Got a H&K P7 PSP on the way

S

spacecoast

New member
I haven't been this excited about a gun in a while. I was able to handle (but not fire) one a few years ago and was impressed. The one I'm getting has a plum slide and about 50 rounds through it. It is coming with the original box and two mags. The serial # is fairly low, 30xxx I believe.

The reviews I've read and viewed almost all say this is an amazing gun. What do you P7 owners say?
 
The P7 series has a lot of fans; I am not one of them. It and some other guns were developed in response to one-time German police requirement for a 9x19 pistol with a fixed barrel. Its unique (AFAIK) blowback-retarding piston was H&K's answer, but it is complex and expensive compared to the more common tilting barrel (Browning) system.

But my main objection is not that system, but the squeeze cocking idea. Some folks like it, but my problem is that unless a "death grip" is kept on the gun, it will uncock and the pistol will become inoperable. For a short time, true, but IMHO that is too long. Fans will respond that the grip is automatic, like a grip safety. But I know of no grip safety that requires the force needed to operate the P7 cocking lever.

An additional note. Not a problem of the pistol but of buyers. Many people are deceived by pictures into thinking that the P7 is a small pistol. It is not. It is as large and heavy as many other more conventional pistols, and much larger than guns like the small Ruger 9mm.

Jim
 
James -

Thanks for the forthright assessment. My understanding is that the cocking mechanism requires about 15 pounds of pressure to engage but only about 2 pounds of pressure to maintain. Another feature I found intriguing is that it's possible to fire the gun with the squeeze cocker by just holding down the trigger (hard to imagine that being useful but whatever).

Maybe it's my fascination with Lugers and my 25% (or greater) German heritage that drew me to this pistol. I usually go with pocket carry so I wasn't planning on using it for that.
 
The P7 really doesn't have a whole lot of fans, most folks dislike them for James reasons and others.

As to the grip, while it does take a substantial effort to depress the lever initially, much like a compound bow, once depressed it takes very little pressure to maintain it.

The more common complaints include but are not limited to; magazine capacity, magazine release (on the PSP), excessive heat buildup during prolonged firing, tedious cleaning regimen, and inability to use heavier than 124gr ammunition.

Personally I find the P7 to be an excellent design, it fills its intended role quite well. In fact, I'd wager most of the complaints about the P7 stem from folks not understanding what the pistol was designed to be.

Are there better options out there? Sure there are, but as old as the P7 is, its still a good choice for the discerning user.
 
I used to have 3 x P7 and a P7M8 (just got rid of the P7M8 and the last P7 last month). I like them alot but have no use for them and is not interested in wasting safe space either. I set up all my gears so my wife (with weak hands) can operate the slide (no problem with the P30) and there is no way she can operate the slide of the P7/P7M8. Still have holster/mags for both of them.

Enjoy your P7.

Yg
 
YoungGun -

Interesting that you mention the slide, I also recall a video where the user showed the slide being re-set after a mag reload by engaging the squeeze cocker.
 
Interesting that you mention the slide, I also recall a video where the user showed the slide being re-set after a mag reload by engaging the squeeze cocker.
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But that with a slide already locked back (release the mag, insert a new mag, squeeze the cocker). It's a bear (compared to other pistols) for racking the slide.

Yg
 
IMHO, any grip safety is a useless safety. More useless than chamber indicator, internal lock, lever safety or even the glock trigger dingus. Having said that, I would buy a P7M13 at the "right price". However, they haven't been priced right (for me) for the past 20 years. I suppose that's why I still don't have one.:(
 
I have both the PSP and the P7M8, the same gun but with the more modern lever mag release that HK has adopted. The P7 has some unique features and is a great collectable IMHO. Though not small, it is pretty compact, especially considering it has a 4" barrel. The action is very safe, which is it's lever cocking mechanism's main benefit. It is cocked or uncocked very quickly, very easily.

The P7 is an easy pistol to shoot well. The trigger is light and short and the fixed barrel is am accurate platform. Reliability is another P7 attribute. I've owned one for years and have yet to have a problem.

* The slide is heavy to rack. The spring is rated at 24#. It's a "man's gun";)

* The cocking lever is easy to manipulate and requires very little effort to hold. No "death grip" needed.

* Takedown is easy. Cleaning takes a little effort as there is the addition gas system to attend to. I use Slip 2000 Carbon Killer on the piston... works well after a few minutes soak.

* The grips are locked in place, so take care when removing them.

* This is one gun you WANT to read the manual on before working on it. It's different.

* The trigger area does get hot after shooting a number of mags. I have a bunch of mags and when I shoot fast, a quick 50 to 80 rounds, the gun gets too hot to comfortable handle. Many people take another gun to the range for cool down times.

* There are two types of PSP, mag release differences. Know which you have before swapping grips.

* I love the chamber.

I really enjoy my P7s. I am certified HK-oholic. :o It's a great gun, easy to shoot and will put a smile on your face I believe. Enjoy it.

Good info here;
http://hkp7.com/qa.htm
 
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Don't forget to get a pair of fire proof gloves because if you shoot more than 50 rounds out of that bad boy it will burn you. Even the ones like the M8 which have a heat shield get pretty hot.

I still own a P7 but it is not one of my favorite guns. It is neat to take out every now and then but I would not carry one nor would I use it in a defensive role.
 
The P7 really doesn't have a whole lot of fans, most folks dislike them for James reasons and others.
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Oh, it's got a cult following.

I have a love/hate relationship with mine. It's accurate, has a good trigger, and is fast for me out of the holster. It conceals well and points naturally.

The downside? That thing gets hot after a couple boxes of ammo. Finger-scalding hot. When HK put the heat shield on later models, they put it in the wrong spot. It's actually the bottom of the trigger guard that heats up.

Another problem is future availability of parts.

That said, I don't see anything on mine breaking in the near future, and I'm glad to have one in the collection.

(Would I pay the prices I've seen recently for one? Heck no. However, there are some German police trade-ins out there for a decent price.)
 
HUGE fan, as you can tell by my signature line. Point and shoot capability like none other. I rarely bother with the sights, as this was always intended as a self defense weapon, not a target pistol. That being said, you're going to need a nice gun belt and a reinforced holster if you want it to stay in place. I recommend a Fist 1ak on a ubg holster belt.
 
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Most folks who do not like the P7 also don't own one.

I own the PSP and it is one of three guns that will NEVER be sold. it is completely ambidextrous, scary accurate, and will even work without an extractor.

You are gonna love it. Mine really does well with 124 grain bullets - just like my Glocks. The gun points as naturally as a Walther PP...................
 
I just bought a P7M8 last month (basically NIB). Great gun (Disclaimer: If I could buy HK today I would). The biggest complaints I've heard from people is with the front squeeze cocker.

Some folks don't know this but once you cock it fully, you can back it off a bit (with the pressure) and it will still be ready to be fully cocked with the trigger.

The PSPs make great guns to have NP3ed by Robar.
 
My favorite pistol with many features making it very reliable and durable.
All of it was very natural to me .Many days carrying it , much small game and many IPSC matches.
Heat problems seem to happen with some people's hands but not others .Pistols are never designed for quickly shooting many rounds.
It's NOT a grip safety ,it's a cocking lever .
It;s a very accurate pistol. Originally the 9x19 was made in bullet weights from 115-124 grains
I'm keeping mine !!:p
 
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