Responding to many requests, here is my HK VP9 review. I’m happy to say the gun performed admirably.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have probably heard about the new HK VP9 pistol that was recently introduced.
It was one of the biggest new firearm announcements for 2014, and popularity for the gun seems to be growing exponentially. Having one in my possession for several months now, I completely understand why people love this gun.
What is the VP9? The new Heckler & Koch pistol is a polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol chambered in 9mm. It is a duty-size handgun, slightly larger than the Glock 19, but a hair smaller than the M&P9. (See the below table for a comparison of these three pistols.)
Where to buy the HK VP9
Relatively few local gun shops are HK dealers. If you run into an issue with finding one locally, I recommend using the following affiliate links to make a purchase. These are all companies I have purchased from in the past.
- Guns.com
- Palmetto State Armory (best price)
- Sportsman’s Warehouse
On the surface, it may sound like the gun doesn’t offer anything new. But the specs don’t tell the whole story. This gun is a real joy to shoot, and it offers a number of unique features that can’t be found on other companies’ guns.
Let’s jump into my HK VP9 review.
History
No review of the VP9 would be complete without looking at the historical roots of the gun.
The VP9 is a striker-fired, polymer-framed pistol. Certainly it is not the first plastic, striker-fired gun ever made. Nor is it the first one ever made by Heckler & Koch.
Beating the Glock 17 to market by more than a decade, the VP70 was the first striker-fired, polymer pistol to see commercial introduction. The guns sold in two versions: a semi-automatic pistol for civilians and a select-fire variant for military use. Versions of the gun were manufactured from 1970 through 1989.
The VP70 name had a meaning to it. VP stood for Volkspistole, or the “People’s Pistol.” Just like Volkswagen was a car for the masses, HK perhaps intended for the VP70 to be a quality handgun that everyone could afford. “70” referred to the year it was introduced.
Though the gun never achieved the same level of sales success that the Glock pistols did, the VP70 clearly blazed a new trail that would be followed by nearly every major gun maker by the early 21st Century.
Features
Drawing inspiration from its historical roots, HK developed the VP9 as an affordable pistol that delivers great features and incredible performance. Many of the features relate to making the gun useable by a wide range of people, further enhancing the Volkspistole legacy.
Prior to the introduction of this gun, HK had been selling (and still does at the time of this writing) a similar pistol called the P30. The P30 is a polymer-framed pistol that uses a hammer-fired action.
The new VP9 has a lot of similar features to the P30 pistols including the magazine release being mounted on the trigger guard and the adjustable backstraps and side panels. The new gun also has a slide release lever mounted on the right side of the frame in addition to the standard left side of the gun.
However, the two guns do not use an identical frame. For example, the trigger guard is significantly different in the two guns. This prevents many of the holsters designed for the P30 from working with the VP9. Read more on VP9 holsters here.
Lets take a look at the pistol’s features.
Ambidextrous Controls
The VP9 is fully ambidextrous. Every control on the left side of the gun has a duplicate control on the right side of the gun. There are no parts that have to be swapped to make it south paw friendly as must be done on some other pistols.
A long slide release lever is mounted on the right side of the frame to mirror the function of the one in the traditional location. The lever is low profile, and though it looks like it might interfere with the running of the pistol, it does not. At no point during any of the testing did any shooter have the lever interfere with the gun’s operation.
Most pistols uses a push-button magazine release. HK deviated from this convention and used a paddle-style release that is mounted at the rear of the trigger guard. I was very skeptical of this arrangement when I first saw it. However, I found I was at least as fast with this style as I was with a push-button release.
While I found it easiest to use my thumb to release the magazine, other shooters like to use the trigger finger to release the mag. This has the benefit of not breaking your grip to change the magazines.
Semi-Custom Sizing
Carrying the idea of the People’s Pistol forward, the handgun has interchangeable backstraps and side panels to fit nearly any hand size. Right out of the box, the gun can be configured for 27 different grip sizes. This allows each shooter to best fit the gun to his or her hand. Proper gun-to-hand fit will allow for proper finger placement on the trigger. Correct finger placement on the trigger can improve accuracy immensely.
Trigger
HK claims the trigger pull on the VP9 is superior to any other striker-fired mechanism on the market. This is a highly subjective claim, but I am unable to name a trigger I like better.
The VP9 trigger is relatively light with a smooth press and short reset. When I first began shooting the pistol, the reset was overly energetic. It pushed my finger past the reset point so that I had to take up slack in the trigger before firing again. I noticed that the more I shot the gun, the less this was a problem.
A positive reset still exists. The reset is still obvious, but now it is slightly less energetic. It no longer pushes my finger forward of the reset point and I can take a follow up shot without the need for additional take up.
Charging Supports
At the rear of the slide is a pair of protrusions called charging supports. These inserts appear to be polymer pieces that are dovetailed into the sides of the slide. The supports extend at a 90? angle from the side of the slide, and are designed to improve the shooter’s ability to work the slide.
