On the occasions that I take mine out, I shoot good quality 124gr ball. That is what it seems to like and what I have around.

I really wish I had bought one of the guns in 9x21mm too.

 

Thank you for the information, TheGunShop. If I decide to grab a VP70Z it won't be fired often, but on the occasions that it is I don't want to run something that may be too hot, or have a slug that could possibly harm the barrel.

 

The only problems I've ever had were when I tried CCI Blazer with aluminum cases. The weight difference in a full 18 rd. magazine is significant, but it seems the primers were harder than would reliably function with the striker in the VP.

I'm not sure what commercial ammo might be too hot, considering it was designed as a burst-fire machine pistol.

 

Thank you for the heads up on the CCI Blazer, lizzardo. I'll make sure to avoid those. I thought along the same lines in regards to what could be too hot for a VP70Z to handle given its primary role, but being naturally worrisome at times I thought it couldn't hurt asking folks that are much more knowledgable than I.

 

That was the original CCI Blazer with aluminum cases. I'm not sure that's available anymore. Or even if it is, if it still has those hard primers. Perhaps that was just the manufacturing lot. Lately, I've only noticed the CCI with brass cases. Haven't run anything through the VP in a while though, so I'm not sure how it works.

The VP was designed to shoot most any ammunition that was available at the time it was produced. That includes the black tip hi pressure carbine round.
If you look at your rifling, it is designed to allow a blow by of propellent gas to keep chamber pressures safe. Those very deep grooves are also the reason that the VP is one of the loudest 9mm pistols out there. As for bullet types, the VP will feed most everything.

Yes, I've read that about the rifling. It certainly is deep, and that's the explanation I'd heard. I never tried any of the special carbine ammo though. Feeding? I never had any issues there. Since any 9mm is going to be designed for an autoloder, you won't find wadcutters and the like. Maybe they'd work too. I haven't tried.

 

The VP was designed to shoot most any ammunition that was available at the time it was produced. That includes the black tip hi pressure carbine round.
If you look at your rifling, it is designed to allow a blow by of propellent gas to keep chamber pressures safe. Those very deep grooves are also the reason that the VP is one of the loudest 9mm pistols out there. As for bullet types, the VP will feed most everything.

 

Thank you for the information, bluetwister. I've wanted a VP70Z for years, but oddly know very little about the pistol. I'm leaning more and more towards buying one, and if I do I'll be anxious to take a look at the rifling just out of curiosity.

 

Considering the VP70 was designed as an MG, it can probably safely fire anything, including +p+. But before you go loading up subgun ammo into it, would be best to call HK to get a second opinion.

 

I may give them a buzz, McGuffin, just to be on the safe side. The obvious answer often times alludes me. Thank you for the suggestion. I doubt I'd feed it anything above standard 124 grain ammunition, but I can't swear I won't get a wild hair and want to try my carry rounds through it.

 

Im sorry to tell you that absolutely no one currently working at HK can supply you with any meaningful info on the VP. The pistol was discontinued in the mid eighties, and all the knowledgable staff is long gone. There are a lot of reasons you would want one in your collection, but go into it knowing it was never a big seller, the striker pull can range from excellent, to horrible, and the light/shadow front sight takes getting used to. However, it will feed a brick, and go off everytime you pull that trigger, and it has a very high mag capacity.

 

Hmm, I think I'll cancel that call to H&K. Ah well, the suggestions from you folks have me convinced that nothing I would regularly feed it will harm the pistol. That eases my mind significantly. I like that it was never as popular as the other H&K pistols as it translates to my being able to pick up a collectible at a reasonable price, and fire it without worry of drastically reducing its value. Also, it amuses me to own the pistol that was the primary sidearm of the Colonial Marines in one of my favorite sci-fi movies, Aliens. Call me a geek, I'll answer to it every time.