H&K P7M8 - To nickle or not to nickle, etc

K

Kiffster

New member
I am planning on getting a H&P P7M8 for my first handgun, and wonder where I should go to get the best deal. Also, should I go with new, used, or remade.

Do I need night sights and/or tactical flashlight, and can you even get a tactical flashlight for the P7M8?

Also, I love the look of nickle, but don't know about being seen, and can't find it anyway. Anyone seen it in nickle lately? What does it add to the price?

I've been shooting with my brother's 9mm Berretta, but I don't like the size or feel of the grip. (short fingers) I love the feel and control I have with the P7M8, but it does have quite a price. Any other suggestions?

Kiffster
PS I read the posts to the previous P7M8 question, and got a lot of great info, just looking for more from this great group.

PPS where should I look on the Net for info on small bed-side safes for quick access. (my 18 month old boy is getting bigger and exploring more every day :-)
 
Very good choice as to the pistol. Nickel isn't as durable as hard chrome or titanium nitrate, but it is better for preventing rust. Personally, I'd rather have hard chrome, which all in all, seems to still be the best finish. The M8 was available from the factory in nickel, but I've heard reports that HK didn't do all that good a job with their nickel finishings.
 
Fortunately, I have never had the need for a tac flashlight or night sights...I would hold off on that purchase.

As for coatings...I just can't bring myself to send my P7 anywhere. So, I stick with the plain black finish. Do the same, and wait a long time evaluating your choices, and hopefully seeing some coating samples on other guns before sending yours off for any aftermarket coating.

I have a NIB P7M13, and an HK refurbed P7M8. The refurb I got for $700, and is in great shape. You should be fine with one of those...their the one with the slide mark scratched out.

I would post the question on gun safes in the "Gear" part of the forum...I have seen ads in American Rifleman for a quick spring loaded safe that activates when your palm touches off a certain sequence.

You can also remove the firing pin on a P7M8 very quickly with your thumb, which also renders it unable to fire for your 18month old. It can be reinserted quickly as well.
 
I asked the same question about safes and on the advise of others here I bought a small safe from handgunsafe.com. It will hold 5 handguns and unlocks with a keypad that uses no batteries. They have smaller ones and also one that can be wall mounted. Check them out. I'm very happy with mine.
Gary
 
Be advised that solvents and ammonia can attack the nickel finish if left on. Nickel discolors if not cared for properly.
 
I like the nickel coating on my taurus. There are harder finishes like chrome, but I never liked the way that looked compared to the nickel finish. As for being seen, I used to wonder about that too, but the reality is unless you do a lot of covert ops at night with your gun drawn, who is going to be looking for you. I have had my gun for 8 years, and don't have any discoloration to speak of. Good luck finding it in nickel though, most guns now are in stainless,blued or parkerized for the most part.
 
Now that I think more about it, putting night sights on a silver gun doesn't seem to make a lot of sense...walking around in the dark, but holding a fairly reflective piece of metal does not strike me as good strategy.
 
We just got my HK P7M8 back from Metaloy about three weeks ago. The little gun looks great, and I no longer have to worry about about corrosion. As an added bonus, I'm told that the Metaloy hard chrome is rated at 70 on the Rockwell hardness scale, one point harder than a Glock, and the same as a diamond. When I carry that pistol next to my skin this summer, it isn't going to rust. I DO believe in a corrosion resistant finish, as my perspiration is a little hard on blued steel. I once had a freshly cleaned S&W M28 357 show rust after standing out in a drizzling rain for about two hours, directing traffic at the scene of a traffic accident.

On the other hand, my old pre-Series '80 Colt Combat Commander 45 has been handled and shot so much that the satin nickel finish is almost worn completely off where my fingers rubbed against the front strap of the frame.

I would recommend in favor of hard chrome; I have had experience with Metalife and now Metaloy, and I'm as happy with the latter as the former.

As for flashights, I would recommend either the Sure Fire or the Streamlight Scorpion. I own both, and when I get dressed every day, my Scorpion goes on my belt along with my pistol and spare magazine.

If I recall correctly, Laser Products does make a Sure Fire flashlight mount for the HK P7, but it's not something that slips on and off as easily as the units for the HK USP or the new Glocks. There are times when it would be handy to have the light mounted on the gun, but for everyday carry, I prefer to just have a separate light on my belt.

------------------
Roger Shambaugh
Ottawa, Kansas

"No man who's in the wrong can stand against
a man who knows he's right and keeps on
a-comin'." Capt. Bill McDonald, Texas Rangers

[This message has been edited by KSLawman (edited March 18, 2000).]
 
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