FNS-9, VP9, XDM-9. Which and why?

Which one would you buy?

  • FNS-9 of either barrel length offered

    Votes: 12 26.7%

  • VP9

    Votes: 19 42.2%

  • XDm of some flavor

    Votes: 14 31.1%
  • Total voters
    45
  • Poll closed .
Status
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Zaydok Allen

Zaydok Allen

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13,274
I'm thinking about a full sized polymer, striker fired 9mm. Of the FNS-9, the HK VP9, and the XDm line, which would you buy and why?

Those are the three that interest me for reasons I've thought about. I don't care for GLOCKS, S&W M&P guns, Walthers, or really any of the other poly guns out there, so please don't tell me those are what I should buy. I don't want one of those. Use is range, and light HD and carry duty.

Which would you get and feel free to explain why.

GO!
 
I have a pair of FNXs and I like them. I've dry fired an FNS and the trigger was just OK - it may get better after a bunch of rounds.
 
I'm a fan of FNH. I keep an fnx-9 next to the bed, but if I had to pick a go-to pistol it would probably would be my fns-40. Comfortable, accurate, reliable, and soft shooting for a snappy .40.


The only reason I didn't purchase it in 9mm was that I wanted .40 since 9mm was impossible to find at the time. I love it enough that and fns-9 long slide is probably my next pistol.

As a bonus it comes with a great case as well as a third magazine.
 
If you were looking for a holster for any of them today, you'd have more luck finding one for the XDM. In six months it may be a different story.

Of course in six months FN will have changed their gun and renamed it something else like FNG.
 
I've found a couple of fobus holsters that fit my FNS. I can't remember if they are for SIGs or H&K, but they hold the gun very well for carry.

The one thing you are going to have to struggle with regarding form fitting holsters for IWB carry is that massively elongated trigger guard. Nothing stock of the lower end price point fits it. I ended up buying a cheap I/O convertible slide holster that I plan to remake more substantially this winter when I restock some of my supplies. For the short term it works well enough.

It's actually a lot harder to find a generic holster to fit the FNX than the FNS simply because it's so much wider due to the ambi decocker.
 
vp9>xdm>fns. That's just my opinion of the choices you listed. These are all really good choices though, with the hk having the better trigger and ergonomics. However the vp9 sacrifices 2 less rounds to the fn and 4 less to the xdm, if that even matters to you.
 
VP9 is a great gun , like all H&Ks it shoots great and is a much better quality made pistol than the XDM and the FN.
 
Personally? I like the XDM best. The FN pistols have a "squishy" trigger without a noticeable reset. It's just preference for me, I'm sure any of the three would be great.
 
I have XDM's in 9mm and .40, both with 4.5 in barrels, and they've been fantastic. I have never had an issue regardless of what ammo I use, the grip angle works for me and I like having the option to adjust the adjust the grip size. They are IMO the best of the guns I own (Glock's, 1911, XD's and Sig Sauer).
 
VP9, seems to be the hottest trend over in the calguns forum. After seeing the all the reviews, mainly positive, I can see why the VP9 is selling like hot cakes in CA. I'd probably jumped on one myself.
 
I wish I could give you some insight into the FNS and XDM but unfortunately I haven't tried them. A ways back I had an FNP45 Tactical and it was well made, and the reputation of the FNS is pretty good. The XDM doesn't fit my hand well and I'm not crazy about the grip safety but I have heard good things about it.

I've had my HK VP9 for about a month and it's a fantastic gun. Today I met a buddy at range for a shooting session. He's a pretty new shooter, no guns of his own and has just shot mine. All told he's gone shooting with me a dozen times or so, so he's not an accomplished shot yet. But he was able to hit a 4" target with almost every round at 21 feet the very first time he tried my VP9. That's the remarkable things about it- how easy it is to shoot. The first shot I ever put through it landed dead-smack on the crossed part of the "X" on the X-ring of the target at 15 yards. It's like the bullets are thought controlled. It makes everyone who shoots it look like a good shooter even if they're not.

The mags are a little expensive at $35 each but they're extremely good mags. HK really builds great magazines, they always have. While it's a new gun it uses P30 mags and P30 sights so there are already a lot of options for it.

It's kind of soon to talk of reliability yet. I've only got about 500 rounds through it no hiccups despite the fact that I've run mostly steel cased Wolf WPA and aluminum Blazer ammo in it. It's accurate with all bullet weights and doesn't seem to need any break in at all.

One really awesome feature of the VP9 is the interchangeable grip panels. In addition to having a removable back strap it also has interchangeable left and right side grip panels and there are three sizes for each panel (for a total of 27 combinations). Between all these possibilities almost everyone should be able to get a good fit for their hand.

