HK VP9

Thought you guys might be interested in some quick impressions of this "new" weapon. I recently handled it at a gunshop. Tempted, but haven't sprung for it.

Basically, the VP9 is a striker-fired P30. For those of you not familiar with the P30, it is a smaller 9 made by HK that is concealable, but not one of the pocket guns. It comes in 9mm; not sure of other calibres. It is an HK. That means it is well built, and shoots very well. I overall like it, but have one issue - the trigger. It is curved and feels strange to pull. Except for that, I like the gun.

The new VP9 looks like its predecessor except it has no rear hammer. Controls are the same. HK puts the mag release in the back corner of the trigger guard. It is seemingly on all their autos, as my USP also has it there. It is ambi too. The slide release on the VP is also ambi, making for an easy gun to run either hand.

Its biggest improvement it the trigger. The P30 trigger is curved, and feels strange to the hand, or at least my hand. My son commented on that also when he fired it. He is not a volume shooter, so noticing something means it kind of sticks out. The new VP trigger is a world better. It has the center piece that swings forward, as most modern strikers seem to have, but the shape of the trigger is vastly better. AND, as you might expect, the little tab to decock the hammer on the left rear of the slide (next to the hammer) is not there.

Other than that, it's a P30.

Interesting. I've just recently started looking at this, and the Walther PPQ. Haven't seen either one in person yet, though.

When it comes to semi-autos, I'm a pretty die-hard Glock shooter, but if someone came out with a polymer frame striker fired gun that had an ergonomic grip rounded off a bit at the end, and a good-to-great trigger, I could be talked into it. I'll have to get a closer look at this one.

Thanks, Dev!

I've owned several HKs, and like 'em all. Especially in comparison to what was available at the time. And the HK USP in 40 is just a sweetheart.

HK USA is been rumored to have been sold. Perhaps HK's legendary "You Suck And We Hate You" customer service will improve. And the Volkspistole may have a more acceptable price.

I'm waiting to see if I can buy a VP9 trigger and then try to install it into my P30. I like the P30, and I don't mind the decock tab. I have lived with a hammer for a very long time, so that isn't an issue. With the VP9 trigger, it would be awesome.

I sprung for a VP9 about a month ago and have to say it is a very fine handgun.  The trigger is excellent and the ergos are very nice, somewhat similar to my Steyr M9-A1, with one distinct difference - the grips are modular and very customizable.  The grips consist of a right and left side panel, along with a back strap, each available in three different sizes, so you can adjust the palm swell and grip size to something very comfortable.  Several different types of ammo have been run through mine, including my reloads, factory reloads, factory new FMJ and a variety of defensive hollow points. Not one hiccup at this point, now approaching 600 rounds.  Recoil, even with a +P load, has been quite manageable and comfortable.

My preferred defensive handgun is the Glock 19, the VP9 will not knock it off this perch.  Yes, the VP9 is it's equal (or superior) in several categories.  But when the feces hits the oscillating device, the simplicity of repairing the Glock is of extreme importance to me.  With a 1/16" punch, there is not a single repair that can not be done on the Glock.  The H&K, I don't even want to start exploring that possibility.  

Overall, I am extremely happy with the purchase.  I bought the base model, which comes with two magazines and glow in the dark sights (a photo-luminescent paint is applied to the front and rear sights).  There is a LE model available, which includes three magazines and tritium night sights.  The up charge for this option appears to run around $100.  

Having never fired the PPQ, but dry fired a PPQ side by side with the VP9 at a LGS, my preference is the VP9 trigger, but they are both mighty fine (a lot nicer than anything out of the box offered by Glock - LOL).  I have offered it up to others at the range to shoot and all the responses have been very impressed.  This, from a wide range of hand sizes, both male and female.  

You owe it to yourself to stop at a stocking store and try the trigger out, very impressive.

Otis - ?you get a good price on it. Looks to me like it runs something under 1k.

$600

?That was a store price, not on-line.

Got a flyer by e-mail today from CDNN. They're charging $600.

?CDNN

CDNN is where I purchased mine.

http://www.cdnnsports.com/hk-vp9-9mm-4-striker-w-rail-ambi-3-dot-sgt-2-15rd.html

Well, ALMOST bought one. Even considered buying a couple 229 mags. But I just bought that 228 kit, and that ought to count as a gun, so I kind of have to wait a bit before considering another. Besides, I am trying to collect enough scratch to buy a Nighthawk. I really like that T4 9mm they make. It is neat looking and supposedly works really well. And I have shot one of their others, a .45, which was a truly great 1911. Ate EVERYTHING I fed it and shot it accurately. Probablty a better choice than the HK.

Otis, I heard once that the VP9's size is in between the Glock 17 and the Glock 19. Do you think that's correct?

Also, do you think you will carry the VP9? If so, I'd be interested to hear if you think it's more difficult to conceal than your Glock 19.

TJ, I would consider the VP9 to be more similar in size to the G17 than the G19.  The length of the VP9 grip is identical to the G17 when measuring from the top of the slide to the bottom of the grip.  The OAL of the VP9 is the same as the G17 and about 1/4" longer than the G19.  Don't know as the VP9 will make it to the carry rotation, however.  Certainly won't replace the G19.  I work in the jewel of the great lakes, Motown, and reliability/field expedient repairs are of utmost importance to me.  My customers are none too gun friendly, so I typically drive around with the G19 in an Andrews Custom Leather Carjacker which attaches to the seatbelt and literally sits in my lap while in the car.  While visiting a customer, the G19 goes into a safe in the car, that's all I'm going to say about that.    

I have taken some comparison pictures, they can be seen here.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/adtpy4rulih5z3s/AABogbsKcwmOdDKOn3d1v9Qba?dl=0  

The VP9 slide measures 7.25" in length and the grip is 5" tall.
The G17 slide measures 7.25" in length and the grip is 5" tall.
The G19 slide measures 7" in length and 4.5" for grip height.  I pictured the G32 here which is the same size.



While the VP9 is a very fine firearm, I just don't see it filling as many priorities for me as the G19.  YMMV.

Otis, clearly you have too many guns. Feel free to send a couple my way any time you have a few moments. I will make the sacrifice and take them off your hands (even Blocks).

Hahaha, I AM truly blessed to have some fine firearms. You are welcome to use them any time.

Otis2 wrote:I work in the jewel of the great lakes, Motown, and reliability/field expedient repairs are of utmost importance to me.  My customers are none too gun friendly

I know that situation very very well. Thanks for the info Otis.