My wife & I just purchased our first handgun last weekend, & went with the HK VP9 based on recommendations, reviews such as these, as well as hands-on experience at the local range. We must say that we couldn't be more pleased with such a fine quality pistol. We were both very intimidated by firearms in general, concerned by the lack of experience we both had as well as the high-anxiety of becoming potential gun-owners. After sound research & advice, as well as becoming more comfortable with repeated use of the VP9, we're very proud to say that we're now more knowledgeable & comfortable HK VP9 gun owners. Purchased for under $700 at Champion Firearms in College Station, TX. Thank you for filming these reviews. You're more help than you may know.
Chris Kalman :HK does not give out free guns and for someone who has never seen a VP9, you sure have a strong opinion. I own a Walther PPQ and love it. It wasn't free either. Since you obviously didn't watch the entire video, I said I'll be comparing the PPQ /VP9.
Chris Kalman I also have access to Walther handguns but after the PPQ review. Please know that I'm not going to say anything to appease any company. Too many people buy from my recommendations. The PPQ is an excellent handgun all things aside. This review is for the HK VP9. As I staed, I'm not going to get side track with all the details. I understand you own a PPQ and you like it. But being critical of my review before you've handled a VP9? Understand that this is for entertainment purposes only.... the final decision is for the customer. I'm just showing features and what I like.
I am in Germany where I've shot both, and actually own my VP9 already straight from Oberndorf via Frankonia. This HK trigger is fantastic, absolutely fantastic. I connect with it better than my competition M&P9L Pro Series C.O.R.E. with the Apex trigger group in it. Favourite pistol I own by far. /edit : Also the cocking lugs are great for my sometimes weaksauce female hands when I practice cocking the gun in awkward situations. And yes, you can remove them
I am an FFL dealer and just got one in (they are very difficult to procure and I have access to 9 major vendors across the US) I got this in to sell but after looking it over I am adding it to my .9 collection - this is a superb weapon, lightweight, great trigger pull and re-set, plenty of real estate inside the trigger guard for gloves for folks in the Cold states. Price point is very, very reasonable and there is an edition that comes from the factory with night sights installed which is very nice for an extra $60.00 ... Glock used to offer this but for some reason has stopped this availability. As you can imagine I have had just about every pistol come through my shop at one time or another but I must say this one ranks right up there as one of the nicer 9's I have. It's nice to see HK getting into a more reasonably priced market with a line of very competent weapons. I am a huge HK fanboy and this is a home run. Would love to see a compact version for easier CC however, this is very doable as a CCW in colder whether.
I have small hands and the VP9 feels much better in my hand. I am very happy with my purchase. This gun shoots where you aim. Awesome review as usual sootch00.
Slimmer grip up top is a huge factor if you have smaller hands. I wanted to love Canik pistols but the grip is just too thick up top. The VP9 looks ideal for those without monster mitts.
I bought tbis 3 years ago and it replaced my retired Browning HP. I tried about 10 plastic body striker fired pistols at the gun store and this just fit my hand so well. The trigger is the best. Love those charging ears. Something so small made such a big difference. This is on rotation as my night stand and since I wear my watch to bed, I use a powerful LED flashlight to charged luminous indices on my watch so inxan see it throughout thr night and I just hit the glow in the dark sights and it stays luminous throughout the night. I also use a Streamlight TLR H1 1,000 lumens light and this is my bump in the night pistol I am fully confident in. Love tis HK.
I don't get excited a lot over new gun models but this I am excited about. And it's the best looking striker fired pistol I have ever seen. I never even heard about this gun at all until your video here. Good job HK on doing this to get the word out..
I finally graduated to HK about a year ago, I started with the P30 v3 then I purchased the VP9. I like the feel and quality, they are a notch above the rest.
I just ordered this gun last week going to pick it up today. I wanted the P30 but that and the Vp9 are hard to get. Got a hold of a VP9 will be picking it up today. This will be my very first firearm.
Just got my VP9 two weeks ago. Took it out last week for evaluation. Very happy. Very Accurate compared to my other 9mm. If you can get your hands on one, take a few shots, and you'll see how nice it is. Cleans easy, sights in like a target magnet.
Just picked one up after going back and forth between This and the PPQ. Really enjoyed shooting both but the trigger was just a bit better on the vp9 imo. My first HK and so far I'm really enjoying it. Thanks for the great review and sparking my interest in the vp9
Is it me or did H&K completely copy the Walther PPQ's trigger? I just got back from my Gun Shop/Range and held both back to back and they are almost identical.
