Introducing the VP9 A1 Pistols From HK – VP9F & VP9K

We are excited to be among the first to bring to you news from Heckler & Koch and its U.S.-based operation HK USA. For the first time ever they have released not one but TWO new pistols at the same time. These are known as the VP9 A1 series of guns with a slew of new features and updates to the now decade-old VP9 lineup. These two new guns are available in two models known as the VP9F and VP9K.

The VP9F and VP9K

The VP9F is a duty-appropriate full-sized handgun, and the VP9K is a slightly smaller option suitable for mid-sized concealed carry, but it could work in duty applications as well. Both pistols are chambered in 9mm and are optics ready which is what I think makes sense in today’s world. Even if you’re not going to put an optic on your new VP9 A1 pistol, it’s not a big deal to just leave the optic cut filler plate installed. The aesthetics of it are a minor inconvenience, if that. Let’s go over the new and updated features.

VP9F Specifications

The VP9F is a full-size pistol with a full-length grip capable of using 17-round magazines. The barrel length is 4.5 inches, sandwiched almost perfectly between the current VP9 and VP9L models. All other dimensions are the same as on the original VP9 with the exception that the new slide release controls add 0.07″ to the overall width, hardly noticeable since the slide and frame are still exactly the same width. It ships (for non-restrictive states) with one 17-round and one 20-round magazine.

VP9K Specifications

The VP9K is the more unique of the two new pistols since it represents a whole new category in frame size for Heckler & Koch. It sports a mid-length grip which supports an all new 15-round magazine. The barrel length matches original VP9 measurements of 4.09 inches. The other dimensions are like the VP9F except that the overall height of the gun (from bottom of the grip to the top of the slide) comes in at 4.73 inches. It ships (for non-restrictive states) with two 15-round magazines.

Grooveless Frontstrap Grip Plus More Backstrap Options

HK pistols have been known for their excellent ergonomics and fitment of the grip to the shooter’s hand. They are well regarded for the myriad of combinations that can be made using the interchangeable backstraps and side panels. 27 unique combinations has now been updated to 54 unique options through the addition of additional backstraps that not only change the size but increase the length of pull as well.

But the other main change here is that HK has deleted the finger grooves on the frontstrap. Many people love them. Many do not. And that’s the problem. If your particular hand size happens to line up with the grooves, you will probably love them. If your hand is smaller or bigger, then you just might not care for them as your fingers may land on the “hills” instead of in the “valleys” of the grooves.

Now the frontstrap is straight, and to be honest with you, I didn’t even notice. I think this is a win for the updated design because I see no downside to the grooveless option.

Flared Magazine Well

Depending on your use case, you may not spend a lot of time conducting reloads and magazine exchanges on your pistol. But who doesn’t love a magazine opening that makes it easier to insert a fresh mag??

The new magwell on the VP9F and VP9K is flared. It is noticeably larger, and it is ridiculously smooth. Reloads are a cinch.

I spent just a few minutes working on reloads the other day, and it was amazing at how easy they were! I didn’t flub a single reload with either of these two new guns. And I look forward to not chewing up the bottom of my grips like I have with my non-A1 VP9 pistols.

Improved “Broken-in” Trigger

I sent a couple of my older VP9 pistols over to Bruce Gray and his team at Grayguns a while back to work over my triggers for competition use. Head Gunsmith Keith Hosey did the work, and he did a fantastic job. They came back lighter, crisper, and noticeably smoother from the factory trigger.

Now the VP9 A1 pistols come from the factory with an improved nickel-teflon coated trigger bar which removes a lot of the pre-travel friction that the triggers used to have. On older VP9s, some people would comment about how their triggers finally broke in after thousands of rounds, but now it’s like the factory trigger comes already broken-in. HK took an already great trigger and made it better.

Better Interface With Controls

This is a simple but surprisingly beneficial improvement to me. The VP9F and VP9K pistols added some serrations in multiple spots on the control surfaces of the gun.

The ambidextrous slide release is slightly more pronounced and has more aggressive serrations on both sides. These make using it so much easier for locking the slide back when you want to or even using it to the release the slide if that’s your preferred method of operation.

The magazine release paddles have had a subtle serration texture added to the surface as well. Magazine changes are more sure now with zero concern for your finger or thumb slipping off the paddle during the release of a mag.

The slide serrations have gone through an update with more of them at the front and the back of the slide with the raised portions having more “bite” into the hand when racking the slide. I noticed this right away upon picking up the guns for the first time as racking the slide took less effort.

The magazine base pads have had a serrated scallop to them to facilitate grabbing them or stripping them out of the gun should it become necessary at any time. The new magazines are still compatible with older guns, and the older magazines are compatible with the A1 series as well.

And a serrated texture “pad” as been added as an index point for the trigger finger to quickly and consistently locate when your finger isn’t (and shouldn’t) be on the trigger when you’re not shooting. It’s a small thing, but it is appreciated by many shooters.

Things I Wish For…

All of the above upgrades are winners in my book. HK has stated that they set out with these new A1 pistols to enhance the connection between the shooter and the pistol. I like how that is described, and I agree that each of these enhancements do just that…improve the connection between the user and the gun.

But not every gun can make every owner happy. There’s always a wishlist of features or options that we would like to see. And I speak this as a brand ambassador for HK, and I’m thankful that they encourage us to speak freely about their products. I shoot these guns because I feel they are the best pistols on the market for me to use for carry, duty, and competition shooting as well.

So what do I wish this latest A1 release had accomplished?

1. Immediate “B-model” support. What is that? The B-model VP9’s have a push button instead of the paddle magazine release. I can hear the blood boiling in the HK purists around the world at just the mere mention of this. But the fact is, I like a push button release. For me it’s just easier to use, and it’s what I’ve known for all of my life. It keeps the manual of arms much simpler in a country where most firearms use a push button release. All of my current VP9s I shoot, carry, and compete with have a “B” mag release.
2. More aggressive grip texture. The current VP9 texture isn’t bad, but it could be a lot more grippy. Something akin to the texture on the recently released HK-USA CC9 micro compact would have been an excellent option.

That’s about it. I love these new pistols, the VP9F and VP9K. Offer those two wishlist items, and these would be absolutely perfect in my opinion. I am told a B-model will be available at some point for the A1 series which is really exciting.

As for the grip texture, I will just have to look to Grayguns and Taylor Freelance for aftermarket grip panels and backstraps which I have been using for a while on my current VP9 pistols, and they are fantastic. I was involved in the development of the brass side panels, and I’m proud to see those have come to market recently. They are an excellent addition to any VP9 pistol.

Holster Fit

The slight dimensional changes to the controls and frame of the VP9 A1 pistols should not be enough to cause fitment issues for already existing holsters for the VP9. But it is possible that some holsters could have some fitment challenges.

I can speak with certainty about the holsters from KSG Armory as I’ve tested the VP9 A1s with the Lexington holster model. They fit perfectly together, and the Lexington holster is all I use these days.

Availability

The new VP9F and VP9K should be available at a gun store near you during the week of or shortly after SHOT Show 2025. So the latter part of the month of January you should be able to pick one up!

Sound off below in the comments! What do you think about these new pistols from HK? What did they hit out of the park? What would you like to see different?