Why Did a VP9 Hurt My Trigger Finger?

[Louca]

I had a chance to shoot a VP9 today. And I quickly took up the opportunity since I was (and am) interested in adding that one to my collection. But one thing I noticed was each shot fired would cause my trigger finger to hurt a little, and I don't know why. Has anyone else had that experience or know what might cause that?

I loved shooting the gun. Trigger pull was VERY nice, and trigger reset was unbelievably good. Great feel in my hand, and accurate. I normally shoot an HK 45C and love it, so the feel of the VP9 was nicely familiar. But I can't tell what might be causing the slight pain on my finger. The pain is not my finger being pinched between the trigger and the trigger guard. The pain is more toward the other (top) edge of my finger.

I was wondering if maybe the serrations on the trigger might be too sharp, or the trigger safety latch. I generally don't think I need much grip on the trigger when 4 other fingers are gripping the frame.

Lou

 

[HKGuns]

I noticed that on my first range session but did not notice it on subsequent range sessions. Never figured out why.

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

If you watch a few Hicock45 videos you will see he mentions several guns he tried hurt his trigger finger. One gun was making Hicock45 wince every time he shot the gun. But his son could shoot the gun without issue. At a later date his son reviewed the gun. I hate to send you on a possible wild goose chase. But I do not recall if he mentioned how he made the other guns tolerable to shoot. I can say he has had several guns hurt his trigger finger.

 

[Louca]

I recall seeing some of his videos where he did mentioned the trigger hurting his finger, but I cannot remember which pistol it was. One video, I'm not sure if it was his, mentioned it bleeding a little. I will watch them again. I have read about a fair number of people who's finger gets pinched between the trigger and the guard, but that was not my case here.

Edit: I went back and sure enough, it was Hickok45's video on the VP9 (see it here) where he mentioned his finger getting hurt. He said it didn't bleed.

Lou

 

[Water-Man]

He cured the problem with a band-aid. Real hi tech.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Some sort of trigger slap? I know that is not normally a thing with striker guns, but with the trigger pull being so light, and the slide's recoil resetting the striker, it may be possible. Just a guess, I am no gunsmith

 

[Phaedrus/69]

It's the trough inside the trigger guard. HK says it's to keep gloves from getting pinched in the trigger during cold weather. It can cause some pinching/rubbing on your finger and it can steer your fingertip right into the front of the mag release lever. But usually it can be mitigated by finding the correct combination of grip panels to fit your hand.

Some of the top HK 'smiths will sand out the groove when they work up the trigger. Larry Vickers was vocal in his dislike for the "feature" and tried to get it removed from the final pistols but HK was adamant. I'd rather the trough not be there but it doesn't bother me enough to do anything to change it. YMMV.

 

[JTQ]

I don't know if the VP9 has the same issue, but folks apparently have troubles with inside of the trigger guard of the P30 and HK45. It is a common enough issue that the mod is part of the Vicker's Pacakage from Bowie Tactical.

http://www.bowietacticalconcepts.com/pictures.html

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

He cured the problem with a band-aid. Real hi tech.

What the hell? Should need to pick up a box of band aids when we buy a new gun? Obviously Hicock45 had no intention of keeping a gun that is a finger eater. He put on a band aid and reviewed the gun. Then he traded it for a gun that doesn't eat your trigger finger.

 

[JohnnyBravo]

Why Did a VP9 Hurt My Trigger Finger?

According to HK it's because you suck and they hate you. LOL

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Heckler and Koch

 

[HKGuns]

Way to add to the thread JB. You're a peach. Read more post less.

It was not the inside of the trigger guard for me, it was the trigger lever. Something must have worn in a bit and it seems fine now.

If it kept doing that I was planning to try different back / side panels to adjust my trigger finger geometry.

 

[JohnnyBravo]

Way to add to the thread JB. You're a peach. Read more post less.

It's ok that you have no sense of humor but you sound a bit like a stereotypical HK snob.

This is coming from someone who relies on and carries a P7 every day.

But I still love ya man!

Edit: In the interest of adding to the thread, the grip safety on a traditional Colt 1911 will chew up the web of my hand in no time flat. A Band-Aid or shooting gloves will solve the problem for a trip to the range. In a self defense situation it would not be a problem.

 

[340PD]

I had the same problem with many HK guns and attributed it to the trigger guard style mag release.

 

[Louca]

Obviously Hicock45 had no intention of keeping a gun that is a finger eater. He put on a band aid and reviewed the gun. Then he traded it for a gun that doesn't eat your trigger finger.

