A Visual Comparison of the H&K VP9 to the Glock 19

General Firearms Handguns - Semi Auto
1

A Visual Comparison of the H&K VP9 to the Glock 19

The “stepped” chamber of the VP9 barrel . . .

The two cases on each end were fired from the VP9 . . .

And a little bit of data . . .

The VP9 at 25 Yards.

Using match-grade hand-loads topped with the Hornady 125 grain HAP bullet and shooting off the bench, my VP9 turned in a 10-shot group that had an extreme spread of 1.6”.

The VP9 at 50 yards.

Just for kicks and giggles I fired some statistically insignificant 6-shot groups from my VP at a distance of 50 yards. Using one of my best 9x19mm hand-loads topped with the Hornady 125 grain HAP bullet, I fired seven, 6-shot groups in a row from the bench. The average extreme spread for the seven groups was 2.40”.

The cherry-picked group of the bunch is pictured below. The group has an extreme spread of 1.52”.

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2

Very cool. I do wish they made the VP9 a tiny bit smaller like the G19. I’ve never shot a pistol as well as I do my VP9 but it’s just odd with the size/capacity compared to my G19 and my M&P 9

3

Nice thanks for the information

4

Excuse me if you have earlier offered an explanation/opinion of the stepped chamber, but what is your opinion?

I’ve heard it seals better than a tapered chamber - theoretically the reason for the higher velocity out of the HK, although the polygonal rifling in the Glock probably has something to do with this also.

I’ve also heard that it (stepped chamber) doesn’t handle less ductile steel and aluminum cases as well as a tapered chamber.

In addition, I’ve also heard claims of increased accuracy.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

5

The step in the chamber is part of the original specification drafted by Georg Luger, for the purpose of improving the gas seal on the tapered 9×19mm case. There may be a possibility of difficult extraction with steel or aluminum cases, but since most are coated these days with a low friction finish I doubt it would be an issue.

6

Thanks for the pictures and thoughts! I purchased a VP9 shortly after they were released but I didn’t feel that it did anything my G19 didn’t do as well. I ran them both side by side for a while and decided to sell the VP9, I don’t regret it. The HK was a fine pistol but mag capacity versus size, mag price, mag release, were detractors for me personally.

7

There is a 2 mm difference in barrel length (102 mm for the G19 vs 104 mm for the VP9), and this should account for about 5 fps. So the stepped chamber does add a little bit of velocity, or at least it does in this sample of one…

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It works!

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9

this is only an issue as far as my training budget is concerned…

But does anyone has any experience or insight as to how that stepped chamber effects brass life in terms of reloading? I’m not sure I have ever worn out pistol brass it gets lost before that generally…

  • Chumly
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I also would like to know if it has any effects on life of reloaded brass.

11

I’ve reloaded a bunch of it, No problems, I’ve even reloaded a bunch that was shot in my G17, and ran it through myVP9, again no problems.

12

I did the same thing except I traded the VP9 for a NIB Gen4 G19. I already had a gen2 and Gen3.

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13

When I went back to polymer I test drove a VP9 against a Gen4 19 and went with the 19. Still glad I made that choice over 10K rounds later.

14

Good call, I still have a want for a Gen4 myself. :slight_smile:

15

Has the brass to face issue been totally put to bed?

That alone has had me thinking of maybe a P320 or PPQ next and not another 9mm Glock.

My 3rd gen G19 is now trouble free but man…the steps it took to get it there was a crazy venture.

16

After I bought my first HK VP9, I sold the 2 Glock 19’s that I owned and bought a 2nd VP9. Both Glock 19’s were accurate and easy enough to shoot, but both regularly ejected the brass at my forehead which I found unacceptable. The VP9 was accurate right out of the box with no modifications and ejects the brass at about the 3:30 position in a nice pile. The VP9 is my main conceal carry firearm and it seems to be easy enough for me to conceal, no problems here.

17

The only part of the VP-9 I did not care for was the surface of the trigger. If I had to shoot one in a match or in an extended plinking session…I could see how that trigger might rub a blister or cause irritation on my trigger finger.

Just a guess but the only real flaw I could see int he VP-9.

18

Sure wish I had met you before the guy you traded with. I have a NIB Gen 4 Model 19 born on date of January 2013. Since I already have two G19s in service I would have traded it for a slightly used VP9 in a heartbeat.

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No, I don’t think the brass to face has been totally fixed. My two Gen 4 Model 19s had severe BTF issues, like at least 3-4 hot empties in my face every single magazine full. Both had all the latest Glock parts. I went through a lot of trouble and time, trying every fix suggested on the Glock forums, but none of them worked. I finally fixed it a few months ago with an Apex extractor kit. Both have run with no BTF issues since the Apex installation.

I have owned and shot various Glock models for 20 years and never had a single BTF issue until I bought the two Gen 4 Model 19s. I like my G19s now that they are fixed, but these two will be the last Glocks I ever buy.

20

I too had BTF issues but with a 3rd gen G19 bought in April 2012. Luckily, the gen4 ejector and Apex extractor cured the problems. Odd thing was…my BTF issues did not show up UNTIL I had about 800rds through the gun. It just started tossing 2-3 pieces of brass per mag, straight at my forehead. Jarring…to say the least! LOL

The fact that this is still hanging around has me looking hard at the P320 for my next 9mm.

I love my G19 but do not want to go through that mess again.