Ok, so as far as handguns go I currently only have an S&W 38s and a Ruger LC9s pro, pretty much only carry the LC9 now though. I've been looking at getting a larger pistol for a while now and have been drooling over the VP9. What I would like to know is how have they been holding up as far as you guys can tell. Do they fair well with cheaper and lighter ammo? Now I haven't had the chance to hold one yet but will before I buy. Does the paddle release feel ok with large hands? Should I get the LE or the "regular" are the LE sights decent night sights or would I most likely be replacing those?
VP9 questions
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Do they fair well with cheaper and lighter ammo?
After running the NIB gun with some boxes of full power 124 NATO (which it was designed for) it will run fine on cheap light (quality brass cased) range fodder.
Now I haven't had the chance to hold one yet but will before I buy. Does the paddle release feel ok with large hands?
Don't have large hands, but can't imagine that matters?
Should I get the LE or the "regular" are the LE sights decent night sights or would I most likely be replacing those?
Factory Hk NS are fine, but sights are really all about personal preference.
Do they fair well with cheaper and lighter ammo?
After running the NIB gun with some boxes of full power 124 NATO (which it was designed for) it will run fine on cheap light (quality brass cased) range fodder.
Now I haven't had the chance to hold one yet but will before I buy. Does the paddle release feel ok with large hands?
Don't have large hands, but can't imagine that matters?
Should I get the LE or the "regular" are the LE sights decent night sights or would I most likely be replacing those?
Factory Hk NS are fine, but sights are really all about personal preference.
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I'm 6'5" with long hands. I have issues with hitting the slide stop causing the VP9 to not lock back on an empty mag- same issues I have on the P30 series as well. Not really an issue for me at the range but if I ran IDPA the no lock back would be a problem. On the bright side- releasing the slide with the lever is really easy. I shoot nothing but 124gr Lawman. Never had an issue with mine at all- but I only have 200 rounds down the pipe. I like the LE nite sights but that a personal preference I guess.
They are great guns, I have 2. I would say I have large hands and I much prefer the paddle release. They are very reliable, however, as stated above, you will want to run a few hundred rounds of stout ammo thru it. The new vp9's have the vp40 spring in them and it is much stiffer. I had many failures for the first 150 rounds or so with my grey one, using 115 grain ammo. I have several hundred thru it with 0 malfunctions since then.
The VP9 will hold up just fine. It is unlikely you will ever buy and shoot enough ammo to even remotely stress the gun. Take care of any H&K handgun and you can hand it down to your grandkids.
I have two VP9s. My older black VP9 has run everything I have feed it now over 2K rounds. Most of that has been garden variety range ammo in 115 and 124 grain loads. It needed no break in period has not jammed or bobbled in any way even one time since I've owned it.
My new FDE VP9 has a recoil spring that looks slightly different than the older black version so I think it has the .40 recoil spring. Regardless, it also eats anything I feed it in over 600 rounds so far and also not hitches at all.
I like the paddle releases on VP9s and my Walther handguns. I find them slightly faster to release the magazine than most button releases on my other guns. I do slightly prefer the long thin releases of the Walther PPQ and P99 over the wide stubby H&K releases, but that's simple a personal preference. The VP9 releases work great.
My black VP9 is the LE version with night sights. They work well at night but, like most night sights, they are good during the daytime but not great. My FDE VP9 has the luminous sights which are most excellent during the day but no better than black sights at night. My personal preference is the luminous sights since most all of my shooting is during the day.
If you plan to use your VP as a carry gun the night sights would probably be better. For a range gun or light equipped home defense gun I suggest the luminous sights as they are much better during the day.
Both the night sights or luminous sights which come on the VP9 are high quality units made of steel. I can't imagine that you would want to replace them
Good luck in your choice of the fine VP9.
I have two VP9s. My older black VP9 has run everything I have feed it now over 2K rounds. Most of that has been garden variety range ammo in 115 and 124 grain loads. It needed no break in period has not jammed or bobbled in any way even one time since I've owned it.
My new FDE VP9 has a recoil spring that looks slightly different than the older black version so I think it has the .40 recoil spring. Regardless, it also eats anything I feed it in over 600 rounds so far and also not hitches at all.
I like the paddle releases on VP9s and my Walther handguns. I find them slightly faster to release the magazine than most button releases on my other guns. I do slightly prefer the long thin releases of the Walther PPQ and P99 over the wide stubby H&K releases, but that's simple a personal preference. The VP9 releases work great.
My black VP9 is the LE version with night sights. They work well at night but, like most night sights, they are good during the daytime but not great. My FDE VP9 has the luminous sights which are most excellent during the day but no better than black sights at night. My personal preference is the luminous sights since most all of my shooting is during the day.
If you plan to use your VP as a carry gun the night sights would probably be better. For a range gun or light equipped home defense gun I suggest the luminous sights as they are much better during the day.
Both the night sights or luminous sights which come on the VP9 are high quality units made of steel. I can't imagine that you would want to replace them
Good luck in your choice of the fine VP9.
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I have an older VP9 that has the original VP9 spring. It never had any problem feeding any ammo (except for a few mis-shaped cheap WWB). As long as the round fits in the chamber mine will feed it, including non-brass. The current new VP9s will require some break in though. If you don't have any stronger 124 grain an up and don't feel like buying any, you can try breaking it in yourself by cycling the slide a bunch and leaving it locked back for some time.
I have the LE version and I like the night sights fine. If you don't already have a preference for sights you might as well try them out because it's a great deal including the extra mag. I'd say I have 'average' sized hands and love the paddle release, but I don't think it's dependent on hand size at all. The paddles seamlessly flow with the trigger guard. It's really hard for me to imagine a way to accidentally activate it if your grip is the least bit proper. Unlike button releases that can be bumped pretty easily.
I have the LE version and I like the night sights fine. If you don't already have a preference for sights you might as well try them out because it's a great deal including the extra mag. I'd say I have 'average' sized hands and love the paddle release, but I don't think it's dependent on hand size at all. The paddles seamlessly flow with the trigger guard. It's really hard for me to imagine a way to accidentally activate it if your grip is the least bit proper. Unlike button releases that can be bumped pretty easily.
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I misinterpreted what you meant about paddles. I was referring to the slide stop. I've had no issues activating the mag release inadvertently.
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I have 4 VP9s, I think they're that good. Kids can shoot them, wife can as well, and well.
2 have just over or shy 10K and between the 2, as OP mentioned, I've had 5 rounds (from same case of 500) that failed to return to battery, other than those few out of spec rounds, eats everything, and I buy new brass whatever is cheapest. Blazer, Fiocchi, S&B, Geco, Winchester NATO and WB, UMC, etc...
They all pretty much look as new, except obviously some slight finish wear in al the right places. Accurate, easy to shoot, fun to shoot and reliable out of the box.
I'll get a P30 someday, maybe, my hammer fired are all KK45s.
2 have just over or shy 10K and between the 2, as OP mentioned, I've had 5 rounds (from same case of 500) that failed to return to battery, other than those few out of spec rounds, eats everything, and I buy new brass whatever is cheapest. Blazer, Fiocchi, S&B, Geco, Winchester NATO and WB, UMC, etc...
They all pretty much look as new, except obviously some slight finish wear in al the right places. Accurate, easy to shoot, fun to shoot and reliable out of the box.
I'll get a P30 someday, maybe, my hammer fired are all KK45s.
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