I imagine many people might see these as a marketing gimmick. In fact, I was a bit skeptical about their usefulness when I first saw them. However, I found they do seem to improve my grip when manipulating the slide. They are removable if you do not like them.
Sights
The HK VP9 pistol comes with three-dot luminescent sights. Essentially, the sights glow in the dark. In bright light, they absorb energy and look white. In low light, the dots give off the absorbed energy and glow green. The more stored energy they have, the brighter the glow. If they have given off all of the stored energy, the sights appear to be white.
I found the sights worked as well as any other three-dot arrangement. In bright to moderate lighting conditions, they simply looked like other white dots. In low light conditions, the sights were very visible and easy to use. With my ProTac HL hand held flashlight I could “charge” the front sight for a few seconds and get an extremely bright glow.
The only complaint I have about the sights is the shape of the rear sight. The leading edge of the sight is sloped. Some people prefer this as a way to prevent snagging on clothing during a draw. I, on the other hand, prefer a sharp edge so I can perform a single hand reload and malfunction clearance.
I attempted to use the charging supports to perform a one hand reload, but I found they were not adequate for the task. Essentially, they are not tall enough and have a slight rounded nature that prevents them from griping the edge of a belt or holster.
I’ve assembled a complete list of aftermarket sights for the VP9 here.
Accessory Rail
Like nearly every modern duty pistol being made today, Heckler & Koch included an Picatinny-type accessory rail on the VP9. The rail allows a shooter to easily pop on a light or laser.
Unfortunately, there have been problems with reliability in polymer pistols from another maker when certain ammunition and accessory lights were combined. I believe that company solved the problem, but HK was determined never to have the problem in the first place.
Extensive testing by HK proved the VP9’s accessory rail is completely reliable with any light or laser unit with a weight up to 5.6 ounces. While 5.6 ounces may not sound like much, it does cover nearly every light and laser unit I could find including:
- BLACKHAWK! Night-Ops Xiphos NTX
- INFORCE APL
- Streamlight TLR-1, TLR-1s, TLR-1 HL, TLR-1 HP, TLR-1s HP
- Streamlight TLR-2, TLR-2s, TLR-2 G, TLR-2 HL, TLR-2 IRW
- Streamlight TLR-3
- Streamlight TLR-4, TLR-4 G
- SureFire X300 Ultra, X300V
- SureFire X400 Ultra (red laser), X400 Ultra (green laser), X400V IRc
- Viridian X5L, X5L-R, X5L-FDE, C5, C5-R, C5L, C5L-R, CTL
I found only one light and laser combination unit that exceed the 5.6 ounces. It was the Streamlight TLR-2 VIR. Streamlight states the unit weighs 6.0 ounces with batteries, lens cap and a remote switch. The market for this light is pretty small, so it should not affect the vast majority of VP9 customers. It is possible that without the long gun remote switch the unit would weigh less than 5.6 ounces.
Why 9mm?
Gun folks – myself included – like to debate the various performance benefits of different handgun calibers for self defense. I’ve shot almost all of them and own guns in most of them. As a police officer, I saw the effects of different ones out in the real world. As a writer, I’ve seen how a lot of them perform in gelatin.
For me, the 9mm is a very good balance of power and performance. What I mean to say is the 9mm, especially in +P and +P+ offerings, offers an excellent balance between the ability to stop a deadly threat and the ability of the shooter to deliver multiple, well-placed rounds.
Other calibers, such as the .40 S&W, may offer a small increase in the ability to shut down an attacker. However, this small gain in performance comes at the cost of a decreased ability to deliver multiple hits to vital areas. For each shooter, a balance must be struck when choosing a caliber. For me, the 9mm makes sense.
While I cannot say for certain why HK decided to make the VP9 a 9mm only pistol, I can only speculate that:
- 9mm is a NATO standard, which means the gun could be sold to various military units that need a 9mm pistol; and
- HK may not be limiting the line to 9mm only – other calibers may be coming soon.
HK stated in the original press release that the pistol passed both NATO and NIJ testing (drop tests, extreme environment, etc.) This would tend to indicate they are looking toward the military market in addition to the law enforcement and armed citizen markets.
I have no insight into the long term strategy Heckler & Koch has developed for these pistols. However, I would not be shocked to see a VP40 introduced at the 2015 SHOT Show. The P30 pistol is available in both 9mm and .40 S&W. It would seem that HK could easily build a .40 caliber version of the Volkspistole.
