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CZ P10c vs HK VP9SK

Today, we’re going to compare the Heckler & Koch VP9SK vs the CZ P10c as well as CZ’s P10s model since it’s closer in size to the VP9SK. This comparison will cover all the details you need to know about each gun before deciding which firearm is best for you.

A side-by-side image of CZ P10c vs HK VP9SK

Size

MetricsCZ P10CCZ P10SHK VP9SK
Weight w/ no mag (Oz)22.922.421.7
Weight w/ empty mag (Oz)25.824.924.4
Weight w/ full mag (Oz)32.330.128.7
Height (top of slide to bottom of Magazine baseplate) (Inches)5.034.394.41
Length (Inches)7.156.676.59
Width of grip (Inches)1.231.171.35
Width of slide (Inches)1.021.021.14
Width across controls (Inches)1.231.231.28


CZ P10c vs HK VP9SK Concealed Carry

When you look at the roles of these guns, the CZ P10c is going to be a little more versatile than the HK VP9SK or the CZ P10s. Due to the longer grip length, you can use the CZ P10c for duty applications as well as range use and competition. 

The P10s and HK VP9SK would likely be relegated to self-defense or a concealed-carry role due to their shorter grips. They can still be fun to shoot on the range but are less than optimal for duty use or competition.

All of them, however, are pretty much identical in weight when you account for capacity: if you look at the chart above, you can see that they’re within roughly a two-ounce difference with slightly different capacities.

Capacity

The CZ P10c holds 15 rounds with a flush-fit magazine while the CZ P10s and HK VP9SK hold 12 and 10 rounds respectively. All of these guns are above a weight limit where they’re very good to use for beltless carry. And while they can be used for beltless carry, they’re only around the upper limit of that weight.

I don’t see an ounce or two making a difference for any of these guns.

Height

What will make a difference, though, is the height of the firearm. The heights of the CZ P10s and the HK VP9SK are identical. From a concealment standpoint, you’re not going to see any real difference in these guns outside of the grip width. The CZ P10s is a little bit thinner in the grip than the VP9SK, which makes a big difference when it comes to printing for some people.

You also get an extra two rounds of capacity with the CZ P10s, giving it a major advantage (in my opinion) over the HK VP9SK. 

HK VP9SK

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The CZ P10c is a larger gun, so it’s going to be a little bit harder to conceal. However, it’s much thinner than the HK VP9SK. Depending on your body type, that extra length on the grip may not be that big of a downside when it comes to concealment. For myself, width is a much bigger issue with the firearm when it comes to printing.

Ergonomics Overall

Frame

The CZ P10c series has really good ergonomics. The series’ ergonomics are based on the CZ 75, which is renowned worldwide for being an excellent-feeling handgun. The CZ P10s is just a shorter version of that.

With the CZ P10c, I can obviously get my entire hand on the grip. With the CZ P10s, I can still get most of my hand. The only thing hanging off is the bottom half of my lower pinky, but I can still have complete control over the gun. With the VP9SK, I can only fit two fingers on the firearm.

Modularity

In regards to modularity, the VP9SK is going to have an advantage over the CZ P10 guns. A unique feature of HK pistols is the removable side panels, but the HK VP9SK has a removable backstrap in addition to those two side panels that allow you to configure the gun to your exact hand size.

You can have a small panel on one side of the gun and a large one on the other. It just depends on what you want. 

CZ P10c

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The options on how you can modify the grip to your preference with the VP9SK are virtually limitless, whereas the CZ P10 series only has three removable backstraps. Those removable backstraps do offer you a little bit of a different feel, but they don’t change things a lot.

One feature that’s missing from all of these guns is the ability to change the trigger reach. You’re going to be stuck with the same trigger reach on all three.

Overall, I’m going to have to give the points to the CZ P10c and S just for the overall grip length. You definitely have more modularity with the HK VP9SK. But unless you have really small hands, having the ability to get that pinky on the grip is going to be more important than being able to adjust how the sides of the grip feel on the VP9SK.

Texture

The texture of the two pistols is quite different. The HK VP9SK has a texture that wraps 360 degrees around the grip. This texture, when you look at it closely, looks like little bananas all strewn about. It’s actually pretty effective considering how slick it feels. If you rub your finger lightly across it, you don’t feel any aggressiveness.

