2015 H&K SFP9 vs 2016 SFP9...are there differences or am I nuts?

Master-G

Master-G

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So, as I've done more than a few times :rolleyes: I've picked up a gun that's the same model as one I've sold in the past then regretted it. This time it's the H&K SFP9—the new one (date coded 2016) seems to have a few differences from the 2015 version I owned earlier. The recoil spring is much stouter—it's amongst the strongest of all my 9mm pistols, whereas the previous model's spring was quite light. Did H&K change the stock spring on these?

The other difference is the grip texture—the previous model felt a little "slippery" to me, as did the HK45s that I've owned. The new one (even though the grip pattern is identical) feels "grippier" to me...like the polymer itself is a different material. Am I out to lunch here or has anyone else noticed these differences? (DOn't get me wrong—I'm happier with this one but still curious).
 
Could be that the lockup is tighter on your new gun. I have a 45 and 45C, and the C is harder to rack, and I think part of the reason is the barrel hood-to-slide fit on my 45C is tighter than the full-size.

I've also noticed the feel of the grip on the C is more aggressive than the full-size but they're the same year. Maybe the die set used for your current gun has sharper texturing.
 
A stronger recoil spring make sense since the one on the earlier models isn't quite strong enough to keep the slide into battery when the striker is cocked. Same with the grip texture, I find it too slippery. So you might not be crazy after all.


























Nah, you're crazy
 
What's the round count on both guns? Obviously a new recoil spring is going to be stiffer than a used one with few thousand rounds...?

Do you have any photographic evidence showing the grip texture difference?
 
mebiuspower said:
What's the round count on both guns? Obviously a new recoil spring is going to be stiffer than a used one with few thousand rounds...?

Do you have any photographic evidence showing the grip texture difference?
Click to expand...

Modern springs should go a lot longer than that without weakening any noticeable amount. The spring shouldn't have changed tension from just a few thousand cycles unless it's defective, but the slide likely feels like it's easier to cycle due to less friction on the slide mating surfaces from wearing in during use.
 
mebiuspower said:
What's the round count on both guns? Obviously a new recoil spring is going to be stiffer than a used one with few thousand rounds...? Do you have any photographic evidence showing the grip texture difference?
Click to expand...
The original one (with the light spring) was unfired when I received it. My newest one has less than 100 rounds through it.

I'll see of I can grab a pic tonight. When I checked my new one against pictures of my old one the grip pattern--each little swirl and dot was exactly the same. I was thinking today it might even be the difference between humid air in the summer vs. dry air in the winter (when I had my old one).
 
jethunter said:
Modern springs should go a lot longer than that without weakening any noticeable amount. The spring shouldn't have changed tension from just a few thousand cycles unless it's defective, but the slide likely feels like it's easier to cycle due to less friction on the slide mating surfaces from wearing in during use.
Click to expand...

How many rounds do you shoot on your pistols? I've had to replace recoil springs on my Beretta, Glock and 1911 before.
 
mebiuspower said:
Do you have any photographic evidence showing the grip texture difference?
Click to expand...

Here's my older SFP9:

_MG_9864_zps2wmfodfd.jpg


And here's my newest one:
yxVMVjy.jpg


Not much difference is there? I'm thinking now it might be a summer vs. winter thing
 
Given the information you've provided, what does it matter if one spring *feels* weaker than the other?

Bottom line - Does the gun shoot, eject and feed round after round?

There's no need to be OCD about little things.
 
A stronger recoil spring make sense since the one on the earlier models isn't quite strong enough to keep the slide into battery when the striker is cocked

I noticed this as well on my sfp9, I wonder who would be able to get the newer recoil spring in Canada?
 
Assuming the HK spring is similar to the ones on P2000 and P30 some sources say they last anywhere between 15K to 25K rounds.
 
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