HK P9S - Should I buy it?

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My FLGS has a really nice HK P9S, not a police trade-in. Good shape, bright bore, I grade it 85%+.

Asking $650 for it – Should I buy it? Opinions? Am I stupid for buying a gun that isn’t made anymore?

I would use mostly as an occasional range gun.
 
That's not a bad price on a gun seldom seen. I'd be tempted. Check the recoil buffer for wear.
 
That seems like a fair price. I have one and the trigger is exquisite. It's quite unique and accurate too. I say go for it. Keep us posted. -Goodspeed
 
9mm or .45. Combat or target?

HK P9S is one of the smoothest, softest shooting, accurate .45s I have ever owned. I love the P9S. You are not paying too much by any means. If you go to the HKPro.com forum and do a search, you will see what HK fanatics think of the P9S. There is a buffer that must be replaced to be certain to avoid any damage to the gun. The buffers over time turn to gel and don't function. There is a buffer housing with two slotted screws that fit into each other and turn opposite. The housing is not difficult to take apart if you get some instructions first. I tried it solo the first time and it took four hands to get it apart and back together. The price is good. I bought one for 700 a few years back that had a bent front sight and only one magazine. It's worth more now, I can tell you. How many magazines with yours? They are expensive and not eazy to locate.
I also recommend calling HK and talk to Travis about the P9S. I tell you, once you shoot it, you will be amazed. The manual of arms is a little strange and definitely takes some practice to be decock it with confidence.
Read about them. Here are a few links that I have used in the past.
http://hkpro.com/forum/showthread.p...ufferhttp://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg53-e.htm
http://www.gunfaqs.org/P9SFAQ/index.htm
http://www.kerensky.net/pdf/
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176656
http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/manuals/P9S.pdf
http://stevespages.com/pdf/hk_p9s.pdf
 
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i love the P9S. The only one i have ever seen in person was beat and they were asking more than $650 for it. Id grab it
 
I carried a P9S 45 for a while as an off-duty weapon. It was nicely balanced and very accurate. The sights were weird, but worked very well. The controls were different than other guns of the period. Good quality leather was difficult to find.

I didn't keep it because of concerns regarding parts availability and support from HK.

Suit yourself.
 
"I didn't keep it because of concerns regarding parts availability and support from HK."

Exactly my fear - what is your opinion of what I should do? I mean, in the long run all of our pistols will be discontinued (yes, even the 1911... but hopefully after I'm long gone).

I'm really torn about this. The deal is great, but I am kind of short some money (I can scrounge it, but I'd rather be sure it is worth it)
 
First off....I seriously doubt that the gun will hve problems. I still have a 1911A1 made in 1942 and although I don't shoot it, it has been to Vietnam and who knows what before that. The gun functions flawlessly.
I can only tell you that when I got mine that had a bent sight, I sent it to Travis at HK Customer Service (which has been truly amazing in my years of experience with them) and asked him to replace all the springs and polish the feed ramp just so I would have peace of mind. It cost very little and the gun is amazing. If you haven't held one, you should learn about the decocking/safety feature of the gun because it is truly unique. If you are going to use the gun for SD or carry purposes, you will have to practice a lot to be sure of yourself in an emergency. That's my only reservation for personal defense with the gun. If I practice more, there will be no problem: same as any pistol. Also, as I mentioned, you will pay anwhere from 60 - 80 dollars for a magazine. Two are plenty. If you need more, you will have to search. They are out there. I found a guy that had five stuck away in his safe. I bought two and felt darned lucky to get them for 65 dollars apiece. Your luck may vary.
One last thing. I have no doubt whatsoever that if you get the gun and don't like it, you can sell it for a profit the next week. Keep it a while and then decide, imo.
Again, check on HKPRo for P9S enthusiasts. Many of those people own several P9S models.
Another discontinued HK that is a must-have in my opinion is the P7. YOu can get a German police trade-in for around 600. Those little 9mm. have an amazing trigger and accuracy as well. NOt a .45, unfortunately, but still a great little pistol. Good Luck!
 
My rule of thumb about these decisions is: 1. If I've never owned one and it attracts me, buy it. 2. If I've had one before, don't have one now, and I liked it buy it.

Everything hangs on whether I have the money or not, so I don't buy very much.

The guns I really try to avoiding are actual examples I've already owned. Looks bad to buy the same gun twice, although there still may be a good reason to do so.
 
I spoke to Travis at HK USA, who assured me he had tons of parts. I ordered 3 buffers and a grip set to replace the one on the pistol, and called the GS to tell them the gun was MINE :D


Thanks for all the help guys - range trip to follow, with pics.
 
I don't see where he said if it's a 9mm or .45. There seems to be a huge price difference out there. I got my 9mm with 2 mags for $550. A local dealer is selling them for $499 with 2 mags now. The .45 models seem to run nearly double that. If you are talking .45 then it's a steal.

I love shooting the P9s. I took a new Walther P99 AS to the range and the P9s was much more accurate. The trigger in single action was one of the best factory triggers I've ever had the pleasure of pulling. I was shocked when it went off!

Lastly, I read that 9mm's don't typically have the buffer issues, but I'd like to replace mine anyways. I wrote Hk well over a week ago and got no response. I don't see where they don't list the product on the Hk USA website. Do you have contact information for Travis. How much were the buffers? Thanks
 
It's a 9mm, not a police trade-in (US commercial import).

2 magazines, no box.


Numrich has the buffers, and Travis at HK has any parts that Numrich doesn't have. (706)568-1906
 
Well, if there's better parts support and availability than there was way back when, it might not be bad to acquire and shoot as a range gun.
 
Thanks, I just got the guts to check out my buffer. It looked in really great condition. Not sure how long it has been in there, maybe recently replaced. The material did not seem to be deteriorating at all. I think I'm good for a while. :)
 
WOW!

I went to the range with the P9s (my recoil buffer was in great shape, but I pierced it with a hole to get it out so I replaced it as a precaution).

I've never had a gun feel so good while firing - some observations:

1. Recoil - best recoil movement of any gun I've ever fired. The recoil buffer reduces felt recoil drastically, and the P9s barely moves in your hand. Follow up shots are a snap.

2. Trigger - Double action was a long pull, but single action is SWEET! I've never, I repeat, NEVER had a trigger feel this good (1911's included...). It must have a 2-3 pound pull, and no overtravel whatsoever.

3. Accuracy - I'm not the best shot, and I will admit it - but at 25 feet I was shooting into the same hole as the previous shot. I actually tried trick shots today (shooting patterns/shapes into the target, etc) successfully!

If you find a chance to get some trigger time on one of these, jump on it!
 
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