Upgrade M&P9 or New HK VP9

[kt1589]

So here's what I'm looking at. I recently acquired an older (2006), but barely fired (less than 100 rounds) M&P9 and cash in a trade. My thought was to do some parts upgrades, stippling, new holster, etc. to the M&P with the cash, and it would be my new CCW. However, I have been really looking at the HK VP9. I've done plenty of reading on the VP9, but just haven't been able to get my hands one yet until now. My friendly neighborhood gun store has a couple in stock ready for the taking.

So if you were in my shoes would you put the cash toward the upgrades to the M&P or get a new VP9? Thanks for your thoughts.

[Hmac]

I have an older M&P 9 with DCAEK and a Storm Lake barrel. Both my VP9 and my PPQ are vastly superior handguns IMHO virtually every respect. Between the VP9 and the PPQ, I'd give the edge, marginally, to the VP9 but the difference between them is definitely going to be based on personal preference rather than any objective measure of superiority.

[WickedWillis]

So here's what I'm looking at. I recently acquired an older (2006), but barely fired (less than 100 rounds) M&P9 and cash in a trade. My thought was to do some parts upgrades, stippling, new holster, etc. to the M&P with the cash, and it would be my new CCW. However, I have been really looking at the HK VP9. I've done plenty of reading on the VP9, but just haven't been able to get my hands one yet until now. My friendly neighborhood gun store has a couple in stock ready for the taking.

So if you were in my shoes would you put the cash toward the upgrades to the M&P or get a new VP9? Thanks for your thoughts.

You should be able to install an Apex trigger and buy some ammo and be good to go with a fantastic 9mm. Stippling is completely proprietary, and really should not be factored into the cost IMO. The M&P will serve you exceptionally well, like I said, the only gripe I have is the trigger on the older models like the one you have. Magazines, holsters, and other accessories are also less money and more readily available right now as well.

[mizer67]

An H&K VP9 out of the box is going to be good to go.

M&P is going to need at least (for a 2006 gun) trigger work, slide stop, firing pin block, spring and plunger and may need to re-barrel to be anywhere close to as accurate as a VP9 - and the only barrel that can really improve the M&P 9mm accuracy issue is the SL one from G&R. It also might need an Apex failure resistant extractor in that S/N range.

Either of them will probably need new sights, although the night sights on the VP9 LE model aren't bad.

My estimation is, unless you paid very little for the M&P to begin with, to equal the VP9 you're gonig to have more money into your M&P than a new VP9 by the time you're done. About the only benefit to going the upgrade route that I can see is the M&P shoots softer and flatter and I've never had a failure to lock back on empty due to my grip like I do with the VP9 (although my M&P auto-forwards constantly). I seriously doubt you'll see much difference on the timer between either gun though.

The biggest piece of this cost though is a new fitted barrel, so if you're M&P is accurate enough for you, then you might come out money ahead to upgrade it.

[para13cord]

Id say upgrade the S&W and have a kick ass carry gun.

[TehLlama]

I'd at least handle, and if possible shoot the VP9 before deciding - if it points and handles well for you, and you enjoy the magazine release then I'd go with that. For my part, with the FSS kit (or DCAEK and some polishing) the M&P is more than adequate for trigger quality for the money, and the slightly higher onboard magazine (17 > 15) capacity offsets some of that capability. The HK or S&W sights from 10-8 would be on my to-do list for either (note to self, need to order that set for my second M&P9). Right now the aftermarket is where the M&P has the lead (mag extensions, sights, SL barrels, laser grips) while the VP9 is new, and will suffer from scarcity of some stuff (like spare magazines).

I'm really a huge fan of my M&Ps, but you'd be doing yourself a disservice not looking closely at the VP9 and seeing if those smaller things lean you one direction or another. For me the mag catch on the HK45 was a deal-breaker, otherwise I'd be sitting on a pair of HK45c's, same applies for the VP9; once I started leaning towards the M&P9's with thumb safety, the FSS kit from Apex just outright sealed the deal - I'm sure there's a post floating around explaining my journey there.

[travward89]

I spent a year and a half trying to get my m&p exactly how I wanted it for ccw. The lack of accuracy past 20 yards really bothered me. I stippled, added new sights, apex kit, new barrel and still never got the gun how I wanted. The vp9 on the other hand has been amazing. The accuracy is fantastic and all it really needs in my opinion is new sights (for now mine are blacked out with a sharpie). The choice is up to you but after struggling with this same problem, I chose the vp9.

[Exiledviking]

Grant, I also have a 2006 M&P9. Can you, please, give a list of what parts you recommend to be replaced? Obviously, I should start with the SHB.

[C4IGrant]

Grant, I also have a 2006 M&P9. Can you, please, give a list of what parts you recommend to be replaced? Obviously, I should start with the SHB.

SHB
trigger bar
slide catch
trigger return spring (assuming you have never changed it out)
Apex Striker block (far superior to the factory one)
Striker assembly
Guide Rod assembly (assuming you have never changed it out)

Possibly the barrel and extractor (depends on how yours shoots).

Might be better to sell it and start over.


C4

[bowietx]

Get the VP9. Revamping a gun to the lengths that are discussed above is unnecessary. The HK is in my opinion the better firearm out of the box.