VP9 Hype

[Lead Waster]

I think if Walther fields a uspsa team shooting the ppq with young hot competitors, they'll get more sales. Glock and Apple are Masters of marketing. Healthier, not so much.

[chairmnofthboard]

I'm compromised
HK vp9 and Walther PPQ 5inch **** it buy both

So what are you going to do?

In all honesty, how good can it possible be? I mean Glocks, M&P, etc. are already pretty nice. Are we just splitting hairs at this point?

[hundreddollarman]

I have both and shoot them with roughly equal proficiency, with a slight edge to the PPQ M2 by virtue of having had more time with it. I was putting this off for a while, but wanted to chime in so someone looking to get in on the SSE action has something to think about.

Size
The PPQ is a bit smaller. VP9 has a slightly longer slide and grip than the PPQ. Both are slightly larger than a Glock 19. VP9 four slots on its Picatinny rail to the PPQ's three. My Streamlight TLR-1 is flush on the VP9, but sticks out on the PPQ.

Ergonomics
VP9 feels oh-so good out of the box. So does the PPQ. My only gripe is the VP9's medium backstrap has a very pronounced hump that dug into my hand. No problem - I just swapped it for the small backstrap and voila! I kept the medium side panels. PPQ's grip stippling feels softer than the VP9's, but no less grippy. They both sit in my hand and point naturally. The degree of grip customization on the VP9 is amazing, so I give it the nod.

Controls
The PPQ M2 is simply push-button mag releases done right. I have medium-sized hands; I have to alter my grip to hit a mag release on most pistols. Not so with the Walther. The HK's paddles... you either love them or hate them. I like them. I can easily use my middle finger on my trigger hand to hit a paddle to drop a mag. What's also cool is they are ambidextrous; the PPQ M2's button is reversible. PPQ's slide-stop levers might be an annoyance to those who ride their thumbs high up on the frame. They stick out quite a bit and might prevent the slide from locking back. On the other hand, I find they are easier to hit for reloads. The VP9's slide levers are also ambidextrous; the left-hand lever reminds me of the P99, the right is a full-length lever. It's more recessed than the PPQ, which I don't like because I have trouble flipping it down to release the slide.

The VP9's charging supports work as advertised, which is about as much as I can say about them.

Recoil / muzzle flip
Both pistols have a similar bore axis. The VP9 shoots much softer than the PPQ and it's hard for me to figure out why. The HK is only 1.5 ounces heavier than the PPQ. Maybe it's how the weight is distributed?

Trigger
Ooh boy, this is the big one. Both triggers are absolutely amazing, the top of the class among all striker-fired pistols. Much has been written about the PPQ's exceptional trigger. The takeup is smooth and light, leading to a very crisp and positive break. The reset is astonishingly short. I had a few unintentional double-taps when I first started using the PPQ. On the other hand, the VP9's trigger has a shorter takeup than the PPQ. The PPQ's break is an audible "click" and is easily tactile and audible. The VP9's break is like that, but maybe turned up to 11. The trigger releases the striker with such force, that you hear a "sproing" and can even feel it reverberate within the frame. It is nonetheless, a definitive break as well.

Which trigger is better? It depends on what you prefer. Personally, I like the VP9 trigger. I feel a short takeup is better than a short reset in a high-stress, personal-defense situation.

Odds and ends
I have to give Walther a thumbs down for making the PPQ M2 unable to accept M1/P99 magazines. That kind of cramps my style. 10-rounders for the PPQ M2 just started arriving in retailers in steady supply. On the other hand, some P99 holsters will fit the PPQ M2 just fine - my Galco Miami Classic II holster works, for starters. PPQ sights are compatible across models, including the PPS. If you have magazines for a P30, they'll work with the VP9, which is awesome and also kind of a no-brainer, considering the latter is derived from the former. The sights are also compatible with each other. A bonus is you can also put them on your HK45, if for some reason you needed to do so. I haven't done any tests with holsters, mainly because I don't have any.

Price
PPQ: $649 MSRP. VP9: $719 MSRP.

So what can I conclude from all of this? It really comes down to your personal preference. Both Walther and H&K have produced exceptionally designed pistols. I'm not wedded to either brand. If you have one, there's no overwhelming need to get the other, which still doesn't explain why I have both. But that's the beauty of capitalism, I suppose!

[viet4lifeOC]

Are we just splitting hairs at this point?

YES

[optimus-primer]

I selected the VP9 myself. I have somewhat smaller hands. Hated the Way the Gen3 Glock felt in my hands. The Gen4 fits much better. I like the fact that the glock has few parts and most can be replaced in the field without being specialist. Kind of a AK of pistols. I have never handled a Walther but I'm sure it's a fine gun due to the reviews it has.

Big pluses for me with the VP9. Number 1, I'm a lefty! LOL even though I can shoot pretty well right handed, being able to now shoot with my left hand too is awesome!

Thank you H&K!!!

The left side slide release is nice too. With the small panels the grip really fits well and just raising the gun up to a natural pointing feels nice and naturall. Some guns just don't to that for me.

So for me, I didn't even feel like I needed to try the PPQ even with the few reports regarding the trigger. To me the VP9 feels great. Love the trigger.

[islabaseball]

So what are you going to do?

