HK P30 vs vp9

Kogarth

Kogarth

Posting nonsense
Joined
Jul 19, 2022
Messages
413
Location
Jackson county NC
Rating - 100%
3   0   0
Just wanted to see what the community though about these two and I know which is "better" is subjective. These are really the best entry HK pistols without shelling out a grand for a USP 9mm. I love to hear your thoughts, plus negatives etc...
 
It’s pretty much a striker vs hammer discussion. Otherwise, the guns are more or less identical. With the P30, you have a lot of trigger options. IMHO, they’re both excellent guns and the VP9 series represent exceptional values. I’ve carried a VP9SK for years. One of the attractions is that the removable side and back panels allow you to make it fit your hand perfectly. I don’t own another gun that feels that good in my hand.
 
Jeppo said:
It’s pretty much a striker vs hammer discussion. Otherwise, the guns are more or less identical. With the P30, you have a lot of trigger options. IMHO, they’re both excellent guns and the VP9 series represent exceptional values. I’ve carried a VP9SK for years. One of the attractions is that the removable side and back panels allow you to make it fit your hand perfectly. I don’t own another gun that feels that good in my hand.
Click to expand...
This is the best answer really.

I had a vp9, really liked it honestly. Loved the trigger guard mag release for my stubby fingers. But let it go to keep with my m&p control familiarity.

I've had the chance to put many rounds though a P30. Like it as well.

Funnily enough. The one usp I've put a bunch of rounds through over many trips to the range. Had garbage accuracy for me, as well as it's owner. We could both pick up other 9mm's and generally hit where intended but that thing always doubled group size..
 
FWIW, I've got a VP9, love it, one of my kids has a P30sk with an LEM trigger. Imho, the P30 LEM is a shit trigger, really want to get him to mod that and make it tolerable.
 
H&K known for their over done build. Very reliable guns. VP9 is one of the most comfortable to shoot polymers. I have friends who have had both models. VP9 still in their possession. P30 has been exchanged for others. Personally, I stick with other brands
 
I’m an HK pistol fan boy, but I think the vp9 is overall better than the P 30.

The reason I say, this is because the trigger quality on the vp9 is better than or equal to the other striker, fired pistols on the market.

The same thing can’t be said for the P 30. The double action trigger on HK’s is pretty garbage. Nobody’s ever just got done, firing a double action, HK pistol and said “man that trigger was sweet“

unlike the previous poster I like the LEM trigger. it takes a little bit of getting used to but once you do, it’s pretty nice not to bounce back between the double action in single action.
 
I’ve owned the Vp40, VP9, p30 lem, p30L Lem, p30sk lem, and several USPs. Only ones I still have are the P30 Lem & USP45t. I came close to selling the P30 lem. Trigger takes some getting used to & I’ve yet to decide when there’s to invest in the Gray Guns $90 upgrade or sell it stock. The USP45t is staying til rapture.

Between the P30 & VP9, the trigger on the vp9 is definitely better whether Lem or da/sa on the p30. Again, people swear the Gray Guns srt is a game changer with it. I feel the build quality of the P30 is better than the VP9. It’s mostly which do you like better the hammer fired gun or the striker? The hammer fired has double strike capability & you can be assured your trigger isn’t moving while holstering. The striker fired vp9 will take less training to master. There is a slight grip texture difference between the P30 & VP9 and I prefer the p30’s grip texture more. It’s more like 300 grit sand paper where the Vp9’s is like the PPQ’s.
 
BigB6flyer said:
It’s mostly which do you like better the hammer fired gun or the striker?
Click to expand...
I'm familiar with both but have more range time with strikers. The only hammer gun I have allot of experience with is the m9. Well the thread so for is pretty split between the two.
 
I have a P30 da/sa, the LEM trigger isn't for me.

As mentioned above, you will not be bragging on the da trigger pull on these, but I've gotten used to it. One of these days I'll order the Grayguns SRT.

