Quick Question About Buying a VP9

John G C 1 said:

I think I am going to buy a VP9.

Question: Down the road I may want to buy the long slide package for it, so do I just want a standard VP9 or is there anything special I need to know?

I just do not know much about the VP9 and I will be ordering without handling other than one I handled at the range.

Click to expand...

The most important tip regarding the VP 9 is to buy the Law Enforcement offering. It comes with three magazines rather than two, and a set of excellent night sights for only an extra $100 or so. The standard offering comes with two magazines and sights that work fine, but only glow in the dark if exposed to a bright light first. That certainly isn't ideal.

The Law Enforcement offering is a much better value IMO and based on my desires.

460Shooter said:

The most important tip regarding the VP 9 is to buy the Law Enforcement offering. It comes with three magazines rather than two, and a set of excellent night sights for only an extra $100 or so. The standard offering comes with two magazines and sights that work fine, but only glow in the dark if exposed to a bright light first. That certainly isn't ideal.

The Law Enforcement offering is a much better value.

Click to expand...

Not that big of a value if your plan is to put the long slide on it since those night sights will be sitting in a drawer at home.

JTQ said:

Not that big of a value if your plan is to put the long slide on it since those night sights will be sitting in a drawer at home.

Click to expand...

If the long slide is going to be the only use, I agree. There's no real value to be gained by getting the LE variant. However, the OP said

John G C 1 said:

Question: Down the road I may want to buy the long slide package for it

Click to expand...

"Down the road" and "may" indicate he's looking for advice about the regular length slide offerings. If he isn't sure if he's going to pick up a long slide, given the cost of extra mags and adding night sights, the LE variant is a better value. If he is just looking for a range toy, ok, don't spend the extra $100.

I guess I should've said, IMO the LE variant is a better value.

460Shooter said:

The Law Enforcement offering is a much better value.

Click to expand...

That all depends if you like three-white-dot sights or not. If you’re like me and you don’t like those kind of night sights, then it’s not a good value. No matter which version of the VP9 I got, I’d change the sights, so for me it’s not worth paying $90 just for an extra magazine.

Theohazard said:

That all depends if you like three-white-dot sights or not. If you’re like me and you don’t like those kind of night sights, then it’s not a good value. No matter which version of the VP9 I got, I’d change the sights, so for me it’s not worth paying $90 just for an extra magazine.

Click to expand...

Please see my last post. You are correct. It’s only a better value if you desire those things. It’s just an opinion and I’ve added that sentiment to my first post. Didn’t mean to state it as a fact. It’s not, just my take on things.

They changed the recoil spring to that of the VP40 about a year ago. It starts out pretty stiff and doesn't like 115gr ammo. I had to shoot about 550 rounds of 124gr before it would cycle 115 gr. Some people say to lock the slide back for 24 hrs, but that didn't seem to help. YMMV.

Really nice shooter.

StationOps said:

They changed the recoil spring to that of the VP40 about a year ago. It starts out pretty stiff and doesn't like 115gr ammo. I had to shoot about 550 rounds of 124gr before it would cycle 115 gr. Some people say to lock the slide back for 24 hrs, but that didn't seem to help. YMMV.

Really nice shooter.

Click to expand...

A few engineers that frequent THR have asserted that repeated spring use is what loosens up a stiff spring, not prolonged compression. So your experience makes sense.

If spring compression was what did it, long term loaded magazines would be a really bad idea.

460Shooter said:

Please see my last post. You are correct. It’s only a better value if you desire those things. It’s just an opinion and I’ve added that sentiment to my first post. Didn’t mean to state it as a fact. It’s not, just my take on things.

Click to expand...

Sorry, while I was specifically quoting you, that comment was more aimed at anyone reading this who might be deciding between the LE and non-LE models. I’ve sold a lot of VP9s over the years, so that’s something I always point out to a customer who’s having trouble deciding which one to get.

John G C 1 said:

I think I am going to buy a VP9.

Question: Down the road I may want to buy the long slide package for it, so do I just want a standard VP9 or is there anything special I need to know?

I just do not know much about the VP9 and I will be ordering without handling other than one I handled at the range.

Click to expand...

Nothing to worry about. I have a VP9 LE, and bought a long slide a few months ago. Slides interchange without issue.

The long slide was very very accurate for me, currently out getting the slide milled for an Aimpoint ACRO P-1. Hope to have it back soon.

Both slides are good shooters, but the long slide has a match fit barrel and is noticeably more accurate.

Theohazard said:

Sorry, while I was specifically quoting you, that comment was more aimed at anyone reading this who might be deciding between the LE and non-LE models. I’ve sold a lot of VP9s over the years, so that’s something I always point out to a customer who’s having trouble deciding which one to get.

Click to expand...

Yep, and it’s a good point! My comment stated an opinion as a fact and needed rewording. I’m glad you and JTQ pointed it out, cuz well, I hate it when people do that. I mean look at my signature line.