admin
Heckler and Koch is known around the world for quality craftsmanship, reliability, accuracy, and innovation. Hk is the choice of many special operations units for military and law enforcement in a variety of platforms, especially pistol calibers.
Hk Innovation
Their design innovation has fielded such classics as the Hk MP5 sub machine gun in 9mm and the venerable Hk MP7 in 4.6x30mm. In addition to iconic weapons, they have also been credited with revolutionary new techniques in firearms design. These include a reinforced polymer frame and the cold hammer forged polygonal bore both pioneered by Hk back in the 1960’s.
The Precursor
And in the pistol realm, they have the improvement on near perfection, the Hk VP 9mm. VP is for “Volkspistole,” or The People’s Pistol. The 9 is for 9mm. This gun is the next step in design from the P7. Where as the P7 was designed for police use as a quick, safe, and concealable defense tool, the VP9 was designed to be the crème de La crème of handguns.
Development began in 2010 and continued for 4 years. Upon the weapons release in 2014, it had all the bells and whistles that Heckler and Koch is known for. The polymer frame keeps the weight down, a cold hammer forged polygonal bore enhances accuracy and durability, and the factory trigger is a clean 0.25 inch 5 pound pull with a 0.12 inch reset. Factory magazines come in 10, 15, 17, and 20 round options, with after market mags going even higher.
What did it for me…
All of these features are fine and good, but for me the game changer on this weapon was the European style magazine ejection paddles on the trigger guard. This enabled me to easily speed and tactically reload the weapon from day one. Most handguns have a button to release the magazine, which to me always feels a bit slower than a paddle eject system. Add the removable grips to fit any hand, and you’ve got a customizable mean motor scooter. Additionally, all of the controls on the weapon are fully ambidextrous as well. Nice feature if you’re a lefty or for off-hand use techniques.
The straw that broke my camel’s and led to my purchase of one of these fine weapons was a recommendation from a Navy Seal veteran. He called it his “100 yard pistol,” because he could consistently plink at that range. After my purchase and some training, I too was able to hit targets at 100 yards consistently with this weapon. The man didn’t lie.
Operation
Since that initial purchase of the full size 4.1 inch barrel model, I have ran several thousand rounds through it. There has been zero misfires or jams when it is operated properly. It chews up and spits out steel, aluminum, and brass, casings with ease. Additionally, it’s a great platform to trial new rounds on due to it’s phenomenal accuracy and consistency, even with iron sights.
But this weapon is only as good as the operator who runs it. It’s short trigger pull and clean sear reset is amazing if you are properly trained. However, the novice or beginner shooter may not appreciate the attention to detail this weapon has. It is unforgiving in it’s complexity to the untrained, but simply exquisite for the trained individual.
Training Required
For example, the polymer frame and lightweight construction does not aid in keeping recoil down, but does aid in prolonged use not tiring the shooter. Some may even argue this is a drawback, I disagree. With proper training, any amount of recoil is negotiable and the lighter the weapon the better. The last thing you want to do in a fire fight is get tired. That will easily get you killed.
Need For Speed
Another example is the reliable striker firing pin. A striker fired pistol uses an internal firing pin mechanism versus the traditional exposed hammer. Striker fired pistols are markedly faster than double action hammer fired ones. So much so that certain self defense maneuvers that work against hammer fired handguns will get you killed if performed against a striker fired pistol. And the VP9 has a design feature that shows the operator when the striker is cocked and ready, and when a round is in the chamber. Almost idiot proof.
Safety first
I say almost because anyone who doesn’t know how to safely handle a firearm can kill themselves or others accidentally, and easily, with this or any other loaded firearm. This is regardless of a trigger safety. The model I have does not have a safety. For me, a safety is irrelevant on a handgun. As my grandfather who first taught me about firearms once said, “the trigger is the safety boy.” However, if you do have a safety on your weapon it is wise to train with it engaged. Train to disengage and reengage the safety as you begin and end engagements. This same practice of safety operation is also utilized in effective carbine training.
Bottomline…
All in all, the Hk VP9 is a solid full size handgun. This pistol has the ability to hit targets at extreme range repeatedly and the ruggedness to survive a firefight. It can eat up any 9mm ammo you feed it, from crap to match grade. It is truly a top tier weapon made with fine German craftsmanship, second to none in my personal opinion. I have yet to alter my factory VP9 in any way, other than switching out the grip panels to fit my hand. Heckler and Koch hit his one out of the park y’all. The Hk VP9 is easily one of the best 9mm handguns a civilian can buy. I am not a paid endorser by Hk. I am merely an owner of one of their fine VP9s and a proud one at that.
4 Comments