VP9 Specifications
Here are the specs on the VP9 that I tested:
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Magazine Capacity | 10, 15 or 17 |
| Barrel Length | 4.09″ |
| Sight Radius | 6.38″ |
| Overall Length | 7.34″ |
| Maximum Width | 1.32″ |
| Overall Height | 5.41″ |
| Weight, unloaded (factory specified) | 25.56 oz |
| Weight, unloaded (measured by author) | 26.40 oz |
| Trigger Pull Weight (measured by author) | 5.40 lbs |
| Color | matter black |
| Sights | three-dot luminous |
| Warranty | limited lifetime |
| MSRP (when tested) | $719 |
| MSRP (2022) | $849 |
HK VP9 Comparison
So, how does it stack up against the competition?
| HK VP9 | Glock 19, Gen4 | S&W M&P9 | |
| Caliber | 9mm | 9mm | 9mm |
| Magazine Capacity | 15 | 15 | 17 |
| Barrel Length | 4.09″ | 4.01″ | 4.25″ |
| Overall Length | 7.34″ | 7.28″ | 7.63″ |
| Width | 1.32″ | 1.18″ | 1.2″ |
| Weight | 23.28 oz | 23.65 oz | 24.0 oz |
| Height | 5.41″ | 4.99″ | 5.5″ |
| Sights | 3-dot luminous | 3-dot plain | 3-dot plain |
| Sight Radius | 6.38″ | 6.02″ | 6.4″ |
| Warranty | limited lifetime | limited 1 year | limited lifetime |
| MSRP at time of review | $719 | $649 | $569 |
There is no perfect apples-to-apples comparison since every gun company has a different approach to the development of firearms. One company’s “full size” is another company’s “compact.” However, the VP9 compares favorably in size to the Glock 19 and Smith & Wesson M&P 9 pistols.
Although the Glock 19 is a “compact” pistol, it is still large enough to be carried as a primary sidearm in law enforcement or military service. I carried my Gen 2 Glock 19 as a reserve deputy with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office in Atlanta, GA. I never felt under-armed with the pistol then and would happily carry it again as a duty weapon.
The one criticism I have seen on the internet regarding this comparison is that the HK’s height is closer to that of the Glock 17, and that Glock managed to squeeze two additional rounds into the magazine with that additional distance. This is true, but it seems to me that 15 vs. 17 rounds is not as significant an issue as other things might be. However, if the round count is your primary concern in buying a pistol, the Springfield Armory XD(M) pistol might be the best choice (19 rounds per magazine.)
Performance on the Range
At the time of this writing, I have had the VP9 on the range on seven different occasions. To date, ten different people have shot the gun. Combined we have put more than 1,200 rounds through the pistol. The majority of ammunition (roughly 750 rounds) shot in the gun has been a variety of 115 grain and 124 grain full metal jacket rounds. Brands included Remington, Winchester, Federal and Perfecta (more info on the Perfecta below.)
The VP9 shot amazingly well in all regards. Reliability was rock solid. There were no malfunctions of any kind. All of the ammo cycled properly and went “bang.”
Accuracy was very good. Shooting from anything other than a bolted-down Masters Series Ransom Rest will have too much dependency on the shooter’s ability for it to be a very meaningful measurement of accuracy. I might shoot a 2″ group while the guy next to me using the same ammo could shoot a 1″ group. Which is the “true” measurement of the gun’s accuracy?
For closer shooting, I could put all of the rounds into a center mass area of a target as quickly as I could pull the trigger at seven yards. At 50 yards, I was able to consistently hit an 8″ steel plate. For my purposes – self defense – this is the accuracy I need.
Felt recoil was what I would expect from a full-size 9mm gun. Standard pressure loads are very easy to handle, and +P loads have slightly more kick to them. The Federal BPLE +P+ loads are definitely snappier than the standard pressure stuff, but are still very controllable. For someone learning to manage the recoil of a centerfire cartridge, this gun would be excellent – especially when you fit the grip panels and backstrap to his or her hand.
I was not sure how quickly I would adapt to the paddle style magazine release. I was extremely pleased to discover it worked very well for me. Releasing a magazine with my shooting thumb seemed to be a natural motion, and I became very fast at it. After several trips to the range, I had become as fast with the paddle release as I am with the push-button style.
HK VP9 Ammo Performance
| Velocity | Energy | |
| Federal 9BPLE 115 gr JHP +P+ | 1246 fps | 396 ft-lbs |
| Federal American Eagle 115 gr FMJ | 1065 fps | 290 ft-lbs |
| Federal Champion 115 gr FMJ | 1129 fps | 325 ft-lbs |
| Federal Hydra-Shok 135 gr JHP | 1045 fps | 327 ft-lbs |
| Hornady Critical Duty 135 gr FlexLock | 962 fps | 277 ft-lbs |
| Hornady Critical Duty 135 gr FlexLock +P | 1069 fps | 342 ft-lbs |
| HPR Ammunition 115 gr JHP | 1115 fps | 317 ft-lbs |
| HPR Ammunition 124 gr JHP | 996 fps | 273 ft-lbs |
| Liberty Ammunition 50 gr JHP | 2057 fps | 470 ft-lbs |
| Magtech 115 gr FMJ | 1129 fps | 325 ft-lbs |
| Magtech Gold 124 gr JHP | 1068 fps | 320 ft-lbs |
| Perfecta 115 gr FMJ | 1099 fps | 308 ft-lbs |
| Remington Golden Saber 124 gr JHP +P | 1124 fps | 348 ft-lbs |
| Remington UMC 115 gr JHP | 1132 fps | 327 ft-lbs |
| Remington UMC Target 115 gr MC | 1075 fps | 295 ft-lbs |
| Speer Gold Dot 124 gr JHP | 996 fps | 273 ft-lbs |
| Winchester 115 gr FMJ | 1113 fps | 316 ft-lbs |
All brands of ammunition performed very well out of the VP9. As mentioned elsewhere in this review, there were no malfunctions with the gun. However, there were a few ammo standouts that bear mentioning.
