PPQ v. VP9: what's the difference?

[AR15activist]

What's the difference between the PPQ and the VP9, besides the price?

There both striker fired, polymer guns that look really similar -- are there any substantive differences?

What do you know?

*There seems to be a pretty good head to head review over at "Glock talk," many of this gentleman's conclusions seem to be agreed on elsewhere, he gives the nod to the VP9.

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/show....php?t=1549855

 

[CadetLD]

I don't post much, but I can say that the grip of the VP9 fit my smaller hand more comfortably. The little 'ears' at the rear of the slide were a nice touch as well.

 

[george burns]

Personal taste, they are basically similar in nature. I really don't think that you would find that there was much difference between the two other than the more sensitive trigger of the PPQ.
Of course someone will come in and say that one is better than the other, but it comes down to which one you like better.
Personally I would have to have them on a station where I could go back and forth trying many different shooting styles, weak hand, balance, one hand, , mag changes , etc to make an informed decision. There are so many variables that for arguments sake either one works for me.

 

[Fishbed77]

Both are excellent pistols with similar features. Which is better really comes down to personal preference.

The PPQ is basically a variant of the P99, which is a well-proven design that has been around for about 18 years (if that matters to you).

The VP9 is an all-new design that shares some design features (and mags) with the hammer-fired P30.

What's the difference between the PPQ and the VP9, besides the price?

Both pistols run about $600-650, so there isn't much difference in price. Mags will be cheaper for a PPQ M1, which can use P99 mags (which run about $25-30 these days).

 

[AR15activist]

Both are excellent pistols with similar features. Which is better really comes down to personal preference.

The PPQ is basically a variant of the P99, which is a well-proven design that has been around for about 18 years (if that matters to you).

The VP9 is an all-new design that shares some design features (and mags) with the hammer-fired P30.



Both pistols run about $600-650, so there isn't much difference in price. Mags will be cheaper for a PPQ M1, which can use P99 mags (which run about $25-30 these days).

If that's the case, maybe it'd be worthwhile to compare the P99 & P30...?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

To me, HKs just feel more solidly built. Both guns have a good rep though, so just pick the one you like I think.

 

[russianbear]

I have bought both the Walther PPQ M1 9mm and the HK VP9 9mm. Both have really great triggers and both shoot very well. The HK VP9 has a slightly longer bbl. This gives it a little more weight at end of the bbl. it shows up in slightly less muzzle flip.
Both the HKVP9 and the Walther PPQ M1 have Mag dropping levers at side and bottom of their trigger guards,but Walther does make the PPQ M2 with the standard American type button at side of frame. But the M1 Mags won't work in the M2.
One major items to me is the Walther PPQ uses a non metal recoil spring guide rod and non metal retaining end caps. Where the HK VP9 has an all metal guide rod and all metal retaining end caps. I have read and seen posted pictures of Walther PPQ recoil spring retaining end caps that have failed.
I bought an all metal recoil spring Assy. from Sprinco to use on my Walther PPQ when using +P Ammo.s at the range I just use the Walther OEM recoil spring Assy.
I feel both the Walther and the HK are quality of fit and finish's,both have had great reviews.
I will say the HK VP9 with it's take down lever make it a lot simpler to take apart for cleaning. Also the HK VP9 has this large steel guide Assy. inside it's just a small detail I like.
I think you will find the HK VP9 around $100 dollar higher then the PPQ,but this might soon change.
The HK VP9 uses both the VP9 Mags and the older HK P30 Mags, making them very easy to find at around from $35 to $39 dollars. The PPQ uses the same Mag as the Walther P99 the Mags are some times hard to find and prices are around $39 to $42 dollars. But Mag prices do change from one supplier to another.
That's about all I can think of.

 

[sigarms228]

The HK VP9 uses both the VP9 Mags and the older HK P30 Mags, making them very easy to find at around from $35 to $39 dollars. The PPQ Mags are some times hard to find and prices are around $45 dollars. But Mag prices do change from one supplier to another.

