I love my VP9. Solid pistol, my favorite out of any I own. It fits my hand like a glove. I personally prefer the European mag release over the button and have switched my button releases to the right side of my guns so I can use my middle finger to drop the mag. The trigger is awesome straight out of the box. If I were looking to spend the money once and have a solid carry, HD and range gun it would be the VP9.

 

Canik vs HK VP compared does not compute with me. Developed a twitch. 😂😂

 

I get that, and if not for the reasons mentioned wouldn’t be considering it.

 

Greetings. I’ve been pretty set on buying a rival. I should note that I’ve done very little competition— several IDPA matches years ago. My plan has been to put a good optic on it, along with some backup iron night sights, to have a great home defense pistol. Secondarily Ive been wanting to take another run at competition, and figure this would be ideal for that, and not too expensive compared to what some others are shooting. I sold a pistol a while back so wouldn’t need a ton of money out of pocket.

However, I just noticed that HK now sells pistols with button mag releases, and they
currently giving away extra mags. The Tactical also come w suppressor height night sights, meaning I wouldn’t need to swap those out, effectively making the cost between the two comparable.

I realize many don’t like the idea of buying from Turkey, but I don’t personally care. I also realize Canik customer service leaves something to be desired Compared to HK. The attraction to the Canik is the phenomenal trigger, and that it could share mags w my Mete SF.

Thoughts?

They've had button release models for a long time. (edit - since late 2018).

You can't go wrong with the VP9. My favorite among my polymer guns.

 

Caniks are decent pistols, but the HK is better. No HK ****.

 

Is this a joke?

Can’t be serious.

Let’s see…an HK vs a Turkey. Hmm…

 

I expected some flack for this no doubt. However, Ive been asking myself what specifically makes the HK better? I understand the track record and customer service, but how is the pistol itself better?

 

Better quality springs. Better overall fitting and QC. Canik’s aren’t bad pistols but they aren’t HK.
Button vs paddle: I bought my VP9 thinking maybe I’ll get used to the paddle release. I quickly found that was one of the things I liked about the VP9.

 

I realize many don’t like the idea of buying from Turkey, but I don’t personally care. I also realize Canik customer service leaves something to be desired Compared to HK. The attraction to the Canik is the phenomenal trigger, and that it could share mags w my Mete SF.

Thoughts?

If you want German engineering, a phenomenal trigger and Canik magazine compatibility...try a Walther PDP. I've got both a PDP and a couple of VP9's (one OR, one non-OR)...and while I love the VP9, the PDP is a step above in terms of being able to make more accurate hits faster (at least for me). And TP9 magazines interchange (some report they won't lock the slide on an empty magazine...I haven't had that issue).

 

If you want German engineering, a phenomenal trigger and Canik magazine compatibility...try a Walther PDP. I've got both a PDP and a couple of VP9's (one OR, one non-OR)...and while I love the VP9, the PDP is a step above in terms of being able to make more accurate hits faster (at least for me). And TP9 magazines interchange (some report they won't lock the slide on an empty magazine...I haven't had that issue).

I have fondled them several times and really don’t like the look or feel. Haven’t ruled it out completely but really not feeling it.

 

Comparing a VP9 to anything Turkish is like comparing a Mercedes to a postal van. Turkish stuff is junk, stick to 1st world engineering.

 

Greetings. I’ve been pretty set on buying a rival. I should note that I’ve done very little competition— several IDPA matches years ago. My plan has been to put a good optic on it, along with some backup iron night sights, to have a great home defense pistol. Secondarily Ive been wanting to take another run at competition, and figure this would be ideal for that, and not too expensive compared to what some others are shooting. I sold a pistol a while back so wouldn’t need a ton of money out of pocket.

However, I just noticed that HK now sells pistols with button mag releases, and they
currently giving away extra mags. The Tactical also come w suppressor height night sights, meaning I wouldn’t need to swap those out, effectively making the cost between the two comparable.

I realize many don’t like the idea of buying from Turkey, but I don’t personally care. I also realize Canik customer service leaves something to be desired Compared to HK. The attraction to the Canik is the phenomenal trigger, and that it could share mags w my Mete SF.

Thoughts?

Walther pdp has a very similar trigger and with literally a few bucks in springs it’s better and you will have phenomenal customer service in comparison.

 

But is it better than a VP9 with a spring kit? No.

 

I'm on my 3rd VP9. It's the Tactical model that I've modified & also run suppressed. The other 2 were regular VP9 & VP9SK.
I've also owned several Caniks including a Rival-S. Sold all the Caniks & kept VP9

Rival-S just too heavy for me to enjoy shooting more than a couple mags in succession.

TP9 SC replaced by XD-M Elite as I shoot the XD better.

VP9T is fun to shoot & not heavy

 

Rival-S just too heavy for me to enjoy shooting more than a couple mags in succession.

I guess you’re too used to light plastic pistols. The Rival S is actually not bad from a weight standpoint. It’s maybe an ounce or two more than a 1911, but a few ounces less than a popular pistol like the CZ Shadow 2.

I enjoy heavy pistols, but to each their own. I will say all the best shooting and most accurate pistols built today are steel and heavy. That’s just the way it works.

 

thank— Rival S can be had at sportsman’s for $850 if you can time it right. Not a huge difference but not wanting an S2 for other reasons as well.

Cz shadow 2 are available for $948 shipped right now. I would definitely buy the shadow 2 for $100 more than a rival s just due to aftermarket support.