Liberty Ammunition – This ammo uses a nickel-plated, solid copper hollowpoint that is very light for the caliber. Combining the increased lubricity of the nickel jacket with the light weight of the bullet, the company gets exceptionally high velocities from standard length handgun barrels. The Civil Defense ammo we shot is rated at 2000 feet per second (fps) by the company. Out of the HK pistol, the average was 2057 fps.
Even with the wicked-fast velocities, recoil was no more than any of the other rounds we were shooting. Subjectively, I would rate the felt recoil similar to any other company’s 115 grain +P ammo. Felt recoil was definitely less than the Federal BPLE +P+ we shot.
HPR Ammunition – I was impressed by the accuracy and consistency we got out of the ammo in both bullet weights. Both loads turned in standard deviations of 7 during velocity measurements. Only the Federal Hydra-Shok bested the HPR with an SD of only 3. The velocity was a little lower than I would be comfortable with as the loads use the Hornady XTP bullet. I have found the XTP tends to need more velocity than other bullets to reliably expand.
Perfecta – The Perfecta ammo is an inexpensive line that is now being sold in Walmart. The ammunition is made in Italy, presumably by Fiocchi, and it is distributed in the United States by TulAmmoUSA. I’ve always had very good performance from Fiocchi ammo in the past, and the Perfecta seemed to run great in the VP9. It is brass cased and Boxer primed, so it is reloadable. Accuracy was fine and there were no problems shooting any of the ammo.
I also shot a bunch of the Perfecta ammo in .380 ACP through a Glock 42 during my evaluation of that gun. It ran 100% in the Glock as well. The price on this ammo was significantly cheaper than the Winchester and Remington ammo at my local Walmart, so I think it is a good value.
Holsters
When a new gun is introduced, it can be tough finding holsters and other gear designed for it. While the VP9 is still new at the time of this writing, there are many companies who have already jumped into holster production for it. I’ve assembled a full list of holsters here. Readers are leaving feedback on these rigs in the comments section, so I encourage you to read through those as well.
Conclusions
I’ve never taken to a pistol as fast as I have the VP9. There are a lot of guns I really like out there, but this HK handgun is the first that has so readily captured my attention.
There are a lot of things to like about this pistol. Heckler & Koch, though sometimes lampooned on the internet for their decisions on which guns to sell to private citizens, is universally acknowledged as a quality gun maker. The company’s traditionally high standards for manufacturing have applied equally to this new gun.
When you consider a street price of less than $700 for this combat-ready 9mm pistol (~$800 with night sights,) it is clear that this is more than just a great gun, it is also a great value.
Where to buy the HK VP9
Relatively few local gun shops are HK dealers. If you run into an issue with finding one locally, I recommend using the following affiliate links to make a purchase. These are all companies I have purchased from in the past.
- Guns.com
- Palmetto State Armory (best price)
- Sportsman’s Warehouse
Last Update: October 12, 2022
Disclosure
The sad reality is there are many “sponsored” reviews on the internet that are bought and paid for by the manufacturer. This does a disservice to the buying public who needs good information on products before laying down their hard-earned money. So, let me fully disclose all relevant information here.
First, this gun was provided to me as a loaner pistol by HK for the specific purpose of reviewing it. It arrived to me brand new and appears to be a low serial numbered production gun. No monies or other benefits were paid, offered or provided by HK to do this review. If I decide to keep this gun, I will have to pay for it, though it would be at a discounted price since it it is now a used gun.
Second, I also reviewed the gun for Combat Handguns and Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement magazines. I was paid to do those reviews, but I was not instructed, told or otherwise encouraged to do a positive review of the pistol. This review is completely original work, though my conclusions are the same as what I reported in the other outlets.
Lastly, HK is not an advertiser (at least at the time of this writing,) nor am I in any talks with them to be one.
GunsHolstersAndGear.com is a for-profit website. I do not charge readers a dime to access the information I provide.
Some of the links on this page and site are affiliate links to companies like Amazon and Palmetto State Armory. These links take you to the products mentioned in the article. Should you decide to purchase something from one of those companies, I make a small commission.
The links do not change your purchase price. I do not get to see what any individual purchases.
70 replies on “HK VP9 Review – Best New 9mm Handgun”
[…] & Koch officially announced the new VP9 pistol this morning.  The good news is I have one already en route to me as I write this, and I will […]
[…] A complete review of the new gun is at GunsHolstersAndGear.com. […]
[…] Click here to read my review of the VP9 pistol from HK. […]
Wow…this has to be the best, most comprehensive gun review I have ever read. Thank you for all of the time you put into this!
