HK VP9 or G17 ???

TexMex247 · Jul 20, 2017

So, I happen to have a little cash burnin' a hole in my pocket.

Currently, I am torn between these two pistols.

In one hand, a proven tool, the Gen 4 G17 in the other, the more refined HK Vp9.

Normally these two are separated by about a hundred plus dollar margin, but lately, I am seeing them hovering right at the same price...$500. Just to add a little icing to that cake, HK is offering 4 free magazines with a summer time purchase.

I have shot and owned a few glocks(17,19,22) but as far as Hks, I have only shot a USP a handful of times. Right now I only have one glock, a G19 but I have several other nines that shoot much better for me.

In this case, I'm looking for a "country carry" gun to keep on my hip or in a thigh holster. I like the ambi controls and grip options of the VP9 but I have never shot one.
As far as the G17, I know exactly what I'm getting.

It's a tough call when I factor in the extra magazines, even never having shot the VP9.
If you have owned or shot either or both, help me out...

Dawico · Jul 20, 2017

HK hates you. Never owned or shot one because of that.

I do like my Glocks too.

Simple decision for me.

Dawico · Jul 20, 2017

Similar discussion here BTW:

https://www.texasguntalk.com/index.php?posts/1617391

ZX9RCAM · Jul 20, 2017

I bought a VP40, and really thought it was great.
I ended up going back to my G23 for EDC.
But, my tastes run on the weird side...

Dawico · Jul 20, 2017

ZX9RCAM said:
I bought a VP40, and really thought it was great.
I ended up going back to my G23 for EDC.
But, my tastes run on the weird side...

I am proud of you.

Flewda · Jul 21, 2017

I really love (and miss) my USP. I had one that I traded (along with lots of ammo) for an Arsenal SLR-95. Though I miss the pistol, that was the greatest decision of my gun-life. That Arsenal is so amazing, probably my favorite battle rifle in the safe.

Anyway, I digress. Though I haven't shot the VP9, I have a Glock 17, and I absolutely love it. It was a police trade-in I got at GT Distributors (Argh, I miss going to that place) and I have never had a single malfunction. Plus, the Magpul mags for it are reliable and very inexpensive. I am getting ready to pick up a G19 for a carry option as well. While I wouldn't be opposed to getting a VP9 to have, knowing how much I love the Glocks, I would not buy a VP9 before getting my 17 and 19.

Just my half of a .22lr cartridge

(IE my 2 cents)

jeepinbanditrider · Jul 21, 2017

I've owned a G17 since I was 18 and shot a VP9 a handfull of times. I'll admit the VP9 is a very nice shooting handgun. Very comfortable, low bore axis ect.

But honestly I don't think it really brings any more to the table than any other poly framed handgun out there right now.

IMO you should find a place that rents both and shoot them side by side and make a decision based off of which one you liked the best, which one fits better ect. Magazines will be harder to find for the VP9 and more expensive than the more common G17 magazines. Aftermarket parts if you are into such things as modifying your pistol are going to be much harder to find than for a GLOCK.

But I think the most important thing is to shoot them both and pick the one that fits you best that you hit the target with best.

ZX9RCAM · Jul 21, 2017

One advantage the VP series has, is the ambi mag and slide release
Being a lefty I can appreciate it.

ETA:Of course this has already been mentioned.

heavygunner8 · Jul 22, 2017

You can find the VP9 for 450 - 500 online. the Glock 17 cost more and does not have as nice of a trigger. People say the Walther PPQ has the best trigger, but I actually prefer the HK VP9 trigger. The VP9 is one of the finest striker fired gun i've ever shot.

HKaltwasser · Jul 23, 2017

Here's one of the better testimonials I've read of these two:

I own and shoot both. Both are great guns. Out of the box, I much prefer the stock VP9 trigger and sights to what you get stock on the G17. You can upgrade these components on your Glock but you'll end up spending more money. The VP9 is more ergonomically adjustable with its replacable rear and side backstraps. The Gen4 Glocks have adjustable rear backstraps, which are nice, but the VP9 can be customized more to fit your hand.

I think the VP9 offers a better value for the money than the Glock 17. You can upgrade the Glock 17 to make it as good or better than the VP9, but you'll probably spend another $200-$300. Only you can determine if that's worth it. As an example, I have a Gen3 G17 with a Vanek trigger, night sights, and Talon grips. These upgrades cost me around $300. I own 2 other G17s but haven't done the trigger upgrades on these yet.

One of the things I like most about Glocks is how simple they are to detail strip and maintain. Compared to most guns, Glocks are very simple to maintain. There are only around 34 parts to most Glock pistols. Anyone can take a Glock armorer's course and learn how to completely detail strip and maintain a Glock. I don't know much about HK pistols yet or how easy it is to take An HK armorer's class, but I hope over time I can become as familiar with the VP9 as I am with Glocks.

The bottom line is I like both of these guns. I would never tell someone they made a mistake buying either one. I do think when comparing an out of the box G17 and VP9, the VP9 is the better value.

