Alternate Technique on H&K VP9 Pistol Ambi-Mag-Release Lever Use

By John Farnam

H&K VP9 Pistol Ambidextrous Magazine-Release Lever
H&K VP9 Pistol Ambidextrous Magazine-Release Lever
Defense Training International, Inc
Defense Training International, Inc

Ft Collins, CO –-(Ammoland.com)- Here is a H&K VP9 “flake” magazine-release alternate technique, from a friend and student on my recent HK ambi-magazine-release lever warning, from the other day.:

“I love H&K’s VP9 pistol‘s magazine release system!

The problem I’ve always had with Glocks (and some others) is that my strong-side thumb is too short to adequately depress the magazine release button on the left side of the frame, without significantly rotating my master-grip counter-clockwise (pulling the barrel toward me).

Otherwise, I can touch the button, but can’t depress it.

The VP9’s magazine-release lever allows me to adequately operate it with my strong-hand middle finger. I keep my trigger-finger indexed along the slide while depressing the magazine-release lever.

I believe anyone using their trigger-finger to operate the VP9’s magazine-release lever will find that it is much easier, and more positive, to use their middle finger instead.

For those of us with short thumbs, the VP9’s magazine-release lever solves our problem of compromising our grip during the loading/reloading process.”

Comment:

We’ll doubtless be seeing many more H&K VP9 Pistols in Classes, and I may even start carrying a copy!

The above-described reloading technique may become the “standard,” but I’m still concerned with getting fingers that close to the trigger.

More to come on this!

/John

About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor John Farnam will urge you, based on your own beliefs, to make up your mind in advance as to what you would do when faced with an imminent and unlawful lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance, if any. Defense Training International wants to make sure that their students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or inactions.

It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to the Planet Earth. Mr Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com

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Mark Lee

I’ve been using my middle finger on the mag release ever since buying my HK USP Expert (.40 S&W), alternately my thumb, both of which ARE long enough. I think the problem is that you obtained a pistol that is not well-suited for your dimensions, which is the first and foremost requirement for owning and operating any weapon. If you buy a vehicle and can’t use the foot pedals because your legs are too short, you wouldn’t adopt a driving strategy of moving the seat forward to a point where your chest is touching the steering wheel, or loosening your… Read more »

Al Feldore

What’s up with you publishing an article one day and then again later in the week and removing the comments? Sounds like you can’t handle the heat. To the writer of the article. It appears you let unsafe people on your range. Thanks for letting all of us know that going to your range is at peril for our own safety. I haven’t been at a range yet that allows people who when handling a weapon improperly let’s them continue to shoot. They either give them some training or ask them to leave. Pretty simple. Proper training is not to… Read more »