HK VP9 Thoughts??

[GTBL]

Hey, everyone

Looked at a VP9 yesterday. I liked it very much and it felt great in my hand. I had been looking at a M&P9 Pro but now, like I am sure many of you have experienced am starting to have second thoughts. If anyone owns a VP9, please let me know your thoughts?

 

[JaPes]

Former VP-9 owner weighing in.

It's an excellent striker fired pistol. The H&K VP9 and the Walther PPQ are the two striker fired guns that are taking the striker fired system to the next level. The H&K VP9 has one of the best out of the box triggers on a striker fired handgun. Customize the grip contour with back straps and side panels to fit your hand. The ambidextrous paddle safety is easy to actuate. The forward and rear cocking serrations provide a nice gripping surface without feeling sharp in the hand. The rear polymer cocking ears really help get a solid purchase on the rear of the pistol during a power-stroke. I opted for the model with the factory night sights. Overall build quality is exactly what you'd expect from H&K.

Now for the small gripes. H&K mags are sometimes hard to find and can get expensive. Limited after market support. Not that there's much to go wrong, but having spare parts is nice. More involved detail strip as compared to other pistols.

Why am I former owner? I sold the pistol not because of any shortcomings. I sold it because I culled my handgun collection to handguns that serve a specific practical purpose. I cleaned out safe queens and range only pistols that rarely made it to the range.

 

[GTBL]

Thanks, JaPes
Not sure the direction I will go but I appreciate your comments.

 

[Candrews86]

I love my HK VP9, like JaPes said, the trigger is fantastic, the ergonomics are great and pretty doggone accurate. It's hard to beat for the money as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Ronin2]

The VP9 and the PPQ are the next distinctive evolution in the polymer framed striker fired pistol. They are relegating the 35 year old Glock design to the annuls of history much like where the 1911 is at now and has been for some time.

What sets the VP9 significantly apart from the PPQ is the polygonal rifled barrel that has many times the round count lifetime of the Walther's traditional land and groove barrel.

Many like the trigger of the PPQ better but IMHO there is more to a gun than a trigger and light trigger pulls are the hiding place for shooters with poor marksmanship/skillset.

I love my VP9 and it has become my go to gun for IDPA competion.

 

[Llando88]

Bought my VP9 in March.

It shoots rings around my FS M&P. It is POI = POA at 25 yards. I had a very slight initial "hitch" the first 500 dry fires, but now 1,000+ dry presses and 300+ rounds later, take up is smooth up to a crisp break. Reset is tactile and audible.

Mag capacity is 15 rounds. I don't feel undergunned. YMMV.

I have had 0 FTE or FTF using Federal 115 FMJ, FM 124 remans, Speer GD 124+p HP, or 147 reloads set up for minor power factor from my local range ammo supplier. Brass is consistently ejected at 4 o clock.

The construction is first class, no slop anywhere. The slide rails are large and robust. Takedown does not require pulling the trigger. Magazines dissassemble easily for cleaning.

I love the ambi paddle release, cocking indicator and charging supports. The three sizes of grip panels and backstrap give you great configurability.

I bought aftermarket sights (Trijicon HDs) to replace the "glow in the dark" standard three dots. They are readily available from Optics Planet, Amazon, etc. They are the same as for the P30. I use a Safariland open top range holster. Both Comp Tac and Blade Tech make holsters for the VP9.

Magazines are in ample supply. They are shared with the P30. I bought two at my LGS in March for $45 ea. i bought two more for $42 ea. last week at Midway. Today, they are $38.89 at HK Specialist: HK Specialist - Product Display(Midway has them, for sale for $37.99: HK Mag HK P30 VP9 9mm Luger Steel Blue)

In my opinion, it is the best out of the box SFA pistol sold today.

And all this, for $599 out the door...

 

[Llando88]

The VP9 and the PPQ are the next distinctive evolution in the polymer framed striker fired pistol. They are relegating the 35 year old Glock design to the annuls of history much like where the 1911 is at now and has been for some time.

What sets the VP9 significantly apart from the PPQ is the polygonal rifled barrel that has many times the round count lifetime of the Walther's traditional land and groove barrel.

Many like the trigger of the PPQ better but IMHO there is more to a gun than a trigger and light trigger pulls are the hiding place for shooters with poor marksmanship/skillset.

I love my VP9 and it has become my go to gun for IDPA competion.

I would add the Sig P320 to that list.

I fingered both the PPQ and VP9 at my LGS before buying the VP9. "To me" the PPQ was noticeably lighter. Rumors of unintentional double taps caused me to shy away from the PPQ.

 

[Saudade]

And all this, for $599 out the door...

Jeez!!! I'm embarrassed to say what I paid for mine last year before SSE ran out in CA.

10 round mags are closer to $60.

Admittedly, I'm not a fan of the mag release. Even my PPQs are all "M2".

