| Heckler & Koch VP9 | |
| Origin: | Germany |
| Type: | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Designer: | Frank Henninger |
| Manufacturer: | Heckler & Koch |
| Production Date: | 2014–present |
| Variants: | VP40 |
| Weight: | 710g (EU version with empty magazine)[1] 753g (US version with empty magazine)[2] |
| Length: | 186.5mm |
| Part Length: | 104mm (standard) 127mm (long slide) |
| Width: | 33.5mm |
| Height: | 137.5mm[3] |
| Cartridge: | 9×19mm Parabellum, .40 S&W |
| Action: | Short recoil operated, Browning-type tilting barrel, locked breech |
| Feed: |
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| Sights: | Iron sights, tritium sights |
The Heckler & Koch VP9 (known as SFP9 in Europe and Canada) is a polymer-framed semi-automatic striker-fired handgun. The VP designation in the name refers to Volkspistole, which translates to "people's pistol",[4] while SFP stands for "striker-fired pistol". The 9 stands for the caliber designation of 9 mm. The VP9 is the third striker-fired pistol that HK has produced. A variant of the VP9, the VP40, is chambered for .40 S&W; the VP40 is known as SFP40 in Europe and Canada.[5]
According to the manufacturer, Heckler & Koch (HK), the pistol was under development for more than four years before its release in June 2014.[6] Originally, it was designed on request of the Bavarian State Police, to replace the HK P7. As HK has a long history with striker-fired pistols, they decided to update their lineup with a newly designed striker system that gives their pistols a single stage-like trigger feel with a clean break. The original name for the pistol was, "P30X," as it is essentially a striker-fired derivative of the Heckler & Koch P30.[7] However, it was changed to "VP9" for the U.S. commercial market.
The VP9 is a striker-fired pistol that features a Picatinny rail, ambidextrous controls, a hammer forged polygonal barrel, and changeable back and side straps to make the pistol grip customizable for any shooter's hand with 27 options of grip configuration. It was in development for more than four years and is Heckler & Koch's first striker-fired handgun since the P7 series pistols were introduced in the 1980s. The pistols are made in Heckler & Koch's Oberndorf factory in southwest Germany.[8]
Most striker-fired handguns have a pre-travel pull that increases in weight as the shooter squeezes it rearward. The VP9 trigger has a short, light take-up with a solid, single action type break followed by a short positive reset. The average weight of the stock trigger pull is 5.2lb-f. The VP9 trigger has a consistent pre-travel pull followed by a positive set with clean break. Disassembly does not involve releasing the striker by squeezing the trigger.[9]
Both the VP9 and VP40 use Heckler & Koch's ergonomic handgun grip design that includes three changeable backstraps and six side panels that allow the pistol's to fit any and all hand sizes.[8] Molded finger grooves in the front of the pistol's grip also instinctively position the shooters hand for optimal shooting.[10] [4]
Although influenced by other HK models, the VP9 has a few innovations of its own. The controls are completely ambidextrous. A slide release is present on both sides of the frame and the magazine release can be easily activated by left- or right-handed shooters.[10]
A new feature is HK's patented charging supports. They are simple components that are mounted on each side of the rear of the slide and provide better gripping leverage for racking the slide rearward. The charging supports speed reloading and make operating the VP9 easier for shooters with reduced hand strength. The VP pistols use the same steel magazines as the Heckler & Koch P30 in both the 15 and 10-round capacity configurations.[10] [4]
The VP9 has an extended full size Picatinny MIL-STD-1913 rail molded into its polymer frame for mounting lights and accessories. The rail has been tested and certified to handle the heavier mounted accessories because of its full size which adds rigidity. This rigidity gives the VP9 superior capabilities compared to some of its polymer competitors whose frames flex under use and cannot handle the weight of some of the medium to larger mounted lights.[11]
In the United States, the VP9 is available from retailers as a standard package (standard three-dot sights and two magazines included) or as a "LE" (Law Enforcement) package (factory-equipped tritium night sights and three magazines included). The night sights are Meprolight Tru-Dot. In late 2018, HK introduced the VP9 B (B for "button"), equipped with a push-button magazine release, in response to the preferences of the American market. In January 2020, HK updated the VP9 design with a slide cutout for mounting pistol red-dot optics, new higher-capacity 17-round magazines to replace the 15-round magazines, and iron sights with a blacked-out rear bladed sight, replacing the previous three-dot setup, all as new standard features for the pistol.
The Heckler & Koch VP9 won Guns & Ammo’s Handgun of the Year award in 2014.
American Rifleman, one of the National Rifle Association’s flagship magazines, named the Heckler & Koch VP9 the winner of the Golden Bullseye Award for 2015 Handgun Product of the Year.
Due to its trigger characteristics, the SFP9 SF variant is marketed by Heckler & Koch as a Special Forces pistol and not as a police duty pistol. The SFP9 SF has a trigger travel of approximately 6mm with a relatively short trigger reset of 31NaN1 and a trigger pull of approximately 23N.[12]
The Technical Specifications (TR) of the German Police (Technische Richtlinie Pistolen im Kaliber 9mm x 19, Revision January 2008) for obtaining a German Police duty pistol certification require a first shot trigger pull of ≥30N, a trigger travel of ≥101NaN1 and a trigger reset of ≥41NaN1.[13]
The SFP9 TR has a trigger travel of approximately 11mm with a trigger reset of 51NaN1 and a trigger pull of approximately 30- to accommodate German legislation on police duty handguns.[14]
Maritime variant with saltwater resistant coating (meeting NATO AC225 salt spray test and long-term saltwater test requirements)[1] and OTB (Over The Beach) capability.[15]
Optics ready variant with 23N trigger.
Variant with 119mm threaded barrel (SD = Schalldämpfer), adjustable Super-Luminova night sights by LPA and short-reset, reduced trigger pull SF trigger. Note: This variant is often referred to as "SFP9 Tactical", but the correct designation is "SFP9 SD". Accordingly, the word "Tactical" is not found on the slide.
Sub compact variant with shortened grip and 86mm barrel. (SK = Subkompakt)
Sub compact variant of the SFP9 SF
Variant with 127mm barrel. (L = Long)
Optics ready variant with 140mm barrel and exclusive to this variant 19N match trigger and magwell, comes with 20-round magazines.
Standard version for the American market. Ships with two magazines and standard three-dot sights.
Subcompact variant, ships with two 10-round magazines.
Law enforcement variant that includes an additional magazine and tritium night sights.
Variant with 119mm threaded barrel and fixed night sights; ships with three magazines.
Optics ready variant with 119mm threaded barrel and fixed suppressor-height night sights; ships with three magazines.
American-style button magazine release version of the original VP9.[16]
As of 2019, a "slide conversion kit" is available from the manufacturer that converts a VP9 or VP9 B to a long slide model,[17] equivalent to the European SFP9 L.
Optics ready variant with 140mm barrel and 23N trigger, comes with 20-round magazines.
BelgiumReplacement for the FN Browning Hi-Power MK III 9mm. Beginning in 2024, an unspecified number of SFP9 TR pistols have been delivered.[18]
Germany
Japan
LuxembourgGrand Ducal Police – Approx. 1,700 SFP9 pistols replacing the Smith & Wesson 686 as of 2017.[32]
Lithuanian Armed Forces - The SFP9 SF variant was selected by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence as the future service pistol for the Lithuanian Armed Forces as of 2020.[33] [34]
Switzerland500 SFP9 were announced to be delivered in March 2023.[38]
United States
Lithuania