I completed my comparison of the VP9 against my G17.4 and the VP9 will be on the chopping block. While I truly enjoy the pistol and think it is a splendid side arm there are some factors which came to light once the side by side comparison was underway.
Please understand this is solely based on how I shoot the pistol and the economics of adding a second brand/platform to my collection.
My comparison focused on the following major areas:
Slow fire accuracy
Rapid fire accuracy / drills (dot torture, F.A.S.T, and “The Test”) from the holster
Plate rack (5 plate rack)
Aftermarket support
Cost of ownership (mags, holsters, spare parts, and ease of maintenance)
Slow fire accuracy: The VP9 stock is as accurate as my G17 that I’ve set up with sights and trigger.
Rapid fire accuracy: The G17 wins for me here. There is an advantage to the G17 as it has been my primary range pistol for years with many thousands of rounds and holster presentations. I do not have the same “feel” with the VP9 as it is new to me for the most part.
What became evident during the speed testing is that I have to use what I call the “Sig hold” – were my strong hand thumb rests on the back of my support hand to avoid the slide release. The concern here is not keeping the slide from locking back but the edge of the slide lock dug into my strong hand thumb. I am not going to unlearn a grip that has proven to be extremely successful for me over the years for one pistol.
Plate rack: From the holster the G17 had slightly better times, with the pistol in hand at the buzzer times were tied.
Aftermarket support / Cost of ownership: The G17 wins hands down.
As I mentioned earlier in the thread for me to have a good evaluation and feel for a pistol requires more than just renting one at the range. I have to buy it and shoot the snot out of it. For example in the past 12 months I’ve completed this exercise with:
Sig P320
C75 SAO
CZ SP-01
Glock 34
Sig P226R
All were excellent pistols and I enjoyed being able to shoot and get a good feel for them. However none have been able to allow me to produce a better result
overall than what I can do with the G17. Pistols are a very personal thing what works for me might not work for you, etc… Some might be immensely more accurate (SP-01 & P226R) but might be heavy and end up being a range / safe queen and so forth.
At the end of the day I am consolidating my collection and for me to invest any further into the VP9 would be a foolish economic endeavor at this stage.
Conclusion: If you are looking at a new striker fired pistol I would strongly suggest giving the VP9 a hard look. It is an excellent choice and might be the best thing for
you.
ETA: the 5.9mm front sight did result in sight picture #2 for those wondering