P30 vs. VP9 - who's had 'em both?

[Swamprattler]

I have both the VP9 and two P30S's. I like both for different reasons. Certainly the trigger on the VP9 is excellent, but I always run the P30's cocked and locked so the single action trigger is fine for me. I agree with some of the others that the P30 seems more robust (solid) or whatever, but I am sure the VP9 will hold up just fine. When I choose one of them to carry, the P30's typically win out because they are slightly easier for me to conceal.

[Mjolnir]

Had both; sold the P30s.


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"One cannot awaken a man who pretends to be asleep."

[Pappabear]

I like others have them all. I like the P30 Light LEM as my top gun. I have a P30L with threaded that I can run cocked and locked. VP9 great striker gun and the winner is the magazine. Buy both and get extra mags and be at peace.

[joe2006]

I've owned both. I shot the vp better out of the box despite having the p30 for years but I sold it. Something about it just didn't feel as good as the p30, the trigger was way better but the grip texture just felt cheap. I'm also shooting suppressed FWIW.

[Ipsilateral_7]

I like others have them all. I like the P30 Light LEM as my top gun. I have a P30L with threaded that I can run cocked and locked. VP9 great striker gun and the winner is the magazine. Buy both and get extra mags and be at peace.

I'm going to reiterate this, for context I own a V3 HK45, a V2 P30 which I've recently converted to V1 and VP9s.
L
I love the HK45 But when I ran it as a handgun course, it beat me up. And the trigger is heavy, and since I always started from decoded position the heavy pull takes its toll. I moved to the HK45 from a 1911 so I used a grip on top of the safety which frequently decocked and turned back into a double action while shooting, if I was going to keep this as my main gun, I'd change the detention plate to remove the decocked and keep cocked/locked.

The P30 is slightly smaller and 9mm and a great gun, to me the negatives are the texture is very rough and it would chew my skin up when I carried concealed, the V1 trigger IMHO is better than the V3 trigger but it has a lot of slack to pull out. OWB is where I carry this one and will likely be my go to gun. It is more veritable in trigger options and can have a safety.

The Vp9 I think has more of a beaver tail curve that makes it easier for. Me to draw quicker and constantly, the trigger is nice for a striker, and the rails seem beefier than the P30. The rack assists are neither a pro or con to me. I carry the VP in a keeper concealment AIWB holster and love it. The stippling isn't as rough on my gut compared to the P30. I dislike the slide release as I frequently fail to get slide lock on an empty mag. I can adjust to flagging my thumb but I will default to a thumbs forward grip of I'm not paying attending. I have a replacement release that I'm reproducing and will install to see if that helps.

I don't think you'd go wrong with either. I plan on getting 2 VP9sk when they're released and a P30L in V1 as well. I like it that the mags are interchangeable and Hk has plans to release 20 round mags soon but I've got the tailor freelance +5 that I use for courses, 3 gun and USPSA

[Defaultmp3]

This is what Aaron Marco, a Texas LEO (who I believe to be on the department SWAT team) and was part of the H&K shooting team had to say, about the pure shooting aspects of the two guns:

The VP9 runs circles around the [DA/SA] P30L. It recoils flatter, the trigger is more predictable, and since the gun extends back over your hand it is much easier to index. I would guesstimate that I'm a good 10-15% better with the VP9 without any significant transition training.

[Brahmzy]

DANG. I think I need to get one and go see for myself. How's the selling market for HK pistols?

[Cincinnatus]

DANG. I think I need to get one and go see for myself. How's the selling market for HK pistols?

Very good. Most resellable poly pistol out there, like Smith or Collt revolvers.

[WillBrink]

I'm going to reiterate this, for context I own a V3 HK45, a V2 P30 which I've recently converted to V1 and VP9s.
L
I love the HK45 But when I ran it as a handgun course, it beat me up. And the trigger is heavy, and since I always started from decoded position the heavy pull takes its toll. I moved to the HK45 from a 1911 so I used a grip on top of the safety which frequently decocked and turned back into a double action while shooting, if I was going to keep this as my main gun, I'd change the detention plate to remove the decocked and keep cocked/locked.

The P30 is slightly smaller and 9mm and a great gun, to me the negatives are the texture is very rough and it would chew my skin up when I carried concealed, the V1 trigger IMHO is better than the V3 trigger but it has a lot of slack to pull out. OWB is where I carry this one and will likely be my go to gun. It is more veritable in trigger options and can have a safety.

The Vp9 I think has more of a beaver tail curve that makes it easier for. Me to draw quicker and constantly, the trigger is nice for a striker, and the rails seem beefier than the P30. The rack assists are neither a pro or con to me. I carry the VP in a keeper concealment AIWB holster and love it. The stippling isn't as rough on my gut compared to the P30. I dislike the slide release as I frequently fail to get slide lock on an empty mag. I can adjust to flagging my thumb but I will default to a thumbs forward grip of I'm not paying attending. I have a replacement release that I'm reproducing and will install to see if that helps.

I don't think you'd go wrong with either. I plan on getting 2 VP9sk when they're released and a P30L in V1 as well. I like it that the mags are interchangeable and Hk has plans to release 20 round mags soon but I've got the tailor freelance +5 that I use for courses, 3 gun and USPSA

That's the only problem I have encountered with the VP9. I didn't know there were after market slide releases. Brand/URL?

[armtx77]

I own all three flavor a of the P30 in Lite LEM. OWNED TWO VP's and sold them both in about 6 months.

The VP9 is the best striker out of the box...period. A Glock after the Apex upgrades is the same gun, minus ergos, with a lower bore axis. Not an issue for some, huge issue for others.

I wanted to like the VP, I ran 2000 rounds through one trying like hell to find a reason. I am a HK fanboy at heart, but with the aftermarket support that is available to the Glocks, it just doesn't pull enough weight for me.

Now to the LITE LEM P30 one of the most robust handguns in recent memory. Todd Green abused one for 11 months to the tune of 95k rounds. They are a USP with great ergonomics, BUT the LEM trigger exposes every little bad habit a shooter has. The gun is DAO, THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME TAKE UP. Than there is a wall and than it is 4-6lbs break, the reset is absolutely longer than a striker fired gun. Why people continue to compare hammers to strikers is still mind boggling.

I shoot my P30L in IDPA and have no issues beating guys running Glocks or Smiths. They also have no issues beating me. All about the day and how much anyone of us drank the night before.

They are both great guns, but if you want LEM, you sure better shoot one before you dump $800 on one. You will be able to resell it pretty quick, but that can be a hassle.