Is the H&K VP9 a High Speed Low Drag 9mm?
I tested the VP9, a full-sized mid-weight, striker fired, 9mm handgun. The H&K VP9 turned out to be one of the most ergonomic guns I have tested for duty. With all of the different striker-fired duty guns on the market right now, shopping for one can be daunting. Heckler & Koch has been around for over 50 years and they have plenty of military and civilian contracts that attest to their quality. There are two things for which Heckler & Koch is well known: their products are generally “overbuilt” or “overengineered” and they are known for being low maintenance and cost effective.
Ergonomics
Of any characteristic, the ergonomics of the firearm determines its ability of a handgun to put bullets on target. That is, if all other factors are equal, officers should pick a combat handgun based on how it feels, fits the hand, and reliably delivers projectiles.
We do test guns for accuracy but rarely does a brand name handgun have questionable accuracy. When it comes to testing, there is no single definition for unacceptable accuracy. Usually, when I can put bullets 25 yards downrange within a 4” circle, the gun is fine. Almost every good quality off-the-shelf duty gun can do this. If law enforcement officers need more accurate handguns, the answer is a long gun not another handgun.
We tested an off-the-shelf gun. Heckler & Koch did not provide the firearm in the photos, nor do they know I am reviewing this gun. I borrowed it (actually, my son bought one). The VP9 did everything advertised.
The VP9 uses a reinforced polymer frame, which is undercut deeply where the web of the hand rides. There is a growing market for users to get their polymer guns stippled—a professionally-done one feels amazing. One of the more common customizations is to undercut the trigger guard, which provides relief for the middle finger. The VP9 has this undercut.
The VP9 also has enough trigger guard room for gloved fingers, a characteristic consistent in all of their products. It balances well in the hand, and the grip surfaces are pronounced enough that the user is able to index their master grip quickly and consistently.
The VP9 is so customizable that there is pushbutton magazine release version, which allows the user to switch the side on which it actuates. Wait, let me back up. Most Heckler & Koch handgun models use an ambidextrous magazine release that is a lever below the trigger guard. Pushing either side down pops the magazine. It is simple, and very intuitive, which is probably why they use it. Eeverything is ambidextrous on the VP9. The left side of the gun has a standard slide release, which just about any sized hand can find intuitively. The right side has a low-profile slide release, which is almost a seamless experience for left handed officers.
The stock sights that came with the gun are easy to pick up and align, but most of us prefer sights squared off or hooked, for manipulating the slide one-handed. I recommend the Meprolight Fixed Self Illuminated Night Sights for this platform. These Meprolights are boxy and robust.
The VP9 comes with two polymer protrusions in the rear of the slide, called HK Charging Supports. Many companies manufacture aftermarket charging extensions for popular handgun models like the Glock 17. These extensions allow for better grip when using the “slingshot method” of releasing the slide from slide lock. The slingshot method consists of grabbing the slide, either over the top or from the rear, and thrusting the frame forward while quickly releasing the slide allowing it to slam home. The other method of releasing the slide is to simply drop the slide release lever. There are advantages and disadvantages of both. Although I prefer the “over the top method”, which I believe facilitates “Tap-Rack-Target,” I let students decide which method is more comfortable for them.
I liked the HK Charging Supports, but this gun already has generous front and rear slide cuts and plenty of surface for grabbing and manipulating.
For shooters who use dedicated lights and accessories, the VP9 has more rail surface than nearly any duty gun on the market.
Putting rounds down range
I have had several different looks at the VP9, starting with SHOT Show 2019. During both sessions, it performed admirably. We were using a square drill, where shooters shoot from different corners and the center of a square.
Everyone who picked up the VP9 could rapid fire on target during the range session. It was remarkably easy to keep the muzzle flat and sights aligned. This gun had the quickest magazine exchange of any of the guns we had on the range that day.
Along with the magazine exchanges, the VP9 is deliberately designed to keep in the fight. The front and rear serrations, along with the HK Charging Supports gives it an edge in immediate action drills. One safety feature is the fact that the striker has a visible red surface when the gun is cocked—it can be seen from the rear of the gun.
Everyone will make a holster for this gun, and I cannot wait to see who comes up with the best Kydex sheaths. The compact design of the VP9 will make it a duty gun that will conceal well in an IWB scabbard.
An armorer’s perspective
The VP9 uses polygonal rifling, which is generally more efficient than traditional rifling. Traditional rifling uses distinct lands and grooves to impart the bullet spin. The cross section of polygonal rifling is more like a twisted polygon moving down the barrel. The design tends to seal the gases behind the projectile and deliver increased velocities.
My experience with polygonal rifling has demonstrated that this makes a difference. Side-by-side, a polygonal rifled gun will yield higher velocities and are generally more accurate. Heckler & Koch uses a cold hammer forged barrel. Their manufacturing process for barrels is well known for longevity and accuracy.
The VP9 can be quickly field stripped. This task is similar to most other combat guns. One checks to see if the chamber is clear and the magazine has been removed. Then check it again. Rotate the takedown lever and ride the slide forward, pulling the trigger to the rear.
The difference between the VP9 and my Glocks is the tightness between the frame and slide assembly. It actually took a little working back and forth to separate the parts. This is not a bad thing, but a demonstration of the level of precision of Heckler & Koch products.
The VP9 is about as robust of a handgun that one can find in the field of combat tools. There are, however, some things about it that make me want to carry spare parts. First, the VP9 does have a drop safety, but it does not resemble ones that typically reside in striker-fired firearms. Most of them are simple plungers, where the plunger is pressed when the trigger is pulled all the way to the rear. The plunger has a block that prevents the forward movement of the striker. On the VP9, there is a rotating cam. This accomplishes the same task, but it uses an axle and a spring.
The same goes for the trigger bar spring. The one in the VP9 is a long, twisted assembly that rides in a pocket inside the frame. This spring is almost twice as long as springs from similar types of guns. Here’s the rule: the longer an exposed spring, the more likely it could get caught on something. Although it might have added some engineering challenges, I would have completely enclosed the fire control system in some sort of sub frame.
Heckler & Koch uses hardened roll pins in high wear areas. The magazines have steel bodies with slick interiors, progressive springs, and seamless welds. The magazines dropped free from the gun and we let them hit the ground during our shooting session.
The bottom line
The duty gun market is pretty flooded with high quality firearms. The VP9 proved to distinguish itself in the right areas. It was accurate, reliable, and felt better than most other duty guns. Many of the standard features of the VP9 are only found on custom guns. This gun is a top performer, and highly recommended for duty use.
Officer Lindsey Bertomen (ret.), Contributing Editor
Lindsey Bertomen is a retired police officer and retired military small arms trainer. He teaches criminal justice at Hartnell College in Salinas, California, where serves as a POST administrator and firearms instructor. He also teaches civilian firearms classes, enjoys fly fishing, martial arts, and mountain biking. His articles have appeared in print and online for over two decades.
