**Range report added February 27 on post 61**
In 2014 H&K USA released their first new striker-fired pistol since the P7 series—the VP9. It became very popular but due to its "just a smidge too short" 104mm barrel it remained unseen in Canada until a few showed up with aftermarket extended barrels in mid-2015. I’ve never been a fan of extended barrels so I had resigned myself to remaining VP9-free until I learned that a new version of the VP9, the SFP9 was introduced for non-US sales. It has a factory 106mm barrel, and other than that I don’t know if there are any other differences. There are 14 grams difference in the weight between the two, according to the H&K websites, and I’ve read that this is due to a lighter slide, but in pictures the two slides look identical to me.
I really like H&K pistols but but their latest generation has left me a little cold. I’ve tried to like them (I’ve bought—and sold—three HK45s) but they never “clicked” with me like the USP, P7 and P9S models do. I was intrigued enough with the SFP9 that when I had a chance to pick up a lightly-used one I couldn’t resist. Here are my initial thoughts and observations on my first few days with it.
Like the P30 series the SFP9 has replaceable backstraps and side panels—three sizes for each. You can mix and match between sizes—the pin at the bottom of the backstrap is popped out then the backstrap and panels can be replaced. I’ve got the small panels all around on mine—it fits my hand like it was made for it. The finger grooves line up just right for me, too.
The one thing I’d change about the grip is the texture. It’s similar to the one on the HK45—I find it a little slippery. I like the rougher texture on the P30 better—it’s similar to the SIG P320’s grip texture which is my all-time favourite.
The trigger is quite wide, and the trigger safety depresses flush with the trigger face, unlike the Glock’s which still protrudes a bit. The SFP9’s trigger is quite comfortable. Similar to the HK45, there is a groove in the bottom of the trigger guard—I've read that this is to prevent glove fingers from being caught under the trigger. On the HK45 it hit my trigger finger under recoil but on the P30 I owned (which had a similar groove) it was OK. I’m hoping it’ll be the same here. The SFP9 also has ambidextrous paddle-style mag releases which all H&K pistols have had since the USP series. It’s my favourite type of mag release—I can easily reach it even with my short fingers.
Here’s the inside of the frame—the locking block is unusually robust for a 9mm compared with other polymer pistols I’ve owned.
Here’s the underside of the slide. I was very surprised by the striker safety. Here’s a closer look.
Rather than the more common plunger-type safety that other striker-fired pistols have, H&K have used a rotating one that pivots as the first stage of the trigger is depressed. It’s not sure why this was done—the first stage of the trigger pull is smoother than on my Glock or M&P so perhaps that’s the reason.
There’s a whole lot of stuff going on at the rear of the slide. The sights are the same “glow in the dark” sights that recent H&Ks have had—they charge up in the light to glow very nicely, but the glow soon fades. They do make for nice three-dot sights, although I think I’d prefer if the front dot was a bit bigger. I may black out the rear dots…I’ll see how it works at the range. You can also see the red cocking indicator on the rear of the striker. There are a bunch of notches in the slide and frame too—It’s quite busy-looking. I’m hoping it’ll be not too noticeable at the range.
Here are the sights against a darker background. You can see the greenish glow even on a dull overcast day.
There are also these odd “cocking aids” at the rear of the slide.
There’s no O-ring on the barrel like the HK45 or the USP Expert, but there is a slight but noticeable increase in the barrel diameter where the O-ring would be located.
The rifling is polygonal and super-shiny.
[youtube]6nd4JZkYlJY[/youtube]
The trigger pull is very good but not earth-shattering—it’s better, but not “night and day” better than a Glock trigger. The first stage is nice and smooth, and quite short. The second stage is fairly light, crisp and quite short without a lot of trigger movement. The reset is short, but not as positive or tactile as a Glock’s…it’s like the trigger return spring could be a little stiffer (although that would increase the trigger pull weight). There is a slight bit of travel after the reset to get to the second stage, too.
Final preliminary thoughts? There’s a lot to like here but a few areas where it’s not exactly what I prefer in a pistol. My current favourite service-style 9mm is the USP—I don’t know if this will unseat it or not. I’ll report back once I’ve had it to the range.
