Heckler & Koch CC9 Micro Review
Disclaimer: We may earn a modest commission from sales generated by our affiliate links. Thanks for supporting us!
HK Sets A New Standard In The Micro Compact Everyday Carry Realm
The new HK CC9 was conceived and born in Columbus, Georgia, the home of HK-USA, and broke new ground for the company. It is the first pistol ever introduced by HK designed from the ground up for armed citizens, and is the first HK firearm to be designed and manufactured in the United States.
The CC9 bears more than a slight resemblance to some other guns on the market. But make no mistake—the CC9 is 100% HK DNA. During development and testing, the program shot more than 750,000 rounds, including an amazing 100,000 rounds of Federal 147-grain +P HST! The pistol actually exceeds the NATO AC/225 standards. NATO standards only require the firearm to pass using 9mm NATO 124-grain FMJ. The CC9 has to be reliable with the commercially available rounds on the market.
The CC9 specs out at 6.03 inches long, with an overall width of .99 inches, and is 4.5 inches tall sans mag. It weighs in at 18.4 ounces, again, without a magazine. As with other modern pistols, the frame is polymer with a steel fire control chassis assembly. The pistol is fully ambidextrous, with left and right side slide stops and magazine releases. The barrel is 3.32 inches in length and is cold-hammer forged. It has a pre-cocked striker system with an advertised trigger pull of 5 pounds. Our test gun’s trigger pull averaged 5.6 pounds with a clean break and no overtravel. The front sight is a green luminescent ring with a Tritium insert. The rear sight is all black with a square aperture. The CC9 is optics-ready and offers a direct mount for any RMSc footprint red dot. A small rail will accommodate a weapon-mounted light, giving the CC9 a low-light capability. The pistol is shipped with two different size backstraps and two magazines—a 10-round flush fit and a 12-rounder with a finger extension.
I received a production pistol approximately three weeks before the CC9 launch. I set out to run a 1,000-round torture test, which is a substantial test for a small pistol. During the test, the pistol was not cleaned or lubricated. I shot 26 different loads, with over half being premium defense loads. These ranged from the hot (1,494 fps) Super Vel 90-grain JHP +P to the 147-grain Gold Dot, which averaged a mild 908 fps. We shot with compromised grips and from various positions and even loaded mags with mixed loads. Zero malfunctions!
Final HK CC9 Takeaways
• The pistol is 100% reliable and comfy. I shot 300-plus rounds in one range trip without developing any blisters or sensitive areas on my hands and fingers. The gun is completely void of any “hotspots.”
• The pistol carries like a micro gun but, in my experience, shoots significantly better than other guns in its class.
• The trigger was consistent with a defined wall and a clean break without overtravel.
• The CC9 represents HK-USA’s relentless drive to produce a pistol worthy of the HK name. The micro bar has been raised!
Specifications: Heckler & Koch CC9
- Caliber: 9mm
- Action: Striker-fired semi-auto
- Barrel: 3.32 inches hammer forged
- OA Length: 6.03 inches
- Weight: 18.4 ounces (empty)
- Grips: Polymer
- Sights: Black square notch rear, green luminescent/tritium insert front
- Finish: Black
- Capacity: 10+1, 12+1
- MSRP: $699
- Website: hk-usa.com
Pairs Well With: Federal Hydra Shok Deep 9mm
If you’re carrying the HK CC9 every day for self-defense, a premium— Federal Premium—round to rock is Federal’s Personal Defense Hydra-Shok Deep 9mm Luger 135-grain loads. The bullet features a more robust center post and a core design that penetrates to optimal depths through the barriers most commonly encountered in self-defense situations. Muzzle velocity is 1,060 fps in a 4-inch barreled gun. MSRP: $38 (federalpremium.com).
