Range Review: HK P30 vs CZ P-10 C

[Uncle Malice]

I've haven't been around as much the last year or two as I used to. I lurk and read a lot and reply to some people, but haven't had much cause to start my own threads much.

I kind of got my start here on TFL giving details reviews of guns. As a little throwback to my TFL roots, I wanted to give my thoughts on shooting the HK P30 V3 against the CZ P-10 C.

Great range day today over the course of 500rds. They are different guns for sure but similar size, capacity, and purpose.

This wasn't to pick a winner, just to see how their differences felt in shooting them. The P30 has a softer recoil but a little more muzzle rise. The P-10 C feels a little more snappy but it's very fast and back on target slightly faster.

They were pretty much on par as far as accuracy for me, shooting from 7 - 25 yards. The P30 is still stock, while the P-10 C has the HB Industries trigger, Apex Tactical mag release, and Night Fision sights. I definitely preferred the Night Fision sights and already have a pair of Trijicon HD XR's in the same configuration on the way for the P30.

I shot both guns naked and with the Streamlight TLR-1 HL attached. The P30 seemed to shoot a little better than the P-10 C with the light attached, but it was a small difference.

The 5-shot group photos on the tiny targets were from 10 yards, concentrated fire at about 1-2 seconds between shots.

I can shoot the P-10 C a little faster than the P30, but that shouldn't surprise anyone. The P-10 trigger beats just about everything this side of a 1911 or SAO Sig Sauer(to include the PPQ in my opinion). The double action on the P30 is buttery smooth and I have no problem shooting accurately. Did a lot of failure drills which were no problem in the DA to SA transition.

Overall, I love both of these guns so much. They have some differences for sure, but they both shoot really, really well. Once I have the P30 where I want it - match hammer spring, match sear spring, light firing pin block spring, (maybe)light trigger return spring, Gray Guns short reset kit, and Trijicon HD XR sights - I'll have to run this test again.

In conclusion, if you are considering one or both of these guns - by them. You won't be disappointed. They're both ergonomic titans.

10 yards, concentrated fire

10 yards, concentrated fire

 

[Uncle Malice]

25 yards, concentrated fire, P30

25 yards, concentrated fire, P-10 C

 

[2wheelwander]

What was your impression of the HK mag release? I think its a great design, but have never operated one.

Great write up!

 

[Uncle Malice]

I've been an HK shooter for about a decade and have always loved the paddle mag release. The USP version is a little smaller than I'd like and always swap it out for the HK 45C version, which is a little larger. The HK 45 full size, P30 series, and now the VP series really perfected it though.

A lot of people don't like it because they keep trying to use their thumb like you would with a push button. The best method, in my opinion, is to simply can't your hand clockwise about 90 degrees (just like you would to bring the gun into your 'workspace' for a tactical reload) and use your index(trigger) finger to actuate the paddle on the right side.

It takes a little bit of muscle memory repetition, but overall I really like it. And I like HK's implementation of the design much more than Walther's.

 

[wild cat mccane]

You think the P30 version is too small, like the HK 45C, but don't like the Walther P99/PPQ paddle which is the same size as the HK 45C????..

What I didn't like about my P30L was the trigger guard being so swoopy and flared all over the place for no specific reason.

 

[Uncle Malice]

You think the P30 version is too small, like the HK 45C, but don't like the Walther P99/PPQ paddle which is the same size as the HK 45C????..

???

No. Perhaps read it again...

I think the USP version is too small. The HK 45 C version is better. The P30 version is perfect - which is the same as the HK 45 and VP9.

The P99/PPQ paddle is significantly larger than all of them and I don't like it.

 

[Tactical Jackalope]

Awesome write-up!

That P-10 trigger as you described it makes sense as to why those groupings were tighter. Very nice. I can't wait till the P30 has the same amount of work done to it. It'll improve and maybe be comparable to the SA on the HK.

Reliability tests next?

 

[kenny53]

Uncle Malice that is some fine shooting, and some nice looking guns. I am wondering why did you put your gun on the roof to take their picture? I would think a table would be easier and safer. Thank you for your review on the guns. It is great.

 

[Uncle Malice]

I am wondering why did you put your gun on the roof to take their picture?

Ha! The shingles are the roof of my tortoise shelter. Like a big dog house - about 3'x3'x7'.

I have 2 of them. Here's a pic of one with my old CZ SP-01 - because I like tanks.

 

[2wheelwander]

Simple request. Please threadjack your own thread with more of these pics! The first ones posted were nicely done. Much better than 99% (including my own) just quick snaps to get an image posted.

Well done, more pics of your gun slinging tortoise! That was one of the coolest gun pics ever! That guy needs a holster. I'm taking it those are pets?

 

[Uncle Malice]

Hahaha, thanks man. Yeah, they're 'rescue' pets. I've always loved them. Lots of people get them as hatchlings without realizing how big they get or what their requirements are and dump them. This one is only about 8 years old. I have another one that will be 11 this summer.

I really like adding illustration to posts with photos. I never got around to doing YouTube... I should have. I remember when Tim(MAC) and Mike(MrGunsandGear) were just getting started here and first posted some videos. I thought about starting to do reviews with them but never made the time to get serious about it.

So photos it is!

 

[kozak6]

What was your impression of the HK mag release? I think its a great design, but have never operated one.

I have a VP9, which appears to sport a fairly similar paddle mag release.

Most of the hate against it appears to be because it's not an American-style button, and because it doesn't survive being thrown against a steel plate as well as a button. Considering the traditional European paranoia regarding magazine releases, it beats the hell out of a heel release.

It's an ambidextrous control, so you actually have two options.

You can hit it with your thumb, which isn't terribly different from a button release. It's just a lever instead of a button. I have relatively small hands for a man, and it's no issue for me.

Or, there's what appears to be the intended use of using the trigger finger to operate it. If you aren't concerned about muscle memory, I dare say it's a more positive motion than a thumb release, and allows the shooter to keep a stronger grip on the pistol while releasing the mag.

It would be worth it to handle one at a gun show or shop to see what you think.

 

[chemcal]

Excellent thread! How are these guns for CC? Do you have a preference?

 

[Uncle Malice]

I absolutely love both for concealed carry. That's my primary focus with my guns.

Having a good belt and holster are critically important, but with those, carrying almost any gun is not terribly difficult. I have even carried my CZ Shadow 2 on occasion - appendix IWB with an ANR Designs holster. The worst part about it is just that the beaver tail gets a little stabby when sitting. But if I'm standing and walking it's no problem at all.

Comparatively, the P30 and P-10 C are a breeze to carry. They're both slightly larger than the Glock 19, but not by much. They're a great size for carry, if you prefer to carry a compact-ish or larger sized gun. I've never been very fond of the really small guns like the Shield or G43. They're okay for certain situations which preclude carrying something larger, but those times are few and far between in my life. For those rare cases, the S&W 360PD fills that role for me.

I feel like there is a word missing in your second sentence.

 

[chemcal]

Thank you for your response; I've been trying alot of guns for a CCW change and find posts like yours very helpful.

 

[TunnelRat]

Had both and now no longer have both. I liked both, but always liked other options somewhat more. The prices on both have come down from the days when I bought them, the P30 by quite a bit and even the P10c can now be found below $400. Buyer's market.