Not only does the gun look awesome, that Liberty ammo looks to be smoking hot! Can anyone buy that? I don’t think I’ve seen it in the local shops.
Hi Roberto –
Thanks for the feedback. I’m glad the review was helpful. Liberty Ammunition can be purchased by anyone – it’s not considered armor piercing or anything. Check out my full review here: https://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/ammunition/liberty-ammunition-review/
[…] past July I had the chance to spend several days on the range with Richard Johnson of Guns Holsters and Gear.  We had several projects on the table including the testing of several new […]
Does this gun have a safety?
It has multiple internal safety devices. It does not have an external, thumb-type safety.
-Richard
[…] to put 1,000 rounds downrange in an advanced pistol class. With the Glock 17, Glock 19, Glock 22, HK VP9 and SIG SAUER P226 (in both 9mm and .40 S&W), I never experienced any problems with these guns. […]
This past week my wife and I were shopping for handguns and had settled on a Sig P226 combat. I went back into the dealer’s shop this weekend just to compare again. They put a VP9 in my hand and wow, instantly felt like this is the one. Left them with a promise to send my wife up so she can feel it in her hand and to do my own research. I have read many reviews and watched a couple of hours of video and this is the most comprehensive review I have come across. I am looking forward to buying a pair of VP9s vice a single Sig now.
Hi Marty,
Thanks for the feedback on my review. I’ve owned a pair of P226 pistols (still have one) and they are good guns. But, like you, the VP9 just fits my hand so much better. I think you will love it when you get it on the range!
Best,
Richard
How does it compare to the Walther PPQ 13?
Hi Pat,
I’ve not had a chance to spend time with the PPQ on the range, so I cannot give any kind of informed opinion. Maybe someone else can chime in.
I have spent some time with a PPX on the range (though in .40 S&W). While the PPX is a nice gun, the VP9 is a better gun in my opinion. Both seemed are well built, but the VP9 had a much better trigger and overall feel.
Best,
Richard
I have never fired the PPQ, but my P99 is the most accurate semi auto I own. I have dry snapped both the PPQ and the VP9, and the trigger difference is so close it’s hard to tell. The PPQ has adjustable back straps while the VP9 also has adjustable side panels. The VP9 has polygonal rifling where PPQ has conventional rifling.
I have a HK P30, but to compare it with a VP9 is somewhat pointless since the VP9 is striker fired and double action. The P30 has a hammer and is DA/SA. I only through that in because I love my P30.
[…] great review on the new HK VP9 can be found here: HK VP9 Review – Best New 9mm Handgun __________________ Ivan FLORIDA MX136, C15, MC162(2) MC402, MC1.2KW(12) MC2KW(2) MR85, […]
Thanks for writing what is the best online review of a gun I’ve ever read. This is what I wished people would write in the gun magazines. Yes – it is a very positive review (which is normally a little suspect) but you are so thorough on why you think the gun is good, I have no doubt that you mean every word you wrote.
Thank you!
Hey Richard, I first handled the VP9 about a month ago. It fit my hand like a glove! Did some research, but have not purchased one to this point. Stopped by the gun store again tonight, and after reading your review. I am sold. My Girl Friend was with me, and I hope Santa treats me right. Great review, and be careful out there.
Hi Russ – I hope to hear back Christmas morning that Santa was indeed good to you. I think you will love this gun. I know I really like mine.
Thanks for the awesome review. Woke up this morning to find that my wife… Er, I mean Santa had given me a $500 gift certificate to my favorite gun store and this review solidified my decision to get a VP9. I’m usuallu a diehard Glock fan with extreme reservations about “Glock knockoffs” … but as you rightly said, the title of “first ever polymer striker pistol” does belong to HK and I’ve always loved and trusted the name, despite never being able to afford one before now. So again, thank you for this review and have a merry Christmas!
Hi Brian – Thanks for taking the time to post, and congrats on the visit from Santa. I’m a Glock fan also, so I understand what you are saying. I think you will really like the VP9. I’ve found it to be a great pistol.
Picked mine up yesterday. All I can say is awesome! Fit and function flawless. Thanks Santa!
Sounds like Santa had a bunch of VP9s in the sack this year!
I shot the perfecto ammo from Walmart in my new VP9 and got excessive brass shavings and eventually a misfire within about 30 rounds. No problems before and no problems with 100 rounds after cleaning. Then I shot four remaining perfectos from that original box of 50 and immediately got brass shavings again. No problems again since then. Wish Wally World would take back the other two boxes because my VP9 doesn’t like them at all. Tried Speer Lawman, federal champion, and Blazer now without issue. Trying Winchester 115gr tomorrow.
But the VP9 has been everything this article made it out to be. Very happy with it.
Thanks for the feedback. I wonder if the ammo is out of spec. If I recall correctly, the Perfecto brand is made by Fiocchi which is normally a good brand (somebody correct me if it is a different company making it.) I’ve shot some in 9mm and .380 and had pretty good results from it, but it is a budget ammo.