The P30 grip is slightly more grippy to me. Both are great pistols and the magazines are the same.

Shoot both if you can.
 
Last edited:
BigB6flyer said:
There is a slight grip texture difference between the P30 & VP9 and I prefer the p30’s grip texture more. It’s more like 300 grit sand paper where the Vp9’s is like the PPQ’s.
Click to expand...
When I first began shooting the VP9SK, I noticed I was gripping the gun and then wiping my hand on my jeans. I had the sensation my hand was damp/sweaty (it wasn’t). Gritty Talons solved that for me.
 
P30LS da/sa with the grey guns short reset and blue hammer spring is magic. I felt like a complete idiot spending 100 bucks on a little metal plate, but it transforms the gun and is worth every penny. The VP9 is nice, but the p30 seems to have a heavier slide profile and recoils less.
 
SergeToll said:
H&K known for their over done build. Very reliable guns.
Click to expand...
I recognized this as soon as I got my VP9SK home. Took off the slide to give the gun a thorough cleaning and decided to clean my Shield (my carry piece until that day) at the same time. With the two side by side, the difference was obvious.
 
Thanks for the input guys. Ill search around and see if I can test them out. I'm really leaning toward either a VP9SK or the VP9 optics ready 17 rounder.
 
Kogarth said:
Thanks for the input guys. Ill search around and see if I can test them out. I'm really leaning toward either a VP9SK or the VP9 optics ready 17 rounder.
Click to expand...
I carry the SK with a 10 round magazine and 17 round reload magazines.
 
Kogarth said:
Do the 17s sit flush?
Click to expand...
No. I’m sure there are sleeves available but I haven’t bothered. If I get to the point that I need another 17 rounds, how it looks won’t matter. They fit and function perfectly.
 
The newer 17rd mags that are now coming with both new vp9’s & P30’s are flush fit. Older 15rd mags can be retrofitted to 17rd mags for about half the price of a new mag
 
Kogarth said:
Thanks for the input guys. Ill search around and see if I can test them out. I'm really leaning toward either a VP9SK or the VP9 optics ready 17 rounder.
Click to expand...
Be aware the VP9 OR is a little cumbersome for carry with a Holosun mounted. Totally subjective, but in my opinion the gun became unwieldly to carry once I put on the optic. I'm not sure if they build an SK that'll take an optic, but I'd sure check out that option. There's grip sleeves out there to make the SK take 15/17 round mags.
 
Last edited:
Timfoilhat said:
Be aware the VP9 OR is a little cumbersome for carry with a Holosun mounted. Totally subjective, but in my opinion the gun became unwieldly to carry once I put on the optic. I'm not sure if they build an SK that'll take an optic, but I'd sure check out that option. There's grip sleeves out there to make the SK take 15/17 round mags.
Click to expand...
Ah, thanks. You pretty much read my mind. I like Holosun reds for home defense and carry. If I got a SK I would just run irons maybe put some new night sights on. +1 on the grip sleeves, that would be a great little carry with 15/17 rounders.
 
My experience with HK started with my wife buying a USP compact. She decided she wanted her own gun after I brought home a Beretta 92. I went to the store with her. She asked me is HK any good? Envy bubbled up in my throat as I said "they're German, overbuilt and expensive. " She pointed it out to the man behinf the counter and laid down her Visa card.
After a few range trips she discovered it would jam if she limp wristed it. Not wanting to listen to me, she went back to the store and asked they guy if she could swap it. When she learned the gun store was planning to give her $200 for it she opted to keep it and give it to me. :D It's been through a bunch of classes with me since. It's 100% reliable if you don't limp wrist it.

In 2014 when the VP9 was introduced I was on the preorder list. Got a nice low-ish serial gun that became my go to for classes up until I got a Wilson Beretta 92. Honestly, these three pistols fill every want and need I have for service sized handguns so I've stopped shopping /looking for like 7 years now.
 
