Glock 19 or H&K VP9?

[srawl]

I am about to "pull the trigger" on a G19 Gen 4.

However, I held a VP9 today and man is that a comfy, sharp looking pistol and there seems to be very little to complain about.

G19

Pro:
Common
Aftermarket support
Accepts magazines from my G34
Controls similar to my G34

Con:
I dont like the grip angle (plan to order grip force adapter)
Less than perfect trigger
Ugly... doesnt really matter.

VP9

Pro:
Ergonomics
Great trigger
Slide serrations
Sexy
Cheap H&K

Con:
Magazine release will take some getting use to
Expensive magazines
Uncommon
New and untested over time (I usually wont buy the first edition of something)

Many of my points arnt worth the pixels your reading them with so Id like to get some opinions from perfect strangers.

It will be for ccw and potentially duty later on.

Thanks

 

[tarosean]

FWIW Ive owned both no longer own either.

Owned two 19's g3 & 4. finger grooves were just not in the right spots for my particular hands. That was my main complaint. Gen3 glock worked okay but the Gen4 had to go back to the factory and was replaced (failure to extract). I still own other Glocks but they are gamer guns only and not real safe to use for SD/HD (2# triggers, etc)

The VP9 I touched on in the G17 vs VP9 thread here. (Wide trigger guard)

All guns worked, though the HK was more reliable in the time I had it. Even though I would cause failure to lock back malfunctions with the slide stop and my grip. I was not willing to change my grip for 1 of 32ish handguns that I own.

Caveat being I am very very picky about guns. The slightest little thing can send one down the road, even when they work flawlessly.

 

[srawl]

I may down the road have the finger grooves and "glock bump" removed as well as a stipple job if I get the Glock.

I do think the VP9 is a commitment, i would have to do a lot more training with it.

 

[snooperman]

I would choose the H&K VP9 as the grip can be made to fit the hand better than the Glock. I have never liked the grip angle of the Glock pistols.

 

[mgmorden]

Depends on the use. Never even held a VP9 but on paper I'm intrigued by it (as well as the Walther PPX M2). I've got a G17 that's a decent enough gun but nothing really grabs me about it (other than it being a feat of engineering simplicity).

Truthfully IMHO I've got a number of 9mm's and nothing shoots quite as well as the M&P for me. YMMV.

 

[mrdemal]

VP9

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I personally think the VP9 is a much more ergonomic gun, but that's just with my hands.

I haven't really heard of many problems with them. I'm sure there are a few, but I haven't heard about them.

I have an HK45 and really like it. The magazine release takes a little getting used to, but once I did, I really liked it. The only gun I may trade it towards is a VP45 if I find I shoot it better. Of course, who knows when the VP45 will be out. I would like to add a VP9 to my lineup as well.

The only striker fired gun I have is my XDs. I'd like a full size also.

 

[Olympus]

I can give you a good firsthand experience. I've bought my first Glock, a Gen4 19, about 2 months ago. Been shooting for 20ish years. The Glock takes a while to get used to the feel, you either learn to like it or you hate it. The angle never bothered me, it was the grip size. The Gen4 solved that and I don't use any backstrap on the gun. I installed a Ghost Edge connector and I polished the crap out of the trigger assembly and my 19 has a very respectable trigger. The Glock is stupid simple to detail strip and work on. Mags are cheap and plentiful, especially cheap when Magpul starts hitting the market more. You've got a TON of aftermarket parts and accessories! The mags for your 34 will work in a 17, 19, and 26 if yoy decide to buy one of those models in the future. Not to mention the availability of 33rnd mags for SHTF or fun shooting. I'm surprised by how much I enjoy shooting my 19.

I bought a VP9 last week and shot it for the first time this weekend along with my G19 for comparison. The grip on the VP9 is a lot more comfortable than the Glock, but that's about the only thing I can say the HK has considerably better than the Glock. The trigger was not as nice as I expected after hearing all the talk, especially compared to my polished up Glock. The paddle mag release is easy, but confuses me for a split second because I'm used to the traditional button. I take a split second before realizing the button is not there and that's too long for me as a defensive weapon. Also, my hand naturally sits on the slide release so I had several mags that failed to lock back on the last round. I don't have this problem with any other pistol. Bottom line, the VP9 is a very nice gun, it's just not as intuitive for me. I'll be selling mine if you decide you want to go with a VP9. I've got 4 mags with my gun.

 

[1John1:9]

I vote VP9, but I love paddle mag releases, having carried a Walther P99 and currently carry a HK P2000sk or a P30L.

If you're not going to convert to paddle mag releases, you may want to stick with Glock.

Lastly, there are so many parts and accessories for Glocks, it makes them very enticing. I have only shot Gen3 Glocks, and though I could learn to live with the grip, I prefer other grips over a Glocks grip every time.

 

[srawl]

I should add that i get the Glock Mil/Leo discount so the Glock is only going to run me $398 before tax. Making it roughly $200 cheaper for me.

 

[glocknurse]

If the use will be concealed carry I say get the G19. Smaller package with similar firepower. Especially if you get the LEO discount. If you decide later that you'd rather have the VP9 you'll never loose money on the G19.

 

[S&W620]

I have both and like both a lot.

The vp9 is larger and thus a bit harder to conceal. It borders on too big for me.

The G19 is easier to carry and softer shooting with an unlimited supply of parts and accessories.

The vp9 is more ergonomic and has a better trigger.

Can't really go wrong with either, just depends how big of a gun you want to carry and if you are willing to dress around the gun.

 

[Girodin]

See the thread G17 vs VP 9. I would echo my comments that owning both (in this instance the G19, the G17 in the other thread) I prefer the VP9 but that both are good guns. The G19 is perhaps a slightly better size if concealed carry is the primary use for the gun. However, what is concealable depends a lot on 1)Method of carry, 2) Manner of dress, 3) Equipment used, 4) Body type, and 5) what one considers adequately "concealed."

Most methods that make a G19 work will probably make a VP work as well.

 

[wrdwrght]

I got my 19 before my nearly VP9-equivalent PPQ. Figured I should go with the more proven and ubiquitous one before the more clubby one. No regrets with both on hand.