HK VP9A1 K Compact 9mm Striker Review

HK Takes The Best-Selling VP9 Series To Remarkable Heights With Upgrades Galore

Introduced in 2014, the VP9 marked HK’s first modern polymer-frame, striker-fired pistol. Like all HK firearms prior to the recently launched CC9, the VP9 was developed at the request of a government or military organization. Specifically, the VP9 was designed for the Bavarian State Police. In Europe, it is designated as the P30X and was later imported into the United States for the commercial and government law enforcement markets.

How The VP9 Series Has Been A Trendsetter

The VP9 offered a number of advantages over its contemporaries of the time. It featured ambidextrous controls with a left- and right-side slide release and the unique dual-side paddle magazine release. The polymer frame featured interchangeable backstraps and industry-first interchangeable side panels. This allowed the user to custom-fit the pistol to their hand size.

The VP9 is known for its single-action striker system. This trigger on the VP9 has a very light take-up, followed by a clean break and a short, positive reset. The VP9 also has a typical trigger safety. Many consider the VP9 trigger best in class for a striker-fired service pistol. A captive, flat recoil spring provides a reduced recoil impulse and extended service life. The HK cold hammer-forged barrel features a polygonal bore. The slide of the VP9 showcases a corrosion-resistant finish, aggressive cocking serrations and HK’s patented “charging supports.” These are raised ribs on both sides of the slide that provide a positive gripping surface for operating the slide.

In recent years, a number of improvements have been made to the VP9 including models that are optics-ready and others with an optional push-button magazine release. Other upgrades include a new 17-round magazine and a new sight configuration. These were in-line improvements or options driven by U.S. commercial and law enforcement customers.

The size of the legacy VP9 can be hard to explain to the U.S. market. The 4.09-inch barrel gave the VP9 an overall length of 7.34 while the height was 5.41 inches. Simply put, it has a compact-size barrel and slide on a full-size frame. In other words, it wasn’t a full-size duty pistol or a true compact. The VP9SK was available, but many shooters found it too small to shoot well. A better solution was needed!

Changing Dynamics & The A1

As I outlined in my Hook & Barrel article on the HK CC9, HK-US, based in Columbus, Georgia, is now a separate entity from HK-Obendorf. While reporting to the board of directors, the structure gives HK-US independence when developing products for the U.S. market. This allows HK-US to design and produce the CC9 specifically for the U.S. concealed carry market.

In the past several years, the VP9 has gained significant acceptance in the U.S. law enforcement community. The superb ergonomics, exceptional trigger, and HK reliability and safety are all great selling points. However, the basic design is more than a decade old, and while still a very advanced design, it was time for VP9 2.0—the A1. It should be noted that the A1 is an HK-US-driven product designed for the U.S. consumer.

First, the VP9A1 is manufactured in Germany and imported to HK-US. It retains the same reliable, time-proven mechanical design. There is no need to improve on “perfection”! The changes all revolve around improving the shooter’s experience. At first glance, the A1 looks like any other VP9. However, the details, while subtle, combine to make the A1 a better family of pistols.

Before we discuss those changes, the most significant addition is that the A1 will be available in two models. The new VP9A1 K is a true “compact” missing from the lineup. It features a 4.09-inch barrel with an overall length of 7.32 inches and a new shorter frame, giving the K a height of only 5.12 inches. The VP9A1 K will come with two 15-round magazines, but it is compatible with larger 20-round mags. Below is a description of the VP9A1 F.

Other upgrades include backstrap modules that change the length of pull between the web of the hand and the trigger. Three different-sized grip panels and backstraps now provide 45 optional grip configurations. No other pistol on the market allows for this degree of user customization of the grip. The texturing on the grip panels has been improved, and specific “touchpoints,” such as the magazine release and the side of the frame, have been textured.

HK-US decided to remove the frontstrap finger grooves and added a flared magazine well to the new A1 frames. To aid in magazine removal, the A1 features a newly designed magazine base plate with finger recesses. To enhance an already excellent trigger, the trigger bar is coated with a nickel Teflon finish.

The slide retains the “charging supports” and the same corrosion-resistant finish. The forward and rear cocking serrations on the slide have been upgraded to the more aggressive “maritime” design. The VP9A1 pistols are all optics-ready via a series of mounting plates. These are sold on the HK-US website and are available in six different patterns. This will allow the shooter or agency to adapt the A1 to their requirements.

VP9A1 Range Report

A few days before the official release, I obtained VP9A1 K and F for this review. Both were shipped with Holosun SCS VP9 green-dot optics. The SCS VP9 is a direct mount that does not require any adaptor plates. I set the K with a small backstrap and medium side panels. At the range, the K shot exceptionally well with various loads. I should note that all VP9s are configured for full-duty ammunition, and shooters may encounter reliability issues with lighter ammunition. The trigger on the K averaged a clean 5 pounds, 3 ounces. The shooting experience was exceptional due to a combination of the grip, trigger, and optic. I managed to shoot a 10-shot, 10-yard group that measured 1.24 inches, with five rounds going into a group that measured 0.35 inches! I also shot a sub-3-inch group off-hand at 20 yards. I tested the VP9A1 K with eight different loads without reliability issues.

VP9A1 K Parting Shots

This was my first extended experience with a VP9. I was very impressed, especially with the compact K model. The proven design and ergonomics of the VP9 in a true compact are significant. With this A1 series, HK-US has a family of pistols well suited to agencies that want a full-size duty pistol for uniform officers and a compact-size pistol for investigators. The K also brings HK in line with other compact pistols popular for armed citizens. Look for a new VP9A1 at your local dealers soon.

Specifications: HK VP9A1 K (Compact)

• CALIBER: 9mm
• ACTION: Striker-fired semi-automatic
• BARREL: 4.09 inches
• OA LENGTH: 7.32 inches
• WEIGHT: 22.57 ounces (empty)
• GRIPS: Polymer, four replaceable backstraps
• SIGHTS: Serrated black rear, high-visibility tritium front
• FINISH: Black carbon-nitride
• CAPACITY: 15+1
• MSRP: $979 ($1,319 w/optic)

A Look At The HK VP9A1 F

The VP9A1 F is the full-size variant of the new A1 series. It is designed as a duty pistol to compete with the other full-size pistols on the market. The F model features a 4.53-inch barrel and a full-size frame, giving it an overall length of 7.76 inches and a height of 5.47 inches. The frame size is the same as the legacy VP9 pistol, and the older magazines will interchange with the new A1 F. It has the same enhancements as the K model. The F model ships with a 17-round and an extended 20-round magazine.

On the range, the F model was a joy to shoot. It handled the hottest 9mm loads with ease, including Winchester’s Modular Handgun System Active Duty M1152. This is a 115-grain TMJ training round designed to match the new service round for the U.S. military. The M1152 averaged a warm 1,331 fps out of the F.

If you are looking for a feature-rich and advanced full-size pistol, the new VP9A1 F may be just what the doctor ordered.

Specifications: HK VP9A1 F (Full Size)

• CALIBER: 9mm
• ACTION: Striker-fired semi-automatic
• BARREL: 4.53 inches
• OA LENGTH: 7.76 inches
• WEIGHT: 23.28 ounces (empty)
• GRIPS: Polymer, four replaceable backstraps
• SIGHTS: Serrated black rear, high-visibility tritium front
• FINISH: Black carbon-nitride
• CAPACITY: 20, 17, 15, 10 (+ 1)
• MSRP: $979 ($1,319 w/optic)