Because my wife is a lefty with very small hands the pistol she liked best was the VP9SK so we bought it. We love it so much I got the full size VP9. Fantastic to shoot and accurate even for us amateurs. Glocks are great but they aren’t customizable to fit everyone. After 4,000 rounds thru both guns we have had great success with Winchester white box, Hornady Critical Duty hollow point and all Federal ammo. Can’t go wrong with a HK VP.
The Winchester 115 and NATO are perfect. On first range fire I was SURPRISED at how easily the weapon fired. Much to my surprise, 20yrds downrange on the X. With Nato rounds at 25 yards with Competition long slide… first shot was again much to my surprise on the X. Great ammo without any problems. Love my VP9 Tactical better than my Glock 17c. Whatever you use… stay safe! And Happy Holidays!
[…] Aiding in visibility, the new front sight is photo luminescent. This means it absorbs light and then glows, which can enhance visibility in any kind of reduced lighting situation. You can see photos of these kinds of sights in my review of the HK VP9 pistol. […]
[…] them. The HK416 is considered by many to be in the top-tier of AR-15 rifles available, and the new HK VP9 has received raving reviews for its ergonomics, smooth trigger, and […]
I am a deputy sheriff that has carried 3 generations of Glock 17’s in 18 years on the job. I love the Glock for so many reasons. I was working a part time at a gun show yesterday when a lady came up and asked if I would buy raffle tickets for a war memorial. The winner would win a gun. I didn’t even pay attention to what kind of gun. It seemed like a great cause and the little old lady who talked to me was a sweetheart. I bought 5 tickets and got a call a few hours later to say I had won. Turns out the prize was a VP9 and $150 in accessories. I took the gun out today and put about 150 rounds through it. I’m absolutely sold on this gun. Amazing trigger, awesome control and truly ambidextrous. It took a few reloads to get used to the magazine release, but now I love it. I’m no slouch on the range since I was on my department’s pistol team for several years, but I’m dead accurate with this gun. It is extremely capable out of the box. I changed the backstrap and now it’s perfect. The best part is that I still got paid to work the gun show!
I can’t say I’ve ever been that lucky – congratulations on winning it.
When I started life pushing a black and white around, I was issued a second gen G17. Then the federal magazine ban/assault rifle ban came down and Glock wanted all of those old hi cap mags to sell at a huge profit. So, they swapped my department out to third gen G22 pistols. I still own the original second gen G19 I bought when I went through the academy. So, I definitely like Glock pistols.
That said, I really like the VP9. It feels great in the hand and shoots like a dream. I think you got a better deal on your though…
Stay safe!
Can somebody give a newbie handgun owner a crash course on holsters? I’m an old fart that through selective purchases and inheritance has too many long-guns to count but last week I added my very first handgun. I had been looking to buy one for a few years but got frustrated with what seems to be an ever growing number of manufacturers/models. A review in American Rifleman a few months ago was so glowing and led me to further reviews, all positive…and so I finally “pulled the trigger” (pun intended) on the H&K VP9. The dealer surprisingly had it in stock. We have 48 hour waiting period here so I got to salivate for a few days not knowing exactly what I bought. Then reading our relatively new CCW rules I became concerned about the “fuzzy” lines between “open” (Wisconsin always had that) and “concealed” so now awaiting receipt of my CCW permit ($40) before I venture out in public…figure I’m covered in any event. Now it’s here. One thing I noticed…unlike my long guns, no external safety other than the integral trigger safety that I don’t even detect. Couple that with what I think is a very user-friendly trigger, I’m worried about walking around with a cocked/loaded gun that I think could discharge if I’m not really careful (until I get used to the concept I guess…old habits die hard and I always err on the side of over-cautious). My son says the design is common and the solution is the proper holster that #1 covers the trigger #2 holds the gun securely until needed #3 allows for easy insertion without encroaching on the “trigger zone” #4 allows for easy removal without encroaching on the “trigger zone”. For now I plan on a “belt” carry and I think fully concealed like a wallet so people won’t know if it’s a gun or a baloney sandwich. Like I said, this is my first handgun and I have no idea about stranger’s reactions to seeing a gun on a person wearing blue-jeans, faded shirts and worn out tennis shoes. And when I don’t carry, it will likely be moved around from glove box to house to wherever. Thanks in advance for thoughts.
I’d suggest checking out this article written by a good friend of mine: http://www.safetysolutionsacademy.com/concealed-carry-holsters-important-concepts-in-finding-the-right-holster-for-you/ Paul is a top notch instructor and goes into a lot of detail about holsters.
Thank you. His website is very informative/useful on a lot of topics. I had guessed most of the stuff on holsters but he went into a little more including material types. Now I just have to find a brand.
My Comp-Tac holsters showed up earlier this week and I’m thoroughly impressed. I ended up taking the drop/offset off and went with the traditional belt holster. The drop/offset would be awesome in a shooting competition, but it sticks down and out too far to be useful in a concealed carry situation. I really like the International holster, but they have several others that look really nice too. This nice thing is you get everything you need to convert the holster from belt carry to paddle holster (and a few other options) for the same price.
