By: Greg Chabot
Photos by Sasha Steadman
Heckler and Koch shouldn’t need an introduction to readers. With a reputation for innovative and reliable weapon systems, HK has earned its place near the top of the firearms industry. In 2014 they introduced, in my opinion, the best out-of-box, polymer-framed handgun currently made: the VP9. The Volkspistole was an immediate success when released to the US market. A few months after its release, I bought one for myself and have used it on a regular basis for the past eight years. This article focuses on how it has held up to daily carry and regular range sessions. I won’t bore you with specs as they are readily available on HK’s web page.
What drew me to the VP9 was the ergonomics; the weapon can be configured to an end user’s hands in 28 different configurations. I like that it is fully ambidextrous, and the enlarged trigger guard is nice when wearing winter gloves. The charging supports work great and make manipulating the slide easy with gloved or arthritic hands. Since its release, HK has upgraded the series with an optional button magazine release in lieu of the paddle style. A long slide and optic-ready model are also offered. Magazine capacity has been bumped up from the original 15+1 to 17+1, w 20-round magazines also available. Potential purchasers should have no trouble finding a VP series with the features they want.
The VP9 has been my go-to, for combat Tupperware since its release. The trigger is the best on the market of current production guns; on my gun, the trigger has only gotten better with use. As I have written many times, a case of ammo is the best trigger test. Smooth take-up with a clean break makes the VP9 a joy to shoot. In my opinion, there is no need to “upgrade” the trigger on the VP9. I have no complaints about the sights either, they are easy to pick up under stress. They can be upgraded to tritium if one does not like the stock luminescent. For me, the lume has held up with no issues of fading or peeling.
I have fired approximately 9k rounds of various makes and grains through this weapon. It has been 100% reliable from the day I bought it. I have gotten this weapon hot enough to burn myself. It has been dropped in sand, water, and snow with zero issues. The finish has held up great with only minor holster wear. Internally, the rails and other parts have no unusual wear. Per HK’s recommendation, I will replace the recoil spring when I hit 10k total rounds fired.
Overall, I am completely satisfied with my purchase. Out of the box, the VP9 has met my standards for a weapon that I can completely trust my life to. I don’t get into the “It’s a Glock killer” nonsense like many writers. If a handgun is reliable and fits your hand, and you are confident with it, carry it, regardless of who made it. Of course, to become confident, take it out, run it, and push it to the limit before trusting your life to it.
If you are looking for a reliable defensive weapon with an excellent trigger and ergonomics, the Heckler and Koch VP9 is my recommendation. I look forward to putting the next nine thousand rounds downrange. In the future, I’d like to see a 10mm and .45 ACP version offered. Knowing our Teutonic friends at HK, it will take a few years to overengineer big-bore versions of this fine weapon.
The mid-terms are around the corner. Get out and register to vote if you haven’t already. Educate yourself on a candidate’s support of the second amendment. Our Republic is in danger from the CCP-controlled DNC who stole the last election. The Second Amendment is critical to keep our Republic free from tyranny. Vote accordingly.