VP9 and 124gr 'requirement'

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - VP9 and 124gr 'requirement'

Posted: 4/26/2021 6:20:20 AM EDT

I was told that since the VP9 was built around the NATO standard round, which is 124gr, that when brand new the weapon may at first have issues cycling with 115gr rounds and that you need to get 100-200 rounds of 124gr through it first before switching over to 115gr. Has anyone got any hands on experience to confirm that?

Posted: 4/26/2021 6:24:15 AM EDT

[#1]

No issues with mine and 115 gr, even when new.

Posted: 4/26/2021 7:53:43 AM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
No issues with mine and 115 gr, even when new.

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Ditto.

Posted: 4/26/2021 7:56:45 AM EDT

[#3]

Both of mine run fine on 115gr rounds. I've never haf a malfunction in either of them.

Posted: 4/26/2021 8:09:22 AM EDT

[#4]

Ran all sorts of stuff threw mine including 115gr and aluminum cased.
No Fucks were given by it.
Now one can argue that the ammo wasn't the best for the vp9.
It didn't shoot worth a hoot with my plated or coated handloads and neither does my vp9L.

Posted: 4/26/2021 8:49:38 AM EDT

[#5]

I've never had any issues with ammo in my VP9s. Several thousand rounds of 115-gr downrange without a single malfunction. Until two weeks ago....

I just had an issue in a class running a freshly-modified VP9.

In fairness, I didn't even remember acquiring this ammo. 115-grain ball, mixed brass. Obviously reloads.

Pistol in question is a modified VP9 with an RMR, but with material removed from the slide to make it the EXACT weight (to the nearest gram) of a stock VP9.

Attached File

Started the class, first 5 shots were no problem. And then it started. EVERY string of fire - failure to feed, failure to eject, something. Couldn't get through a single string without a choke. Meanwhile, my daughter is running her G17 with the same ammo and no issues.

After about 7 courses of fire, I switched to factory ammo - but also 115-grain ball. Not a single malfunction the rest of the class. YMMV

ETA: The main reason I bought this up is because I had an apples-to-apples comparison with my daughter's Glock. Same ammo, same strings of fire, same class, same conditions. Her Glock didn't malfunction once.

Posted: 4/26/2021 9:34:43 AM EDT

[#6]

Iirc it was more of an issue for a few folks with the p30

Posted: 4/26/2021 6:58:31 PM EDT

[#7]

My SK ate a bunch of aluminum case blazer 115gr today without complaint.

Posted: 4/26/2021 7:15:45 PM EDT

[#8]

Haven’t had any issues with 115gr ammo, and that’s about all I use these days.

Posted: 4/26/2021 10:08:24 PM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Iirc it was more of an issue for a few folks with the p30

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My P30L required some break in with 124gr, before it was reliable with 115gr. But when it was easy to get, 124 or heavier was all I ever shot. I don’t think my VP9 has ever seen anything lighter than 124.

Posted: 4/27/2021 1:39:36 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Iirc it was more of an issue for a few folks with the p30

View Quote

My P30L would stove pipe 4-5 rounds of every magazine if I was shooting 115’s. Everything else was fine. Drove me crazy.

Posted: 4/27/2021 10:03:02 PM EDT

[#11]

The only 115 grain I was able to choke a VP9 with was Tula Brassmaxx I bought at Walmart a couple years ago.

Attached File

In fairness, it also choked a USP compact, a Glock 19 and a Glock 17. FTE, FTF, wouldn't go into battery, locked the slide up, fireball from one round and the next was almost a squib, you name it. My unscientific opinion is that most 115 grn is the bottom of the line loading from whatever company you're buying it from. Some are more bottom of the line than others, but no 115 grn rounds are making an impressive slide velocity to ensure perfect weapon functioning. Most practice 124 grn seems to be loaded hotter.

Posted: 4/28/2021 2:25:01 PM EDT

[#12]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! Greatly appreciated! I won't worry too much about getting 124gr stuff then since I've got a lot of 115gr already.

Posted: 4/30/2021 1:45:41 PM EDT

[#13]

My VP9 never had any issue with 115gr ammo, shot more than 3k rounds through it.

