#VP9Tactical

With new models featuring added capacity, the Heckler & Koch VP9 series pistols continue to grow on the success of the original platform.  As the design continues to grow, HK has made 17-round retrofit kits for those with legacy 15-round magazines.  As a current HK VP9 enthusiast with more than a few legacy 15-round magazines, I wanted to see just how well these kits worked in my VP9 Tactical.

Before releasing the first VP9 in 2014, Heckler & Koch had worked on the design for more than four years. Although they hadn’t been in the striker-fired pistol game for some time at that juncture, H&K was not new to the concept either, having pioneered the VP70 and P7 models more than three decades prior. Released in 1970 and 1979 respectively, these early striker-fired guns were not the norm at the time, as striker functionality wouldn’t begin seeing more widespread adoption until years later. The VP70 was notable for being the first polymer-framed handgun in production, predating first-gen Glocks by more than a decade. Both of these pistols enjoyed good reception and adoption, as well as a solid service history. In particular, the P7 managed to stay in production all the way until 2008, nearly thirty years after its introduction. Following the P7’s retirement in ’08, Heckler & Koch saw the writing on the wall. Although hammer-fired handguns and metal frames were by no means obsolete at that point, market demand was clear. Polymer frames and striker-fired mechanisms had essentially become the standard and were a must-have offering if a manufacturer hoped to compete in the pistol market. With a request from the Bavarian State Police to update their arsenal of aging P7s, in 2010 the German firm got back to work in this space.

H&K brought a few new additions to their VP-9 lineup to Gun Fest 2021 with Angela and Bill kindly showcasing their new products for us. Bill and Angela explained that the VP9 upgrades and accessories fall right in line with their previous release of the SP-5 and SP-5K firearms. What that means is that H&K USA is listening to consumer demand and trying to bring more of what the American firearms market wants.

Jim of Burst Review got his hands on the new H&K VP9 Tactical. The VP9 Tactical now comes with a threaded barrel. Unfortunately it is only available in black. I would like to see their FDE version come with a threaded barrel.