HK VP9 vs S&W M&P 2.0

[JeeperCreeper]

I'm looking for a new striker wonder 9mm

I can basically get a new M&P9 2.0 for the price of a LNIB VP9.

Which one would the hive-mind pick?

I don't have any other platforms that share parts or mags, so it will be "from scratch".

Might consider a CZ p10 or Walther ppq, but really like the 2 listed above and actually can find them "in stock"

 

[bannockburn]

I recently picked up a VP9 and really like the ergonomics and design features about it! Very comfortable grip frame on it along with decently proportioned Small, Medium, and Large backstrap and grip panels that make it easy to custom fit the grip to your hand size. Great trigger on it, maybe the nicest striker fired trigger I have encountered, so far, with a very clean and short reset. Has excellent iron sights and it's also optics ready. Also have to mention that it has just the right feel to it with how it handles and balances in your hand.

 

[P5 Guy]

S&W M&P9 would be my choice.

 

[Spats McGee]

That would be an exceptionally tough choice for me. I own neither, but I'd really, really like to own both. (And that's why I'm not going to vote.) If I had to choose between them, it would probably come down to really picky things like mag prices.

 

[Tallball]

I really like my PPQ and my M&P. They are both excellent. I don't have an HK.

 

[Buzznrose]

I expect both guns will absolutely serve you well and I’d be happy with either. If the “gun fairy” showed up and offered me a choice, I’d probably go with the HK based on perceived quality and resale value.

Im not much of a fan of either companies for different reasons. HK can be an “uppity jackass” when it comes to “John Q Shooter”. S&W can have quirks with customer service from my experience that was ultimately resolved but took a ‘few minutes’ more than expected.

YMWV. (Your mileage WILL vary)

ETA: disclosure: my issues occurred in the past. I may be holding grudges that are not relevant to today...sorry for being a dumb human, who didn’t vote in your poll.

 

[WVsig]

Which ever one your shoot best.

 

[JR24]

Easy choice for me, don't like the hinged trigger on the M&P, even the 2.0. Both feel great in my hand.

If I didnt have my plastic needs covered with Glock, I'd have the HKs (if they'd been out when I got my Glocks I'd have likely gone that route).

The Walthers are quite nice as well, though I find the VP9 much the same in feel.

Only other plastic I might suggest is the APX, I'd prefer the HK but the APX is a lot of gun for not a lot of $$ (pre covid, anyway).

 

[sigarms228]

IMHO they are both terrific pistols though my preference runs slightly with HK and I always prefer new over used which includes factory warranty. Still the one that you shoot best would be my recommendation. M&P 2.0 Compact has the advantage of being more concealable with the shorter height being truly the size of a Glock 19 height wise. I really wish I had purchased a M&P 2.0 3.6 Compact before the latest nonsense when they were under $400 earlier in the year.

 

[TomJ]

As others have said, you have two great choices. I have a few M&P 2.0's and a VP9SK. All are keepers. The only issue I've run into with any of them is that my VP9SK won't reliably extract steel case ammo such as Wolf or Tullammo while my M&P’s will. It's not a big deal, as I just shoot my reloads through the VP9SK. It's a sample size of one and others may not have that issue, but it's something to consider if you use steel case ammo.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I bought a new FED M&P M2.0 recently and an in the box HK VP9.


I like both gun, but prefer the M&P. I love the grip on the M&P, still trying to find the combo on the VP9 that feels and shoots good.
I don’t care for the mag release on the VP9. It works great, but it’s different then all my other guns and in a high stress situation, it could be a problem.
You also have to be careful with selecting a holster for the VP9. The mag release can get snagged, happened to a friend a couple of times. Kee over at RM Holsters covers the mag release on the holster for the VP9 to over come the issue.

 

[jprice]

I have a VP9 that is now about five years old and has been through about 10,000 rounds. Runs like a champ. No sign of any appreciable wear. I love the balance and feel in the hand and the trigger is superb. Just wish I had the optics ready model!

 

[JR24]

I have a VP9 that is now about five years old and has been through about 10,000 rounds. Runs like a champ. No sign of any appreciable wear. I love the balance and feel in the hand and the trigger is superb. Just wish I had the optics ready model!

Replacement slides that are optic ready seem to be available here and there, might be worth a look

 

[foxmoor]

Of the two, I voted for the S&W M&P9, as I’ve handled them and liked them. I previously had a VP9 and didn’t care for it, so I sold it to a friend, who loves it. The trigger was OK, but I found it a bit top heavy for me. I now have the CZ P10c that you mentioned, and I find it a wonderful striker-fired pistol. If I could add the CZ to the mix, I’d pick it.

 

[jeff-10]

Easy choice for me. The HK VP9/40 series is probably my favorite striker fired pistols. (Glock 23 and 26 are in the running for favorite as well). Durability and reliability of the HKs are really second to none of anything I have ever used.

S&W MP series is among my least favorite. Probably least favorite for the name brand stuff at that price point.

 

[bannockburn]

Gunny

Thanks for the heads up on holsters for the VP9. Haven't quite gotten use to the mag release yet but I'm working on it.

 

[cougar1717]

Since we have no idea what the OP values, we have no basis to provide a definitive recommendation.

