1. History

2. Design details

3. Variants-European versions
    SFP9-SF  SFP9-TR  SFP9-M  SFP9-OR  SFP9-SD  SFP9-SK  SFP9-L 

4. Variants-American versions
    VP9  VP9SK  VP9LE/VP9SKLE  VP Tactical  VP9-B 

5. Users

6. References

7. External links

• 20-round Detachable box magazine (VP9)
• 15-round Detachable box magazine (VP9)
• 13-round Detachable box magazine (VP40)}}

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".^[2] The 9 stands for the caliber designation of 9 mm. The VP9 is the 3rd striker-fired pistol that HK has produced.

History

According to the manufacturer, the pistol was under development for more than four years before its release in June 2014.^[3] Heckler & Koch has a long history with striker-fired pistols. As HK was no stranger to making striker-fired pistols, they decided to update their current line-up with a newly designed striker system that gives their pistols a single stage like trigger feel with a clean break.^[4]

Design details

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.^[4] Guns for the American market are assembled in their Columbus, GA factory because of import restrictions into the US.{{cn|date=November 2018}}

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 5.2 lbs. 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.^[5]

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.^[4] Molded finger grooves in the front of the pistol's grip also instinctively position the shooters hand for optimal shooting.^[6][2]

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.^[6]

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.^[6][2]

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.^[7]

In United States, VP9 is available from retailers as a standard package (standard three dot sights and two magazines included) or as "LE" (Law Enforcement) package (factory-equipped tritium night sights and three magazines included). The night sights are Meprolight Tru-Dot.{{cn|date=November 2018}}

Variants-European versions

In 2016 HK introduced in US four 9mm variants: the Flat Dark Earth (FDE) model, Grey, OD Green and Tactical model with a threaded barrel:

SFP9-SF

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 {{convert|6|mm|in|1|lk=on|abbr=on}} with a relatively short trigger reset of {{convert|3|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} and a trigger pull of approximately {{convert|24|N|lb-f|1|lk=on|abbr=on}} with a maritime marine coating.^[8]

SFP9-TR

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 ≥{{convert|30|N|lb-f|1||abbr=on}}, a trigger travel of ≥{{convert|10|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} and a trigger reset of ≥{{convert|4|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}.^[9]

The SFP9-TR has a trigger travel of approximately {{convert|11|mm|in|1|lk=on|abbr=on}} with a trigger reset of {{convert|5|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} and a trigger pull of approximately {{convert|30|-|35|N|lb-f|1|lk=on|abbr=on}} to accommodate German legislation on police duty handguns.^[10]

SFP9-M

Maritime variant with saltwater resistant special coating (weapon fully useable according to the NATO salt spray test and NATO long-term saltwater test as per AC225 requirements^[11]) and OTB (Over The Beach) capability.^[12]

SFP9-OR

OR stands for 'optical ready', the variant usies the same trigger as SFP9-SF.

SFP9-SD

sound-suppressed variant (SD = Schalldämpfer)

SFP9-SK

variant with 86 mm barrel (SK = Subkompakt)

SFP9-L

variant with 127 mm barrel (L = Lang)

Variants-American versions

The American market VP9 can come in a variety of colors including Black, FDE, Grey, OD Green, And Midnight Bronze.

VP9

Standard version for the American market. Ships with 2 mags and standard 3 dot sights

VP9SK

Sub compact variant ships with 2 10rd mags

VP9LE/VP9SKLE

Law enforcement variant that includes an additional magazine and tritium night sights.

VP Tactical

Tactical variant that consists of a threaded barrel and night sights. Ships with 3 mags.

VP9-B

American-style button magazine release version of the original VP9.^[13]

Users

• {{GER}}
  • Bavarian State Police – Around 40,000 units ordered. Police officers will be equipped with the SFP9 by 2019.^[14][15][16]
  • Berlin Police – 24,000 SFP9 TR pistols and 450 SFP9 SK (subcompact) pistols were ordered in December 2017 with deliveries in 2018.^[17]
  • GSG 9 – As of 2018 the VP9 Tactical will replace the older Heckler & Koch USP Tactical.{{Citation needed|date=July 2018}}
  • State Police of Lower Saxony – Approx. 22,000 pistols will consecutively replace the former P2000 pistols.^[18]
  • State Police of Saxony – More than 11,000 SFP9 pistols ordered in 2015. (Deliveries will take place from 2016 -2018)^[19].
  • State Police of Brandenburg – Approx. 8,000 SFP9 pistols replacing the P228.^[20]
  • State Police of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania – 5,700 pistols ordered.^[21]

• {{LUX}}
  • Grand Ducal Police – Approx. 1,700 SFP9 pistols replacing the Smith & Wesson 686 as of 2017.^[22]
• {{US}}
  • Phenix City Police Department – 107 VP40 pistols will replace the department's Glock pistols.^[23]
  • City of Madison Police Department, Wisconsin – Officers can choose to carry an HK VP9 over other Glock offerings.^[24]
  • Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania Police Department{{cn|date=November 2018}}
  • City of Tukwila, Washington Tukwila Police Department{{cn|date=November 2018}}
  • Clark County Sheriffs Department, Nevada – Approved as duty weapon{{cn|date=November 2018}}
• {{flag|Switzerland}}
  • Cantonal police of Basel-Stadt – 900 pistols.^[25][26]

References

External links

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20141129042757/http://hk-usa.com/wp-content/uploads/VP9-Operators-Manual-08122014.pdf VP9 Operator's Manual]
• Modern Firearms page on the VP9
• Review in American Rifleman

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