The new HK VP9-B, released Friday, gives shooters the ergonomics they appreciate from the European Heckler & Koch, but with a push-button magazine release that is more familiar to American shooters.

The striker-fired HK VP9 has been very popular with shooters since its release in 2016, but many Americans enthusiasts expressed displeasure with the paddle-style magazine release that is popular in the European marketplace. H&K listened and recently releasing the HK VP9-B with the push-button mag release that American consumers were craving.

The new VP9-B has all of the characteristics that shooters currently enjoy on the polymer VP9 9mm, including the polygonal-rifled 4.09-inch barrel and non-radioactive luminous three-dot sights. The trigger still has the same short, light take-up and a solid, clean break that owners have come to appreciate. Weight is in everyday-carry spec at 26.5 ounces. Existing VP9 mags will work with the new pistol.

While both the legacy VP9 and new VP9-B both feature an ergonomic, adaptable grip frame that allows you to interchange both backstraps and grip panels to form 27 unique configurations to fit your hand, you can’t swap between the European-style ambidextrous paddle or the new US-style reversible button. The gun must be ordered with one or the other, so try a couple out at your local gun shop before making a purchase.

One advantage of the paddle style release is that it's inherently ambidextrous. The release on the VP9-B is not, but it is reversible for left-handed shooters. Here's exactly how to do it:

The new VP9-B is built in Heckler & Koch’s Oberndorf factory in southwest Germany and is covered by their lifetime warranty. Retail priced at $719, the new handgun ships with a pair of standard 15-round mags.