 

[Llando88]

Hey, everyone

Looked at a VP9 yesterday. I liked it very much and it felt great in my hand. I had been looking at a M&P9 Pro but now, like I am sure many of you have experienced am starting to have second thoughts. If anyone owns a VP9, please let me know your thoughts?

I was going to add, if you decide to buy a VP9 at street price, you might want to move fast.

Several US distributors active on other forums have indicated HK has stopped production until 2016. The reasons are not clear, possibly something to do with their ongoing G36 issues.

 

[JaPes]

The VP9 and the PPQ are the next distinctive evolution in the polymer framed striker fired pistol. They are relegating the 35 year old Glock design to the annuls of history much like where the 1911 is at now and has been for some time.

I share the same sentiment. Ironically, three of the four pistols I own are Glocks. Why? I learned to shoot a center fire pistol using a Glock 19. Even though the Glock 19 has ergonomic and out of the box trigger shortcomings as compared to a VP9 and PPQ, every time I hold one in my hands it feels like coming home. I've owned a bunch of different handguns. Because I learned on a Glock, a Glock always feels like an extension of my will when I shoot one. It's much the same sentiment 1911 enthusiasts have for being loyal to the 1911.

 

[pinoakflats]

HK

Nothing, I mean nothing feels better in my hand than the HK VP9 or the HK P30. I own a Glock 19 and like it, but doesn't feel as good as the HK duo. But that's me, what matters is what works for you.
Never any issues with the Glock or the HKs.
Have fun choosing!!

 

[bulldogman]

I bought the PPQ, the VP9 trigger feels like an improved M&P and even though the PPQ feels lighter it felt more substantial to me, both are great guns it boils down to preference. I found this article interesting.

Walther PPQ M1 Classic versus Heckler & Koch HK VP9: High-Capacity Polymer-Frame, Striker-Fired Combat/Tactical 9mm Pistol Face-Off! | DefenseReview.com (DR): An online tactical technology and military defense technology magazine with particular focu

 

[wx7b]

VP9 is a great gun, with the grip more customizable than the PPQ. I love my PPQ, especially the trigger, which is better than the VP9 or P30 by far. Barrel axis is a little high which makes gives it a bit more barrel rise. So, if you like a great trigger, get the PPQ, customizable grip, VP9. I heart the M&P's trigger is now better, may want to check there, is a good gun also if the grip fits you. PPQ is more compact, like a Glock 19 or 23.

 

[palmetto99]

I've handle three different VP9's over the past couple of months. I do like the ergos. Feels great in the hand. One of the three triggers felt great, but the other two were kind of "meh". A little better than a Glock, but not that much better.

If I weren't so invested in Glocks (carry and competition) I might look into the VP9. I've told a couple of folks looking to purchase handguns to look at them.

 

[Pre 29]

We rent and sell the PPQ,the VP9, and the SIG 320 and they all run fine. The Sig has more muzzle rise. The HK is good but has become hard to get now. We got two in last week and both went out that day. The first PPQ M1 we got about two years ago is in my office. I started shooting it without cleaning or lubing it and it has over 4000 round through it and it still has not been cleaned or lubed. I have let a bunch of people shoot it and it has never had any kind of malfunction. I really like this pistol. Best trigger with the shortest reset. The ergonomics are great. Love the mag release on the M1. The only gripe if I had to come up with one is the ambi slide release is long and I tend to ride it so the slide doesn't lock back on the last shot. If it was my carry gun I would just change my grip. We have had zero problems with any of the three guns mentioned and have sold a good number of each. Pick which ever one you like. You can't go wrong. Good luck, Ricci.

 

[Ronin2]

Admittedly, I'm not a fan of the mag release. Even my PPQs are all "M2".

I love the mag release. I can use my trigger finger to drop the mag without having to break my strong hand weld on the grip to get my thumb to reach over to hit a release button.

I seem to be able to move back n forth between my P226mk25's traditional button release with my VP9's paddle release without any issues. Admittedly the use of my trigger finger and the paddle makes more sense intellectually.

I was going to add, if you decide to buy a VP9 at street price, you might want to move fast.

Several US distributors active on other forums have indicated HK has stopped production until 2016. The reasons are not clear, possibly something to do with their ongoing G36 issues.

Im glad I bought five of them before kalifornistan's SSE ended. Four are sitting new in box.

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

Can't go wrong with a Sig P320, HK VP9, or Walther PPQ. Between the VP9 and P320, I like the P320 better (specifically the carry model). I personally like the P320 trigger better due to its very short reset. I also like how it doesn't have the "trigger safey". I like an all metal smooth faced trigger. The P320 is also easier to clean because the entire trigger assembly pops out.

 

[dmar]

I've had my VP9 for over a year now, and it's an excellent gun. Great ergonomics, trigger, sights, and accuracy. Nice quality, I would definitely recommend it to a friend...