Here's a crude rundown. I have shot both.

Ergonomics: VP9. Panels and backstraps offer a more custom feel than the palmswell alone. You can mix and match side panels.

Mag capacity: Even in 2020 with the VP9 upgrade.

Magazine quality: Even. VP9 has rubber baseplates. M&P has aftermarket support of springs/baseplates. VP9 has more holes to indicate the ammo level on the back. M&P has strategic holes on the side. Po-tay-toh/Po-tah-toh

Magazine cost: M&P. $45-49 retail for the VP9 per mag and they are rarely on sale. Two best times to pick up mags were Black Friday 2019 when HK sold 4ea 15rd'ers for $100 to make way for the 17rd mag introduction and the buy the gun, get four mags free promotion. They are memorable because they are rare. M&P mags can often be purchased for $30-35, less on sale/clearance/used/police trade in.

Trigger out of the box: VP9. It does not need any modification. Smooth take up, hit the wall, click. M&P is good and Apex is available.

Sights: M&P. While there is no immediate need to change the sights on either as both are quality and metal, there are way more options and manufacturers supporting M&P sights. Tritium, fiber optic, "claw" rears, blackout, straight eight - you name it, someone makes it for the M&P. VP9 has some support, but slimmer pickings and the factory VP9 sights use the "drive the dot" hold out to about 25yds.

Finish: Even. M&P is slightly more gloss and VP9 is more matte, but nitriding or nitrocarburizing is a great finish, no matter the trade name.

Areas for nitpicking:

Rifling: lands and grooves vs polygonal
Tactical polymer slide ears
Steel frame support and how much you buy into that making a difference
Forward slide serrations
Mag release: reversible button vs ambi lever vs VP-9B versions
Available longslide upgrade for VP9
Goldilocks grip texture opinions
No fingergrooves vs slight fingergrooves
Holsters. In our day and age, an incredible amount of manufacturers can mold kydex or sew leather to any configuration.
Warranties offered on two of the most reliable handguns that will fire 10x or more of their purchase price in ammo.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I was in your shoes last year. I went with the VP9 because it was a steal. $525. Had night sights added by the original owner. He also had it ported and sent it off to Grey Guns for custom trigger work. Didn't have a half box of shells run through it, poor guy died from a bee sting.

 

[JDR]

I can basically get a new M&P9 2.0 for the price of a LNIB VP9.

Which one would the hive-mind pick?

I don't have any other platforms that share parts or mags, so it will be "from scratch".

Might consider a CZ p10 or Walther ppq, but really like the 2 listed above and actually can find them "in stock"

Not a bad choice to be made between these 4 candidates, do you have the chance to shoot loaners or rentals?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I've had a night sight VP9 for several years. It's my bedside gun, and if I feel the need for more capacity, I carry it.

I took a concealed carry class last year with it and scored 100% without a lot of effort, even shooting off hand only.

The Smith is undoubtedly a fine pistol, but the VP9 has ended my search for a full size striker fired gun. I don't even look at others any more. The only qualifier there is that I'd like to pick up a long slide kit for it also.

 

[JDR]

We all have out personal preferences for putting holes in targets and it would be easier to name the ones I wouldn’t want to use, than to name all the ones that would work provided I did my part and trained & practiced with on a regular basis. I’m not dropping many hundreds of dollars on a firearm that I haven’t first shot a couple of boxes of ammo through, but that’s just me. You really need to pick one & start training & practicing with it so you get to where the gun impacts where you’re aiming. If the goal is to have a gun that works straight out of the box, I’d say VP9 or PPQ. But triggers & sights can always be improved upon with aftermarket parts so a Glock or CZ could be good choices. And the M&P 2.0 is also a nice piece.

 

[CopperFouling]

Does the VP9 have the optics milling and 17-round magazines? Those haven't been in the wild too long, so I think it's relevant.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Does the VP9 have the optics milling and 17-round magazines? Those haven't been in the wild too long, so I think it's relevant.

No sadly, the original one, which I prefer as I don't want an optic just yet

 

[CopperFouling]

No sadly, the original one, which I prefer as I don't want an optic just yet

Ah. If you could mount a red dot, that would have persuaded me.

Personally, I like the trigger on the VP9 better. Honestly, though, you'd be fine with either one. Just buy one and start practicing with it.

 

[Old Dog]

This is actually one of the better pistol comparison threads I've seen here lately, since both of these are worthy pistols, each with a lot going for it.

Although I might actually give the trigger edge to the HK (unless one installs one of the APEX systems in the S&W), the M&P simply feels better in the hand and seemingly points better for me. Frankly, the M&P grip is superior. Then there's the twelve or thirteen years or so of experience I've got with the M&P, having been issued one since the 1.0 versions. I just like the cleaner, leaner, less chunky look of the M&P.

M&P has the American-style and reversible mag-release, far more after-market offerings, especially in the area of sights, trigger improvement (APEX is wonderful), way more holster options, and the magazines can be had on sale for almost 40-50% less than the HK's.

As the OP can probably detect, lots of subjectivity abounds in the final selection. I like the M&P better, and ... it's made by one of the most esteemed American gun-makers of all time.