I did some more searching and ran across an article that led me to Galco leather Concealable Belt Holster – Right Hand – Havana CON440H. I have no intention of ever carrying inside the belt rather something to protect the gun/trigger as I move it between the truck and house and other places. The author of the article talked about a different one as well but said he loved the look of the leather. A bit pricey @$90 but it is a good tight fit and is beautiful. It’s also available in black but that seems to be back-ordered everywhere. Btw, did you see that the gun was named American Rifleman’s “Handgun of the Year”?
I hadn’t seen that the VP-9 won that award, but it doesn’t surprise me. I’ve got about 500 rounds through mine now, and I’m sold on it. We had qualifications at work about a week after I got mine. We have to qualify on anything we plan to carry off-duty so I took my VP-9 out and went through the course. The rangemaster is a friend of mine and of course he wanted to shoot it. Keep in mind that this is a guy that thinks anything that isn’t a Glock (more specifically a Glock 17) is junk. Let’s just say I almost didn’t get my gun back. Do I think he’s going to drop a report on the Sheriff’s desk asking to switch our agency to H&K, no. But the fact that he said anything nice about this gun is unheard of. Like Richard pointed out in his article, the rangemaster commented on the strong or “overly energetic” trigger reset. I noticed it the first time I shot the gun, but now it feels natural. It’s almost like the gun is just egging you on to get another shot off. This gun continues to impress me. There is a dealer in town selling them new for $580 so the price is starting to get a little more “Glock-like”. Even though I won mine, I would gladly pay that kind of money for such a great pistol.
$580 is a great price. MSRP is $700. My local dealer had it for $630 (and he moves A LOT of guns so he gets great volume discounts). I upped mine to one with night sights and a 3rd magazine and was back to the $700.
Thanks for following up and sharing the info about the Comp-Tac rigs.
When i won my VP-9 it came with $150 in accessories from Comp-Tac.com. I have heard of their products before but have never owned or used any of their holsters. I ended up ordering their “International” holster for the VP-9 and the Glock 17 I carry at work. (I don’t really work in insurance.) For $74.99 the holster seems like a decent deal…much better when it is free and if it stinks I’m not out anything. When you order it you can tell them you want it set up with a drop/offset, belt or paddle, and you can adjust the cant I think. I ordered mine with the drop/offset and set up for a belt. If i decide to switch it to a paddle they supposedly send everything I’ll need to make the switch. Give it a look and I’ll let you know what i think when it shows up in about a week.
[…] grip is fully adjustable with replaceable backstraps and side palm swell grips. In my review of the VP9, I found this system to be very good for making the gun nearly perfect at adapting to the shooter. […]
“Other calibers, such as the .40 S&W, may offer a small increase in the ability to shut down an attacker. However, this small gain in performance comes at the cost of a decreased ability to deliver multiple hits to vital areas.”
How so? Can you please elaborate? Why would a .40 user not able to effectively deliver multiple hits? Thanks.
Thanks for taking the time to post.
A shooter with a .40 S&W can effectively deliver multiple hits. However, the cartridge is considered to have a harsher recoil than a 9mm by many people. So, to train to the same level of proficiency, many people will require more training time with the .40 than with the 9. Therefore, proficiency can be gained more quickly with the 9mm than with the .40 S&W. I understand some people may disagree with this, but this has been my experience.
Fortunately, if you prefer the .40 S&W cartridge, HK now offers this gun chambered for that cartridge: https://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/2015/06/08/introducing-the-hk-vp40/
Thanks again for taking the time to post.
Hi Richard- thanks for the informative review. I was wondering if you have any trigger time on a P99 AS? If so, how would you compare?
I’m afraid I’ve not shot the P99 AS, so I can’t give you any reasonable comparison. Sorry!
This gun is amazingly accurate. During my CHL range testing a fellow classmate was shooting through the same bullet hole on his target from 15 yards away. At 25 yards he stayed in the bulls eye with every shot. I ask him what he’s shooting and it’s a VP9. He let me shoot it and my USP 40 compact was no match. Bought a VP9 the next day.
Thanks for sharing your experience with the gun. I really like the pistol as well. If you are needing a holster, check out the round up of rigs I put together here: https://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/holsters/ultimate-hk-vp9-holster-list/
PPQ M1 is a superior handgun. VP9 is just HK’s copy of the PPQ. Shame they din’t make a better one.
I owned a VP9 for a little while. Excellent firearm, and I loved the trigger. Accurate, and fit my hand well. Then I shot the Walther PPQ M2. WOW!….Big difference, in that the Walther is easier to conceal, and the trigger truly IS the best out-of-the-box I’ve ever felt. The only other firearm that came close was the Canick TP9, IMHO
Do a little research and find out what the Tanik is copy of? Walther P99AS. Crappy copy but still its a P99.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOu5ZGfgtVk
I’m a true fan of HK, Own several of their older weapons. And HK will be releasing the VP40 Along with the present VP9.