Lastly I would say HK just makes very high quality guns. They warrant their product for life which I find more reassuring than, say, the one year Glock warranty. It's pretty rare to get a lemon from HK and if you ever need service their CS is among the best in the biz (no, you don't suck and they don't hate you!:D).
 
EezyBeezy said:
VP9, seems to be the hottest trend over in the calguns forum. After seeing the all the reviews, mainly positive, I can see why the VP9 is selling like hot cakes in CA. I'd probably jumped on one myself.
Click to expand...
How is the VP9 "selling like hot cakes" in CA? Is it on the DOJ safe gun list? It was just released about a month ago, has it gone through CA's test procedure? It doesn't meet the current criteria, not having a magazine disconnect.
 
Checking back in.

You've omitted one of the best. The Sig P320.
Click to expand...
I've omitted nothing. That gun doesn't interest me.
No no... Walther p99as
Click to expand...
I already said I don't want a Walther.

I'm a little torn in different directions is the problem. I own an XDs in 45 and love the little beasty. It has been totally reliable and it is a great carry gun. So a full size is appealing.

I own an HK45, and it is my bedside gun. That thing is as reliable a gun as you can buy. The ergos are great. The trigger is the only thing really lacking on it. Anyway, my love for that gun obviously makes me interested in the VP9.

I owned a FNP45 in the past, but it was one of the older guns that had ammo sensitivity problems. I also had to replace all of my magazine springs not that long after buying it, which made me mad. I got tired of the FTF issues I was having as it was my bedside gun, so it was traded away. Great range gun, but if it isn't reliable I'm not interested in owning it. I had written FNH off as a company I didn't want to give my money to, even though I really wanted to like the gun. It was extremely accurate, and I shot it well. A few months ago I handled an FNS-9 and liked the feel and I thought the trigger was pretty decent on the one I handled. I thought it had a better feel than the XDm I comparred it to, but I've heard that the XDm trigger smoothes out over time. I would expect it to, as that is what happened with my XDs.

I can't, or rather, I shouldn't afford all three, so I'm trying to narrow it down.

I had decided on the 5.25" XDm model a while ago, as I like the high ammo capacity and the gun fits my hands well. But then the FNS through me for a loop. It seems to have a nice low bore axis, and good looking lines.

I think I may wait on the VP9 and see if they come out with a long slide version like they did with the P30L. I prefer a longer slide.

Still not sure.
 
Ive always wanted that 5.25" XDm for what it's worth.


Do any of these have sights adjustable for elevation? I always let that be my choice maker if Im in a jam on what to get. (Well, the 2 times Ive been in a jam)
 
I own an HK45, and it is my bedside gun. That thing is as reliable a gun as you can buy. The ergos are great. The trigger is the only thing really lacking on it. Anyway, my love for that gun obviously makes me interested in the VP9
Click to expand...

Get the vp9... The trigger on the vp9 is much different than your da/sa hk45. if you don't like it, you can always trade it for an xd/xdm at a later time..

In my neck of the woods, I find used xds left and right and people don;t seem to snatch them right away..
 
Out of what you listed I prefer the xdm9mm.
It's a quality built reliable pistol. The ergonomics of the xdm are perfect to me. It's accurate and holds 20+1. Its a soft reconciling pistol making for easier faster follow us shots.
Good luck.
 
FNS-9

I prefer (and own) the FNS-9. I've heard complaints about the trigger being "gritty" but I don't seem to have that issue. Shoots well, high capacity, and fit and finish is nice. Plus, the price has come down some. Definitely worth a look.
 
HexHead said:
How is the VP9 "selling like hot cakes" in CA? Is it on the DOJ safe gun list? It was just released about a month ago, has it gone through CA's test procedure? It doesn't meet the current criteria, not having a magazine disconnect.
Click to expand...

There is a method called Single Short Exemption which allows CA residents to purchase handguns that are not on the DOJ "Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale." SSE is 100% legal and done my participating FFL's. Through SSE CA residents can pretty much purchase any handgun they wish w/o a threaded barrel.
 
The XD offerings are the best out there considering their cost (the "essentials" packages are an excellent value), ergonomics, reliability, and accuracy out of the box. For polymer pistols, they're the all-around champ in my opinion.
 
Do any of these have sights adjustable for elevation? I always let that be my choice maker if Im in a jam on what to get.
Click to expand...

The XDm 5.25 has an adjustable rear sight. The FNS long and regular slides, as well as the VP9 have fixed sights.
 
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