HK VP9...Interesting...

[JWH321]

OK, I finally got to touch one. Its like looking at a Rolex after owning a Seiko for a long time. Very nicely done.

There are two things that stuck me. One is its size. Its much bigger in person than it looks in pictures. And second, the trigger, while very similar to a PPQ in overall feel, is clearly heavier. That's not a bad thing for a carry gun. To me, the PPQ bordered on being a bit too quick -- I bet it has caught quite a few people off guard.

Somebody here said its for those who wanted a Porsche 911 but could only afford a Boxter. Maybe, but a closer comparison might be for people who can't choose between a 911 and a Cayman S. They are different, but equal in their refinement and quality.

But the bottom line is that I went down to the store to buy a VP9, and I held one and compared it to others, and I came home with my money still in my pocket. I'm just not quite sure yet.

But I did drive home in a 911 Carerra.

 

[Girodin]

I will say my over all impression changed significantly between just holding and actually shooting it.

 

[JWH321]

That's what I'm afraid of. I just want to be sure before I part with the money.

But I have always wanted an H&K, and I promised myself that I would get one before I got too old to hold it.

It will likely come home with me next trip if they still have one, or later if they have to get more.

I have looked at a P30 about 800 times, and had finally decided that it would be my next acquisition. Then along came the VP9. I like striker fired guns.

The way my mind works, I'll probably examine the VP9 about 40 more times, then buy the P30 and spend three more years wishing I had bought the VP9. By the time I decide to buy the 9, they will come up with a VP10 that will confuse that decision.

 

[Girodin]

You're driving a Porsche you can swing it. It's only money. I personally do not like DA/SA guns. I also would not want even a light LEM particularly if a decent striker fired alternative was available. If I had a P30 I would want to carry it single action safety on. But that's just me (although Ken hackathorn told me that's how he carries a P30).

My only hesitation was that I'd prefer to have one with a threaded barrel. However experience has taught me that waiting for something that may or may not ever come to be is a bad idea. If they come out with a threaded barrel version I'll just buy one of those. My hope is they make an SK size gun. That is the next logica step. That or a shield/pps sized gun.

 

[mgmorden]

I personally do not like DA/SA guns. I also would not want even a light LEM particularly if a decent striker fired alternative was available.

Same here. Personally even if the VP9 cost $300 more than the P30 I'd still want the VP9. I have a few DA/SA 9mm's, but I highly doubt that I'll ever buy another unless I get a used one at a particularly good deal.

That the VP9 is actually cheaper is just a bonus. I still don't have the funds for one at the moment though, but I might try to get one towards the end of the year.

 

[george burns]

I agree with others, same gun as a Glock or M&P, once you break these guns down, they all look and are quite similar, the trigger is about the only thing left for improvement.
Is it worth 6-700 for a different trigger? The slides are all cosmetically different, but the guns are all pretty much similar. If you have a Glock 19 and a Walther, do you need another, gun that is basically the same? Even though I want every gun I see, when given time to let the newness wear off, it's pretty much a Walther or a Glock in a different set of Pants.
This is the point where at the last moment, I buy a different gun, like a 686 revolver. Just to mix it up a bit. If you have 3 guns that hold 15 rounds of 9mm, and are almost the same , is it a wise move to buy another one, or get say an AK or AR pistol or big bore revolver. Carrying too may similar guns can be counterproductive. Having a 30 round 556 in the house or car could be a lifesaver if the worse possible thing happened.
Just looking at the internals of that slide makes me feel I am wasting money on yet another 9mm Glock copy.
I get it with 1911's as they are highly customizable and have a unique feel to them when work is done properly. Plus they are just Prettier more customizable and better shooters for most pistol sports, IMO.
But Poly guns with the parts press fitted in, just don't hold the same allure, "at least to me", even though they are usually better for Duty, hold more ammo and are usually more durable, reliable, lighter and easy to take care of.
Looking at the VP9, is like looking at a Glock frame with a slide that has more angles.
I can't help but sometimes when I get all excited over a new model that came out, and open the safe, only to see the last great purchase I made sitting there with 5 or 6 of it's friends gathering dust. I kind of settle into the one that I really shoot best and not pay that much attention to the rest.
But that's what hobbies are, I guess. People with a lot of cars do the same thing from my observation of them.