In 2014 H&K USA released their first new striker-fired pistol since the P7 series—the VP9. It became very popular but due to its "just a smidge too short" 104mm barrel it remained unseen in Canada until a few showed up with aftermarket extended barrels in mid-2015. I’ve never been a fan of extended barrels so I had resigned myself to remaining VP9-free until I learned that a new version of the VP9, the SFP9 was introduced for non-US sales. It has a factory 106mm barrel, and other than that I don’t know if there are any other differences. There are 14 grams difference in the weight between the two, according to the H&K websites, and I’ve read that this is due to a lighter slide, but in pictures the two slides look identical to me.
I really like H&K pistols but but their latest generation has left me a little cold. I’ve tried to like them (I’ve bought—and sold—three HK45s) but they never “clicked” with me like the USP, P7 and P9S models do. I was intrigued enough with the SFP9 that when I had a chance to pick up a lightly-used one I couldn’t resist. Here are my initial thoughts and observations on my first few days with it.
Like the P30 series the SFP9 has replaceable backstraps and side panels—three sizes for each. You can mix and match between sizes—the pin at the bottom of the backstrap is popped out then the backstrap and panels can be replaced. I’ve got the small panels all around on mine—it fits my hand like it was made for it. The finger grooves line up just right for me, too.
The one thing I’d change about the grip is the texture. It’s similar to the one on the HK45—I find it a little slippery. I like the rougher texture on the P30 better—it’s similar to the SIG P320’s grip texture which is my all-time favourite.
The trigger is quite wide, and the trigger safety depresses flush with the trigger face, unlike the Glock’s which still protrudes a bit. The SFP9’s trigger is quite comfortable. Similar to the HK45, there is a groove in the bottom of the trigger guard—I've read that this is to prevent glove fingers from being caught under the trigger. On the HK45 it hit my trigger finger under recoil but on the P30 I owned (which had a similar groove) it was OK. I’m hoping it’ll be the same here. The SFP9 also has ambidextrous paddle-style mag releases which all H&K pistols have had since the USP series. It’s my favourite type of mag release—I can easily reach it even with my short fingers.
Here’s the inside of the frame—the locking block is unusually robust for a 9mm compared with other polymer pistols I’ve owned.
Here’s the underside of the slide. I was very surprised by the striker safety. Here’s a closer look.
Rather than the more common plunger-type safety that other striker-fired pistols have, H&K have used a rotating one that pivots as the first stage of the trigger is depressed. It’s not sure why this was done—the first stage of the trigger pull is smoother than on my Glock or M&P so perhaps that’s the reason.
There’s a whole lot of stuff going on at the rear of the slide. The sights are the same “glow in the dark” sights that recent H&Ks have had—they charge up in the light to glow very nicely, but the glow soon fades. They do make for nice three-dot sights, although I think I’d prefer if the front dot was a bit bigger. I may black out the rear dots…I’ll see how it works at the range. You can also see the red cocking indicator on the rear of the striker. There are a bunch of notches in the slide and frame too—It’s quite busy-looking. I’m hoping it’ll be not too noticeable at the range.
Here are the sights against a darker background. You can see the greenish glow even on a dull overcast day.
There are also these odd “cocking aids” at the rear of the slide.
There’s no O-ring on the barrel like the HK45 or the USP Expert, but there is a slight but noticeable increase in the barrel diameter where the O-ring would be located.
The rifling is polygonal and super-shiny.
[youtube]6nd4JZkYlJY[/youtube]
The trigger pull is very good but not earth-shattering—it’s better, but not “night and day” better than a Glock trigger. The first stage is nice and smooth, and quite short. The second stage is fairly light, crisp and quite short without a lot of trigger movement. The reset is short, but not as positive or tactile as a Glock’s…it’s like the trigger return spring could be a little stiffer (although that would increase the trigger pull weight). There is a slight bit of travel after the reset to get to the second stage, too.
Final preliminary thoughts? There’s a lot to like here but a few areas where it’s not exactly what I prefer in a pistol. My current favourite service-style 9mm is the USP—I don’t know if this will unseat it or not. I’ll report back once I’ve had it to the range.
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