Timfoilhat said:
In 2014 when the VP9 was introduced I was on the preorder list. Got a nice low-ish serial gun that became my go to for classes up until I got a Wilson Beretta 92. Honestly, these three pistols fill every want and need I have for service sized handguns so I've stopped shopping /looking for like 7 years now.
Click to expand...
Did you get the slide cut or just get a new slide?
 
I might look around locally to see if I can find a SK and P30 and see how they feel in the hand. @Jeppo has pretty much sold me on the SK, look at all that honest wear on it. I currently carry a CZp10c how does the vp9 compare?
 
I like both and have had examples of both. Right now I only have the P30 LEM Lite. P30 just felt better to me. I did change out the sights to X Ray style. I've tried both LEM and LEM Lite as well as DA/SA. My biggest complaint is a HK thing I don't like how far back the trigger breaks...that kinda bugs me but other than that great piece.

 
Last edited:
Got2hav1 said:
I like both and have had examples of both. Right now I only have the P30 LEM Lite. P30 just felt better to me. I did change out the sights to X Ray style. I've tried both LEM and LEM Lite as well as DA/SA. My biggest complaint is a HK thing I don't like how far back the trigger breaks...that kinda bugs me but other than that great piece.

Click to expand...
Need to put a Grey Guns SRS and Flat Trigger in it. You would like it a lot better.
 
No comparison

internally the P30 is a P2000 with more modern grip design. The P2000 was a USP with a pic rail and rear decocker. Thus the P30 gets all the simplicity and robustness of the USP. The P30 is one of the most rugged TDAs ever built. Todd Green (RIP) ran his P30 to 98k rounds without a single major breakage.

the VP9 is an overly complex striker design. It’s nothing special. I’ve owned a few and they work. I am unimpressed by the design and it’s unnecessary elements. However like everything HK they’re reliable and very well built.

P30 and P30L are my carry pistols along with the G17. theyre silly easy to shoot well and they carry great.

5307D15E-35BF-48E8-A9AA-7281101B5BF7.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Kogarth said:
Is the P30L a comfortable carry? Do you use LEM?
Click to expand...

the P30 and P30L carry the same to me. length helps for AIWB. shorter is usually less stable.

Pretty much all my HK pistols are variant 3 (aka V3, decocker only). LEM has its benefits but I do not like it. The LEM employs a fully tensioned mainspring so it is by definition an SA. My beef with the LEM is that to use is effectively, I have to shoot from the reset. Otherwise one will be engaged in a huge amount of pointless trigger travel and lost time. Thankfully I was not trained to shoot from reset (the human brain cannot and will not do this under stress).I was trained to "press each shot" essentially as one would do with a DA revolver. Therefore I much prefer to have a strong trigger return spring (TRS) to help speed up reseting so I can press my next shot. The LEM also has what I consider to be a "weird" wall present on each shot since it is SA. As I'm accustomed to a rolling break from DA, the LEM trigger messes with my head.

The LEM is an excellent system but I am too accustomed to DA/SA (aka TDA) and the glock safe action to learn the LEM. I have given LEM a fair shake over the years but it ain't for me. I do still have an HK45c in LEM configuration, but there it is necessary because the decocking lever location is awful for me so the LEM gets rid of it alltogether.

One other small note if you're interested in the P30: it's not convertible between DA/SA -> LEM the way the USP is user convertible. So a P30 that starts life in an LEM will remain so, and vice versa.

Regarding P30 trigger jobs. I find them completely unnecessary. The pistols are very strongly sprung. They need at least 4k rounds for the mainspring to chill out. So whatever $$ is spent on trigger work is better spent on ammo and training. By that point the user will be more proficient and the gun will be smoother, all without a trigger job. However there are a bunch of great smiths that work on HKs and I'm sure their trigger jobs are excellent (Bruce Gray, Lazy Wolf Guns, Langdon, and so forth). Regardless to me the pistol really has to be mastered by the user for such trigger work to translate into better performance. Despite shooting P30's for the past 8ish years I do not consider myself there.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom