, etc..
It’s slightly used, but still in almost NIB condition. I’ll send you pictures, etc., if you’re really interested.
FFL to FFL only.