My P30L though, has a strong preference for 124gr or heavier ammo.

Posted: 5/3/2021 12:09:05 AM EDT

[#14]

I might’ve had one stovepipe initially, but that’s it. It eats pretty much anything now.

Posted: 5/3/2021 2:16:23 PM EDT

[#15]

My VP9T and sk have been 100% reliable with everything I have fed them since day 1 (115, 124, 147).
Accuracy was substandard with some cheap 115g Herters ammo I bought from Cabelas but running decent ammo it is more accurate than I am.

Posted: 5/29/2021 6:46:17 PM EDT

[#16]

HK suggests that all their hand guns be fed 9mm NATO ammo because that is what they are all built around. That doesn't necessarily mean you will have issues if you don't. There was a time when HKPro's Handgun section was full of threads asking why P30L's, P30's, and VP9's were choking. Very few of the pistols had anything wrong w/ them, the owners just weren't using 9mm NATO ammo @ least to break them in and they just wouldn't run well on the lower pressure ammo. After they were broken in the problem was gone and they could run any ammo.

Posted: 5/29/2021 11:08:34 PM EDT

[#17]

Mine wouldn’t lock back with 115 to begin with after some break in no issues.

Posted: 5/30/2021 11:49:24 AM EDT

[#18]

I think this started back when the VP9T came out and they used the heavier a recoil spring from the 40 in the 9. HK sent me the heavier spring and suggested I leave the slide locked opened for about a week as well as shoot a couple hundred rounds of 124gr through it to break in the spring. Nothing was wrong with the original set up I had so I never changed it out.

Posted: 7/13/2021 6:41:51 AM EDT

[#19]

My p30L was fine but the p30 struggled.

Couple posts on the HK forums suggested locking the slide back and leaving it like that for a few days. Worked for me, p30 did way better.

Posted: 9/27/2021 11:39:26 AM EDT

[#20]

When I brought mine home years ago I put every different 9mm I had through it. Light and heavy rounds.
Not one issue.

Posted: 9/27/2021 3:30:05 PM EDT

[#21]

My P30L and VP9's all worked perfectly since day one. With any brand and weight of ammo I put thru them.

Posted: 9/27/2021 4:42:36 PM EDT

[#22]

I think I had one FTF on a 115 gr. WWB on the second mag through the gun. No issues with any ammo since then.

Posted: 9/27/2021 8:12:49 PM EDT

[#23]

My first VP9 had tons of failures to lock back with my 124gr hand loads. My second one, I left it locked open for about a week. Zero problems with this one.

Posted: 9/27/2021 11:39:43 PM EDT

[#24]

My VP9 eats lethargic steel-case 115gr like candy

Mine is also one of the newer optics ready versions with a Holosun 507C mounted

Posted: 9/28/2021 12:31:29 AM EDT

[#25]

I had one never an issue at all. Traded it now I have a P30 and like it better than a VP and a very old USP I used to have.

Posted: 10/1/2021 2:42:06 PM EDT

[#26]

Mine is a hungry sob.

Posted: 10/1/2021 5:20:05 PM EDT

[#27]

only thing my VP9(with the comp slide) had an issue with was with 95g 9mm Kurz.....had to hand cycle the slide....still hit the plate 3 times

Posted: 10/3/2021 12:54:57 AM EDT

[#28]

Huh.... I was unaware of the requirement for 124gr.

Ignorance is bliss... I have been using 115gr, 124gr, and 147gr with no issues.

Posted: 10/26/2021 9:50:26 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
The only 115 grain I was able to choke a VP9 with was Tula Brassmaxx I bought at Walmart a couple years ago.
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/261156/58541_jpg-1921626.JPG

In fairness, it also choked a USP compact, a Glock 19 and a Glock 17. FTE, FTF, wouldn't go into battery, locked the slide up, fireball from one round and the next was almost a squib, you name it. My unscientific opinion is that most 115 grn is the bottom of the line loading from whatever company you're buying it from. Some are more bottom of the line than others, but no 115 grn rounds are making an impressive slide velocity to ensure perfect weapon functioning. Most practice 124 grn seems to be loaded hotter.