I guess you have not checked lately as VP9/P30 9MM magazines are practically non existent for sale in North America while PPQ magazines have been easy to find for quite while now at usually around $30. It is the VP9/P30 9MM magazines that are around $45 IF you can find them

 

[sigarms228]

I have both the VP9 and a PPQ M1 9MM.

Both are terrific pistols and among my very favorites to shoot.

My PPQ is my main CCW pistol. It is a little lighter/more compact than the VP9.

While my VP9 has a nice trigger the trigger on my PPQ is sublime.

I like the matching slide release levers on my PPQ better than those on the VP9. I tend to touch the slide release lever on the VP9 just enough with my grip to keep the slide from being locked back on empty on occasion.

Both are very high quality German made pistols.

 

[russianbear]

I guess you have not checked lately as VP9/P30 9MM magazines are practically non existent for sale in North America while PPQ magazines have been easy to find for quite while now at usually around $30. It is the VP9/P30 9MM magazines that are around $45 IF you can find them

sigarms228
What I have posted: Quote:But Mag prices do change from one supplier to another : End of Quote:.
Also I have no idea from one day to another what the Mag supply is or where the supply can be found.
If have better answers just post them.

 

[AR15activist]

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1549855

 

[russianbear]

http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1549855

That sure was a long...long...long...long...long... Yawn wake me up when this guy reports something really....really...really...you know you know you know.

Maybe someone can edit it so it comes to a point with less words.
Just glad it's on the Glock forum.

 

[tarosean]

VP9 has the more modular grip. PPQ has the better trigger. Both could stand sight upgrade to your preference..

 

[Fishbed77]

One major items to me is the Walther PPQ uses a non metal recoil spring guide rod and non metal retaining end caps

This is a non-issue. The P99/PPQ was designed to use a polymer guide rod. Here's an interesting incident where a PPQ was smashed into a wall and the pistol continued to function on a bent polymer guide rod (thanks to its flexible nature). Chances are, if the guide rod were steel, it would have ceased to function.

http://www.thebangswitch.com/when-polymer-fails/

That said, I'll probably pick up a VP9 one day when there are extra funds floating around. PPQ M1s are tough to find, and I feel the PPQ M2 is a step in the wrong direction (and isn't compatible with the pile of P99 mags I already have).


.

 

[mgmorden]

This is a non-issue. The P99/PPQ was designed to use a polymer guide rod.

I gotta agree. I've got several pistols with polymer guide rods. Never seen one snap. You've probably have to dig around the internet for an hour to find a half-dozen cases of it ever happening. It's a low stress part. Heck the frame itself is made of polymer why worry about the guide rod?

 

[Control]

I recently tried out both at the range so I guess I'll chime in. I was looking to see if either might replace my Glock because I heard the triggers we nice on both.

For me, the VP9 trigger was a tad sloppy. Not bad at all. Just not great. Controls were fine but I didn't care for the way the ambi slide catch is different on the left side vs. the right. The VP9 also felt a bit clunky in my hands.

The PPQ trigger was awesome with a clean break and short reset. Honestly, its the best striker fired trigger I've tried. That said, it was very light. Perhaps a tad too light for me. It would be nice if somebody made a heavy trigger setup for this gun as the break was clean. The PPQ felt the best in my hand and seemed more streamlined than the VP9.

Muzzle flip on both was more than my Glock 19. Not bad, just not as good as the Glock. The bore axis on both seems higher than the Glock's. This might not be a far comparsion given how much experience I have on the Glock (a fair amount) vs. the others.

I'll stick to my Glock 19 for now... If springs were available to increase the PPQ's trigger weight a tad (or if someone added a manual safety to it which I don't mind) then I would consider it. The VP9 just didn't impress me.

As others have said, I would definitely try both as I think its down to personal feel and preferences.