No, he didn't use any band aid, but it was clear from the beginning of the video what kind of striker fired pistols he prefers (the ones with a G somewhere in their name). And he readily admits that. Then he continues to have a ton of fun with the VP9 and hits almost all of his targets dead on.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Lets not start the name calling

For those who missed it JB's post is part of a standing joke about H&K...hence the link to the Urban Dictionary

I figured with the ending of LOL, it was pretty obviously posted with tongue planted firmly in cheek...maybe a simile face would have made it more obvious

 

[1KPerDay]

The VP9 I tried bothered my trigger finger also. IMO it was the groove along the bottom of the trigger guard. were it mine I'd have to sand that sucker outta there.

 

[Walkalong]

I guess a fellow would have to try it for themselves. Some say 1911's "bite" them, but I have never been bitten in 40 years of shooting various ones.

Personally, I would hold off judgement on this HK until I shot one myself.

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

i can shoot a gun with a grip safety after a gunsmith shaves the grip safety down. I have a nice XD with a 5" barrel that has been in my safe for three years waiting to go to the gunsmith. In the back of my mind I keep hoping I can find a Glock hater that has Gen4 G19 that he would trade for anything that goes bang. My problem with a grip safety on a semi auto is my thumbs are not putting any pressure on the gun. The grip safety forces the shooter to shoot with his thumbs crossed. I guess that is why I like guns with a G in the name.

 

[JTQ]

My problem with a grip safety on a semi auto is my thumbs are not putting any pressure on the gun. The grip safety forces the shooter to shoot with his thumbs crossed.

I suspect this is not common with most shooters.

Here is Doug Koenig showing how he grips a 1911, a gun with a grip safety. He does not cross his thumbs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDzC6djUQxM

 

[9mmepiphany]

My problem with a grip safety on a semi auto is my thumbs are not putting any pressure on the gun. The grip safety forces the shooter to shoot with his thumbs crossed

I'm not sure i understand this either.

I don't shoot a 1911 or a Springfield XD/XDm with crossed thumbs and can't even imagine how it would help...the only thing I can imagine is that your grip is pulling your hand too far around the frame

 

[Louca]

The VP9 I tried bothered my trigger finger also. IMO it was the groove along the bottom of the trigger guard. were it mine I'd have to sand that sucker outta there.

I guess my situation is different than others. I don't think the pain on my finger could have been caused by the trigger guard, or at least I can't see how. The pain is toward the thumb side of my index finger, not the middle finger side. So it is like it is coming from the top of the trigger, or maybe from the trigger safety latch. Unfortunately, the pistol belongs to a friend so I cannot analyze things any better than guessing.

Lou

 

[tarosean]

I guess a fellow would have to try it for themselves.

Yep, Ive never gotten any tripper slap, hit the trench or any other type of pain emanating from the vp9.
My only issue was too many combinations of grip panels...

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

I suspect this is not common with most shooters.

Here is Doug Koenig showing how he grips a 1911, a gun with a grip safety. He does not cross his thumbs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDzC6djUQxM

I suspect troubles with a grip safety are very common for shooters who shoot with both thumbs pointing forward. Most shooters who shoot with both thumbs forward will have a higher grip on the gun. You are talking about 99% of your top shooters who use the same grip. You can make it easy to shoot a gun with a grip safety by shaving the safety. Shaving the safety is not expensive nor does it disable the grip safety. It just takes much less pressure to deactivate the grip safety.

When you shoot with you thumbs crossed it is more difficult to shoot Glocks and small pistols like the Ruger LCP. Shooting with your thumbs crossed is an advantage with revolvers. To be honest at SD range it really doesn't matter how you grip the gun. You just want a firm grip that you can repeat without muscling your gun.
Check out this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPo_6O4eUAo&feature=youtu.be

 

[Phaedrus/69]

Again, a lot of this is mitigate by setting up the gun to fit your hand properly. Getting the best combination of grip panels will move the pad of your finger onto the trigger. And this is why you need to try to rent a gun instead of just going by stuff regurgitated on the interwebz. Not every gun is perfect for every shooter.

I don't think the trough adds anything to the guns so I'm half tempted to try sanding it out of one of my HKs. But 1) I'm lazy, 2) I don't want to mess up the warranty, 3) I'm lazy, 4) it would probably hurt resale value if I decided to sell it and lastly 5) I'm lazy.

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

Again, a lot of this is mitigate by setting up the gun to fit your hand properly. Getting the best combination of grip panels will move the pad of your finger onto the trigger. And this is why you need to try to rent a gun instead of just going by stuff regurgitated on the interwebz. Not every gun is perfect for every shooter.

I don't think the trough adds anything to the guns so I'm half tempted to try sanding it out of one of my HKs. But 1) I'm lazy, 2) I don't want to mess up the warranty, 3) I'm lazy, 4) it would probably hurt resale value if I decided to sell it and lastly 5) I'm lazy.

Finger biting is a known issue with HK pistols. The best thing to do is look at another brand and avoid the issue all together. When finger biting is so common someone has set up a service to fix the triggers on HK pistols the problem is widespread. Get a Hi Point or anything to avoid the need for band aids or shooting gloves.