HK VP9

[ebourcier]

Hey!
So I'm looking to get my first handgun soon, and I've been going around getting my hands on as many things as I can. I'd love to shoot as much stuff as possible as well, so if anyone is anywhere near Chicopee and is willing to let me bring ammo and join their party I'd be super appreciative.

Anyway, I was at R & R sport in Belchertown and found that as far as 9mms go I really like the feel of the HK VP9, moreso than just about anything else in that range that I've held. There is a Sig that was similar feeling, unfortunately I forgot the model number.

A little background - I'm looking for mainly a range/home defense gun. I'd love to be able to carry for the limited number of times I'd feel inclined to, but realistically that's not a super big factor in my decision - I think I'm more likely to just pick up something like a shield for my limited carry needs further down the road.

Anyway - Anyone have thoughts on the vp9? Upsides/downsides? Other similar guns you'd recommend? If anyone were to have one they were looking to sell I'll be at your door tomorrow

Thanks,
Evan

 

[Rate_of_Twist]

Downside are mags are expensive, mag release is dumb...

Other than that, it's a fun pistol

 

[JCV]

Hey!
So I'm looking to get my first handgun soon, and I've been going around getting my hands on as many things as I can. I'd love to shoot as much stuff as possible as well, so if anyone is anywhere near Chicopee and is willing to let me bring ammo and join their party I'd be super appreciative.

Anyway, I was at R & R sport in Belchertown and found that as far as 9mms go I really like the feel of the HK VP9, moreso than just about anything else in that range that I've held. There is a Sig that was similar feeling, unfortunately I forgot the model number.

A little background - I'm looking for mainly a range/home defense gun. I'd love to be able to carry for the limited number of times I'd feel inclined to, but realistically that's not a super big factor in my decision - I think I'm more likely to just pick up something like a shield for my limited carry needs further down the road.

Anyway - Anyone have thoughts on the vp9? Upsides/downsides? Other similar guns you'd recommend? If anyone were to have one they were looking to sell I'll be at your door tomorrow

Thanks,
Evan

Hey Evan, welcome to the forum.
First off, you should definitely go green, so you can learn our secret handshakes, and get some amazing deals. http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/5103-NES-Memberships
I actually believe there was a group buy on VP9's a couple months ago. I could be wrong though.

There are a few great threads here on the VP9, use the search function.
If you look through the Dealer Classifieds here you'll find a couple dealers selling them for sub $650
If you liked the ergonomics of it, go for it.
If the Sig you touched was similar in size, could it have been a P226 or P229?

Good luck!

 

[rocket500]

I actually like the mag release but the mags are indeed expensive.

 

[92G]

I like the VP9. Nice gun. Nothing wrong w the HK euro mag release just takes some learning. It is a nice HD gun although personally if I am limited to 10 rounds I gow a .45.

personally I suggest getting the LE model w night sights cuz the 3rd mag pays for itself.

 

[Bonesinium]

There is a Sig that was similar feeling, unfortunately I forgot the model number.



Thanks,
Evan

Sig P320?

 

[lel]

Have a VP9 with Trijicon HD sights. Love it! Feels fantastic in hand and shoots great. Highly recommend.

 

[beaker]

The VP9 is a great gun. As others have said, Mags are redonculous expensive, but if you don't need more than 10 round mags, and don't want to buy a lot of mags, it is a great shooter. I have one and it is terrific, I don't mind the mag release at all. It is primarily my token H&K in the collection and range gun all my other handguns are Glocks. If I could have 15 round mags for it I might spend more on a mag collection. As others have said, if you get one get the LE version with night sights and 3 mags.

 

[DispositionMatrix]

Hey!
So I'm looking to get my first handgun soon, and I've been going around getting my hands on as many things as I can. I'd love to shoot as much stuff as possible as well, so if anyone is anywhere near Chicopee and is willing to let me bring ammo and join their party I'd be super appreciative.

Anyway, I was at R & R sport in Belchertown and found that as far as 9mms go I really like the feel of the HK VP9, moreso than just about anything else in that range that I've held. There is a Sig that was similar feeling, unfortunately I forgot the model number.

A little background - I'm looking for mainly a range/home defense gun. I'd love to be able to carry for the limited number of times I'd feel inclined to, but realistically that's not a super big factor in my decision - I think I'm more likely to just pick up something like a shield for my limited carry needs further down the road.

Anyway - Anyone have thoughts on the vp9? Upsides/downsides? Other similar guns you'd recommend? If anyone were to have one they were looking to sell I'll be at your door tomorrow

Thanks,
Evan

If you like the VP9, you would like the Walther PPQ or PPQ M2. The latter has a traditional button mag release, and both the PPQ and PPQ M2 have much better triggers than the VP9 OOTB. But the VP9 has a more pronounced reset. The PPQ and PPQ M2 are also slightly lighter than the VP9. I have all three.

For me it's really either the VP9 or the PPQ M2 because the Euro mag release of the VP9 sits further behind the trigger at the base of the guard yet is still very easy to actuate. The PPQ, on the other hand, has longer release armatures that extend past the trigger, and despite the additional leverage it is harder to actuate. Thus I might brush the edge of the trigger of the PPQ while releasing a mag. Not a good combination. The solution to that problem is the PPQ M2.

