P30L vs VP9

[MrFeetZ]

I was wondering if anyone here can detail any significant differences in how a HK P30L and a VP9 may shoot. I have a P30L that is a great shooter. Fun, accurate, well balanced, etc. Essentially, a handgun that I am happy i got SSE and plan on keeping it. I also have a full size USP in 45 that won't be going anywhere.

Since I am OCD, i am always on the look out to add to my collection and a VP9 is one from HK that tops my list.

However, if these two handguns are very similar, than I will likely look at other options.

For example, a USP Expert in 9mm?

[Nor*Cal]

The biggest difference is a better trigger on the striker fired VP9.

Here's a good comparison video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__CRpjgQvLE

[jjdeneen918]

[jjdeneen918]

Pic uploaded

[fawndog]

The biggest difference is a better trigger on the striker fired VP9.

I thought H&Ks were damn sexy guns, then I fired a USP and was so disappointed I didn't pay attention to them for years. One exception was a Mark 23, that shot great but where can you get one ?
When the VP9 was released I had hope again to find a good shooting H&K, but it wasn't as good as people said. It had silly rubber ears, the trigger was overshadowed by the PPQ, and only a compact size made me disappointed again.
I then found the P30L, and it shot well but it just needed trigger work. Grey Guns worked the trigger and it's a dream gun. Very accurate, balanced well and has a smooth trigger.

H&K seems to have made the VP9 their entry level pistol IMHO, I really wasn't awed by it. In contrast the P30L is one of my favorites and what you expect from H&K, not just a slicked up Glock. It's all just my opinion, I also offed a CZ P10C for the same reason (not good enough to not get a Glock).

[OCEquestrian]

Happily, they do share the same magazines...

[beanz2]

Happily, they do share the same magazines...

Yes, they do.

I'm thinking of selling my P30L, one that was SSE'd back in 2014. Never fired since leaving the factory. I think it comes with 2 blocked magazines. It hasn't seen daylight for 3+ years.

How much should I sell it for ? Saw your other thread, OCE. Geez

[Tere_Hanges]

The VP9 is awesome. I've had mine for a few years now and the trigger has broken in fantastically. Its almost too light IMO. Definitely one of the best striker fired triggers, if not one of the best triggers period. If you like HKs you'll love the VP9. I also have a P2000 and an HK45, used to have a USP45. All DA/SA triggers. There is just something about HK triggers, they are very distinctive. Some people dont like them. I love them all. They just feel very "natural" to me.

The ergonomics on the VP9 are excellent as well.

[OCEquestrian]

Yes, they do.

I'm thinking of selling my P30L, one that was SSE'd back in 2014. Never fired since leaving the factory. I think it comes with 2 blocked magazines. It hasn't seen daylight for 3+ years.

How much should I sell it for ? Saw your other thread, OCE. Geez

Im not sure what a realistic price would be.. I have a number of VP9's (all SSE'd as well) and have not been watching the P30 market at all.

I have a few LEO friends I train with occasionally that carry the P30 and they think it is the best 9mm combat pistol out there...

The VP9 is awesome. I've had mine for a few years now and the trigger has broken in fantastically.

The ergonomics on the VP9 are excellent as well.

I have to agree on both points. I have well over 20,000 rounds thru my primary VP9 and the trigger has broken in better than I could have hoped. I started to feel improvement after the first 5-6000 rounds on my gun.

[Tere_Hanges]

The VP9 is really a great gun all around. The trigger is one of the best striker fired triggers available. You really have to be a fussy person to complain about anything on the gun.

[Saym14]

VP 9 trigger is way better, you lose the 5 inch barrel but the VP is very accurate. get both

[OCEquestrian]

VP 9 trigger is way better, you lose the 5 inch barrel but the VP is very accurate. get both

I think the VP is a nice all around combat gun... the product of a series of well thought out compromises..

[FNH5-7]

VP9 Vs P30L

-VP9 has the better trigger
-P30L is slightly more ergonomic than the VP9. While the VP9 is super ergonomic compared to the competition, the P30L is slightly above the VP9. To me the lack of a hump on the P30L makes it feel better on the hand.

[fawndog]

VP 9 trigger is way better, you lose the 5 inch barrel but the VP is very accurate. get both

Hopefully that wont be a problem in the future.

[MrFeetZ]

Great responses, thank for the info... one additional question; the over all responses seem to favor the VP9 over the P30. Any idea why the P30 is priced higher than the VP9?

A quick look at a couple online places shows the P30L priced at about $900 to $1000 and the VP9 at about $575 to $650. While I'm not taking the ca premium, I am curious about the cost difference.

I find it difficult to believe that HK came out with a superior pistol in the VP and decided to sell it cheaper than the P30