 

But I want an OR model— The cheapest I’ve seen those for is $1200. Then there’s the fact that I want backup iron night sights (at least the front). I know some disagree w this, but Im set on them. I’ve looked and can’t find them for an S2 (after all, it’s a race gun). After those two hurdles, there’s the fact that Im a lefty and it doesn’t have a slide release for me. Finally, I’m not a big fan of DA/ SA.

Overall I have no doubt it’s a great gun, and sexy as hell, but not sure it’s for me.

 

I've been really wanting a poly rival or walther pdp with a trigger upgrade. Those triggers are amazing.

 

Which pistol do you shoot best? I have not shot the Canik you’re considering so I can’t give you input on that particular gun. I have shot the VP9 and H&K did a good job on that gun and trigger. I appreciate a good trigger but it is not the only determining factor for me in a decision to buy a gun. I own other H&Ks and their triggers leave a lot to be desired but their guns are great shooters and well made. I have only had one warranty issue over the years with an H&K and they took care of it w/o any problem. Depending on how you shoot both and if all is equal to you then go with your inclination. If it were me and it was all equal in all regards I would go with the pistol I shoot the best… especially if I were going to shoot it competitively. Good luck with your decision.

 

I haven’t shot the exact model I want, but my Mete SF w a flat trigger shoots better for me than anything else I’ve ever shot. This includes both PPQs Ive owned years ago (stock triggers) and all the glocks I have far more experience shooting.

Similar awesome shooting experience w the Canik CE I rented a while back.

I may need to go rent an HK. As you mentioned there’s more to consider than just the trigger, but clearly I’m biased towards these cheap Turkish pistols.

 

However, I just noticed that HK now sells pistols with button mag releases, and they
currently giving away extra mags. The Tactical also come w suppressor height night sights, meaning I wouldn’t need to swap those out, effectively making the cost between the two comparable.

 

i have shot two of the 3 and have to admit these weapons are really good. I still want a CZ shadow but that is not yet. I admit the Canik was more off reading about them and figured try it. For the money it is a great pistol. I have had not issues and love it. I was very surprised and impressed. It shoots very accurate. The steel is more mild mannered but poly works awesome also.
The finish is not as nice as an HK but the rest holds well against any. By the way Canik is starting to win many national matches. CZ ruled the world but things are changing.

 

Some clarification is needed in here.

The VP9 rebate is for non optic only. OP said optics.

There is no upgrades for the VP9 trigger. There are parts to "fix" stuff, but there is no Grey Guns kit or the like.

 

Re the rebate, are we talking about the magapalooza deal? I ask as the web page has a pistol w an optic on it. I tried pasting the link but having iPad issues.
Good to know about the trigger 👌

 

I was totally wrong. Sorry.

HK has run 3 VP9 rebates in the last 3 months, so I got confused. The newest is any full size.

However, make sure you check the HKstore for what that $200 is worth. HK store prices on stuff is significant compared to what gun.deals can find a mag for you.

Still, there are not improvement parts for the HK VP9. You pretty much getting what you get. The VP9 is nice, but competition as spoken...the VP9 doesn't make the pick. Just because the P320 dominates, doesn't make it better of course.

Someone suggested the PDP. If you can live with the huge slide, you can get a Pro with the Dynamic trigger already in for cheaper than a optic ready VP9. Also, the spring that makes the PDP go to 3lbs costs $4 and is independent of the Dynamic trigger.

Meh. I was totally wrong. Sorry.

 

No worries at all, I appreciate the trigger info.

 

As another poster noted. when I got my VP9, I looked at the mag release skeptically and wondered if I would get used to it. After having it, I wish there was a way to convert my non-H&K handguns to having a paddle release. If Glock offered a paddle release, I would pay a bit more to have it. I quickly learned to really like it. And that is not what I expected to happen.

 

thanks.

Im a former PPQ owner(2). One paddle, which I sold when the button came out. I’m also a lefty. What I discovered was that I like using the middle finger on my left hand to hit the mag release. I think due to placement this won’t work on all pistols, so I simply stay away from them.

 

For sure the Walther M1 is better from the gen2 P99 and on. The longer is just so nice. Common upgrade to the HK P2000 to put a longer paddle, but it's still not even half the length of the Walther.

If you do think about a VP9 and come across the idea of putting in a Lone Wolf trigger (F2/F3), do yourself a favor and look at Reddit. It's known that HK Pro deletes negative posts about vendor sponsors. A good sign that this is a problem, HKParts sells many versions of the dingus separately. Something like this from first google search:

I don't seek it out, but it was certainly my first time ever seeing a trigger dingus sold as a separate unit from an after market trigger. Odd at best...

I am not against the VP9. Just know what you're going into for sure.

 

I really appreciate that, thanks!

 

VP9 is one of the best shooting handguns I own but before you settle, make sure the grip fits your hand. That's the only complaint I've ever heard, when people have XL hands and the grip doesn't work for them.

Paddle mag release is also really nice and you'll adjust to it very quickly. I honestly prefer it over the button mag release.

 

The nudge from a few people for the S2 has caught my attention. Does anyone know of a place that sells backup iron night sights for them? I highly doubt it but thought it worth asking. Keep in mind that this will be home defense first, competition second. I’ve also really liked the idea of competing w a regular carry/ HD gun.

 

HK fanboys are snobs. Get a Canik.

 

It does.

Same issue with my P2000. I absolutely am muscle trained on the Walther release. I tend to not to give my P2000 release heaven and earth force to get it to drop