 

[sigarms228]

I got a chance to go to the range with my HK VP9 and it is one sweet shooter. Dry firing the trigger on my PPQ is crisper, lighter, and shorter reset but in actual shooting I really like the VP9 though I still do shoot my PPQ a bit better but that might change with a couple more range trips. The VP9 is a bit of a softer shooter though but both are pretty soft shooters.

20 rounds (two magazines with 10 shots) at 7 yards first time out with my new VP9. I just need to work on getting more to the center. I am glad to report I did not have any issue with the slide not locking back after last round fired like more than a few have reported.



20 rounds 7 yards my PPQ:

 

[HexHead]

My only hesitation was that I'd prefer to have one with a threaded barrel. However experience has taught me that waiting for something that may or may not ever come to be is a bad idea. If they come out with a threaded barrel version I'll just buy one of those. My hope is they make an SK size gun. That is the next logica step. That or a shield/pps sized gun.

How long has the P30 been out, 2009? What makes you think a threaded barrel or SK version of the VP9 is even on the drawing board when those aren't even P30 options yet?

 

[speedway]

I'll believe that when I see it.

Mine was $640

 

[tarosean]

^ I paid 565 or 611.61 after taxes.

 

[sota]

Finally got to shoot one today. Lady friend I intro'ed to shooting bought one (LE version w/ night sights) (I will unabashedly say I played some *small* role in her choosing HK. She however decided to take the chance on the VP9 over a P30, simply because of those charge supports on the slide. It was a good bet.)

30 rounds as a pair of full mags. no warmup shots or anything; just picked it up and let it rock. 10 meter target distance.


later on in the day I took another 15 at it, with a little more discipline and introspection into how the gun runs.


Yep... the trigger breaks like a glass rod. I now know what trigger creep feels like after switching back to my P2000.


(unrelated, but I figured out my P2000 problem, the TruDot sights have a wider rear notch than I'm used to, and it was throwing off my aim. The above is the results of "cleaning up" my sight picture.)

I'll put it like this... if I were a striker fan I'd get one of these. Hell if I have a permit and the cash to burn and found one for sale lightly used I'd jump on it.
Well done HK.

 

[CTGunner]

I now I have about 500 rounds through the VP9. So having spent more time with it at the range I will make a few observations.

Pros
Mechanical Reliability is 100% at this point.

Accuracy - As a self defense weapon I can't see needing more than what this gun delivers.

Trigger - I think this is where the gun stands out from Glock or M&P. It's a nice clean trigger in a polymer gun.

Durability - The gun is showing virtually no wear with 500 rounds down range, holstering, and minimal cleaning.

Ergonomics - It fits the hand quite well and I really like the Mag Release. At first I didn't but now I find it a very natural way to release the mag. Maybe it's just me but the mag release is "big"...so it doesn't feel like I'm searching for it. With gloved hands all controls are easy to operate.

Cons

Size - I ordered the gun without ever holding one. It is much bigger than I realized. I should have studied the dimension of the gun more closely - but I got excited and bought on impulse . It's very much like a Glock 17. What I really want is this gun in a slightly more compact size, like a G19.

Sights - They work OK for close distance but are nothing special. I would prefer real night sights or a fiber optic set up. I do believe that other sight system options are now available.

Charging Supports - Interesting concept. I can't really complain about them but I don't personally think they are necessary. I can't say they make slide manipulation easier for me but maybe for some in certain circumstances they would be helpful. It may just be me but to me they distract from the sight picture.

Conclusion: I think it's a good gun overall in the realm of striker fired handguns. Whether or not it's better than a Glock or M&P is subjective (to me). If the level of aftermarket support picks up a lot I think that will make the gun more appealing in many ways. If I had it to do over again I would look more closely at Glock & M&P before making up my mind. For the price I don't think you can go wrong with a VP9 but it's not (to me) a major step forward from some of the other highly regarded striker fired pistols. Perhaps in long-term durability testing it will eek out a Glock, but I'm not sure that's likely to happen.

