H&K VP9 vs Glock 17

[razorback2003]

Both are similar in size. Glock 17 is a very common pistol. H&K VP9 just came out last year. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Will the H&K VP9 be able to win large law enforcement or military contracts in the future similar to Glock 17? Any known reliability or durability problems with the new VP9?

 

[oneounceload]

You will find many folks who like to quote a snarky HK saying (not H&K) that goes basically "Because we're HK and you suck and we hate you"....

Personally, I own a P7, it is one of the most accurate pistols, and consider it one of the few I would never part with. I also own a G17 (and a few others), and find it to be totally reliable with anything.

Which one feels best to YOU? Have you shot both to determine that?

 

[Olympus]

I just bought a VP9 and I have a Glock 19. I haven't shot the HK yet, but the grip feels amazing. The backstraps and side panels make a HUGE difference compared to the Glock. I'm curious to see how the HK shoots. The trigger reset is not nearly as audibel and tactile as the Glock. And HK mags are stupid expensive compared to the Glock, like $50 for a mag.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

VP9 magazines are not $50 - they're typically listed for around $37, although availability can be spotty. Still more than Glock mags, but better than some H&K magazines...

Anyway, I own both of the guns in question. The VP9 is much more ergonomic and has a better trigger. The Glock is less expensive and holds two more rounds. I like the VP9 better, but I'm not getting rid of either one.

 

[DP03]

I bought my VP9 extra mags for $26. The VP uses P30 mags. Some dishonest retailers will charge more for the "VP9" mag, when in fact they are identical.

My only Glock owned was a G21, and that guns been gone for a while. Just not for me.

The VP9, on the other hand has been accurate, enjoyable, and the most comfortable 9mm I've ever had. Never a glitch.

 

[tarosean]

I doubt HK can compete with Glocks pricing schemes.

Ive owned both and felt that the VP9 was the superior pistol..
With that said, I no longer own my VP9 as the trigger guard was too thick for my particular shooting grip and I would routinely hit the slide release.

 

[eldon519]

I think the VP9 is probably the better pistol, but for the money and with the Glock "system", I think the 17 just makes more sense. Glocks are affordable, accessories abundant, and parts plentiful. You can get a subcompact through a long slide that handle nearly identically, have the same trigger pull, and can all accept the same mags. I suppose if I was only going to own one gun I would look harder at a VP9, but with the Glock family you can do deep concealment through dedicated competition without hardly any re-training required. Currently, there aren't any similar HK striker guns smaller than full size duty guns.

 

[eldon519]

Oh, also pretty minimal since its 9mm, but Glocks handle recoil slightly better than HKs in my experience.

 

[Girodin]

I own both. Both are good guns. I prefer the VP9.

 

[glocknurse]

I own both and like both.
The VP9 has a much better trigger. Even if the reset isn't as noticable as the Glock. I actually think the VP( trigger is better than the Pyramid trigger I have in my Glock. Also, it is much more ergonomic than the Glock. My wife loves the VP9 and it's her bedside gun.
The Glock mags hold 2 more rounds in a package relatively the same size. I think the Glock grip angle really aids in managing recoil. Overall I prefer the Glock so it is my bedside gun.

Try both if possible. It really is a matter of opinion. I would trust my life to either.

 

[S&W620]

I own a VP9 and a G19, but have owned a 17 previously. I like the VP9 better, but both are quality guns, buy whichever you like without worry.

No known problems on the VP9 to my knowledge. HK usually does a pretty good job wringing that stuff out prior to their products hitting the market.

 

[Olympus]

VP9 magazines are not $50 - they're typically listed for around $37, although availability can be spotty. Still more than Glock mags, but better than some H&K magazines...

Anyway, I own both of the guns in question. The VP9 is much more ergonomic and has a better trigger. The Glock is less expensive and holds two more rounds. I like the VP9 better, but I'm not getting rid of either one.

Dealer cost for VP9/P30 mags is $36.

 

[JDR]

I don't have a VP9 but I have a P30, which has the same grip system where you can modify the backstrap and grip sideshells to fit different sized hands better. I think this is a terrific system and I think I shoot the P30 better since I modified the grip to fit my large hands. The VP9 and P30 also share magazines, which at least partly explains why replacement mags are so hard to find, and so expensive!

I also have had a Gen3 Glock 17 for the past 6 years and I have put thousands of rounds through it, so in my mind that gives it an unfair advantage over the newer HK. I'm a big HK fan and I think HK build quality is slightly better than Glock build quality, but Glock is a very close 2nd. I think the VP9 will meet all of the expectations that you have for HK reliability and durability. In the long run it's probably every bit as good as the Glock 17, but I'm not sure "yet" that it's better.

 

[bikemutt]

I owned a Glock 17 and now own the VP9. The VP9's ergonomics is much more to my liking. If I were looking for another poly 9mm it would be between the VP9 and the Walther PPQ, the G17 just doesn't fit me.

 

[HexHead]

I don't have a VP9 but I have a P30, which has the same grip system where you can modify the backstrap and grip sideshells to fit different sized hands better. I think this is a terrific system and I think I shoot the P30 better since I modified the grip to fit my large hands. The VP9 and P30 also share magazines, which at least partly explains why replacement mags are so hard to find, and so expensive!