KatotownUSA Correct me if I'm wrong but I do believe H&K copied Walter's design. The PPQ is actually based off the P99, which predates the P30 design and ergonomics.
Did you ever make a VP9/P30/PPQ comparison video (17:38)? I'm really torn between the VP9 and P30, but I'm also interested to learn more about the PPQ. By the way, your videos are fantastic! Thanks!
This is a phenomenal weapon system. Yes, it is an expensive pistol relative to a Glock. But, it's precise, the trigger is amazing also. HK really did a good job and listened to the customer this time. The modularity is built in throughout this weapon from grip panels, back straps and an integrated pictinny rail. This makes much more consumer friendly than their past offerings.
Thanks for your review. It helped be decide on HK VP9. I was tossed up with other choices like Walther PPQ and Sig Sauer P226 but your review, including the comparison between HK VP9 and Walther PPQ clinched the deal for me. It's been very helpful.
Really appreciate this candid and honest review. This handgun was among three that I'm considering buying. You just helped me make up my mind. Thanks again, love your videos.
I bought this pistol, threw some TFO's on it, and I love it! You ever have a pistol that you almost cant miss with? Thats the way this is for me. And so comfortable in the hand, and looks great too. I love Glocks, been carrying them for years, but this is my favorite duty weapon.
@Rusty Shackleford lol. HK is a far better gun out of the box. i do own glocks as well but out of the box the glocks can't compare. both very reliable pistols .
@@mytquin7605 Just ordered my first handgun today. I was deciding between the glock 17 and the VP9, but I chose the VP9. Good to go for a home defense handgun?
@@mytquin7605 Glad to hear it. Everything I've read online supports the idea that it's better than the glock in every way (aside from commonality of parts and price), so I am excited as hell to get my hands on one. How many rounds do you have through yours?
I just bought this vp9 yesterday at Dunhams and what a amazing pistol it is, had a glock and got rid of it lol.. this trigger is like butter. Feels real nice in your hand, Thanks for your videos You helped make a Navy veteran make the right choice for a late Christmas gift to myself. O ya
I made the mistake today of stopping a a gun shop and checking out a vp9 what a great gun, the trigger is the best i've ever felt and fit my hand perfect, now I got to have one!
Great review ! I am hoping to get one in the next week or so ! May I kindly find out what that Wheeler device is called ?? I hate having to hold my Glocks and other guns at a certain angle everytime to take out the pins !
I purchased this same firearm with threaded barrel from PSA for 699. HK had a magazines promotion ; They gave away 4 extra mags. I have not have a chance to shoot it yet. Nice to hear your review.
10 years on, now April 2024 and those cocking ears, and the back straps & side panels are the industry leader . No other pistol is as ergonomic as the VP9 series. No other. Love my VP9 SK in OD Green.
This gun is so awesome !!! I have bought five guns since I got my ccw or LTC in January 2017 in two states that I carry in. The vp9 the canik tp9sf the ruger mark iv target stainless m & p shield and glock 19 gen 4. The hk vp9 le is by far my favorite. Thanks Sooch 00 !!!!!
BTW. You have awesome videos and I like your comments. Enough that I have acquired the SFP 9MM due to arrive in a few weeks with my dealer. Well worth the money, as no 9MM firearm in Canada is under $800 CDN these days. Market price on the SFP is $945 CDN. That's life. At least we are able to acquire them! Thanks again for all you do. Appreciated! Mike
Your video on the VP-9 made me go out and get one. My dealer had a two tone one that was used for $499.99 of course i got it ..Its was was like brand new even though it was used. Excellent firearm Thanks for a great video on the VP 9
I just got my HK VP9 2 weeks ago and couldn't be happier with it. I can't wait for my kydex holster to come in for it. I just with the magazines were cheaper but I kinda knew what i was getting into when I bought the gun lol
I think you've spoiled yourself man. My first gun was a highpoint c9, so everything was cool to me after owning that thing. It's gonna be hard for you to find something your gonna like better than the vp9.
I just got a VP9 myself. Haven't shot it yet, but my first handgun was a C9 as well... I was gonna trade it in, but figured I'd only get like $75 bucks out of it anyway. LOL. I may stash it somewhere in the car. I polished the feed ramps on it, so it at least shoots reliably.
zunedog31 You will never buy a "unfired" gun. The test shell gives you the 1 shot it has fired, as well as lets you see where the striker hits the primer.
zunedog31 One or two states used to require the shell for "forensic testing" so if the gun was used in a crime they (the state) would have your guns "fingerprint" on record. I think it was Maryland and NYC. These programs cost millions to the tax payer and has not helped law enforcement one bit. I think of them as little gifts from the gun grabbers.
