Several people have asked my opinion on home protection and concealed carry choice of pistols and caliber of pistols. This is a very difficult question to answer because everyone is different. Hand size has a great impact on your choice of weapon and your physical stature is important. I am going to do comparison tests on my guns and grade them on the following criteria. (1) Reliability- If a gun is not reliable, it would be an occasional range gun or, for home protection, a paper weight. (2) Trigger- smooth trigger with a good reset is extremely important for accuracy. (3) Grip- If the pistol does not feel right, you will not enjoy the shooting experience. (4) Finish- It is important for a gun to have a good lasting finish. Guns will last for generations unless they are junk. (5) Price- Important, but value is more important. Reading reviews and testing pistols will help your decision making process. (6) Accuracy- The reason that accuracy is not as important in my testing process is that I am not testing pistols for hitting the bullseye, but on hitting the kill zone at 25-30 feet. In a self defense situation, you will be relying on your reflexes, and practicing point and shoot. I am not listing manufactures as part of my criteria because, in this competitive environment, they all bend over backwards to make a customer happy. I am going to start comparing striker fired 9MM full size and compacts for home protection. Next will be hammer fired 9MM and, hopefully I will be able to pick a favorite 9MM pistol. I will do the same for 45 ACP and 40 calibers. Next will be my evaluation for concealed carry, AR15s, and 308 rifles. I hope experienced gun owners will have comments and that prospective gun owners have questions. This should be fun, because I only have one gun that I absolutely hate and the rest of them I really like.
9MM Striker Fired Pistol Comparison
Walther PPQ versus HK VP9
Reliability: I have never had a misfire with either pistol and, the reputation of each pistol deserves a 10.0.
Trigger: Another tough call! The PPQ 9.7- VP9-9.7!
Grip: Both grips are excellent! PPQ 9.5 and the Vp9-9.5. Too close to call!
Finish: Very Close! I have to give the edge to the VP9. VP9-9.5- PPQ 9.2
Price: Average sale price-PPQ $599.00- VP9 $579.00 There is a $100.00 rebate on the PPQ through September 15Th. Temporary advantage PPQ – Score 9.4- VP9 9.0- After September 15th –VP9 9.0 PPQ 8.9
Sights: The PPQ sights are good, but the VP9 sights are steel and excellent. VP9-9.3 PPQ 8.3
Accuracy: My accuracy test was at 30 feet. The PPQ and the VP9 have 15 round magazines. I fired the PPQ first and alternated the VP9, then the PPQ, and last the VP9. I took a second or two to acquire a sight picture, and then I shot rapid fire. The first 15 rounds with each pistol, I aimed at body mass. The next 15 with each pistol, I shot for the neck and the head to illustrate why the military and police always go for body mass. Too many misses with headshots! Accuracy results PPQ 8.5- VP9-8.9.
Total Score:
Walther PPQ HK VP9
64.6 After 09/15/2017- 64.1 65.9
The PPQ and the VP9 are excellent weapons and my opinion is how I respond to each pistol. Everyone will have their own opinion after they fire 50 rounds through any pistol. I posted the targets and two excellent video comparing the PPQ and VP9 in more detail.
Chaz:
Nice! I shoot a P99 and love the Walthers.