But when you lock your hand on the grip, it does a really good job of keeping your hand in place. I like this texture more than I thought I would.

Now, the CZ P10c and P10s have a completely different approach. Both have really aggressive texturing on the front- and backstraps that really work to lock in your hands. The sides, however, have less aggressive texturing. With these models, you won’t have to worry about the texture rubbing against your skin when you’re carrying concealed without an undershirt.

Overall, I think the CZ P10c and P10s have better texturing just because it’s more aggressive, but I can see how a lot of people may prefer the HK VP9SK texturing. If you’re a newer shooter or you don’t have calluses built up on your hands, then the HK VP9SK is probably your best bet.

If you do a lot of manual labor and have really calloused hands, then you’ll probably like the aggressive texturing on the CZ P10c better.

Slides

Image of side by side CZ P10c vs HK VP9SK

The slides on these two firearms are fairly similar in their feature set with both having forward- and rear-cocking serrations. The serrations on the CZ P10c, in my opinion, are a little bit lacking.

They’re actually more aggressive than the serrations on the HK VP9SK, but they don’t extend as far up on the slide. That makes it harder to get a good purchase on the serration from the front of the gun. The rear serrations are acceptable, but they’re not great. 

HK VP9SK

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On the VP9SK, the serrations extend over the full sides of the slide. You just get a better grip on the serrations even though they’re less aggressive due to the contours and shape of the slides. I’m going to have to give the win to the HK VP9SK vs the CZ P10c or S when it comes to the serrations on the slide.

Sights

An image of CZ P10c and HK VP9SK sights side-by-side

Stock

The sights you get on your HK VP9SK will depend on the package you choose. The normal package comes with standard luminescent three-dot sights. However, if you get the LE package that includes an extra magazine, the gun will come with night sights as well.

Both of these sight pictures are somewhat outdated. They were current in the mid-2000s, but aren’t modern now by any standards. They work, but again they’re not great. 

With the CZ P10c or S, I have a few more sight offerings. You can get the gun with standard three-dot luminescent sights as well (and the sight picture on those isn’t great). But if you get one of the new ‘optics-ready’ models, the CZ P10c or S will come with a bright orange-painted ring around a Tritium night sight with the rear sight blacked out.

The sight picture on those is excellent and one of the better factory sight offerings on the market. Because of that option, I’m going to have to give the win to the CZ P10s and CZ P10c vs HK VP9SK when it comes to sights.

CZ P10c

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Aftermarket

The aftermarket sight options for both guns are almost identical. You’ve got Dawson Precision, some Trijicon, and Night Vision offerings for the CZ. On the other hand, the HK has some sight options available from Heinie and 10-8 Performance.

I’m sure there are a couple of options I’m forgetting for the CZ P10c, but despite both of these guns’ fairly limited options, you’re likely to find something that will suit your needs. It’s not great on the aftermarket, but it’s good enough.

Red-Dot Optics

Mounting a red-dot to the CZ P10c or CZ P10s is easy as long as you get the ‘optics ready (OR) variant.

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The OR variant costs slightly more than a standard version, but it will accept mounting plates for almost any optic out there.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the guns do not come from the factory with the optic-mounting plates. You will have to buy those either from CZ directly or from an aftermarket manufacturer.

HK VP9SK

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There are currently no red-dot mounting solutions for the HK VP9SK. However, the HK VP9 2020 model does have a red-dot mounting solution similar to the CZ in that you will have to buy an aftermarket plate. The sights on the standard CZ P10C and P10S OR models are not high enough to co-witness with most dots, so you will have to replace your IR sights as well.

Controls

Trigger

The trigger on these guns is really going to come down to personal preference as I can’t find an appreciable difference between the two when it comes to the overall quality of the trigger pull.

CZ P10c Trigger

On the CZ P10c, you’re going to have some light take-up before you begin to feel a wall. Once you get to that wall, you’re going to feel a little bit of creep before it goes into a hybrid between a rolling break and a really stiff wall.

The reset is very short and right at the wall, so you just feel that little bit of creep again before the trigger breaks.

HK VP9SK Trigger

The trigger pull on the HK VP9SK is going to be similar to that of the CZ in that you’re going to have your light bit of take-up, hit at a wall, and feel just the slightest bit of creep (less creep on the VP9SK) before the trigger breaks. At the reset, it’ll sit a little farther forward of that wall point, leading to more light take-up before you reach the wall again, creep slightly, and then have the trigger break.