Jigo23 · Jul 23, 2017

Owned 3 HKs including VP9, liked the HK45C a lot, but no longer own any of them. I have bought and sold and bought and sold probably 20 Glocks over the years and is the ONE model of gun I won't ever not own at least 2 of (primary and backup) and they aren't near my "favorite" guns.
Out of the box, the VP9 was probably the better gun. BUT, the first time I tried to work on the VP9 (just detail strip down and clean) was the last day I owned it. Boxed it up and traded it in to a LGS for $300 credit. Yes you probably need to spend maybe $300 upgrading the Glock, but then you have a great gun you can trust your life to for a long long time. Very easy to maintain and work on.
No brainer for me, the Glock wins that decision hands down

Wildcat Diva · Jul 30, 2017

Reading this thread was helpful. Looking at making a gun purchase within the next year for the eldest kiddo. Probably as a HS (homeschool) graduation present and to commemorate his Associates Degree at the same time.

He wants a Glock. Knows he likes to shoot those and he assumed that the competition pistol he used to shoot (Glock 34) was 'his.' (Silly Boy).

Might as well get him something he will like and will hold the value and that he can customize at his will. I forget which we would want, the 17 or the 19, but we have some time to figure it out. Probably one year.

Bowyer · Aug 1, 2017

I've shot both but other than that have not owned either. I like the feel of the VP9 better.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

Crusader_73 · Aug 3, 2017

I have yet to find anyone that likes a Glock. Everyone either loves them or hate them. I've only owned and fired one model and that was a G22. Not sure if it was the Glock or the .40 caliber that I didn't like. I've not shot anything else in .40. I still prefer the .45 or the 9mm. Maybe shooting a Glock in either of those calibers would change my distaste for Glock.

shellslinger · Aug 3, 2017

Have you've considered a CZ P10C? About the same price range. I've handled a P10C the other day and it felt really good in the hands compared to my Glocks. But the VP9's grip was not as aggressive and felt more comfortable. However, the trigger on the P10C in my opinion was slightly better.

Downhill · Aug 3, 2017

Gotta love the trigger on a HK VP. Takes a bit of cash to get a Glock trigger to compare.

diesel1959 · Aug 4, 2017

I've got four GLOCKs (17, 19, 21 & 36), and two VP9s (VP9 and VP9SK).

As a duty weapon, I mostly carried the 17. I'd have no qualms carrying the VP9 as a duty weapon either; however, if I had to choose between the two, it's a close call only if you're willing to upgrade the GLOCK. The VP9 is superior in stock form. If carrying concealed is your gig, then I'd take the VP9SK over the 19 or the 26. Just my two centavos. I have no plan to buy one of the 42s or 43s.

RANDY_MARSH · Aug 7, 2017

I had a glock 19 for a long while and i'll definitely buy another in the future.

But right now I have a VP9 and I really like it a lot. The deals that are going on for the VP9 is too good to pass up. I got a VP9 LE in grey for $570, plus i'll be getting another 4 mags for a total of 7.

With that said, get a VP9 now and wait until you find a killer deal on a glock, because the mags are cheap so who cares how many come with them.

Jigo23 · Aug 7, 2017

Crusader_73 said:
I have yet to find anyone that likes a Glock. Everyone either loves them or hate them. I've only owned and fired one model and that was a G22. Not sure if it was the Glock or the .40 caliber that I didn't like. I've not shot anything else in .40. I still prefer the .45 or the 9mm. Maybe shooting a Glock in either of those calibers would change my distaste for Glock.

I LIKE the Glock 19 and 17, not love or hate. Have owned several others in various calibers, but those are the only 2 I like. I've often said, my Glocks are not my favorite guns, but that's mostly due to aesthetics (it's ugly and blocky) and ergonomics; although the Gen 4's helped with ergonomics a lot. Having said that, I've said it once and I'll say it again, if I was limited to just one gun period, it would be one of the two Glocks hands down.

About your one and only experience with Glocks being the Glock 22, DEFINITELY do yourself a favor and give another model (not in .40) a try. There's a very good reason the FBI and many other LE agencies/depts
are dumping the G22 and the .40, for other models/calibers (FBI has already begun issuing Glock 17/19), mostly going to 9mm models but also some going with the 357 Sig. Recommend you rent either G-17 or 19 at a range and try it out for yourself. I hate stock Glock triggers so try not to judge solely by that cause trigger can be replaced.

My "like" guns don't necessarily equate to overall performance or reliability, more about shootability (fun to shoot/enjoy shooting), maintainability/easy to work on, upgradability, collectibility.
Wouldn't argue with anyone whose "Like" list had more to do with Performance's and reliability and less to do with the intangible/subjective qualities. I reckon the perfect gun(s) for each individual would be the one(s) that rank tops to them in every category.

ZX9RCAM · Aug 7, 2017

You can also put a 9mm barrel into the
.40 models.
Don't know why one would want to step down though.

HK VP9 or G17 ???

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