 

[russianbear]

This is a non-issue. The P99/PPQ was designed to use a polymer guide rod. Here's an interesting incident where a PPQ was smashed into a wall and the pistol continued to function on a bent polymer guide rod (thanks to its flexible nature). Chances are, if the guide rod were steel, it would have ceased to function.

http://www.thebangswitch.com/when-polymer-fails/

That said, I'll probably pick up a VP9 one day when there are extra funds floating around. PPQ M1s are tough to find, and I feel the PPQ M2 is a step in the wrong direction (and isn't compatible with the pile of P99 mags I already have).


.

It's not the non metal guide rod that is failing. It's the non metal spring retaining end caps that have failed. I don't get Walter using them and when they have cracked and come off,causing the slide to jam,not standing up and replacing them in a major quality recall.

HK was smart and used all steel in their VP9 recoil spring Assys.

 

[george burns]

I like what "Control" said. I always felt the PPQ was a tad light, and never impressed with the VP9 trigger either. I think we have gone as far as we can go with Polymer pistols unless they can make one that folds in half.

 

[russianbear]

I like what "Control" said. I always felt the PPQ was a tad light, and never impressed with the VP9 trigger either. I think we have gone as far as we can go with Polymer pistols unless they can make one that folds in half.

What ever you think about the non metal frame, handguns,there the most bought type handgun today. And I don't see this item changing.

 

[Zerodefect]

There is still room to grow in the polymer market.

So far, how many have a decent trigger? None. Zero. Nada. If we didn't have 2 decades of Glock behind us, we'd all be disgusted by the triggers on these things.

If a Colt SAA or 1911 had a trigger like that, the builder would be fired.

There's no reason Glock, M&P, and HK can't build a nice smooth trigger with a quality aluminum shoe. Right now they aren't trying. Just trying to get as many combat grade pistols out the door as possible. Not really a bad thing. It gives the aftermarket something to do and sell.

 

[russianbear]

There is still room to grow in the polymer market.

So far, how many have a decent trigger? None. Zero. Nada. If we didn't have 2 decades of Glock behind us, we'd all be disgusted by the triggers on these things.

If a Colt SAA or 1911 had a trigger like that, the builder would be fired.

There's no reason Glock, M&P, and HK can't build a nice smooth trigger with a quality aluminum shoe. Right now they aren't trying. Just trying to get as many combat grade pistols out the door as possible. Not really a bad thing. It gives the aftermarket something to do and sell.

I have both the Walther PPQ M1 9mm and a HK VP9,both have great triggers. I am posting about handguns that people use to defend their lives, not handguns that are game playing range toys.

 

[HKGuns]

I have both the Walther PPQ M1 9mm and a HK VP9,both have great triggers. I am posting about handguns that people use to defend their lives, not handguns that are game playing range toys.

As do I and I concur with your observation. Comparing the VP9 and PPQ triggers to gLoCk is not even close to being an accurate representation of reality.

 

[ProPhetiQ]

"None, zero, nada"?

Walther PPQ M1 - H&K VP9 - just to name 2 (and I own both) they are excellent and the best stock triggers out there in poly guns, I havent shot anything else that was even close and (for #3) I hear (from a number of professionals) the Sig P320 is "decent".

And before I forget, to address the OPs question,
the PPQ and VP9 are very similar, in my opinion the differences are small.....PPQ grip fits my hand a little better, VP9 recoil is a little easier to manage (it doesn't have that little bit of "flip up" that the PPQ has- and not that there is any difficulty in managing recoil in either). I have shot both side by side, with a wide range of paper targets and they shoot virtually identical in my hands. I like the sights on my VP LE version better than the PPQ. So like I said only small differences.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Well both are German, from Baden-Wuerttemberg specifically, but Walther is from Ulm and HK from Oberndorf am Neckar.

Hope I helped.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

There are some similarities; both are striker fired, both use levers on the trigger guard to release the mags as opposed to the little button most American guns have and both are polymer. The PPQ is a little more compact so maybe a better choice for CCW. This time of year I carry my VP9 quite a bit but when it's shorts-and-T-shirt-weather it probably won't be ideal. Of course the PPQ is a little big for that as well.

One issue that I keep hearing about with the PPQ is that the trigger is light enough and has such a short reset that inadvertent double- or triple-taps are common.