I've been tempted by the VP70Z from time to time to fill out my classic H&K collection but I've been apprehensive about them due to their reputation for having an awful trigger pull. Is it as bad as they say?I've always wanted a P9s for the HK collection but don't have prohibited. Had to suffice with these.
The H&K P9S Target Model in .45ACP: Quick Overview and Range Report
- Thread starter Master-G
- Start date
The trigger is certainly coarse compared to most modern DAOs and strikers. The Wolf striker spring helps a bit. I did not buy mine as a shooter though. I'm just a fan of all HKs of this era. Even if the VP70 was an unsuccessful design it is certainly unique and innovative in some ways.
That said, the last time I had it at range, the guy I was shooting with (albeit an exceptional shot) managed to pull off a palm sized group at 25 m. I haven't managed that personally but I like knowing it is possible!
I've had two of them at one point to compare. gdawg below has one of them. His was made in HK USA/Alexandria and the one I currently own was made in West Germany. The finish on his was substantially better from the factory than the German one I own. The German one has a rougher finish like a heavier grit was used before the parkerizing. The polymer also is not as nice and you can see the imperfections that were ground away on the HKUSA VP70. This VP I sold to gdawg was made in the late 80,s 1988 I think.
My current west German VP was made in 1983 and it has a very noticeable better trigger. It does not have the wolf spring kit installed. It makes me wonder if this German one was among those actually made to serve the original purpose as a Volkspistole in the event of war between the East and West whereas the HK USA gun was made as more as a gun for shooting enthusiasts because it sure is nicer.
The trigger as I said was quite a bit lighter and if you take up the slack before fully squeezing off you can get very good groups with it especially if you use both fingers. Actually both guns and most VP70,s are pretty accurate if you understand the fundementals of the trigger because it uses a fixed barrel design.
Definitely a well made gun and one to have if you are starting a HK collection.
It is west german but with Chantilly, VA import marks. Based on the ones I've handled, the difference in triggers has largely been with the take up. The Wolf spring makes for a noticeably lighter take up. The final break, however, seems to remains consistently heavy, and that is what can throw the accuracy off. If you have a lighter break on yours, and not just the take up, that would definitely make for a better shooter.
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Thank you G, I enjoyed that day at the range and the opportunity to shoot your VP70Z.
The factory firing pin spring is rated at 12 lbs. A far cry from the 4.5-7.5 lb range we are used to on most of our double action/ single action pistols. Wolf does in fact make a replacement firing pin spring for the VP70Z and it is rated at 5.5 lbs. A noticeable difference.
The gritty feel is due to the design of the firing pin mechanism itself. The picture below is the cap to which the firing pin spring guide rod is attached. The silver colored cylindrical piece toward the muzzle end is the actual firing pin (which is hollow). Wound around that is the firing pin rebound spring.
At the rear of the firing pin cylinder is a small wing or tab.The trigger lever engages the tab and then travels rearward, compressing the spring on the guide rod, until the trigger lever drops down and disengages the tab which allows the firing pin to slam forward and strike the primer.
In the picture below, you can see the firing pin bushing at the muzzle end of the guide rod which is what interfaces with the inner surfaces of the hollow firing pin. The length and heaviness of the trigger pull is a direct function of the throw distance and compression of that 12 lb firing pin spring.
For a smooth trigger pull, it is important to thoroughly clean and lubricate the firing pin, bushing and guide rod assembly on a regular basis as burnt powder, casing fragments and other bits of debris get inside the firing pin and cause increased friction between the inside firing pin wall and the guide rod bushing. This will cause a "gritty" feel to the trigger pull.
Thank you G, I enjoyed that day at the range and the opportunity to shoot your VP70Z.
The factory firing pin spring is rated at 12 lbs. A far cry from the 4.5-7.5 lb range we are used to on most of our double action/ single action pistols. Wolf does in fact make a replacement firing pin spring for the VP70Z and it is rated at 5.5 lbs. A noticeable difference.
The gritty feel is due to the design of the firing pin mechanism itself. The picture below is the cap to which the firing pin spring guide rod is attached. The silver colored cylindrical piece toward the muzzle end is the actual firing pin (which is hollow). Wound around that is the firing pin rebound spring.
At the rear of the firing pin cylinder is a small wing or tab.The trigger lever engages the tab and then travels rearward, compressing the spring on the guide rod, until the trigger lever drops down and disengages the tab which allows the firing pin to slam forward and strike the primer.
In the picture below, you can see the firing pin bushing at the muzzle end of the guide rod which is what interfaces with the inner surfaces of the hollow firing pin. The length and heaviness of the trigger pull is a direct function of the throw distance and compression of that 12 lb firing pin spring.
For a smooth trigger pull, it is important to thoroughly clean and lubricate the firing pin, bushing and guide rod assembly on a regular basis as burnt powder, casing fragments and other bits of debris get inside the firing pin and cause increased friction between the inside firing pin wall and the guide rod bushing. This will cause a "gritty" feel to the trigger pull.
Good info thanks, any idea how to get that wolf spring on safely and without damaging the guide rod. Do I just compress it and twist?
Sorry you are a bit mistaken. HK has never produced any of these pistols in the US. What you are seeing is a US importer stamp to satisfy US Law. Alexandra, Chantilly, Sterling VA were all towns in Virginia where HK has had their shop's set up. As per US Law imported guns have to be marked as such. You will see this on all legal guns imported into the US, what ever company imports them is required to mark them as such.
Rich
Rich
Thank you G, I enjoyed that day at the range and the opportunity to shoot your VP70Z.
The factory firing pin spring is rated at 12 lbs. A far cry from the 4.5-7.5 lb range we are used to on most of our double action/ single action pistols. Wolf does in fact make a replacement firing pin spring for the VP70Z and it is rated at 5.5 lbs. A noticeable difference.
The gritty feel is due to the design of the firing pin mechanism itself. The picture below is the cap to which the firing pin spring guide rod is attached. The silver colored cylindrical piece toward the muzzle end is the actual firing pin (which is hollow). Wound around that is the firing pin rebound spring.
At the rear of the firing pin cylinder is a small wing or tab.The trigger lever engages the tab and then travels rearward, compressing the spring on the guide rod, until the trigger lever drops down and disengages the tab which allows the firing pin to slam forward and strike the primer.
In the picture below, you can see the firing pin bushing at the muzzle end of the guide rod which is what interfaces with the inner surfaces of the hollow firing pin. The length and heaviness of the trigger pull is a direct function of the throw distance and compression of that 12 lb firing pin spring.
For a smooth trigger pull, it is important to thoroughly clean and lubricate the firing pin, bushing and guide rod assembly on a regular basis as burnt powder, casing fragments and other bits of debris get inside the firing pin and cause increased friction between the inside firing pin wall and the guide rod bushing. This will cause a "gritty" feel to the trigger pull.
Always a pleasure, and great info on the VP