Another thing to consider is Magnum Research Baby Desert Eagle mags work in the PPQ, and <$40.00 Walther mags are available for both the PPQ and PPQ M2. Also, the 17-rnd "Navy" mags are available for both the PPQ and the PPQ M2.

ETA: It's worth mentioning I am a lefty, so I sought out all of these guns due to their ambi features. The button on the M2 can be reversed.

 

[DispositionMatrix]

Here is a pic comparing the Euro mag releases of the VP9 and PPQ. Note the release on the VP9 is short and sits well behind the trigger while that of the PPQ extends to beneath and just forward of the trigger. Despite appearances, the VP9's release is easier to actuate.

Here is a PPQ M2 with a 17-round "Navy" mag inserted.

PPQ and Magnum Research Baby Desert Eagle mag heel comparison. I have a bunch of the MR mags that I use in my PPQ. The Walther followers are red, while the MR followers are black.

 

[92G]

I agree the VP9's mag release has superior ergos to the PPQ M1. Also when the magwell is empty (no mag), the VP9 mag release projects upwards which indicates to the shooter that a mag must be inserted. On the contrary the PPQ M1 release stays flush with the trigger guard. I think HK put a little more thought into their mag release in general....that being said I am still a PPQ fanboy.

as you likely know, the PPQ M1 will operate with most P99 or SW99 mags.

 

[Kisspik002]

I'm actually getting use to the paddle mags release.

 

[DispositionMatrix]

The VP9's mag release appears to be the same as that of the P30. As a lefty I need an ambi gun, and I was hoping the P30 would be my go-to gun. However, the decocker is on the left side of the hammer on the back of the slide, requiring me to rotate my left thumb around a cocked hammer to press it. Not good. The VP9 was my solution to this problem since it is basically a striker version of the P30.

 

[Varmint]

The VP9's mag release appears to be the same as that of the P30. As a lefty I need an ambi gun, and I was hoping the P30 would be my go-to gun. However, the decocker is on the left side of the hammer on the back of the slide, requiring me to rotate my left thumb around a cocked hammer to press it. Not good. The VP9 was my solution to this problem since it is basically a striker version of the P30.

I didn't like that decocker on P30 either, made me nervous, one reason I sold it. The USP and .45 series have it on the safety bar, which is better, imo.

I like Sig's decockers better than HK in general, cause the hammer does slap forward like you pulled the trigger.

 

[DispositionMatrix]

I didn't like that decocker on P30 either, made me nervous, one reason I sold it. The USP and .45 series have it on the safety bar, which is better, imo.

I like Sig's decockers better than HK in general, cause the hammer does slap forward like you pulled the trigger.

Yep. I would love to know why H&K simply did not put the decocker on the safety.

 

[M1911]

Downside are mags are expensive, mag release is dumb...

And bore axis is high.

 

[M1911]

Nothing wrong w the HK euro mag release just takes some learning.

We're gonna disagree on that.

 

[92G]

We're gonna disagree on that.

Why you no likie?

it is great if the shooter is missing a thumb, or has thumb that fails to oppose w the digits (e.g. apes, lemurs)

 

[DispositionMatrix]

And bore axis is high.

Compared to what?

 

[drgrant]

Compared to what?

Glocks, S&W M&P's, 1911s, BHP, CZs... and probably a whole host of other guns. In 9mm it doesn't matter so much, but if they come out with one in .40 or .45 that thing is going to be a flippy SOB.

-Mike

 

[M1911]

Glocks, S&W M&P's, 1911s, BHP, CZs... and probably a whole host of other guns. In 9mm it doesn't matter so much, but if they come out with one in .40 or .45 that thing is going to be a flippy SOB. -Mike

Yup.

 

[drgrant]

I didn't like that decocker on P30 either, made me nervous, one reason I sold it. The USP and .45 series have it on the safety bar, which is better, imo.

I like Sig's decockers better than HK in general, cause the hammer does slap forward like you pulled the trigger.

If you've taken one apart you'd stop caring, it's just as "safe." Some people had issues with the button breaking on the P2000 and P30, but it's pretty rare. It is kinda funny you mention this though, because the MK23 I owned had a soft decock feature to it, more like a Sig... probably because of the tacti-cool ness of wanting to be able to decock the hammer without making much noise.

-Mike

 

[Rate_of_Twist]

If you've taken one apart you'd stop caring, it's just as "safe." Some people had issues with the button breaking on the P2000 and P30, but it's pretty rare. It is kinda funny you mention this though, because the MK23 I owned had a soft decock feature to it, more like a Sig... probably because of the tacti-cool ness of wanting to be able to decock the hammer without making much noise.

-Mike

Epic! The tactical decock!

 

[drgrant]

Epic! The tactical decock!

And on top of that.... if you looked at the spring they use in the MK23 for the decocker, its like this stranded wire type spring instead of just being one piece of like music wire or whatever that stuff is called. They went full retard on that gun's design and it showed.

-Mike