View Quote

That stuff was absolute fucking garbage. I had a few hundred rounds of it. 2 containers were especially bad.

Posted: 10/30/2021 5:00:45 PM EDT

[#30]

I have a vp9 I bought new in July. So far it’s ate all I’ve put thru it. Steel case, shitty lead reloads, fmj’s of different weights. No problem so far. Only have about 500 rds thru it though

Posted: 10/30/2021 5:33:25 PM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:
The only 115 grain I was able to choke a VP9 with was Tula Brassmaxx I bought at Walmart a couple years ago.
https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/261156/58541_jpg-1921626.JPG

In fairness, it also choked a USP compact, a Glock 19 and a Glock 17. FTE, FTF, wouldn't go into battery, locked the slide up, fireball from one round and the next was almost a squib, you name it. My unscientific opinion is that most 115 grn is the bottom of the line loading from whatever company you're buying it from. Some are more bottom of the line than others, but no 115 grn rounds are making an impressive slide velocity to ensure perfect weapon functioning. Most practice 124 grn seems to be loaded hotter.

View Quote

Got a great deal on this stuff years ago and i had the same results. Complete junk.

I shoot tons of brown bear with no issues with anything

Posted: 10/30/2021 5:50:38 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
I think this started back when the VP9T came out and they used the heavier a recoil spring from the 40 in the 9. HK sent me the heavier spring and suggested I leave the slide locked opened for about a week as well as shoot a couple hundred rounds of 124gr through it to break in the spring. Nothing was wrong with the original set up I had so I never changed it out.

View Quote

This. A buddy with one mentioned HK changed to the 40 spring after a while. Wouldn't be surprised if HK changed it back.

Never had a problem with 115, and mine is a VP9T, just the earlier edition that still has the 9 spring, AFAIK.

Posted: 10/30/2021 5:51:10 PM EDT

[#33]

NATO spec 124 9mm used to be loaded Very HOT for use in open bolt SMGs.

I'm sure using that to break in your pistol will accelerate the process ...

Posted: 1/19/2022 6:24:43 PM EDT

[#34]

If the gun doesn't work with 115. Send it back.

Posted: 1/24/2022 7:32:22 PM EDT

[#35]

Never had a single issue with 115gr in an older VP9, newer VP9, and a VP9L during the “break in”. I think there’s more to it than just ammo for many who experience it, but that’s just a guess.

Posted: 1/25/2022 10:28:01 PM EDT

[#36]

Don’t forget that per the manual for several, if not all, of the pistols, +P ammunition is not recommended.

Posted: 1/25/2022 10:31:36 PM EDT

[#37]

Never had an issue with 115 s even weak Tula.

Posted: 2/26/2022 7:15:57 PM EDT

[#38]

I don't specifically recall having any issues with mine in the past year and a half, though it is relatively still new and not shot a lot, but I saw this thread when it first came out and now I think I got jinxed.

I took my VP9 to the range today, and while I had no 'malfunctions' technically speaking I guess, I mean no jams or FTEs , etc.. it (2020 model with optic cut) was not locking the slide back on the last round fired. Again, the gun probably doesn't even have 500 rounds total through it yet (close though) but I just don't recall it doing that before. Sure enough, I was using 115 gr Federal, and using two factory HK magazines.
Finally, on the last magazine that I'd loaded with 115gr, it locked back like it should on the last shot. At that point I ran out of 115 and started using my box of Federal 124gr, where it continued to lock back just fine. It's next trip to the range will be interesting, I'll make sure to take a mix of ammo for it.

ETA if I insert an empty mag and rack it manually it locks back fine every time, I don't think it's the (HK) mags.

Posted: 3/1/2022 10:55:25 AM EDT

[#39]

I just got a VP9 Tactical on Saturday and shot 115/124/147 unsurpassed and suppressed with all of those grains with no issues at all. From 7-12yrds at the range I could not tell much difference in POI either. The gun shoots extremely well as expected.

Posted: 3/2/2022 12:20:51 AM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've never had any issues with ammo in my VP9s. Several thousand rounds of 115-gr downrange without a single malfunction. Until two weeks ago....