The lugs on the rear of the slide are similar to what browning has been using on some buckmark models. Glad to see someone else picked up on them as they work very well.
I'm sure this is a fine weapon. I'm confused as to why I'd pay almost $200 more for a gun that doesn't seem to do anything very much better than a stock Gen. 4 Glock 17. Yes, there are the side grips and the questionable cocking "ears" and for lefties the slide release on both sides, but beyond these things it's not giving me the warm fuzzies. The VP9 is longer, taller and most importantly for CCW folks, thicker than the Glock. And really is "cannon grade steel" a real advantage here? I've not heard of a rash of weak exploding barrels of late. Sounds like a marketing puff to me. Again, I'm sure it's a nice weapon, but until a maker comes up with a weapon that will do better what the Glock will do and at a comparable price, I'll just keep my Glock and spend the extra $$ I save on ammo and range time.
PDs around the country have tested their Glocks against VPs and found to a man, every cop shot more accurately and faster with the VP on the same course of fire than they did with their Glocks, which is a good gun, but an older design .
@@jbeez_theahch Stole that sucker.........it's not for everybody, but nothing is...........easiest gun to shoot well I've ever found, especially for newbies. A year after getting one and shooting it a lot, most guys say they'd do it again. Pretty good endorsement.
I own 3 Glocks and love absolutely love them. This weekend I shot my friends P30 and it is probably one of the most amazing pistols I've ever shot. I'm going to buy one today and look to purchase this one when it comes out. Great review.!!!!
Just got this pistol. I put about 500 rounds through it so far with no malfunctions. This is my new concealed carry piece. It replaced my Sig Sauer p224. I also have an hkparts.net quick detach match weight / compensator on the end. Thing's a tack driver! Carrying it appendix Style in a cheapo nylon holster which works better than I thought it would!
***** I ran an H&K in a class once. Never could get the hang of it. The M&P/glock style just works best for me. All preference, like you said. Thanks for the reply!
darkjedi351 Nice! I use my middle finger, works best for me, like butter. I think using the thumb is doable, but harder, and may be the reason why some get turned off. I switch mags the fastest with H&K Pistols. :)
I seen this video about eights ago . I was in the marked for a new gun . I looked at the vp 9 and sig 320 and the Walter ppq . I fired each at the range . Your video helped me to decide . Also this is my first striker fired gun . This is a very nice gun and fun to shoot.
I just recently purchased the VP9 or rather the SFP9 as it is called in Canada. We have a slightly larger barrel at 4.25" in our version. Great pistol!!! Ergonomically it is one of the best out there and the trigger out of the box is fantastic. IMO this is one of the best striker fired pistols available on the market.
Thanks for a great video. Watched it right after I purchased my VP9 after shooting a rental at the range. Love the trigger, recoil, and shooting. It's a real sweet gun.
Great review. I’ve noticed a recent trend watching VP9 reviews. They always compare the trigger to a Glock. If they compared it to a Walther, Canik, or CZ striker fired pistol, people would be like, “Why spend all that money on an H&K?” And they’d be correct in that assumption.
That's because Glock is the king of striker fired pistols. They have a hammer lock on police departments big and small. If I remember correctly, in the beginning they offered their guns at $1 a piece, and since the buying decision is from the budget officer and not the SWAT commander, they couldn't turn that down. That way, they got their foot in the door. Once several big agencies are on board, its an easy sell to smaller agencies that can't afford to do their own testing. So now LE agencies local, state, and feds use Glock. They are used by the military even though the big contract went to Sig. Special Forces teams use them, replacing the venerable andnshot out 1911s. NAVY SEALS use them. Rangers use them. In the civilian world, they sell all the Glocks they make. People who know nothing about guns know the Glock name and think, rightly or wrongly, that it is the be all, end all in handguns. So Sootch compares HK to the Glock as opposed to Walther or Canik. People who don't know guns have bot heard of Walther, Canik, CZ.
Another great review, Sootch! Yours is the first review I have seen of this pistol, other than at their website. I have been hoping for some time now for HK to release a striker-fired P30 and it seems this is essentially what the VP9 is. This is one handgun I will definitely be picking up. Keep up the great content!
Thank you for taking the time to get this review out to us all so quick! Looks to be a great gun, very ergo, which personally I'm liking most about this so far. Thanks again sootch
I normally do not like HK's products, but I think I like this one. The grip is one of the most customizable that I have seen, I like the sights, I like the controls, it does not weigh to much, and the price is not too bad.
