The hk vp9 is a state-of-the-art pistol with an impressive feature set. Heckler & Koch has been building exceptional firearms for decades and their roller-delayed 9mm MP5 submachine gun is still used by military/law enforcement units the world over. The HK VP9, the company’s first striker-fired handgun in modern times, is no exception.
Like other HK handguns, the VP9 has a grip that fits shooters of all sizes thanks to three different back-straps and six side panels. Molded finger grooves also help instinctively position the pistol in the shooter’s hand. The ambidextrous slide release and magazine release allow both left-handed and right-handed shooters to access controls. The magazine latch is a push button design, a departure from the European-style lever found on most HK models that is repulsive to many American shooters.
The frame is molded from an advanced polymer with several high-strength components that HK claims provide superior durability. A molded Picatinny MIL-STD-1913 rail on the bottom of the frame allows shooters to mount lights and other accessories. The VP9’s slide has generous cocking serrations and left and right protrusions (HK calls them charging supports) that aid in racking the slide to the rear.
One of the most notable features of the VP9 is the trigger, which has been called exceptional. HK engineers used the experience gained from developing the striker-fired VP70 and P7 series to improve upon their current striker fired triggers. The result is a trigger that far exceeds anything currently offered by competitors. The VP9’s trigger has a short take-up with a solid single action break and a positive reset.
