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Question on other brand (H&K)

3K views 22 replies 17 participants last post by  SteelHorseCowboy 
#1 ·
Hi all, First off love all my rugers. Im thinking about a HK VP9 for range fun. Saw them for $519. (Something different once in a while) I have other brands, just no H&K's. Anyone have one and care to share the pros AND cons of this model? I hear very god things about it, but always better from an actual owner. Plus its the Ruger Forum guys from which ive always gotten truthful advise and opinions from.;) Thanks Ron
 
#4 · (Edited)
I have one and it is a great pistol. Smooth action, crisp trigger and very accurate. $519 is a great price, I'd snap it up A.S.A.P. !!!!

Only 'Con' I can offer at this time is that extra mags can be hard to find and pricey.
 
#7 ·
Always loved the HK pistols. I started with the USP and went backwards (P9s, P7M8, etc). The models since the P2000 just seemed to lack something that other HK's had. Like my P2Ksk though. Looked at the VP9 and while not awkward in the hand it too seemed to just lack something. Just not sure what that was. LoL
 
#8 ·
I have a P30 in 9mm and it is one of my favorite semi autos! Plenty accurate and 100%reliable so far with at least 1000 rounds through it. The best feature to me is the way they really took advantage of the polymer frame and made the grip so customizable for the shooter. You can swap out the back straps and side panels for a grip that works for you.
 
#9 ·
A guy I work with has one...he loves it! He served two (2) tours in Afganistan as a Marine and carried an M9 (Beretta) over in indian territory...loves the H&K VP9.

My wife has an H&K P2000SK (sub-compact) and, after shooting her 9mm...I want the P2000 model!
 
#10 ·
I have one as well. It has probably the best trigger of any striker fired semi-auto I have tried. It also has excellent sights, removable tabs on the back of the slide to ease in manipulation of the slide, three backstraps and night sights. The barrel has a chrome lined bore with polygonal rifling which lends to accuracy and is a lot easier to clean. The magazines are the same ones the P30 takes and are metal vs the plastic ones the USP takes. It's a bargain as far as HK prices go. You're getting a lot of gun for the money. It has a lot of the features that the higher priced HKs have and it fits my hand like a glove.

 
#20 ·
No safety?
That is one of the drawbacks I have on my M&P 9FS. It is m HD weapon and at night I am scared to keep it chambered.
 
#12 · (Edited)
I shot one as a range rental. My impressions:

Certainly a very good pistol if you are looking for a striker-action, polymer-frame pistol. I would take one over a Glock 17 or 19 any day.

Most people really like the trigger. I felt that the trigger was quite good, but I prefer the trigger on the SIG P320 which is in the same price range. I felt the P320 trigger had a more positive reset.

The ability to swap grip side panels and back straps is no doubt a plus. Since I was shooting a range rental, I was not at liberty to do this. I found that whatever panels and back strap the pistol were wearing was pretty comfortable, but the medium sized grip module of the SIG P320 was perfect for my hand. Of course, fit is a very personal thing.

It seemed to me that the recoil of the 9mm HK VP was a bit sharper than that of the P320, although still quite easy to control.

The paddle magazine release is something that I would have to get used to since all of my other pistols have a button release. The most frequent complaint that I have encountered regarding the HK VP9 is the tendency of a trough at the bottom of the trigger guard to irritate the trigger finger in live fire. I found that my finger was pretty sore before I made it to 50 rounds. Holding the trigger finger higher up on the trigger helped, but it was not a natural position for me. This issue is not going to affect everybody and some who have experienced it have taken a Dremel to the trigger guard to smooth it out.

Finally, I shot the SIG P320 better than the HK VP9 so the choice between them was clear for me.

I would suggest that you find a HK VP9 to try out in live fire before you consider buying one. You should know pretty quickly if you are going to have issues with trigger sting.
 
#16 ·
I recently received a HK FNP40 via a trade. Wasnt looking for one, but worked out for me. The the trigger is much better than my SR9 and it feels like the 9mm recoil.Nicer than you think. Also these are manufactured for police and military. They are very well made.This one has the hardest (stiff) slide I have ever racked. But to answer you inquiry, like most of the others here i believe you'll do well with your purchace if you decide to move forward with it. He who hesitates.. is lost
 
#19 ·
I got to try one on for size on Sunday. Pulled the trigger 10 times to see if the finger rub was going to be an issue. All was fine. Was too late on the $519 deal, but did find a gun store in Georgia(hint hint;)) that had 40+ of the LE model with night sights and 3 mags in stock. They are $600 shipped! Will post pics when it arrives. Thanks for all the replies. Gotta love the help around here:D Ron
 
#21 · (Edited)
I'm sure the VP9 is an amazing gun. But when I decided to take the plunge from wood and steel into polymer, I handled every gun I could get my hands on and shot all that I could. I had my heart set on a S&W MP9. I ended up with an FNS9. I handled the VP9, but was unable to shoot it. It was for sale as a new gun and not available for range rental, same as the FNS9.

