Are these the Next H&K VP Pistols? The Subcompact and Long-Slide SFPs

Heckler & Koch added two new striker-fired pistols to their international website, a subcompact and a long-slide model. (Photo: H&K)

Heckler & Koch has quietly released details about their new SFP pistols for military and police users. A polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol, the SFP9 SK looks a whole lot like a subcompact VP9. The Long-Slide is a full-length version of the standard service pistol.

The SFP series is Heckler & Koch’s VP series branded for overseas use, with a few optional features popular with agency and government contractors. These include heavy and light triggers and manual thumb safeties, but the basic package is all VP9.

The top two photos show the two magazine release systems and the bottom photos show the frame with and without manual thumb safeties. (Photo: H&K)

The VP9 is Heckler & Koch’s wildly successful service pistol introduced in 2014. The next-gen service pistol delivered on Heckler & Koch quality standards at a very competitive price point, which in turn made it an instant hit with shooters across the country and around the world.

The SFP9 SK has all of the VP9 features in a smaller package designed for backup use or concealed-carry. Unloaded with a magazine it weighs just 24 ounces. It’s just over 6.5 inches long by 4.5 inches tall and 1.3 inches wide at the controls. The barrel is a nice 3.4 inches long, the right balance for performance and concealability. The Long-Slide model has a 5-inch barrel and a slightly heavier unloaded weight at 27 ounces.

Chambered for 9mm Luger the subcompact has a 13+1-round standard capacity with 10-round mags for compliance and 15-round extended magazines. The Long-Slide uses standard 15-round magazines for a 15+1 capacity and has optional extended 20-round magazines.

The pistols have true, fully ambidextrous controls including the extended slide release levers and paddle magazine release. The SFP version also has an optional push-button magazine release; it will be interesting to see if this feature migrates to the VP series. The ambidextrous paddle magazine lever is a big selling point for the VP series but there are some users that prefer the standard American magazine button system.

Ergonomics are also a major aspect of the VP and SFP series and the new pistols follow suit. These models have the same modular frame system with interchangeable grip panels and backstraps. Each comes with a set of nine inserts to tailor the grip to the user.

Like a lot of today’s leading striker-fired pistols these use a fully set, single-action trigger. This gives the guns a very nice trigger for improved accuracy and rapid follow-up shots. The trigger still has a little takeup before hitting a wall for a predictable break and reset that’s hard to miss.

See Also: Suppressor-Ready H&K VP9 Tactical Now Shipping

Aside from the optional manual safety, these H&K guns have a standard paddle safety in the trigger.

Other standout features include extended cocking tabs at the rear of the slides that make them easy to rack even with wet hands or heavy gloves. The tabs are removable for users looking for a thinner profile. The slide also sports a cocked striker indicator on the striker retainer plate and loaded chamber indicator on the extractor.

While the SFP series is tailored to German users we have to assume VP variants are sure to follow for American markets pending ATF approval.

Heckler & Koch has been doing a good job expanding their VP series for the U.S. with suppressor-ready packages and other models in flat dark earth and tactical gray. These will no doubt make for popular additions to the already successful VP series.