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surprise_i'm_armed wrote:That's kind of interesting that they call it the P8.

The classic Luger pistol was known as the P08, IIRC.
Was that because it was authorized in 1908?

SIA

I don't know where the Luger naming came from but the “P8” is the military abbreviation for the modified USP. The predecessor was the Walther P38 which was abbreviated “P1”.

Beiruty wrote:USP are even better for being Military issued pistols.

Agreed, I own a USP, P30 and VP9 and I still can't get used to the VP9's trigger, hence I stick with the DA/SA trigger. Its too hard to teach an old dog new tricks.
The USP is issued to the German Military in a special variant witrh the savety switch reversed, save position is down and fire position is up. They call it a P8 and was choosen for the fact it is made in Germany and it passed all safety and stress tests. It was the replacement of the Walther P38 (P1) which was outgunned by some east block countries with the CZ75 in the late 70's.

surprise_i'm_armed wrote:IIRC correctly from reading a gun magazine article on the VP9,
it is called that because in German it's the "Volks Pistol", or
the "people's pistol", similar to VW = "Volkswagen" = "people's car."

SIA

It is truly called "Volkspistole" but it is a marketin gimmick only and because it is priced for everyone.
Every civilian can (could) afford a "Volkswagen (the classic beatle) but nobody can have the "Volkspistolke" legally without a tremendous amount of paperwork. The VP9 is manufactured for export and I guess to compete with others in that particular market segment.

GlockDude26 wrote:Never owned an HK to this point and have the opportunity to get a new VP9 with 3 mags and night sights for just over $700 out the door from my local gun guy Anyway just thought i'd see what the consensus is to those who either own or have shot them. keep in mind this will NOT be a carry gun but a range gun/ open carry gun out at the land.

I think any H&K is a great gun. I have several including a VP9. I also had a SIG P320 and a buddy of mine has a Walther PPQ M2. I am in the lucky position of having hands on comparison to those relatively new guns and to be honest, all are excellent shooters. The PPQ and the VP9 are very similar and only personal preference can help to prefer one over the other. The SIG P320 is similar but still a different experience. I had the full size and compare it to a SIG P226 on steroids and much lighter. Should you get a chance I'd suggest you try each one and than make a decision. If you are interested buying one send me a PM. I have one I may part with for a reasonable price.