Recently I reviewed the H&K P30L and frankly am in love with the pistol, the quality and the features are all top of the line. As a defensive pistol it has a level of refinement that can competitively only be seen on Sig Sauers, but with features unique to H&K.

I want to apologize to Glock to the continued comparisons to their G19 model throughout this article, however I do this because the Glock 19 is the most respected industry benchmade polymer pistol in this category. Additionally, with the H&K VP9’s affordable price and features, it represents one of the most significant competitive threats to Glock's control of its polymer pistol empire, so I think it is a relevant comparison.
COMPARISON BETWEEN H&K P30L & VP9

The P30 is a single-action/double-action hammer fired pistol and the VP9 is striker fired, so you can expect differences. If you put the VP9 and P30 next to each other you can see similar levels of quality and refinement. From my perspective the P30 still rains from a fit and finish perspective covering H&K's top of the line quality handgun slot, however the VP9 is still exceptional, with just a tiny bit less refinement.
Some will argur with me on this, however the P30 “feels” marginally higher grade. The grips are very similar in feel with the swappable side grips and back straps as are the overall H&K design profile. After a bit of grip swapping, I still find the P30's grip just a bit more comfortable for my hand. Of note, the grips contours are similar but not the same between the models with just a bit of difference with the P30 being a tad more comfortable.

COMPARISON BETWEEN GLOCK 19 VS VP9


The Glock is just a tiny bit shorter by both length and width, however it actually feels smaller in the hands and in the pants. I would like to have the butt a little rounded on the VP9 to prevent just a bit more printing when carrying concealed.
From a fit perspective the VP9 delivers a premium quality polymer pistol with exceptional fit and finish. I am a Glock lover to the point of being a whore about their, however the H&K VP9 pretty much just blows my Glock 19s away on every point with the exception of known reliability.
The polymer lower receiver on the VP9 is actually perfectly straight and not ever so slightly warped like my Glock, the slide is contoured with a bit of style with front and rear serrations instead of a rounded square, the sights, looks, ergonomics, ambi-controls, magazines, operation, accuracy, finish, and trigger are all better.
Even as a guy wrapped up in a long time love affair with Glocks, I have to ask myself why am I still carrying around a squared off pistol with the style of a piece of tupperware. The only answer I can come up with is confidence. I have run tens of thousands of rounds through Glocks with very very few problems. Those problems I have had were all ammo related. Years down the road, I am sure we will ask why we did not have more faith in the VP9 design earlier on. If I see the same long-term reliability as my Glocks, I may end up with just as many H&K VP9s and variants as I have a Glocks.
COMPARISON BETWEEN PPQ & VP9

If you love the PPQ, then you will have no issues jumping in bed with the H&K VP9 with only the feel of a magazine release being moved to H&K’s trigger guard release.
As much as I in love with the Walther PPQ as a Glock 19 replacement, the VP9 is even a bit more refined. The front picatinny rail is extended to allow all the normal larger sized tactical lights to mount and index to a picatinny rail fully. The trigger guard is even larger on the VP9 and once you get used to the ambidextrous H&K style paddle mag release, you start to wonder if you were wrong all those years pressing a left handed button to release mags.
INTERNALS


The charging ears on the back of the slide are an amazingly ingenious innovation. If I could somehow bolt these onto every pistol I own, I would. These ears deliver just that extra bit of grip you need to charge the pistol when you get a bit sloppy. Awesome idea which has been elegantly executed.
FUNCTIONS & ACCURACY

Accuracy is where the H&K pistols seem to pull away from the Glock but was nearly identical to the accuracy I see from my Walther PPQ which is around 1” 25-yard groups. The H&K VP9 was also able to replicate my PPQ’s 50-yard hits on golf balls off the sand bags. The VP9 is not a pistol lacking from an accuracy perspective. In most cases, groups were around ¼” smaller than those typically shot with Glocks.
FINAL THOUGHTS
At a recent media tour of Timney’s triggers, I had an opportunity to talk with a number of other writers and all who had shot the VP9 pistol were very impressed.

Caliber 9mm
Length 7.34"
Width 1.32"
Height 5.41"
Barrel Length 4.09"
Sight Radius 6.38"
Weight (with empty magazine) 25.56 oz.
Weight (empty magazine) 3.28 oz.
Weight (without magazine) 22.28oz
Magazine Capacity 15+1
Trigger Pull 5.4lbs
Trigger Travel .24"
Return Travel .12"
Barrel Profile/Twist Polygonal, 6 grooves, right-hand twist, 1 in 9.8 inches
SOURCES
Shop a huge selection of Firearms and Accessories at Brownells.com - excellent prices and huge selection.
Shop a huge selection of Firearms and Accessories at Brownells.com - excellent prices and huge selection.
H&K USA - http://hk-usa.com/
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