The VP9CC is the latest model in the Heckler & Koch lineup. I got my hands on the new German-made micro-compact to review, and it didn’t disappoint. If you’re a fan of the VP9, like most everyone, I think, then you’ll be happy with the design of the new VP9CC.
From a safety standpoint, the new handgun retains all the same features as the VP9, including the multi-axis safety system built into the gun. If you know anything about H&K, you also know that they don’t mass-produce a gun without putting it through its paces. The new micro-compact underwent testing to NATO AC/225 specifications and exceeded all expectations. Let me walk you through all the features of the new H&K handgun.
Six Interchangeable Backstraps
Heckler & Koch did not skimp on the total package for the new pistol. The custom H&K-branded pistol bag includes six interchangeable backstraps, more than most other handguns on the market, to ensure you can get the exact grip you want on the VP9CC. The backstrap plays an important role in how you grip any handgun. If the backstrap is too elongated, it can prevent smaller-handed shooters from reaching the trigger.
If the backstrap is too thin, it can give you “too much” trigger finger, where you’re having to curl your trigger finger uncomfortably outward to make a proper trigger pull. If shooting fundamentals have taught me anything, it is that building a good grip is the foundation of pistol shooting. If the backstrap makes or breaks a good grip, then you need the right one for your hand size.
Red Dot Ready
Heckler & Koch knows all handguns need to come optic-ready from the factory, and they have been listening to customers for years. So much so that their proprietary optics mounting system allows an optic to sit more than 40 percent lower on the slide than with a standard adapter plate. The height of the optic might not seem like a big deal to most, but it can make a big difference in how quickly you acquire your red dot when shooting and how easy it is to pick the dot back up after recoil.
If you’ve been shooting iron sights for years, mounting a tall red dot optic or one that sits up higher is going to completely change your point of aim and the height at which you bring the gun up to shoot. I recommend daily dry-fire practice drawing and bringing the gun up on target to get used to finding the red dot and aiming with it. The deeper cut into the slide on the VP9CC lowers the optic height, giving you as close to a natural point of aim as you’re used to.
Holosun EPS Carry
All my concealed-carry handguns are equipped with the EPS Carry or the new EPS CORE optics from Holosun. I mounted the EPS Carry green multi-reticle system on the VP9CC because it is compatible with the RMSc footprint the gun accepts. This optic does have an enclosed reticle, so the emitter is sealed and protected from dust, moisture, and debris.
The EPS Carry has solar backup support and Shake Awake technology that keeps the optic off when not in use, yet wakes when there’s movement. The battery compartment is on the side of the optic, so when it’s time to replace the CR1620 battery, you don’t have to remove the optic. Other versions of this optic include red and green reticle options, as well as set reticles such as the 2 MOA dot only or 6 MOA dot only.
Co-Witness Iron Sights
The VP9CC comes with a black serrated rear sight and a tritium front sight. A small detail worth noting is that when you mount a red dot optic to the handgun, you don’t lose the rear sight. Some handguns require a sacrifice of the rear sight when you remove the placeholder plate on the slide, but the VP9 does not. The iron sights are also tall enough that with most red dot optics, you can co-witness through the optic window.
Charging Supports
A small but powerful addition to the VP9CC is charging supports located on the sides of the slide below the rear sight. These are designed to give shooters a better grip on the slide to pull back and charge or load the firearm. As a firearm instructor, one of the biggest issues I see from students is the lack of grip strength to charge their handgun.
I teach them the C-clamp method and how to bring the pistol into their workspace to have more strength to rack the slide. Unfortunately, every gun owner has to learn to rack the slide, so these charging supports can add grip support and texture to help them do so.
Ambidextrous Slide & Magazine Releases
The ambidextrous slide and magazine releases support right- and left-handed shooters. The Heckler & Koch signature magazine release is a paddle release located on the underside of the trigger guard where it meets the grip. I teach shooters two different ways to unload magazines with this style of magazine release. The first method is to use your trigger finger to press down on the magazine release while somewhat tilting the gun to the side.
The second method, and the one I use, is to use your middle finger on your dominant hand to push down on the release while simultaneously straightening your trigger finger outside of the trigger guard. This is the safest method I’ve found, as it avoids the trigger completely, whereas using your trigger finger can be a little more dangerous if you don’t train often with the paddle release.
Picatinny Rail
The VP9CC is equipped with a Picatinny Rail for light and laser use. You will need a shorter, more compact light option, as it isn’t a very long rail, but it is compatible with an attachment.
VP9CC vs. CC9?
I’ve gotten a lot of questions from friends and family about the difference between the VP9CC and the CC9 handgun. While the guns aren’t dramatically different, it’s like comparing an apple to an orange. It comes down to a personal preference for what handgun feels better to you, both ergonomically and when it comes to recoil management. I personally like the CC9’s size and ergonomics over the VP9CC, but my friend TC prefers the VP9CC.
The CC9 has one fewer Picatinny rail slot, a magazine release button instead of a paddle, slight finger grooves in the grip compared to the VP9CC’s straight design, and shorter iron sights. The CC9 has the same capacity, internal safety design, and trigger, and it’s also optic-ready. It’s completely a personal decision of what feels better to you if you were trying to choose one gun over the other.
12-Round Capacity
The H&K VP9CC has a 12-round capacity and also ships with a 10-round flush-fit magazine. That gives you 13 or 11 rounds in the gun if you top off your magazine after loading one into the chamber. For a micro-compact-sized handgun, that’s a very generous capacity.
The other benefit of the 12-round magazine is the added grip length. For those with larger hands, the 12-round magazine improves ergonomics and is how I prefer to shoot the gun. The 10-round magazine is still necessary as a backup magazine or for those with smaller hands who still get a full grip on the gun without the added length.
The magazine on the left is the CC9 magazine holding 12 rounds, compared to the VP9CC, which has the same 12-round capacity.
We get two paragraphs about backstraps but we don’t get told that the MSRP is $1399. I guess you didn’t think that was relevant. Not a word about the trigger weight or feel. You may be an excellent instructor but your reviews need work.
Every review should end with a spec list (and price).
H&K triggers tend to be really good unless you go for a lem (or some obscure stuff) model. Price wise………yeah not great but the magazines tend to be even more out of sorts with competitive models (besides sig). But when most of the complaints are either about price or inane nitpicking it does have a place especially if you tend to use ammo on the hotter end (would need to see with these newer ones but vp9sk handled anything bb or underwood).
It’s not cheap, but that includes the optic and is pretty in-line with newly released HK guns.
Leave it to HK to make something great but so unaffordable… I can buy a blue label Glock with Coa $885..
MAKE ONE WITH THE COA or the A cut and we may talk