My wife is only about five feet tall and has small hands. I’ve been looking for a small, lightweight 9mm handgun for her for quite a while, but every one we tried out was either too heavy or the grip was too large (or both). Then, a few weeks ago, a friend told me about the Heckler & Koch VP9SK, so I decided to check it out at my local gun shop. Long story short, it was the perfect fit for Judy for several reasons, and she loves it!

Here are all the pertinent details from the H&K website:

“This eagerly anticipated subcompact model of the acclaimed Heckler & Koch VP Series handgun has all of the sought-after characteristics of larger-frame VP pistols but in a more concealable design. The highly-rated HK VP precision-strike trigger is also found on the VP9SK. The VP trigger surpasses those found on competitors. It has a short, light take-up with a solid, single-action type break, followed by a short positive reset. The net result is trigger quality unmatched in production striker-fired pistols.

A small-scale interpretation of the completely adjustable VP grip feature—consisting of interchangeable backstraps and lateral grip panels—is replicated in the compact grip frame of the VP9SK. This allows the pistol to be easily modified to fit any individual user and is a feature found only on Heckler & Koch handguns. Molded finger grooves in the front of the pistol’s grip also instinctively position an operator’s hand for optimal shooting.

The VP9SK has the features of the latest, state-of-the-art handgun. All controls are completely ambidextrous. Slide releases are present on both sides of the frame, and the paddle-style magazine release can be easily activated by left- or right-handed shooters.

Heckler & Koch VP9SKHK’s patented charging supports, found on full-size VP pistols, are also present on the VP9SK. The charging supports are simple components that are mounted on each side of the rear of the slide and provide better gripping leverage for racking the slide rearward. The charging supports speed reloading and make operating the VP easier for shooters with reduced hand strength.

VP9SK pistols can use a variety of proven HK magazines, including compact, double-stack, 10-round flat floor, 13/15-round extended magazines for a more ergonomic grip. VP9SK handguns also have an abbreviated Picatinny MIL-STD-1913 rail molded into their polymer frame for mounting lights and accessories. In addition, the VP9SK uses a proprietary captive flat-recoil spring that helps reduce the recoil forces affecting the operator and the handgun, improving shooter control during rapid firing and prolonging component life span.

HK’s famous cold hammer forged barrel—made from cannon grade steel—ensures a long service life. Similar HK barrels on 9mm P30 models have fired more than 90,000 rounds in endurance tests in 2010. The polygonal bore profile, with no traditional lands-and-grooves rifling, contributes to longer service life as well as a slight increase in muzzle velocity.

The VP9SK’s machined steel slide is protected from corrosion and wear by HK’s hostile environment finish and all-metal components, including springs and pins that have superior metallurgy.

Despite its small size, the VP9SK subcompact has excellent weight and balance, making it naturally pointable, easy to control, and accurate to shoot. VP9SK pistols are made in Heckler & Koch’s Oberndorf factory in southwest Germany and are well suited for civilian sport shooting, security, military, and law enforcement use.

A high quality and well-engineered design, the VP9SK possesses all the features and long-term durability that make HK products especially cost effective when subjected to total life cycle cost analysis. And like full-size VP pistols, the VP9SK is value priced at $719 (MSRP).”

My wife and I are going to the practice range this weekend, so I’ll get to try out the H&K VP9SK for myself—if Judy will let me get my hands on it!

~By Kent Huffman
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Kent Huffman is the Editor-in-Chief for Wildlife Enthusiast Magazine. Kent is an avid fisherman, hunter, and wildlife conservationist. He also serves his clients as a fractional Chief Marketing Officer, specializing in building successful brands, creating unique customer experiences, constructing proprietary “marketing machines,” and driving profitable growth. Kent has won numerous awards and honors from Forbes, Adweek, CEO World Magazine, Brand Quarterly Magazine, Social Media Marketing Magazine, the CMO Club, TCU’s Neeley School of Business, and the World Marketing Congress for his accomplishments as a marketer.