P2000 vs. P30 vs. VP9

I started with the P2000, then picked up a VP9 then the P30sk. I did not do well with the P2000 and the only reason I could think of was that it was thinner so it did not fit my hand well. I sold the P2000 still have two VP9s and the P30sk. All are excellent quality and good trigger just have to pick which fits your hand the best.

First: I have no experience with a P2000. I/we currently have three P30s, and I recently sold my VP9 (don't read anything into that -- the VP9 is a very good pistol, it just didn't fit in with our needs/desires).

The primary questions before anyone can give you solidly useful input:

What is your intended use? How comfortable are you with a striker-fired pistol?

If this will be a range toy, the VP9 has a sweet trigger, although an LEM P30 isn't far behind.

If this is a self-defense gun, are you comfortable with the light, short-travel striker trigger in the VP9? or would you prefer a longer travel (P30 LEM) or longer-travel, heavy-weight first pull (P30 DA/SA)? I'm not passing judgement on any of the three trigger types -- some like one, others like another. Point is, we need more info from you

mneblett said:

The primary questions before anyone can give you solidly useful input:

What is your intended use? How comfortable are you with a striker-fired pistol?

If this will be a range toy, the VP9 has a sweet trigger, although an LEM P30 isn't far behind.

If this is a self-defense gun, are you comfortable with the light, short-travel striker trigger in the VP9? or would you prefer a longer travel (P30 LEM) or longer-travel, heavy-weight first pull (P30 DA/SA)? I'm not passing judgement on any of the three trigger types -- some like one, others like another. Point is, we need more info from you

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I'm thinking about switching to one of these three for HD with some CC mixed into there.

I learned to shoot on a revolver, so I'm not bothered by smooth DA pulls, as long as they are reasonably light. The striker-fired pistols I've shot were fine as well. I'm not a huge fan of the DA/SA. Does the VP9 really have a good trigger pull? I've not been able to shoot one.

seanross223 said:

I started with the P2000, then picked up a VP9 then the P30sk. I did not do well with the P2000 and the only reason I could think of was that it was thinner so it did not fit my hand well. I sold the P2000 still have two VP9s and the P30sk. All are excellent quality and good trigger just have to pick which fits your hand the best.

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Interesting. I saw a P30sk at my LGS this weekend. The price was attractive, although the ergonomics look...interesting. I want to be able to fit a pinky on the grip for decent control. I learned that shooting an LCP without the magazine extension.

Hotshot10 said:

I'm thinking about switching to one of these three for HD with some CC mixed into there.

I learned to shoot on a revolver, so I'm not bothered by smooth DA pulls, as long as they are reasonably light. The striker-fired pistols I've shot were fine as well. I'm not a huge fan of the DA/SA. Does the VP9 really have a good trigger pull? I've not been able to shoot one.

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Yes, VP9 and Walther PPQ are widely regarded as having the best triggers of the striker-fired lot. I have the VP9 and have shot the PPQ multiple times, I prefer the VP9, it has better feel on the reset I believe. Both are smooth and 5-6 lbs.

I have owned like 10 or 11 HKs over the years. The P2000 is my favorite HK of them all, and my carry gun.

Hotshot10 said:

Interesting. I saw a P30sk at my LGS this weekend. The price was attractive, although the ergonomics look...interesting. I want to be able to fit a pinky on the grip for decent control. I learned that shooting an LCP without the magazine extension.

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I would have bought the full size but the price was so good on the SK I could not pass it up. Overall if you like the wider grip DA/SA go with the P30. I bought the VP9 because it was a great price and wanted to start building the HK collection. I added the FDE LE VP9 a couple months later and those are the only two I shoot now.

Best advice just plan on buying both, you will end up doing that anyway.

Hotshot10 said:

While I understand the differences between the P2000, P30, and VP9 on paper, I'm wondering how they shoot. Does anyone have experience shooting all three of them? How do the triggers compare?

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Own two P2000 357s and a P30 40.
All V1 Light LEM.
The triggers are pretty much the same to me.
No experience with a VP9.
But it's a striker - so it's going to be different.
IMHO - How they shoot is going to come down to personal preference.
You really need to try them out for yourself.