The reasons I picked the FNS9 over the VP9 are:
Feel. The FNS9 simply fit my hand better. This is an extremely subjective reason influenced by so many factors that no one gun will likely feel exactly the same for two different people.
Price. The FNS9 was quite a bit cheaper at $400 and some change, versus around $700ish for the VP9. The VP9 was still in the price range I'd decided I was willing to pay ($1,000), but that didn't mean I HAD to spend more.

And this. The ambi controls on the VP9. I immediately disliked the long, thin, stamped metal ambi slide release on the VP9. Seemed a very handy thing to get snagged and bent under stress.

Plus, they are not quite the same size, shape, and placement on both sides. Close, but no cigar.

Now, as feel is highly subjective between different people, it's also subjective between the two different hands most people have, so that may not be an issue.

The mag release on the VP9 is cool, and I can imagine it'd be harder to activate accidentally, and with practice it may be possible to activate intentionally more easily!

But notice the FNS9 has identical size and placement on both sides of the gun for it's ambi controls. This wasn't THE deciding factor for me (that was the feel and way it fit my hand), but it was definitely one of the deciding factors.


I'm sure if you get the VP9, you'll be happy as a pig in slop with it. H&K is legendary for good reasons. It may fit you absolutely PERFECTLY for both hands, and my dislike of the ambi safety may be entirely unnecessary. I've seen excellent reviews for shootability and reliability, but I've never owned one myself. If you really like it, I say go for it!
No safety?
That is one of the drawbacks I have on my M&P 9FS. It is m HD weapon and at night I am scared to keep it chambered.
I've said before and I'll say it again: I've never once heard of an unmodified, properly maintained gun in good repair firing randomly while unattended. While being mishandled, yes, but never while no one's hands were on it. Except if it's been stored and then subjected to extreme heat such as a house fire. I've heard of malfunctions in such, but never a random discharge under the above conditions.

I've never personally heard of damaged and neglected guns going off at random while unattended. Going off while being handled though, yes.

If a safetyless gun makes you nervous, I suggest you practice with it as much as possible. If you simply can't bring yourself to fully trust it, I suggest getting one with a safety for your own peace of mind. No one should have a need to be nervous of their own gun, that can actually lead to a negligent discharge rather than preventing one. But if anything, it's actually safer sitting in the night stand drawer chambered, instead of chambered while you're handling it. Read above and take this from it: 100% of negligent discharges are negligent discharges because of user error.

If it makes you nervous because you have small children or are prone to fumbling around nearby it in the dark, may be a great idea to educate the kids (if old enough), or store it somewhere else. If you're scared you'll pick it up half asleep to investigate a bump in the night and shoot yourself in the foot on your way to the kitchen, that's where practice will help.

My mom carried her M&P40 safetyless with an empty chamber for quite a while. Not because she didn't trust the gun, but because she didn't trust HERSELF and her level of experience. Now that she's got more experience, the only time the chamber is empty is when she's shot until empty or when she's cleaning it.

If it's another concern, I, and I'm sure many others here, would be more than willing to offer more advice.
 
#22 ·
Nice comparison of the FNS to the VP9! I have an FNS40 long slide and a Hk P2000 in 40 and I prefer to shoot the FNS. I know the P2000 is hammer fired and not quite in the same category, but FN sure makes some nice affordable shooters.

Another thing that Hk offers is FDE and now Gray frames as well as a Tactical model with a threaded barrel, so there are a few options.
 
#23 ·
Thanks. I guess I was comparing those two because I felt like sharing why I didn't choose the vp9, not really trying to sell anyone else on the FNS. But the FNS is what I ended up with.

I set out wanting an M&P, but I had a grand to spend and was trying to keep an open mind. My basic requirements were:
Polymer
Striker
15+ capacity
FEEL

That's a huge departure from 1911s and DA revolvers.

I'd already decided that the way it feels in my hand was going to be the biggest deciding factor, and was prepared to spend my money on more ammo and go home if I couldn't find satisfaction. The FNS just won.
 
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