I very interested in purchasing the VP9. But recently I ran across this Torture test of the VP9. Now, I know most of us will never put one threw this, but it was concerning. If anyone views the entire video, please share your Opinion.
Saw this and another torture test by a gent in WA state. He had mud and grime and sand in it and even fired it submerged w/o issue
The MAC video was somewhat unrealistic, but even then, the pistol only malfunctioned after extreme and unusually harsh abuse.
Have one myself, have over 2k rounds through it. Have done outside tactical ranges – wet, dry, day, night – and zero issues.
I know anecdotes aren’t evidence, but i’ve yet to see this weapon fail
bought a vp 9 got it for 559 at local dealer .as accurate as any of my sig 9mm’s even my p-210’s what a bargain .might just be almost best 9mm out there ,wish it had 20 round capacity.
My wife bought one (her first gun) despite my urging her to buy a revolver. I must admit she shoots it
extremely well and it hasn’t had any malfunctions in the first 500 rounds through it. I was impressed especially after shooting the VP9 since I love to shoot revolvers and can’t see the attraction in Glocks. I am almost tempted to buy one.
Why do men always want women to buy revolvers…because they are easy? don’t shortchange your women with this flawed thinking. There’s a time and place for a revolver just like a time and place for a nice 9mm home defense handgun. The VP9 fits my hand fabulously and I’m a petite 5’1″. I love it. The rack is easy and smooth.
I am a revolver guy so why would I shortchange women? I think learning to shoot with a revolver and graduating to a semi-automatic is sound. Besides, my 357 round is more potent than the 9, 40 or 45…..and if it doesn’t go bang, I only have to pull the trigger again and avoid all that tap rack nonsense.
Thank you for your straightforward and honest review of the VP9. Women should consider this for one of their home defense weapons…along with a S&W Governor.
Thanks for taking the time to read the article and post feedback. I really appreciate your readership. I apologize for missing your comment earlier.
-Richard
[…] I reviewed the VP9 and found the gun to be an exceptional performer. It is certainly on par with other modern, […]
Excellent review. I carry one everyday now.
Thanks for the compliment Greg!
-Richard
A Glock with ergonomic upgrades from Tourist to First Class. Very comfortable to shoot, and easily the most customizable grip available. Outstanding trigger and reset (I like it slightly better than Walther’s excellent trigger) that can also be improved for smoothness with some minor polishing without changing any of the contours of the ignition linkage. The only upgrade I might consider is tritium as mine has glow in the darks as stock. There is a package from H&K now that is tritium plus 3 mags-great value for a gun you’ll keep and shoot.
I bought the VP9 LE about a year ago. It came with tritium sights and 3 magazines. There was a mail-in-offer for four free magazines. Took about a month and I was set. Love the handgun. Got me my LTC (Texas) in March.
I have been carrying a HK p30 9mm since V3 came out. This VP9 looks like a nice gun for my wife to carry in her purse.
As always HK makes the finest pistols for a reasonable price.
Went shopping for a firearm a couple of days ago. Had my mind pretty well set on either a Desert Eagle III 9mm or a Springfield XDM. I have owned both previously and love the way they both shoot. I have heard about H&K over the years but always figured they would be out of my price range. As I was walking back toward the DE I had looked at a few minutes before, I happened to glance down and saw a VP9 at just over $600. On a spur of the moment decision, I stopped and asked the guy behind the counter to let me see the VP9. He took it out of the display case and handed it to me. I absolutely fell in love with it immediately and knew that my search was over. I haven’t been to the range yet but look forward to taking care of that very shortly. I thoroughly enjoyed your review. It makes me feel even better about my purchase.
I think you will really enjoy that gun. I know it has been one of the best “plain factory” guns I’ve ever shot. I think HK really hit it out of the park with that one.
-Richard
I have a VP9 purchased a few months ago. Simple: I LOVE it!!! Have not tried a lot of alternatives but cannot imagine what I might change. Solid, reliable, accurate, a joy to shoot. If you don’t have one you need one!!!
Probably the best Review for a firearm. Comments are accurate and relevant. Thank you.
BEST REVIEW IN HISTORY, AND I LOVE MY VP9…….. Thank you very much for your great insight and information on the VP9.
Several years ago I was in the market to add a new 9mm as my EDC, I went to my favorite gun shop thinking I knew what I wanted to upgrade too, the sales person showed me what I wanted but asked if I had considered the VP9 and handed it to me, I knew I found my new edc, it is LE edition, I went straight to the range. There was no one else at the handgun range so sent the target out to 15 yards and emptied the first 17 rounds. As I admired my tight group the range Marshall walked up and commented it is great to see rewards of range practice!!! When I told him it was the first rounds through the gun he was floored! And asked what it was and noted he had heard of the HK VP9 but never saw one or handled, I offered to let him shoot it, he loaded 6 rounds and matched my accuracy was was highly impressed, my wife and I returned that weekend for our usual practice outing and he greased us at the handgun range proudly identified his new VP9 on his side. Obviously this was several years ago but wanted to share