HK P30 and VP9

[Winkman822]

Okay gang, I just picked up my P30L V1 earlier this week and I must say, I really dig this gun. I was curious, however, if it's just me or if others with both guns have noticed this as well. What I find to be the case is that with the medium side panels and back strap on, the P30 feels about the same in hand as my VP9 with the small side panels and back strap on it. Is it just me or is the P30 a little bit trimmer in the grip than the VP?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I have noticed that there is a more pronounced swell on the backstrap on the VP9. It's almost more of a hump than a swell. If I had to guess, and that's what I'm doing based on handling a full size P30 many times, and owning a VP9, the grip shape on the VP9 may in fact be a bit thicker due to that difference. It's also possible the difference in shape just makes the VP9 feel thicker.

I enjoy my VP9, but the more I shoot my P30SK, the more I feel the need to bring a P30L home for comparison.

 

[sigarms228]

I can't say that I have noticed much of any difference. I have large all around on both and both shoot great for me. On the VP9 I like that I can get more of my hand under the slide area. Congrats on your new P30L.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I run all three of my HK's with the largest panels on the back and right side of the grip, but the smallest on the left side. Being right handed, and relatively large handed, this fills my hand well, but allows my fingers to wrap tightly around the front strap.

 

[Winkman822]

I have noticed that there is a more pronounced swell on the backstrap on the VP9. It's almost more of a hump than a swell. If I had to guess, and that's what I'm doing based on handling a full size P30 many times, and owning a VP9, the grip shape on the VP9 may in fact be a bit thicker due to that difference. It's also possible the difference in shape just makes the VP9 feel thicker.

I enjoy my VP9, but the more I shoot my P30SK, the more I feel the need to bring a P30L home for comparison.

The more pronounced swell very well may be what I'm feeling in my hand.

 

[Kano383]

What I really noticed, shooting a VP9, was my index finger rubbing raw on the trough at the bottom of the trigger guard... Took my mind away from other considerations.

 

[thedeal]

I think the svelte "stock panel" P30 is a little more trim than the VP9 (at least that's the way it feels). What's interesting to me is that I tend like a little more grip purchase and yet the P30 feels perfect as is.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

What I really noticed, shooting a VP9, was my index finger rubbing raw on the trough at the bottom of the trigger guard... Took my mind away from other considerations.

Curious if you have really large hands.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

I don't own a VP-9, but I put the medium panels on my HK P-30 and it fits my hands perfectly. I also notice the finger rubbing on the trigger guard when shooting, I have small hands. I just deal with it, the pistol is awesome.

 

[Kano383]

Curious if you have really large hands.

No, rather slender.

 

[Winkman822]

What I really noticed, shooting a VP9, was my index finger rubbing raw on the trough at the bottom of the trigger guard... Took my mind away from other considerations.

Interesting that you mention this. I noticed this more with my P30 than with my VP9. I'm giving some serious thought to smoothing out the little cutaway in the trigger guard because of it.

All that said, I put 530 rounds through the P30L over the weekend, and what a great shooter. It's a complete pleasure to shoot with its very mild recoil, I really don't get what folks are on about when they say HK doesn't make a good trigger. The V1 LEM that I have in my specimen is outstanding with a nice crisp break. The biggest gripe that I have about the trigger is that the reset is a little on the long side, but to be fair, I'm a little spoiled when it comes to triggers between my 1911's and my Sig Legions with the SRT trigger. To be totally honest, the reset feels quite similar to the reset on my P226 NSW and P245 without the SRT trigger kits.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

The poor HK triggers that get discussed are the traditional DA/SA triggers. My HK45 has one. The DA pull is excessively heavy, but smooth, with a crisp break. However the single action breaks very crisply and after a bit of take up is very serviceable. Since Only the first shot is DA on that gun, I don't really let it bother me.

However, in comparison to my P30SK's LEM trigger, the traditional trigger system on my HK45 feels pretty crumby. I have been seriously thinking about converting it to LEM, and any future hammer fired HKs I purchase will be the LEM variety, with tritum sights.

 

[Winkman822]

The poor HK triggers that get discussed are the traditional DA/SA triggers. My HK45 has one. The DA pull is excessively heavy, but smooth, with a crisp break. However the single action breaks very crisply and after a bit of take up is very serviceable. Since Only the first shot is DA on that gun, I don't really let it bother me.

However, in comparison to my P30SK's LEM trigger, the traditional trigger system on my HK45 feels pretty crumby. I have been seriously thinking about converting it to LEM, and any future hammer fired HKs I purchase will be the LEM variety, with tritum sights.

On the couple of DA/SA HK's that I've owned or shot, I didn't find the triggers to be all that bad. Sure the DA pull is long and heavy, but after a few trips to the range, it's smooth and predictable. The single action trigger is a non-issue. That said, the V1 LEM trigger is outstanding. I'd definitely take it over my box stock Glock 19 trigger.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

On the couple of DA/SA HK's that I've owned or shot, I didn't find the triggers to be all that bad. Sure the DA pull is long and heavy, but after a few trips to the range, it's smooth and predictable. The single action trigger is a non-issue. That said, the V1 LEM trigger is outstanding. I'd definitely take it over my box stock Glock 19 trigger.

I agree. I think that people blow the heavy DA pull out of proportion. While it isn't ideal, it's certainly serviceable, and as you said, the SA is a nonissue. Just stating the source of the complaint, not validating the severity of the issue. I'd like a lighter DA pull, but it isn't as big of a deal as folks make it out to be. Honestly I think the price of HK DA/SA guns has a big bearing on the complaint. People think because they paid a premium price, every aspect of a gun should be exactly what they want it to be. It's impossible of course, since everyone wants different things.

To my eyes, the fit and finish are a bonus on HK guns. However the high price of their DA/SA guns is bread from their high reliability, accuracy, durability, and excellent customer service.

 

[nonseven]

I couldn't decide on the V1 or V3 trigger, so I bought two P30s, one of each. Thought I would like the V1 (light LEM) more, but after shooting them both now several times, I'm shooting the V3 (DA/SA) better and like it more. Yes the DA trigger pull on the V3 is heavy, but it's smooth and the ergonomics of the gun are so good I'm accurate on the first shot.

 

[Winkman822]

I also thought about the V3 DA/SA, but opted for the V1 LEM since I'm not crazy about the location of the decocking button on the P30. To me, it just feels awkward to operate.