These triggers are both very close in quality. And it’s not easy to give either one advantage over the other. It just comes down to personal preference and what you’re looking for in a trigger.

Slide Lock

A photo of slide locks on CZ P10c vs HK VP9SK

The slide locks on the CZ P10c vs HK VP9SK are both ambidextrous, but the CZ P10c slide lock is very stiff and hard to use with top sharp edges. The HK VP9SK wins by default because the design is just a little bit easier to use.

CZ P10c

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Magazine Release

There is a stark difference between the magazine releases on the two guns. There’s a traditional button-style release on the CZ P10c and a paddle-style release on the HK VP9SK. The P10c originally came with an ambidextrous magazine release that was very hard to press, but now some variants come with a reversible magazine release that is easier to use than the original ambi design. Neither release will require most people to break their grip.

HK did an excellent job on the paddle-style release. You can use your firing hand trigger finger, middle finger, or thumb to drop the magazine. It’s easier to use than the magazine release on the HK VP9SK, so I’m going to say it’s the winner here.

Magazine Well

There’s no magazine well to speak of on the HK VP9SK, but the CZ P10c does have a decent bevel on the bottom of the mag well. It’s nothing special, but it is better than the HK VP9SK.

Quality

The quality of these guns is in the same ballpark, but I’m going to have to give the edge here to the HK VP9SK. The polymer just seems to be of higher quality, and the overall construction of the gun seems to be more durable. The slide finish also seemed of a higher quality than that of the CZ P10c. That said, the CZ P10c is not a low-quality firearm whatsoever. We’re not talking about a big difference in the quality level; I just think the HK VP9SK has a slight advantage.

Aftermarket

The aftermarket on these pistols is similar, but I’m going to have to give the edge to the CZ P10c. There are a ton of trigger options out there for the P10c, as well as other small accessories like extended magazine releases and slide stops. You’re not going to see the same level of aftermarket support for the HK VP9SK.

HK VP9SK

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Aesthetics

Aesthetics is always a personal decision, but in my opinion, the HK VP9SK is a chubby, short-looking gun that just isn’t that attractive.

The HK VP9, on the other hand, is a really attractive gun. If the HK VP9SK were much slimmer, I think it would also be attractive. In this case, it just doesn’t look as good as the CZ P10c or S. None of these guns are exactly showstoppers, though. At the end of the day, you can make your own decision on how a gun looks.

Shooting

Shooting the HK VP9SK could be a great experience if you have really small hands and can get that pinky on the bottom of your grip, but without that, the gun is really flippy and you can’t get much control on it. 

CZ P10c

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Being able to get a full finger on the CZ P10c or P10s really changes the shooting experience, and in my opinion, makes it a much better shooting gun. However, both of these guns track really flat and consistently. They’re both great shooting firearms.

Price/Value

With an MSRP between $749 and $849 for the HK VP9SK and a street price of $100 less than MSRP, the CZ P10c and P10s are clearly the better value. The CZ P10 series has MSRPs ranging from $499 to $577 with street prices around $50 below MSRP.

There are no significant features about the HK VP9SK that provide more value than the CZ P10 series, but the upper end of the CZ P10 series has that OR variant we talked about earlier. In my opinion, the better option is the CZ P10c vs the HK VP9SK.

HK VP9SK

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Related Articles

Pros/Cons

CZ P10 C Pros
  • Cost
  • Sights
  • Optics mounting
  • Texturing
  • Grip
CZ P10 C Cons
  • Size
HK VP9SK Pros
  • Slide release
  • Magazine release
HK VP9SK Cons
  • Cost 
  • Grip
  • Texturing 
  • Sights

2 Replies to “CZ P10c vs HK VP9SK”

  1. niqstr says:

    Aesthetics is always a personal decision, but in my opinion, the HK VP9SK is a chubby, short-looking gun that just isn’t that attractive.

    The HK VP9, on the other hand, is a really attractive gun.

    sorry harrison but i like that is a typo. i think u meant CZP10 c is an attractive gun. and
    the pic does back up ur claim.

    ps: great review. u can cancel my comment if you agree

    1. niqstr says:

      reading my comment. my mistake.
      and i meant I THINK that is a typo. not like.

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