One of our most popular handguns right now is the Heckler & Koch Vp9. The key to success in the business world is to adapt and change with the times. Granted, there are products that a company produces that develop a following that will span decades, but every so often a company decides to take a turn and try something new; when they do the possibilities are endless. One such company did this about 35 years ago . The company I'm referring to is Heckler & Koch. Now for a brief history of one of H&K's famous designs that predates the Glock system by 12 years.
The first gun in the series I'll discuss is the H&K VP70. The VP70 was designed in 1970 and was the first polymer handgun to be produced. The VP70 was considered a machine pistol when used with the stock which allowed the shooter to select a three round burst mode. The VP70 had a cyclic rate of 2200 rpm , when the stock was not attached, it acted as a holster for the pistol. The VP70 is a striker-fired handgun, the same as a Glock, Smith M&P, Walther PPQ, and more popular handguns of today. The VP70 held a staggering 17 rounds in its magazine, unheard of during those times. Remember the handgun of the time that was considered to be "high capacity" was the Browning Hi -Power. The VP70 was the first polymer handgun for the company as well as their first striker fired mechanism.
Hecker & Koch decided to move away from the polymer framed pistol for a while and focused on another design that is not part of the VP series, but is a striker fired pistol called the P7 squeeze cocker. This design was made in 1976 and was made of metal rather than polymer. The P7 was a gas blow-back that utilized a piston system. The user would cock the gun with the lever on the front of the pistol grip. The term Squeeze Cocker was given due to the mode of operation in order to cock the striker system. The P7 shares similarities to the VP70 with the striker mechanism, but deviated from the polymer construction. The gun became very expensive to produce and the company began looking for a newer system to develop for the military and law enforcement markets.
Fast forward to 2015, and the company has come full circle back to what made them unique and desirable in the first place. For many years H&K went on to produce hammer fired versions with polymer construction, all with the same excellent craftsmanship. These models include the USP (Universal Self Loading Pistol) and the P2000 and P30. However, the company decided to, once again, enter the fray with their striker fired system in order to contend with the multiple companies producing striker fired pistols on the regular. So what does a successful company do to stay relevant yet retain their reputation at the same time, they combined the best of both worlds in the Heckler & Koch VP9.
The VP9 is the creation of many designs before it with some added flair. The VP9, on the outside looks similar to the P30 design. The P30 is a hammer fired design that incorporates interchangeable backstraps and side panels. The Heckler & Koch VP9 incorporates these design elements while maintaining the striker fired mechanism. By doing this, the company has created a product that is not only more affordable and appealing to the customer, but also allows the shooter to shoot with confidence due to its ergonomic grips which are natural to the hand allowing for accurate shot placement. The modularity of the interchangeable backstraps and side panels increases the versatility of this firearm and makes it an excellent pick for just about any shooter. Purchase your VP9 for a steal!
While not resting on their laurels, the company has developed different variants of the Heckler & Koch VP9 including an LE model that includes night sights and three magazines. Another version features a FDE (flat dark earth) frame. They have also introduced a VP9 Tactical model that includes a threaded barrel. Another model Heckler & Koch introduced within the VP Series is the .40S&W version, dubbed the H&K VP40. Whatever your preference, H&K has got you covered, and with such a rich history of innovation and design, there's no question why so many have chosen H&K firearms as their go to choice. Just remember H&K's old saying, "In a world of compromise, some don't". Click Here for more info on H&K's entire pistol lineup.
