VP9 Hype

[SVTNate]

All reports indicate that VP9 trigger improves quite a bit after lots of firing. So a new VP9 isn't the best indicator of trigger quality.

That said - I own a VP9. Still NIB, waiting to DROS. I'm an HK fan, by the way. I have an HK45, HK45C, P30, Mk. 23 SOCOM, USP Expert, P2000SK, etc. etc. I don't have a PPQ, just a PPS for CCW. The VP9 is cool, I do like the gun, but it's not some revelation IMO. It's got a better trigger than your typical Glock/M&P/XD/etc, great ergonomics, not quite on par with the P30 IMO. A really nice gun, but IMO not a revelation and not even my favorite HK. Of course, I've only dry fired mine so far, so take that into consideration.

I think there is a whole lot of hype and talk because HK finally did a modern striker pistol. A lot of people out there have long admired HK design and quality, but didn't want LEM or a DA/SA trigger. So I get the excitement from those people. It also feels great in the hand, although I don't like the cocking "fins" sticker out from the back - and IMO it's a little too big for a CCW pistol. I'd really be interested in a VP9SK or VP9 Compact, but SSE will be long gone when/if HK releases those.

[Joe]

H&K is the Comcast of the gun world. crap customer service. Better hope you never need to send it to h&k for service because that's not happening. There are plenty of great guns from manufacturers who don't suck

[Caseless]

I don't see any ground breaking design features on this new VP9 model. All I noticed is HK stated they test fired the 9mm VP9 for 10,000 rds. IIRC, the HK USP 40 was test fired 25,000 rds without failure. Probably there is no way to incorporate the bulky USP-type recoil system into the VP9, just like the USP compacts and P2000 used a less sturdy recoil system than the USP full size.

Still, like all HK guns with a polygonal barrel, you only need 3-4 patches to clean after each range session, instead of the normal 20+ for a conventional barrel.

[thorium]

I shot my VP9 for the first time yesterday. I really liked it.

Shot 150 rds in the first trip - no malfunctions. I did not field strip or do any maintenance to it other than a drop of oil on each slide rail.

My first pistol was a Glock 23 (gen 3) and I had that for ~10 years before getting a second pistol, so I'm a striker-fired fanboy. I have never shot a PPQ so I can't compare to that. I do have a S&W Shield 9mm, Glock 22 gen 4, Glock 36 gen 3. The VP9 is definitely now my favorite striker fired gun.

Assuming it lives up to the reliability of a Glock or HK P30 I will probably make it my primary defense handgun. My measure of reliability is not my personal experience - I will wait a couple years and allow many VP9s to circulate and be shot and pay attention to the preponderance of evidence from a large sample.

Pros:
Ergonomics - both grip (very customizable) and trigger (wide and flat)
Mag Release (this is my first 'euro style' but I think it's better than US!)
Trigger (again relative to glock/M&P - no experience w/PPQ)
Very nice machining

Cons:
Slide smoothness - agree with previous poster that said the slide doesn't glide smoothly on the frame, it is gritty. It might be inconsequential to function and even enhance reliability (e.g., tolerances designed that way), but it doesn't feel good.


My personal opinion is that HK has targeted the #1 selling pistol in the US - the Glock 19 - and they've created an improved version. If reliability lives up to Glock, and the street price is around $600 (comparable to Glock), this pistol will be a serious competitor in the market (although pistol reputations are made over years and decades so I don't expect the VP9 to take over Glock's perch any time soon if ever).

The VP9 is not revolutionary, but it is evolutionary over the #1 selling pistol. And since 1) SSE is "going away" 2) HK is indisputably one of the best regarded pistol makers 3) the VP9 just came out - of course there is some hype here in CA.

[plan-b]

I like where this thread is going. Leave the VP9s in the gun shops... so I can get one.

[static2126]

7

H&K is the Comcast of the gun world. crap customer service. Better hope you never need to send it to h&k for service because that's not happening. There are plenty of great guns from manufacturers who don't suck

Unless you have actual experience with this, mostly internet myth. I have had nothing but good experiences with hk customer service

[TacticalChihuahua]

hmm, the shield is one of the best pieces out right now for CCW so if the vp9 has anything in common with the shield that is definitely a compliment. i personally had a different experience with the vp9 and ppq. i thought the ppq was garbage and not in any way better than my p99 which i think is substandard to the standard sig 226. given that i thought the vp9 was as good as my broken in stock 226 right out of the box that is a huge thing in my book.

What specifically was "garbage" about the ppq?

[saudadeii]

I was looking to get both. Broke my PPQ M2 out of jail Weds. Haven't shot it yet but WOW when compared to my M&Ps (so far).

Quite frankly, a VP9 will end up costing about $150 more than my PPQ. Given the similarities, I think I may pass on the VP9.

[lanzer]

Funny, I have two friends who are shopping for their first guns, and when I suggested all the major brands with a slight nudge towards CZ, Walther and HK as my top choices (brands that I own), after browsing through whole catalogues, both of them chose the VP9 as their first gun on separate occasions. When asked why, the answers were "I like the design on HK pistols". No argument here.

I can see if someone fell in love with HK designs, that a striker fire version would feel like a revelation. Especially since the brand carries a reputation for quality and reliability.

[wl518]

The fact that SSE is coming to an end also drives the demand.

[TacticalChihuahua]

This statement is just my OPINION. I tried them both side by side as well and the slide and the trigger on the PPQ felt so much betterb than the VP9. The VP9 trigger actually felt kind of crunchy. It was like night and day with the two but again it's just my OPINION.

Exactly my experience. Crunchy is the perfect word to describe how the trigger felt compared to the PPQ

Exactly. ...just like all the positive reviews of the VP9 are other peoples opinoins.The HUGE difference is who's opinion are you going to base your purchase on.

I am just letting people know because most people are basing their decisions on opinions right now because it is hard to find. Most of these opions are rave reviews. I am just letting people know that at least the vp9 I held was not up to this standard. Therefore, if you are going to buy one it might behoove you to try before you buy (and compare)

All reports indicate that VP9 trigger improves quite a bit after lots of firing. So a new VP9 isn't the best indicator of trigger quality.

It is almost universally accepted that all triggers get better with time as things smooth out....

[dyson]

hmm, the shield is one of the best pieces out right now for CCW so if the vp9 has anything in common with the shield that is definitely a compliment. i personally had a different experience with the vp9 and ppq. i thought the ppq was garbage and not in any way better than my p99 which i think is substandard to the standard sig 226. given that i thought the vp9 was as good as my broken in stock 226 right out of the box that is a huge thing in my book.

No doubt they are great guns, but both instantly jumped to the top of many peoples lists.

[static2126]

Off topic but I love my shield...lol

Any small gun that I can shoot like my shield is incredible..lol

[ruddogg]

I currently CCW/EDC a PPQ M2 9mm, LOVE this gun. My VP9 is arriving at OC Armory today from Audiophil2, although I won't get to DROS it till next Thur due to the 1 in 30, and I have a second PPQ that's already sitting at OC Armory waiting to be DROS'd. The PPQ is so good that I don't want to risk not having it with SSE ending, so I got a second one.

I also just got the Sphinx SDP last month. I will be doing a side by side by side shooting comparison between the PPQ, VP9, and Sphinx once I have all 3. Even though the Sphinx is awesome, and has a great trigger, I still preferred my PPQ as CCW. Sphinx is a tad heavier.

Anyways, I'm sure the VP9 will be good, doubt it will displace my PPQ as my CCW. The VP9 is definitely the "flavor of the month" right now.

[SVTNate]

All this talk about the PPQ, and on top of that I just picked up my PPS and think it's a great gun.

I need a PPQ. Ruddogg, pick up your second one, and then trade me a Gen 4 G19 for it!