Holy tick tock, Batman! Time sure does fly by. It certainly feels like it’s only been a few minutes since publishing my initial review of the VP9 and rotating it in for every day carry use and shooting IDPA matches. Of course, it’s been more than a few minutes. It’s actually been just under eight weeks, but that doesn’t change the fact the VP9 has fired over 500 rounds.
In the same spirit of the previously published 500 round review, I’m going to revisit the VP9 with a slightly different perspective. Rather than my first impressions, I’m going to critique it’s performance so far.
Full disclosure, I may still be under the influence of the honey moon phase with this firearm.
Reliability
Yup, it’s reliable.
Essentially, all of the ammunition fired through the VP9 has been 124 grain FMJ American Eagle ammunition from Federal. That’s in addition to a single 20 round box of 124 grain HST JHP ammunition also by Federal. Every single time I’ve pulled the trigger (without short stroking it), the gun has gone “bang” and cycled without issue.
Although to be completely transparent, I have short stroked the trigger two or three tines – meaning I pulled the trigger again before allowing it to properly reset. Of course since the trigger was not completely reset, the gun failed to go “bang”. But these were entirely my fault as a result of being used to the really short reset of the trigger on the P229 that I had been using for training and competition almost exclusively over the past year.
Accuracy
Just like every other gun I’ve ever fired, the gun is more accurate that I am. When I do my job, it punches holes right where it was aimed.
I will say that I’ve found it a lot easier for me to do my part with the VP9 after installing the small grip inserts than I have with any other pistol I own. I will attribute most of that to a much better gun to hand fit, but I’ve also been dry firing the VP9 quite a bit.
My feelings about the tritium night sights (included in the law enforcement edition of the VP9) haven’t changed. While they are nice, they leave a little something to be desired compared to the high visibility sights that I prefer.
In fact, let’s just say that I’m looking forward to the blacked out rear sights with a yellow dot front sight found on the new 2020 optics ready edition of the VP9. More on that edition in a later post.
While the trigger has taken a bit to get used to, I am pretty happy with it. Sure, it doesn’t have the super short reset of the Grey Guns DA/SA trigger on the P229. Nor does it the ultra light crisp break found on a 1911 single action trigger. But honestly the only time I’ve been able to tell I’m squeezing the trigger of a striker-fired polymer framed gun while running it in a competition or at the range is when I short stroke it. I really haven’t found any contribution or hinderance from the trigger towards the inherent accuracy of the VP9 or my ability to shoot it accurately.
Customization
The VP9 does fall a little short when it comes to customization support found in the market when compared to a Glock or an M&P Shield. Frankly, those two just seem to dominate the customization market.
Be that as it may, there is still some customization support for it. There are a handful of aftermarket parts available to customize just about everything form the barrel to the grip, the slide to the frame, and everything in between.
There are also quite a few gunsmiths offering several services for the VP9. The two that I keep hearing about at the range and on the web are: Grey Guns and Lazy Wolf Guns. I’m sure there are others out there who do quality work, these are just the two that I consistently hear something about.
Lastly, the gun does come with an accessory rail on the frame which can be used to outfit the gun with a light, a laser, a camera, or a combo attachment.
Gripes
I’ve already mentioned the tritium nights sights on the law enforcement edition left me with a little something to be desired. As such, I’m sure I’d complain a lot more about standard three dot sights on the standard edition. But that’s that and I’ve already said enough about it.
The only other thing I find myself complaining is about paying $49 for additional magazines. I like to to have a lot of spare magazines. I’ve gotten in the habit of preloading as many magazines as I have prior to attending training classes or going to the range so I can focus on the activity rather than reloading magazines. Seriously. I have no problem rolling up to a shooting range with twenty loaded spare magazines. So yeah, this cheap grumpy old man would rather pay $10-15 per magazine like I do for spare Magpul AR-15 magazines.
And that’s about it.
Final Words
I’m really enjoying the VP9. It’s a fun gun. It fits me well. It runs reliably. I can shoot it accurately. As such, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable striker-fired polymer handgun for defensive applications or just plain fun.
In fact, I’m certain these will not be my final words about the VP9 as I will publish several future posts about this gun and activities where this gun was deployed. So stay tuned.