VP9 grip / frame pressure point question

[Stubbs]

Hi folks...

New VP9 Tactical owner....I'm running into an issue with how the frame hits my strong hand and would like to see if anyone else has run into this....and more importantly what their solution was.

I've got a pretty large thumb knuckle that the frame hits quite solidly when I'm gripping the pistol (note the red circled areas in the pictures). I've tried every combination of backstrap and side panels, but nothing has fully solved it. I'm currently configured with L backstrap, M right side, S left side.

Any suggestions on how I can minimize the pressure point there? After some time at the range, that knuckle starts hurting pretty good (no blisters or anything, just more like bad bruising). It's the only thing I don't like about shooting it.

I was thinking about buying one of the L extended backstraps and see if it would put just enough space in the filled in area to move my thumb knuckle out past the corner.

By contrast, the beaver tail on my Shadow 2 nestles right down in the crook of my thumb and misses the knuckle entirely....it's super comfortable.

Thanks in advance for any help y'all can give...

 

[AGG]

Welcome to the site.
Options:

1. Different backstrap;
2. Hogue handgun grip;
3. Get a smaller hand;
4. Get a USP.

Tony

 

[Stubbs]

Welcome to the site.
Options:

1. Different backstrap;
2. Hogue handgun grip;
3. Get a smaller hand;
4. Get a USP.

Tony

Different backstrap is #1 on my list.....hopefully the Lg. extended will help. I think all I need is a little tweak and it'll be great. What's really frustrating is that a small backstrap allows me to wrap the top of my thumb around far enough to get that knuckle away from the corner....but then there's not enough room for my support had to get a good purchase on the grip. My dang "gorilla hands" causing me trouble once again....it's just like me trying to find shoes to fit my size 15EE feet anywhere but online.

I just ordered a Hogue grip to try...it was inexpensive and I really like the Hogue monogrip that I put on my Ruger Mk 2 Target.

There is an option 5 though......I also shot a Walther PDP at the range recently. It felt really nice and didn't hit my knuckle at all. Hmm....

I told my oldest son that I would get him his first 9mm when he gets his CCW (he's 20 now, so still has to wait a year).....I might just have to get a USP or PDP (blasphemy, I know!), and gift my VP9 to him. #keepitinthefamily

 

[bystok]

Call HK Customer Service in Columbus, GA….tell them your problem and ask to buy a large extended backstrap….your problem will be solved

Other option is to dremel your knuckle off!

 

[AGG]

Call HK Customer Service in Columbus, GA….tell them your problem and ask to buy a large extended backstrap….your problem will be solved

Other option is to dremel your knuckle off!

HK CS will probably send you one at no charge.

Tony

Contact - HK USA

Contact Manufacturing (USA), Commercial, Military, Law Enforcement Sales (USA) HECKLER & KOCH USA5675 Transport BoulevardColumbus, Georgia 31907 USAMain: (706) 568-1906Customer Service: (706) 701-5554: Hours (9:30AM-4:30PM EST)E-mail: CS@heckler-koch-us.comUS Website: www.HK-USA.comFor Law...

hk-usa.com

 

[Stubbs]

HK CS will probably send you one at no charge.

Tony

Contact - HK USA

Contact Manufacturing (USA), Commercial, Military, Law Enforcement Sales (USA) HECKLER & KOCH USA5675 Transport BoulevardColumbus, Georgia 31907 USAMain: (706) 568-1906Customer Service: (706) 701-5554: Hours (9:30AM-4:30PM EST)E-mail: CS@heckler-koch-us.comUS Website: www.HK-USA.comFor Law...

hk-usa.com

I was actually on the phone with HK Customer support when you posted your reply... Unfortunately, the Lg. extended backstrap isn't available for sale at the moment. HK is still filling production gun orders, but the rep said that the backstraps should be available for purchase separately sometime in early 2026. Bummer.....

In the meantime, I'll give that Hogue grip sleeve a try and see if helps. If it does, that will be a good indicator that the extended backstrap could be a more permanent solution.

Complete sidebar.....apparently, this is more of an issue for folks than I thought. While searching for solutions, I've come across multiple forum / social media / Reddit posts about it.
Lots of folks have been comparing the beavertail on the much more comfortable P30 to the VP9 (the P30 is both more rounded and angled upwards). I know it's comparing striker fired vs. hammer fired, but if the VP9 rear had roughly the same shape as the P30, the issue would go away entirely.

 

[Guyanaman1963]

Welcome to the site! Hopefully the Hoge grips solve the issue. Maybe someone with smaller hands has the large backstrap that you can buy from them?
M.

 

[bystok]

HK CS will probably send you one at no charge.

Tony

Contact - HK USA

Contact Manufacturing (USA), Commercial, Military, Law Enforcement Sales (USA) HECKLER & KOCH USA5675 Transport BoulevardColumbus, Georgia 31907 USAMain: (706) 568-1906Customer Service: (706) 701-5554: Hours (9:30AM-4:30PM EST)E-mail: CS@heckler-koch-us.comUS Website: www.HK-USA.comFor Law...

hk-usa.com

Agree...especially when offer to purchase made 1st instead of all the give me, give me, give mes!!!!!!!

Real issue for original poster is to fix the strong hand grip and get the right thumb low and left of the support thumb which will lower his overall grip profile. The issue will go away and a better solution achieved through a better grip.

 

[Stubbs]

Agree...especially when offer to purchase made 1st instead of all the give me, give me, give mes!!!!!!!

Real issue for original poster is to fix the strong hand grip and get the right thumb low and left of the support thumb which will lower his overall grip profile. The issue will go away and a better solution achieved through a better grip.

If I position my right thumb to the left of my support hand thumb, it completely opens up my contact on the back of the grip and creates a big void where the web of my thumb touches the crook of the beavertail.

It's either that, or I have to rotate and move my support hand so far forward that I'm pressing into the tips of the fingers on my strong hand as the wrap around the grip, instead of making firm contact with the grip itself.

Goes back to having big 'ole gorilla hands....

I see that you're on the HK shooting team. If you're anywhere near Raleigh, NC, I'd love to meet up with you and get some advice in person.

I've shot handguns all my life, but mainly just one-shot plinking or bullseye stuff. I'm definitely interested in building my grip for fast repetitive shots and improving fundamentals in general.