Heckler & Koch VP9 75th Anniversary Set 9mm 17+1 New in Box
Description:
The VP9 is effectively the frame of the famous P30 mated to an advanced striker fired design which uses a modified Browning system combined with an optimal precision strike trigger control system. The ergonomics of the VP9 are a high mark for pistols of the modern era having been designed to fit the human hand perfectly. Features of this grip include a frame with interchangeable backstraps and lateral side plates allowing the VP9 to be adapted to any hand size. Like the previous P30 pistol and unlike older H&K pistols, the VP9 utilizes a modern picatinny rail on the frame for mounting lights and accessories, providing the buyer with a wider range of options than before. The VP9 also features an ambidextrous slide stop and ambidextrous magazine release lever. Barrel length is a respectable 4.09 inches. Like the P30, the VP9’s barrel uses polygonal rifling for the same reasons that Glock Gens 1 through 4 pistols do – the polygonal bore effectively seals propellant gases behind the bullet, increasing bullet velocity. A polygonal barrel can also outlast a conventionally rifled barrel by thousands of rounds. One other nice feature of the VP9 is that the extractor doubles as a loaded chamber indicator. This is useful for safety reasons. While the early VP9’s shipped with 15-round magazines, newer versions are shipped with 17-round magazines.
The two examples shown here form the 75th Anniversary Set, commemorating the 75 years that H&K has been in business. Curiously, each pistol has a specific SKU and UPC code, rather than a single SKU and UPC code for the whole set. This is odd simply because these special pistols are only sold as part of the 75th Anniversary Set – they are not sold separately. Each pistol sports a slide with a special custom Cerakote finish: One has the famous Flecktarn camo pattern (used by the German Bundeswehr since 1990), the other the Wustentarn camo used by the Bundeswehr on operations in the Middle East. Now, you might have noticed that I just used the term “Wustentarn” instead of the expected “Tropentarn.” There is a card inside the box, from CGC Gunworks (the company that did the cerakoting work) that states that Tropentarn used to be known as Wustentarn. This is incorrect. Tropentarn is a 5-color Flecktarn-type camouflage pattern consisting of dark green, grey-green, red brown and black placed over a light green or tan base. By comparison, the actual Flecktarn is also has 5 colors, but has a different visual pattern and uses a rust brown that is distinctive from the red brown present in the Tropentarn camo. Wustentarn, on the other hand, is a three-color desert camouflage consisting of dark green and rust brown on a desert tan base. While I generally try not to use Wikipedia as a source, the Flecktarn article has good picture that illustrates the three different uniform patterns. There are two soldiers in the forefront, the one on the left wearing the Tropentarn camo, the one on the right the Wustentarn. The soldier in the background (center) is wearing the Flecktarn camo. Obviously, the cerakote finish of the second pistol is based on the uniform on the right, not the left. Nonetheless, the 75th Anniversary Set represents an important milestone for H&K. For over 75 years, H&K has been producing some of the best firearms on the planet. It will be interesting to see what they come up with for their 100th Anniversary. These two pistols come with a spare 17-round magazine each (total of four) and two sets of alternate backstrap and side plates. There is also a very nice challenge coin for the 75th Anniversary.
Handgun Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum (9mm Luger, 9x19mm NATO)
Manufacturer:
Heckler & Koch
Model:
VP9 75th Anniversary Set
Serial Number:
224-413687 and 224-418252
Barrel Length:
4.09 inches (104 mm)
Bore Info:
Polygonal rifling, 6 grooves, 1:9.8 inches (1 in 250 mm) RH twist
Ejectors:
Auto-ejection
Condition:
New in Box
Barrels:
Cannon-Grade, Cold hammer-forged steel
Barrel Type:
Tilting
Action:
Browning type, modified link-less locking system.
Triggers:
5.4 lbs.
Stock:
Glass-filled Nylon Frame with interchangeable backstrap inserts and lateral plates
Fore End:
Picatinny type rail
LOP:
0.24 inches (6 mm) travel, 0.12 inches (3 mm) return travel
Finish:
Custom Cerakote (see description)
Sights:
Serrated u-notch rear, Luminescent dot front, Sight Radius 6.38 inches (162 mm)
Extras:
See description
Case:
H&K double pistol case
Price:
$2,149.95