I just had an issue in a class running a freshly-modified VP9.

In fairness, I didn't even remember acquiring this ammo. 115-grain ball, mixed brass. Obviously reloads.

Pistol in question is a modified VP9 with an RMR, but with material removed from the slide to make it the EXACT weight (to the nearest gram) of a stock VP9.

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/145716/Screenshot_20210126-092624_Imgur_jpg-1919480.JPG

Started the class, first 5 shots were no problem. And then it started. EVERY string of fire - failure to feed, failure to eject, something. Couldn't get through a single string without a choke. Meanwhile, my daughter is running her G17 with the same ammo and no issues.

After about 7 courses of fire, I switched to factory ammo - but also 115-grain ball. Not a single malfunction the rest of the class. YMMV

ETA: The main reason I bought this up is because I had an apples-to-apples comparison with my daughter's Glock. Same ammo, same strings of fire, same class, same conditions. Her Glock didn't malfunction once.

View Quote

You mentioned you have several thousand rounds through the gun. Have you changed the recoil spring? Pretty sure the manual says change it every 5k rds. Same with a glock. Although I usually don’t change polymer guns until every 10k, I change my 2011 springs every 5k.

Posted: 3/2/2022 12:28:13 AM EDT

[#41]

I've shot that garbage aluminum 115gr from walmart through mine as well as other 115gr ammo. Never had a single hiccup

Posted: 3/7/2022 7:52:24 AM EDT

[#42]

Quote History

Quoted:

This. A buddy with one mentioned HK changed to the 40 spring after a while. Wouldn't be surprised if HK changed it back.

Never had a problem with 115, and mine is a VP9T, just the earlier edition that still has the 9 spring, AFAIK.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I think this started back when the VP9T came out and they used the heavier a recoil spring from the 40 in the 9. HK sent me the heavier spring and suggested I leave the slide locked opened for about a week as well as shoot a couple hundred rounds of 124gr through it to break in the spring. Nothing was wrong with the original set up I had so I never changed it out.

This. A buddy with one mentioned HK changed to the 40 spring after a while. Wouldn't be surprised if HK changed it back.

Never had a problem with 115, and mine is a VP9T, just the earlier edition that still has the 9 spring, AFAIK.

I just bought a VP9T OR (Well 2, actually, because I tend towards a 2-is-1-1-is-none philosophy with guns). Is there a dead give away as to what spring type is installed, & is it really necessary to keep the slide locked open for a week?

Posted: 3/21/2022 8:59:37 AM EDT

[#43]

When my VP9 OR was brand new, I had a few malfunctions with 115, switched to 124 for about 100 rounds or so and it ran smoothly after that with either type of ammo.

Posted: 3/23/2022 10:08:35 AM EDT

[#44]

Have 5 VP9s of various types.

My latest VP9TOR was a jam-o-matic (first ever after 15+ HKs) for about 200rds using ANY rounds (115s,124s,147s).

Then magically, not kidding, it runs anything n everything now. I was honestly contemplating sending the thing back after burning through many boxes of jams.

I still have some slight anxiety with that gun, so I’m purposely doing mag dumps with it now trying to get it to hiccup and it hasn’t.

We’ll see.

Every single other HK I own has just ran and ran out of the box, suppressed/unsuppressed.

Posted: 3/29/2022 12:58:55 AM EDT

[#45]

Quote History

Quoted:

I just bought a VP9T OR (Well 2, actually, because I tend towards a 2-is-1-1-is-none philosophy with guns). Is there a dead give away as to what spring type is installed, & is it really necessary to keep the slide locked open for a week?

View Quote

Probably, and it's probably something simple like a color on the spring - like white vs red vs metal color, IIRC used at some point by HK - but I don't remember.

I'd see what it runs and what it doesn't, then look for replacement springs or different ammo as necessary. A week's slide lock may or may not actually do anything anyway, sort of like leaving mags loaded.

Might also be worth considering what the issue in the cycle of operations is and if there's an issue related to any other component of the gun/ammo. Say, stepped chamber interfering with feeding/chambering or extracting.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - VP9 and 124gr 'requirement'

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