I got the HK VP9 LE Edition which has 3 Mags & Nite Sites for $550. out the door. You need to Flash the Cash 💸💵💶. I called like 6 gun stores & got prices up to $685.
It's good to see H&K came out with a striker fired gun thats direct competition to the PPQ. I had a PPQ M1 with about 4500 rounds through it. I got rid of it due to parts availability including simple things like magazines. I can't wait to handle this thing and maybe even walk out the door with it.
hk and glock both have great triggers, if you like one model you shoot it all the time one will get use to anything. Both go bang and don't jam which is a MAJOR factor for me.
This was the most informative review that I have seen for the VP9. I've been on the fence but after seeing this review, I just finished ordering one. Thank you.
I have an H&K USP .45 Compact that is the most ergonomic, best pointing pistol I own. It just feels great in the hand and when I try to quick draw/fire it, I'm always on because it just points so nicely. I might have to chime in and get one of these VP9's, that's one sexy pistol.
im a part-time cop in the PSNI. have sig 226 and glock 17. the glocks my service weapon that i carry on duty. i love the 226 to shoot and its a cool looking gun. the glocks a big square brick, not nice to look at or shoot but i'll take my glock on duty every time before anything else because when i pull that trigger it goes bang...
One of the best comprehensive reviews without being boring. Subscribed. Love my P30 and have thousands of rounds through it without a bobble. If it really turns out to be as good as it seems I will probably be getting 2 of these instead of picking up another P30.
I purchased one for 599.00 and a buddy sold me his for 500.00. I've owned my Glocks for quite some time and have been shooting the VP9 exclusively as of late. The features set it apart. I have been running 200 rounds a week and dry firing it daily to work the trigger. I will continuously go back and forth with Glock 19 and VP9. I will part with this thought. It's super nice but only time will tell if it enjoys the popularity of a Glock. Can't go wrong with either. Both will shoot a one inch group at 7 yards for me.
Sootchoo, I have viewed a lot of your videos on many subjects. (I'm a subscriber.) I've always found you concise, erudite, and highly educational. I obtained my first pistol on Memorial Day 2020; a H&K VP9 Full-size (not Tactical) model. It is my first pistol. This particular video of yours has given me so much information about my new pistol that it prepares me to become familiar with my pistol. I can only thank you profusely.
Thank you sootch00. I bought a brand new usp 9 last year. Since then, I had exp with sig and cz. I prefer the cz. The finish, fit (not grip), operation, and reliability of the usp is superior. I wanted to buy the vp 9 but not on ca rooster
Watch Hughes Enterprises test of the HK VP9. He dunks it and submerges it in water, mud, and it fired. He also submerged the HK VP9 underwater, pulled the trigger and the HK VP9 fired. I love my HK VP9 (FDE color). It’s a sturdy, tough, good reliable HK striker fired firearm.
Great review Sootch as always. Hey at 12:20, press down slightly on the rear of the slide as you remove the slide and you will get the slide off w/o having to pull the trigger. Same for putting the slide back on. I'm looking forward to adding a VP9 to accompany my VP40.
An affordable HK and striker fired to boot...outstanding ! now my two favorites HK n Sig have new striker fired pistols ...i have the PPQ n its outstanding so we will see how these two stack up...should be interesting !
Great review! You covered all the details I wanted to see about a new pistol, especially with the trigger comparison. You sold me on this gun. This will be my first HK pistol.
I just bought a grey vp9 with the tritium sights. It's such a nice gun and trigger, it's hard to not shoot it fast. And to be able to do it accurately is amazing. My son picked it out, so it'll be handed down to him we he comes of age, so I'm gonna have to buy another one, I love this gun that much, and I'm not into buying duplicate firearms for myself.
Wow how times have changed. You can get these guns all day long for around the $500 range. Sportsman's Warehouse had them on sale for about $450 right before Christmas this year, 2017.
Great review between you and Hickok45 you guys are the most channels I base my reviews on. Since I am on permanent disability this purchase will be my last for awhile. I own three SKS's one 53 Tula and two Yugo's M39's all have matching numbers the Yugo's I bought at my local shop and I say they are 98 to 99% in their condition. I carry S&W shield but want more capacity so it looks like this will be the one. Thanks for the great review. Bill Z.
Responding a bit late, but I just want to say our Fobus HK-2 passive retention holster is a perfect fit for the VP9. Tested and verified at the AUSA annual meeting in DC last month.
great gun just picked one up. getting the slide off the lower is easy. just release it with the lock and let the recoil spring do all the work it shoots off right in your hand.
