Heckler & Koch and I go way back. I first shot an H&K about 30 years ago. My opinion then was that it was a perfect example of Germanic over-engineering: heavy, with snappy recoil, too many parts and everything about it expensive (just like German cars without the leather seats). Despite the vaunted H&K reputation for reliability, I even managed once to break the "anvil" of them all--an MP-5.

The relationship was apparently a mutual one, for despite repeated requests, this represents only the second time H&K has sent me something for review.

I was all set to roll out my snarky comments about "shoebox-proportioned slides" and oversize parts. I had all my snappy similes about H&K recoil ready to go. I've gotten in trouble in the past with the H&K masses for my less- than- gushing reviews of the H&K firearms I was able to test, even when H&K didn't send me any. (Borrowed, not from H&K.) And then they sent me the P30.

SPECIFICATIONS
MAKER:	Heckler & Koch USA
TYPE:	Semiauto
CALIBER:	9mm
CAPACITY:	15+1
BARREL LENGTH:	3.86 inches
OVERALL LENGTH:	6.99 inches
WEIGHT:	29.3 ounces
SIGHTS:	Fixed 3-dot combat-type with red dot
STOCKS:	Polymer
FINISH:	Matte black
PRICE:	N/A

The first thing you have to realize, which may not be apparent from the photos, is that this is a pistol that actually is proportioned for people. Where trying to pack your typical H&K pistol all day concealed could tax even the finest tailor, the P30 is the size of regular pistols. The grip is some sort of aberration: It fits my hand. And in the current race of polymer pistols with interchangeable backstraps, the P30 goes one better: You can fit one of three different-size backstraps and side panels on the grip. Mix and match if you like. Do you want the fat sidepanels and the short/small backstrap? Knock yourself out. Or form any other combo you can think of.

How far did H&K take this radical new idea of hand-fitting frame proportions? The finger grooves actually fit my hand. Not just my hand, but also everyone's at my gun club I could convince to hold and shoot it (it wasn't difficult). Usually, finger grooves on a pistol grip are proportioned for a gorilla or octopus , but those on the P30 are comfy. It also is about the same circumference as a 1911, and not at all like the fat-frame hi-cap 9s we're all accustomed to. That grip encloses a 15-shot 9mm magazine. The magazine tube has ribs pressed into it, so the tube was obviously proportioned for a .40 chambering (hinting at future variants).

The slide-stop is ambidextrous and also serves as the takedown lever. Here's how it works: Unload the gun and verify it's clear. Just forward of the slide hold-open notch is a rectangular gap. Use your left hand to hold the slide with that gap lined up over the front of the slide-stop lever. Then press the pin from the other side through. Well, partway through--the slide stop doesn't come off the frame. It simply frees the slide (you can't lose it if it doesn't come off). With the slide off, pull off the captured spring and guide rod/cam piece, and let the barrel fall out. You're done. Assembly is just as easy. The magazine catch is the current European favorite: a dual paddle on either side of the triggerguard. Press down the paddle, and you release the magazine. It is ambidextrous, and it does work. I just find that my grip is so high and tight that sometimes when I press such paddles down, I'm pushing them against my second finger.

Notice the cam slot in the guide rod? It cams and supports the barrel, so there's no need for a chunk of steel at that point in the frame. In fact, the only steel (that I could see) actually in the frame is the four rail pads, caught when the frame was molded. The other metal (probably steel, I didn't check) molded into the frame is the serial-number plate, inset in the Picatinny rail as part of the dustcover.

	(This is article appears in the October 2007 issue of GUNS & AMMO magazine, which is on sale now at your local newsstand. Click HERE for a look at the other great features and stories available in the October 2007 issue)