In all honesty, how good can it possible be? I mean Glocks, M&P, etc. are already pretty nice. Are we just splitting hairs at this point?

Buying both I hope I ordered one through Buck Shot Sporting Goods for $574

[neouser]

How does the PPQ trigger compare to their P99? I have never shot the PPQ but have always disliked the P99 trigger.

The PPQ trigger is the P99 AS trigger minus the double action sear. I actually made a thread about it before and another member who had both confirmed that the triggers on both were identical...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=782599

It always baffles me when I hear people say how much better the PPQ trigger is over the P99 AS. Placebo effect, I guess.

[ParadigmShift]

The VP9 shoots much softer than the PPQ and it's hard for me to figure out why.

Which trigger is better? It depends on what you prefer. Personally, I like the VP9 trigger. I feel a short takeup is better than a short reset in a high-stress, personal-defense situation.

+1000. So overlooked and underrated.

[static2126]

So what are you going to do?

In all honesty, how good can it possible be? I mean Glocks, M&P, etc. are already pretty nice. Are we just splitting hairs at this point?

Having spend a good amount of time on Glocks (total over 10k rounds) and around 2k rounds on different M&P's, the PPQ and VP9 are both significantly better.

[SoGetThis]

Recoil / muzzle flip
Both pistols have a similar bore axis. The VP9 shoots much softer than the PPQ and it's hard for me to figure out why. The HK is only 1.5 ounces heavier than the PPQ. Maybe it's how the weight is distributed?

Barrel stays in battery longer on the VP9 hence why even with it's high bore axis the recoil is less.

Trigger
Ooh boy, this is the big one. Both triggers are absolutely amazing, the top of the class among all striker-fired pistols. Much has been written about the PPQ's exceptional trigger. The takeup is smooth and light, leading to a very crisp and positive break. The reset is astonishingly short. I had a few unintentional double-taps when I first started using the PPQ. On the other hand, the VP9's trigger has a shorter takeup than the PPQ. The PPQ's break is an audible "click" and is easily tactile and audible. The VP9's break is like that, but maybe turned up to 11. The trigger releases the striker with such force, that you hear a "sproing" and can even feel it reverberate within the frame. It is nonetheless, a definitive break as well.

The "sproing" vs click is also how I'd describe the break of the triggers when dry firing. That "sproing" to me feels less crisp though and kinda mushy.

[_TomT_]

Trigger
Ooh boy, this is the big one. Both triggers are absolutely amazing, the top of the class among all striker-fired pistols. Much has been written about the PPQ's exceptional trigger. The takeup is smooth and light, leading to a very crisp and positive break. The reset is astonishingly short. I had a few unintentional double-taps when I first started using the PPQ. On the other hand, the VP9's trigger has a shorter takeup than the PPQ. The PPQ's break is an audible "click" and is easily tactile and audible. The VP9's break is like that, but maybe turned up to 11. The trigger releases the striker with such force, that you hear a "sproing" and can even feel it reverberate within the frame. It is nonetheless, a definitive break as well.

Which trigger is better? It depends on what you prefer. Personally, I like the VP9 trigger. I feel a short takeup is better than a short reset in a high-stress, personal-defense situation.

Also in dry firing you notice that the reset on the VP9 tend to push your fingers forward; more so than anything I've shot. At first I wasn't a big fan, but when you are dumping live rounds on target it actually helps with your follow-up shots since this makes the reset very tactile. I haven't shot a PPQ but I do like shooting this VP9 over my Glock 17. I will in a few days however since I manage to convince my buddy to get a PPQ instead of a VP9.

[concordca]

I almost bought one yesterday at my local shop, but had a hard time moving forward because of the paddle magazine release.

[stormvet]

I almost bought one yesterday at my local shop, but had a hard time moving forward because of the paddle magazine release.

Resist buying something just because everyone else is.
I will not be buying one, I have no desire or need for a paddle lever mag release.
Although I respect and like H&K, the VP9 will not do anything more then a Glock, Walther, M&P or any number of other guns will do.
I had no desire for a Walther until they made the M2(push button). If your into paddles more power to you, but if not. Why would you when so many other comparable push button guns are available.

[viet4lifeOC]

So I caved and bought the VP9 hahaha. I'm definitely gonna get flamed for this one!

/thread?

Obviously, the OP lacks CONVICTION

[battleship]

If you look at the psychology of this thread it reads more like guys who bought PPQs are now trying to convince themselves that they made the best decision over the VP9 and they are looking for reinforcement of that decision.

This results in allot of trash talk about the other gun.

Without range time on each gun i really cannot see how you can compare them both beyond the ergos and looks of the gun.

So why comment on the trigger pull and reset.

I have read enough about the PPQ muzzle flip being ugly on the PPQ if that is the case all the trigger reset should go out the window.

Ive dry fired both guns over and over again i really couldn't tell the difference but what is apparent to me was the slide was much easier to manipulate on the vp9 the grip feels much better. The over all feel of the vp9 feels much better than the PPQ and while the vp9 is pleasing to look at the PPQ is pug ugly when up against it, hell the PPQ makes a Glock 17 look badass.

I wanted a PPQ M1 for so long to go with my P99AS but after trying them both in the hand without actual range time the VP9 won me over with its looks and static merits. Its on my list.