The Grip
To start off, let’s address what, in my opinion, is the standout feature of this gun: its grip. It not only has three sizes of backstraps, but it also has three sizes of side grip panels. All these combinations make the grip customizable for lots of different hand shapes.
Even better than the changeable sizes, though, is the shape of the grip. Not your basic rectangular box, it’s sculpted to give you an optimal grip. A swell in the center of the grip funnels your hand into a high grip up against the beavertail. It’s uncomfortable to hold this grip low, as many newbies do. The top of the grip is narrow to allow a comfortable trigger reach, whatever your hand size, also allowing the shooter to more easily reach the controls.
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The finger grooves work great and assist with the all-important pinky pressure to help get fast sight acquisition. The bottom of the grip slopes down nicely to aid in concealability, kind of like a bobtail, and gives a good ledge for the heel of your hand.
It’s truly a very well-designed grip. It’s so good that my hand stays locked in despite the VP9 not having particularly aggressive texturing. The geometry of the grip keeps the hand in place. I wish more firearms manufacturers took more care with their grips. In my opinion, this is where the VP9 can still top many of the newest guns today.
Other Features
There is an ambidextrous slide lock, which is uncommon to see as usually it is just on one side. I find the placement very easy to actuate. The trigger guard is oversized for gloved use, and there is an accessory rail for lights and lasers.
There’s also an ambidextrous paddle magazine release. Some don’t like this European-style mag button, but I do. You can actuate it by pressing down on either side. I use my trigger or middle finger to do mag changes, so I like it because there is no chance of my trigger finger entering the trigger guard when dropping a mag. I regularly correct shooters about this when I’m a range officer. Also, there is no chance my support hand will ever accidentally release the magazine in a firing grip, which can happen with an extended magazine button.
On the slide, the serrations are not great, but usable and located on the front and back. Fins located on the back of the slide help with racking, especially when there is an optic mounted. There is a cocked striker indicator on the rear of the slide, too.
Optics-Ready
This test VP9 is optics-ready, but earlier models do not have this option. The optics mount HK used is a slightly older design that uses an independent plate. The plate screws into the slide, and the optic screws into the plate. There are lugs as well, so the screws don’t take all the force. This design works fine, but it does make the red dot sit higher on the gun.
Today, the best mounting solutions use multiple screw holes and pins to mount the optic directly to the slide with no plate necessary, giving the lowest mount height. The other option for the VP9 is the Holosun SCS VP9 – a sight specifically designed to mount directly to the VP9 that sits very low.
Range Notes
When it came out, a major selling point of the VP9 was that it had one of the best striker-fired triggers on the market. In the past 10 years, other companies have advanced striker-fired trigger technology, and the VP9 is no longer king. There are better striker triggers out there.
Mine broke at around 4 pounds, 6 ounces, and it was a very consistent break. The pull itself has a long take-up and a little creep on the break, but it’s a good snap and there is a positive reset that pushes your finger forward a little. All in all, while no longer the best on the market, it’s still a very good trigger.
Flush-fit magazines used to be limited to 15 rounds, but in 2020, HK re-designed the internals to allow 17 rounds in a flush-fit mag. The VP9 is a hair larger than the Glock 19 and a tad heavier at 25.5 ounces, but still carries well and is concealable.
Shooting the VP9 was great. With solid accuracy and shootability because of the great grip and trigger, it moves fast and tracks true. This gun won’t hold you back. Reliability was consistent, as expected with an HK gun, and I have every confidence this gun will run and run.
Conclusion
I would recommend this gun as a duty, competition, carry, or home defense gun. It’s extremely versatile. Downsides are that the magazines are expensive, and you will have to learn to use a European magazine release.
Even the price is now in its favor. As of fall 2024, Guns.com has the VP9 going for a little under $600 new and under $500 if you go used.
So, if you like HK pistols, their style, and some of these unique features, get one for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.
