It took Heckler & Koch seven years to develop their new 9mm micro-compact pistol, with rigorous testing held to the same standards as full-size duty pistols and the NATO Army Armaments Group AC/225 standards. The ordeal included extreme temperatures, dust, sand, mud and being dropped to simulate real world conditions, with over 750,000 rounds fired during development and testing. But now we can introduce the CC9, the smallest double-stack pistol HK ever made.
Heckler & Koch CC9 video introduction
Heckler & Koch CC9: reliable, compact and concealable
Specifically designed for the US concealed-carry market and manufactured in the USA, the CC9 has an overall length of just 153 mm, a height of 114 mm, a width of 25 mm, with a 3.32”/84 mm barrel and a weight of 521 g. To put this specs in perspective, it is even shorter, slimmer and lighter than a 9mm Glock 26, the reference standard in sub-compact guns. Compared to the SIG P365, another "gold standard", it's a few millimeters longer and higher, and some grams heavier, but is still slimmer and boasts a longer barrel (84 mm vs 78 mm). The HK CC9 also has mirrored ambidextrous slide-stop and magazine release and comes optics ready. It is factory fitted with a tritium front sight and a blacked out, serrated rear sight for quick target acquisition. Magazine capacity is 10+1 rounds – in case you want maximum concealability – or 12+1 rounds of 9mm ammo with the included extended magazine.
HK claims that the CC9 is built to top durability standards and to perform flawlessly in the most demanding conditions, with full size performance in a micro-compact package. The cold hammer-forged cannon-grade steel barrel and the whole chassis system is is +P rated. Both barrel and slide are DLC coated for maximum durability.
Just like the endurance and torture tests mentioned above, the safety features list is long too: trigger safety, passive firing pin safety, out-of-battery safety and Safe Take Down Feature for safe disassembly. A visual and tactile loaded chamber indicator built-in to the extractor is also present.
The textured grip is modular thanks to interchangeable backstraps that allow for personalized customization. Interestingly enough, length of pull (the distance between the front of the trigger and the spot on the backstrap where the web of the hand is placed) is the same as the full-sized HK VP9 pistol: this should provide better trigger control and recoil management. The advanced trigger system ensures smooth, consistent pulls, while the enhanced recoil management allows for rapid, accurate follow-up shots.
From our point of view, there are two drawbacks here: the first is that the CC9 comes a little late to the very busy and hard-fought US micro-compact pistol market; the second is the price that, at $699, is not particularly cheap. Anyway, the latest HK pistol has several points in its favor and is a great further option for concealed carriers – at least in the US.
Heckler & Koch CC9 technical specifications and price
| Caliber: | 9mm |
| Barrel Length: | 3.32”/84 mm |
| Overall Length: | 153 mm |
| Height: | 114 mm |
| Weight (w/out Magazine): | 521 g |
| Sights: | Green luminescent/tritium insert front, black square
notch |
| Magazine Capacity: | 10 or 12 rounds |
| Optic-Ready Slide Cut: | RMSc footprint |
| Price (MSRP in the US): | $699 |