One more note to add - I sold my HKP30. While I'm not 100% sure the VP9 is better than a Glock or M&P I am certain that it's better, for me, than a DA/SA P30. The P30 was totally reliable and a nice size but between DA/SA and Striker Fired in this configuration (meaning the ergos are almost identical), the VP9 is the better gun IMO.

 

[Girodin]

I agree with others, same gun as a Glock or M&P, once you break these guns down, they all look and are quite similar, the trigger is about the only thing left for improvement.

Such an opinion shows a real lack of understanding. Lots of things look similar but can have significant differences to someone who knows what to look for.

It may just be me but to me they distract from the sight picture.

I honestly cannot see how they could be distracting if one was looking where one should be.

Perhaps in long-term durability testing it will eek out a Glock, but I'm not sure that's likely to happen.

The vast majority of shooters will never shoot anywhere near enough rounds to even begin approaching wearing either gun out. And if one does the amount of money spent on ammo means one ought to easily be able to buy a new gun if he or she can swing the ammo bill. Any long term durability difference is likely moot for most users. That said I'd imagine the VP9 would be similar to the P30 and although its just one test, Todd Greens long term tests of the P30 (and the HK 45) are rather impressive to saw the least. THe HK is probably a tougher gun in ways that might matter to someone. Industry folks tell me all HKs are built to be able to handle firing a second round after a squib is lodged in the barrel. I wouldn't want to try it just for giggles, but I'd much rather experience that with an HK than a glock, MP, etc, etc.

The bigger and more notable differences to me would be ergos, triggers, accuracy, and the odds of getting a gun out of the box that is sans issue.

I wouldn't tell people to dump their properly working glocks for an VP9 but mine is slowly wooing me over and I'd certainly tell someone not invested in any one platform to give the HK a real hard look.

 

[varoadking]

Just my opinion..what's yours?

So nice, I bought one...twice...

This is one fine piece, to be certain...

 

[Pilot]

This will be the pistol that brings me into the striker fired, polymer world which I have avoided since inception.

 

[CTGunner]

The bigger and more notable differences to me would be ergos, triggers, accuracy, and the odds of getting a gun out of the box that is sans issue.

And this is why I will keep it.

 

[JDR]

I got a chance to look at one of these last night after I shot 100 rounds with my Glock 21. I do like the trigger on this VP9. I have a USP 40 so I know H&K makes quality products. I do feel that the replaceable back strap & grip panels are not needed for this 9mm, but I like a blockier, fatter grip on a .40 or .45, so I think I'll wait for a bigger caliber variant to be introduced, which I think is inevitable.

 

[boricua9mm]

Alright, I finally got to put my mittens on one of these yesterday and did some dry firing and trigger-reset feelers.

Impressions:

-Trigger pull is Glocky. I was expecting it to be significantly smoother and a bit lighter, but the example that I held simply was not. Now, I fully understand that there is always variance from one gun to another, but I was expecting better.

-Trigger reset was Glocky. I was expecting it to be much shorter than at actually was.

-The trigger trough did not seem to rub my finger the same way the HK45 & P30 family do.

-The slide profile is noticeably shorter from top to bottom than the rest of the current HK lineup. The gun did sit lower in the hand than the rest of the HKs.

-That grip is long, so I wouldn't choose it for an IWB carry gun, as the grip is the part you really need to work to conceal.

Overall, it is a nice gun, but I have to say that this gun does not bring anything to the table *for me* that my brace of pre-BTF Glocks don't already have nipped in the bud. I had wondered if I should sell my brand new P99 and go with the VP9 for a bedside gun for me & the left-handed wife, but I will be sticking with the Walther. I personally think the P99s QA & SA trigger is much nicer, being smoother, lighter and having a shorter reset.

If I didn't already have this polymer 9mm thing covered, I would buy one, but I do, so I won't.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

If I didn't already have this polymer 9mm thing covered, I would buy one, but I do, so I won't.

I handlled one recently also. I thought it was a nice gun. I don't own a 9mm, and the only striker fired gun I have is an XDs, so I will probably buy one.

 

[LouisianaAviator]

I've always been interested in getting a P30. Now I'm interested in this as well!

So many guns, so little money!