H&K VP9 Tactical OR : First Look

To say the market for striker fired polymer pistols is crowded is an understatement. However, when you look for models with threaded extended barrels and optics ready slides, that market becomes much smaller. This was the situation I found myself in when I got a call from an FFL friend of mine. Telling me he had a customer back out of a pistol I was interested in. What was that pistol? Our featured gun, the Heckler & Koch VP9 Tactical OR (Optics Ready).

Why the VP9 Tactical OR?

Aside from the screaming deal on it, this pistol really checked all the boxes I had been toying with. As I had been window shopping new full-sized guns for awhile. My “wish list” for a new gun consisted of the following attributes:

• Good value and quality control: It’s an H&K, yes, they are pricey guns. But no one will argue that their quality control and value don’t make it worth the coin.
• Extended threaded barrel or capability of getting one after market. Checked that box nicely.
• Optics ready capability. The VP9 Tactical checks that box without aftermarket milling and supports multiple optic types. More on that below.
• Suppressor height sights. This was a big one on the wish list as many optic ready pistols don’t feature taller sights. Allowing the shooter to see over the height of suppressors. The VP9 checked this box as well

 

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Heckler & Koch
• Site of Manufacture: Obendorf, Germany
• Caliber: 9mm
• Dimensions: Length: 7.95” Height: 5.41”
• Barrel Length: 4.70”
• Weight: 26.87 ounces

Features:

Interchangeable Optics Plate System Supporting the Following Optics

• Meopta Meo Sight III, Eotech MRDS (Optics Plate #1)
• Trijicon RMR , Holosun (Optics Plate #2)
• C-More STS2 (Optics Plate #3)
• Leupold DeltaPoint (Optics Plate #4)
• Burris Fastfire 2 & 3, Vortex Viper & Venom (Optics Plate #5)

Other Features:

• Trigger Pull: 4.5-5.6 lbs
• Lifetime Warranty
• Available with 10, 15, 17 or 20 round magazines
• Three interchangeable back straps and side panels
• Suppressor height night sights

First Impressions Bottom to Top

Starting with the Grips/Frame Sizing 

The H&K VP9 Tactical OR first off is not a compact pistol. So I expected the full size frame and weight. It felt great in the hand and balances well but feels a bit front heavy. I expected this due to the threaded barrel. It isn’t a huge issue but one I had to remind myself of since I’m not used to shooting pistols with extended barrels.

In the hand, the VP9 Tactical grip features interchangeable side grip panels as well as an interchangeable back strap. This is standard on the entire family of VP9 variants. And because I have smaller hands, I chose to switch out the panels to the smaller set provided. Configuring the grips took less than 60 seconds with the help of a 7/64th punch. And was done without the use of a hammer.

I can say the engineers at H&K have figured out the proper balance between functionally textured frames and overly aggressive texturing. A pleasant thing to find on our test VP9. The finger grooved front strap also features the same style of texture as our back and side panels.

Moving up the Frame

When holding this pistol, the first thing I noticed was how high up on the grip you can grasp. Yet still avoid any issues with potential slide bite on the web of your hand. The build and fit allows the shooter to get a firm grasp but not have to deal with an overly large beavertail. Again the H&K engineers really worked this out very well.

A noticeable feature in this area that was new to me was the push bar style magazine release. This was the first pistol I have owned that featured this rather than the “traditional” push button magazine release. I will say, that after a few minutes of drills it becomes very easy to drop the magazine using your trigger finger rather that reaching over with your thumb, especially if you have smaller hands like I do. I never understood the hype on these style of magazine releases until I tried them, and now it’s really growing on me.

The generous trigger guard is large and offers plenty of room for shooters with huge fingers or wearing gloves. I have been practicing wearing Mechanix Wear gloves and operating the trigger is no problem at all.

The Trigger 

One of the knocks on striker fired pistols is bad mushy triggers. I didn’t find that on the VP9 Tactical OR. What I found was a trigger than regularly broke around 5 lbs and was easy to get use to. The only minor note is sometimes on the reset I released it farther than I would like, but this is an operator issue not a pistol issue

Moving Up to the Slide 

The slide is where the magic happens and all the features I really love about this pistol. The slide itself features serrations both front and rear and a little extra feature, a rear charging support notch. This swollen area makes reloads easier and faster and sits just behind the rear serrations.

On the top of the slide you’ll find suppressor height night sights. As well as the main feature I picked this pistol up. Interchangeable mounting plate system. H&K uses a proprietary system of five different plates styles allowing shooters to use their favorite optic.

Heckler & Koch as well as other aftermarket companies make the plates shown above. It is worth noting that H&K decided not to show favoritism to any one pattern and included zero adapter plates in the VP9 Tactical OR package. They did however include a 3rd magazine with a 15 round capacity which was a nice trade off in my mind. Not providing a plate however does ensure H&K will get follow on sales which is sorta genius.

Controls, Barrel & Rail 

This pistol does feature ambidextrous slide release controls with the longer control lever on the right side of the pistol. And the smaller lever on the left, just behind the disassembly lever. This pistol does not feature any external safeties.

Measuring 4.70″, the barrel features 6 polygonal grooves with a 1:9.8″ twist. While this barrel does feature threads for mounting a suppressor like the Rugged Obsidian 9. Or a muzzle brake, there is something for shooters to note. Like many other European built pistols the H&K VP9 Tactical OR features 13.5×1 LH metric threads rather than the more common 1/2×28 thread pattern found on many other pistols.

H&K Engineers state that all of the VP9 pistol barrels use a propriety cold hammer forged cannon grade steel. With a projected life cycle of more than 90,000 rounds using standard 115gr NATO spec ammunition.

A final feature H&K decided to add is a small section of picatinny rail just forward of the trigger guard. This has largely become common on most polymer pistols the last decade and was expected. Allowing the user to mount a variety of weapon lights or lasers.

Overall Thoughts / Follow Ups / Potential Drawbacks

So far for the money the H&K VP9 Tactical OR has been an amazing value. Demonstrating the quality control we have come to expect from Heckler & Koch. The pistol’s fit and finish is amazing and the fact that the Tactical OR kit includes a 3rd magazine increases the value. In our initial testing this pistol has been flawless both with and without a suppressor using Winchester bulk pack and Blazer Brass 115 grain ammunition.

I intend to run this pistol all summer long as many times as I can get to the range and should be taking a Pistol 1 course with a local instructor in August. A short 3 day course should give us a real idea of this pistols qualities. But honestly, I expect it to pass with flying colors given how many VP9 variants are out on the market and on competitors hips.

There are however two potential drawback to this pistol that might make some people shy away from it. The first is the price at somewhere between $750-$999 at the time of this article the pistol is admittedly a little expensive to many. If you have a chance to borrow one or rent one to see if you like it, that might be a good option. The second issue that could shock some people is the price of magazines. The 10, 15 & 17 round capacity magazines run $50.00 each. And the 20 round magazines, if you can find one will set you back $60.00.

Despite the few drawbacks to the VP9 family of pistols, I will say I am very happy with my purchase so far and will give a quick update at the end of our Alaska Summer with additional feedback. We want to hear from our readers. What do you think of the VP9 family of pistols or H&K pistols as a whole? Are you a fan ?, Are they worth it ? Drop us a line and let us know.