HK VP9CC Review: Heckler & Koch’s Long-Awaited Micro-Compact Arrives

The cries of the Heckler & Koch faithful have been heard and answered. The long-awaited HK VP9CC is finally here.

Several years ago, HK-Obendorf teased the micro-compact VP9 at several European trade shows. This stirred a great deal of interest and excited the American commercial market. For those comparing HK’s concealed-carry options, the VP9CC joins the CC9, another micro-compact 9mm we’ve previously reviewed.

Like all of HK’s products, however, the company will not rush a product to market before it meets its exacting standards. HK-USA just released the VP9CC on April 7.

HK VP9CC Quick Takeaways

• The VP9CC produced 1.25- to 1.5-inch groups at 15 yards with no failures during our evaluation.
• The trigger on our test pistol broke cleanly at 5 pounds, 6 ounces with minimal overtravel.
• Six interchangeable backstraps and familiar VP9 controls give shooters plenty of room to tailor the pistol to their hands.
• The low-mounted optics system allows the optic to sit unusually low while keeping the iron sights visible in the lower third of the window.
• The triggerguard was our only significant ergonomic complaint, creating a friction point on the trigger finger in fewer than 30 rounds.

The VP9CC Brings VP9 DNA to a Micro-Compact 

The new VP9CC is comparable in size to other pistols in the micro-compact class. It is chambered in 9mm, measures 6.02 inches in length, 1.14 inches in width and 4.4 inches in height when using the 10-round magazine.

The 10-round magazine fits flush with the bottom of the grip, while the 12-rounder extends approximately 7/8 of an inch on the front strap and ½ inch below the heel extension on the backstrap.

HK VP9CC Specifications

Familiar VP9 Controls and a Customizable Grip

While form follows function, it is clear that the new pistol is a direct descendant of the successful VP9 family.

This is not only true of the lines and profile, but of the operating controls. The ambidextrous slide lock/release, dual paddle magazine release and patented charging supports on the rear of the slide are pure VP9.

The front and back straps feature a stippled texturing, while the side panels are left smooth. Six interchangeable backstraps ship with the pistol.

Barrel, Trigger and Sights

The barrel is 3.13 inches long and made of cold-hammerforged cannon steel.

The CC also features the same hostile environment coatings as the VP9. The firing system is a pre-cocked striker with the proven firing pin/drop safety system found on the full-size pistols.

The trigger on our test pistol broke cleanly at 5 pounds, 6 ounces with minimal overtravel. The iron sights include a plain rear notch and a Tritium-insert front sight.

HK VP9CC Optics: A Lower-Mounting System

The VP9CC is optic-ready and features a proprietary slide cut that allows compatible optics to sit more than 40% lower than with standard adapter-plate systems.

This lowers the optic’s profile while helping the factory sights co-witness through the optic. Our test pistol came equipped with the Vortex Defender-CCW Enclosed Solar, a closed-emitter optic with an aluminum housing and a side-loading battery.

It features three reticle options and 12 brightness settings, including two for night vision. The Defender-CCW Enclosed Solar is powered by a CR2032 battery that loads on the side of the optic. The iron sights sit in the lower one-third of the window.

HK VP9CC Range Test: Velocity, Accuracy and Reliability

We received our test pistol several weeks before the launch. After an initial inspection, we hit the range with several proven personal defense loads.

They included Federal HST 124 grain, Speer Gold Dot 124 grain and Hornady Critical Duty 124 grain +P.

Using my Garmin Xero C1 chronograph, we recorded an average velocity of 1,103 fps, 1,090 fps and 1,116 fps, respectively.

As expected, we had no failures during our evaluation. When shot from a bench with a bag rest, groups at 15 yards averaged between 1.25 and 1.5 inches.

The VP9CC’s One Ergonomic Miss

The only issue we had with the VP9CC concerned the triggerguard.

First, it has a very small internal diameter. The second issue was a combination of the short trigger shoe, combined with a raised ridge inside the triggerguard.

For my hands, the geometry creates a point of friction on the side of the trigger finger. In less than 30 rounds, I developed a hotspot that, under extended shooting, could turn into a blister.

Final Verdict: A Top-Tier Micro-Compact

With the exception of the triggerguard, the VP9CC’s ergonomics match, or even surpass, other micro-compacts in the market. Given the development and standards for HK pistols, I would place the new pistol at the top of its class in reliability and durability.

Hook & Barrel Bottom Line

H&B’s THE BOTTOM LINE is a rating system combined with useful commentary on the following aspects of the test gun. Each of the seven criteria gets a 1 to 5 ampersand score. Max score is 35.

• ERGOS & HANDLING: &&&
  The optional backstraps allow the shooter to fit the pistol to the hand. The operating controls mirror the full-size VP9 series. I did find ergonomic concerns with the size of the triggerguard and the friction point at the base of the trigger.
• RECOIL: &&&&&
  Recoil was very manageable for a micro-compact. The extended 12-round magazine provided a full purchase on the pistol.
• ACTION & RELOADING: &&&&
  The charging supports on the rear of the slide and the aggressive forward cocking serrations made slide manipulations positive and reliable. The ambi paddle mag release is very easy to manipulate.
• SIGHT MOUNTING EASE: &&&&&
  The lower mount of the Vortex optic enhanced the shooting experience.
• INTENDED PURPOSE: &&&&&
  The VP9CC brings HK quality, design and reliability into a crowded market. HK’s “no compromise” philosophy places the CC at the head of the class.
• OVERALL VERSATILITY: &&&&&
  The VP9CC is the ideal secondary pistol for owners of the full-size VP9 pistols. The commonality of the manual of arms makes it well-suited for the armed citizen and as a backup or off-duty pistol for LE.
• VALUE-PRICE POINT: &&&
  While the HK faithful will purchase the CC, selling a non-optic 9mm micro-compact at $1,049 could be difficult.
• OVERALL SCORE: 30/35

Pairs Well With…

Black Hills 100-grain Honey Badger +P ammo is a great pairing for the new HK VP9CC, which is designed to handle SAAMI-rated +P fodder.

Made of solid copper, the HoneyBadger is designed to utilize dynamic fluid dislocation.

The radial flutes, set along the side of the bullet channel, drive soft tissues outward during expansion, creating a devastating wound cavity without slowing the bullet much in the process.

MSRP: $106.99/100