If the gun is primarily for concealled carry?
Believe the P2000 is the smallest of the three.
I prefer carrying the P2000 over the P30.
But that's just me...

I've owned all and prefer the Vp9,I actually am thinning out my Glocks and have gone to primarily Vp9 as my defense/training and competition pistol.very sweet trigger and its just a better shooter for me

Hotshot10 said:

Interesting. I saw a P30sk at my LGS this weekend. The price was attractive, although the ergonomics look...interesting. I want to be able to fit a pinky on the grip for decent control. I learned that shooting an LCP without the magazine extension.

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The P30sk may surprise you with its control-ability without the pinky rest. It did for me. I don't shoot noticeably worse when using the stock magazines. There are options though. I believe I've even seen someone post that they bought a new P30sk that included a factory pinky extension on one of the mags (though IMO the HK factory extension is the least desirable option: big and ugly with no capacity increase).

VP9, yes I believe the trigger is fantastic. I wouldn't seek it out for a dedicated carry gun, but I will carry it since I have it. Primary role now is range/night stand with a TLR-2 attached. Eventually a threaded barrel and can.

To me, the P2000sk feels better in the hand than the P30sk.

Having owned all of these pistols with various triggers including the LEM, I prefer the VP9. I am anxiously awaiting the release of a compact version.

sprinter said:

Yes, VP9 and Walther PPQ are widely regarded as having the best triggers of the striker-fired lot. I have the VP9 and have shot the PPQ multiple times, I prefer the VP9, it has better feel on the reset I believe. Both are smooth and 5-6 lbs.

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I have both of these (well multiple VP9s, as they're that good) and prefer the VP9. Personally, I find the PPQ trigger a bit too smooth for CCW, great for range though. The VP9 also shoots flatter, less snappy recoil than my Q.

2 of my 3 hammer fired are light LEM so, to me, they feel more like striker fired. My only non-LEM is a German made HK45, it's a V1 and leaving it as it left the factory. HK CS did convert my 45C to light LEM for me and it's very nice to shoot.

P30s da/Sa

It's grip, weight, ease of operation, makes it one fine handgun. It's my choice. Vp9 trigger better shorter feel, but practice is half of the funn.
I have worked on my p30L quite a bit, I feel my trigger speed on the sa is just as quick as my trigger speed on the vp9, regardless of the reset length.

The p30 is a top shelf firearm.

Klaustrophobia said:

The P30sk may surprise you with its control-ability without the pinky rest. It did for me. I don't shoot noticeably worse when using the stock magazines. There are options though.

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+1 The P30SK is the first gun I can't get my pinky around that I've fired without feeling the gun wasn't well controlled. In my hand, the pinky rests very naturally under the mag base plate, and shooting doesn't feel much different than shooting a full-size P30.

FWIW, I do now have pinky extensions on my P30SK mags -- not for increased control, but for increased capacity (+1, +2).

I currently have the vp9, p30, p30sk. I had a p2000sk, but sold it when the p30 came out. I just found the grip on the p30 and p30sk a better fit for my hands. But the p2000sk 9mm can be bought right now for $549, so if I didn't have an HK I would jump on that deal.

mneblett said:

+1 The P30SK is the first gun I can't get my pinky around that I've fired without feeling the gun wasn't well controlled. In my hand, the pinky rests very naturally under the mag base plate, and shooting doesn't feel much different than shooting a full-size P30.

FWIW, I do now have pinky extensions on my P30SK mags -- not for increased control, but for increased capacity (+1, +2).

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+2 I've found the p30sk to be extremely controllable and easy to shoot even with +p 124gr HST ammo.

The P30SK is the P2000SK on steroids. Same barrel length and weight. I've shot both of them side-by-side and the performance is identical.

With the P30SK you get the 27 way interchangeable grips with only 3 back straps interchangeable on the P2000SK. Also factory installed night sights on the P30SK.

If you can afford the extra $200 or so, then get the P30SK tricked with the night sights. If you are looking for a more reasonably priced carry firearm, then go for a used but well maintained P2000SK.