I also have had a Gen3 Glock 17 for the past 6 years and I have put thousands of rounds through it, so in my mind that gives it an unfair advantage over the newer HK. I'm a big HK fan and I think HK build quality is slightly better than Glock build quality, but Glock is a very close 2nd. I think the VP9 will meet all of the expectations that you have for HK reliability and durability. In the long run it's probably every bit as good as the Glock 17, but I'm not sure "yet" that it's better.

My wife and I both swapped out our G17s, mine a Gen3 and her's a Gen4, each for a P30.
She has all the small grip panels on her's and says it's the most comfortable handgun she's ever held. Her groups immediately shrank. I settled on the large backstrap and medium sides so it matches my HK45. Both are V1 Light LEM variation.

While I could never notice a recoil difference between the two Gen Glocks, the P30 is softer shooting. It's also softer shooting than the VP9.

When I first brought my P30 home, I put it in her hand and she thought it felt pretty good. She then went and got her Gen4 17 and went over both with a fine tooth comb, comparing things like slide to frame fit, trigger, comfort, overall appearance and workmanship. She then handed me back the HK saying "Well no wonder it costs twice as much as a Glock, it's a much nicer gun".

I've handled and shot the VP9. It's very accurate and nicely done, and while I still prefer my P30 for a variety of reasons, I'd pick one over a Glock.

 

[JDR]

HexHead;

I'm just not an early adapter of new firearms. I waited several years after the P30 came out before I jumped on the $200 rebate deal that HK offered late last year. in my mind HK's are still primarily a hammer-fired pistol. I like the VP9, I've tried a few of them, I'm not sure I like the trigger for what is primarily intended to be my new EDC piece. My G-17 is my other EDC gun. I'm lovin' the P30 modular grip though! My P30 is SA/DA and I intend to keep it that way, although I might put the 12 lb. hammer spring in to lighten the DA pull.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I prefer the ergos and trigger of the VP9, and the overall feel.

That being said, Glock makes a good gun. Pick the one you like more.

 

[Zerodefect]

The VP9 has a bigger dent in the top rear of the grip for the top of your hand. Your hand sinks into it more . Like the beaver tail on a Glock gen4 or a 1911. Except if your hand doesn't fill in that void, then it doesn't work as well.

The lame plastic cocking wing things are great for teaching newbs how to properly overhand rack. But useless after that. Which is good, because those fall off.

In my case, because of that grip, the VP9 had more muzzle flip and was slower engaging multiple targets. But it's reliable, and durable. A good option and step forward. It won't fire if you load rounds in the magazine backwards like the ad verts said it would. If you break it, HK will laugh at you and tell you to buy a Glock. Because you suck, and HK hates you.

The aftermarket for the Glock is obviously still superior to anything out there short of a 1911. So it's still Glock or 1911 for me.

 

[Sergei Mosin]

Dealer cost for VP9/P30 mags is $36.

If that's the case, either you need a better distributor or some dealers have a really tiny markup.

 

[Olympus]

If that's the case, either you need a better distributor or some dealers have a really tiny markup.

Price was within $2 with 4 distributors I checked.

 

[atomd]

I've owned both. You can't go wrong with either. The grip and feel of those pistols are way different (not to mention the mag release) so just get the one that feels better to you and you'll be happy. Right now I have a VP9 but I don't have a Glock 17 at the moment. I have owned several Glock 17s in the past and I will probably own a 17 or a 19 in the future. I'm very happy with the VP9 though....great pistol. Mags are kind of hard to find and a lot of people mark them up to $50 which is pretty pricey for a magazine.

 

[bannockburn]

Between the two I would probably go with the VP9. I like the grip design and the overall feeling of the gun over that of the G17.

 

[burk]

Both are very good guns. The Glock has set the standard for reliability in a full size 9mm for years, and HK has a great quality reputation. I suspect they are very close and a lot will have to be decided by how the gun fits the individual shooter. I like the Glock because of the "system", almost like an DSLR camera w/ Nikon and Cannon. You can find accs. easily with a lot of competition, plus I like the availability of things like 33 rd quality factory mags for the SHTF kit. And if magpul gets it's act together the idea of $15 17 mags means you can buy 3 glock mags for the price of one HK mag. Plus if you carry a smaller CC piece like the 19 your mags are interchangeable.

 

[gunsandgearjunkie]

So far, 300 rounds with my VP9 and zero malfunctions. The VP9 feels better in my medium size hands. Another option is the Walther PPQ M1 or M2.

 

[RON in PA]

I own both. The ergonomics on the VP9 is light years superior to the Glock as are the trigger and sights. Both are as highly reliable. The Glock appears to be a simpler design. Mags for the Glock are readily available, just bought a Magpul Glock mag for 15.95. Metal finishing on the slide exterior of the VP9 is inferior to that of the Glock and to most of my pistols for that matter. Will the HK be as reliable as the Glock over 10s of thousands of shots? That's a question only a Gov't agency with a large budget for testing can answer.