H&K P7M8

T

Tankist

New member
You really don't hear enough about these fine pistols. I recently saw a used one at one of the local gun stores going for $850. That got me interested. But, before I get all wound up about buying one, I would really like to hear from someone who owns one. How do they stack up generally speaking when compare to other comparable auto's in the same price range. What I mean is how's the quality, fit - finish, accuracy, ergonomics, reliability etc.

Is it worth, the high price tag. Also, any general impressions of this unique pistol would be greatly appreciated.
 
Some people like the P7 series, other people loathe them.

Comparing it to other pistols in the same price range, and it immediately takes a hit or two: it "only" ( :rolleyes: ) holds 8 rounds, it tends to get warm above the trigger during rapid fire, and the manual-at-arms takes some getting used to.

It's also accurate, reliable, fast, and dependable. The ergonomics, (for me, YMMV) are second to none.

General impression? I've bet my life on a P7, and will do so again.

LawDog



[This message has been edited by LawDog (edited September 23, 2000).]
 
I have an HK P7M8 and I love it. Mine is one of the ex-German Police "refurbs" with the crest ground off of the slide. I thought it was a bargain at $595. Mechanically, it is in perfect condition. It is a pistol of extraordinary quality and accuracy. It utilizes an intruiging gas-delayed blowback action, as well as the unique "squeeze cocking" mechanism. I find it pleasant and fun to shoot, safe to handle, and a joy to own. If the one you're looking at is a refurb (look for the tell-tale vertical grind mark on the right side of the slide towards the muzzle) the price you've quoted is too high. The refurbs are P7's all the way, mind you, but can be had for 6-700 dollars. A "regular" used one in excellent condition would bring about $850 around here. If you're looking for a unique, accurate, reliable pistol of great refinement and character, I think you'd be pleased with the P7.
vanfunk

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semper ubi sub ubi
 
I bought one of the refurbs yesterday. The blueing of the slide matched the frame perfectly, for which I was very thankful.

Went to the range today. I shot about 100 rounds mixed between fmj's and hp's of different brands, weights and velocities and was very happy. I love the ergonomics. It points perfectly in my grip. Super tight groups, though I am shooting a bit high.

Now I just have to figure out who makes good holsters for it, pick up more mags and get some night sights. I wonder if Meprolight makes sights for the P7?
 
My refurb P7M8 is the most accurate, pleasant-shooting pistol I own. The design is perfect for safe carry, quick presentation, and speedy reloads. I love mine, and it makes one ragged hole at 10 yards. Excellent weapons!

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NRA Life Member
GOA
GSSF
 
Tankist,

Forgive me but the text below is copied from my reply to a similar question a couple months back.

"MY EXTREAMLY biased opinion is that the P7M8 is well worth its high price. A refurbished P7M8 with Trijicons is my primary carry and IDPA gun. It fully replaced my Glock 19 (which was and is a great pistol)in the early days of this year and I have never looked back. Bear with me here for a minute.

In it's favor, I would point out:
- Greater inherent accuracy than any browning-type action pistol due to it's fixed barrel
- Very compact (flat and short)
- Extremely simple controls
- Very clean form (i.e. minimal protrusions to snag)
- Highly reliable. While I have occasionally gotten feed jams in my 19, I have never, NEVER been able to induce a jam of any kind in my P7M8 (3824 rounds since mid Feb when I started keeping a log, probably twice that number since I bought the pistol **now up to 3880 plus another 442 on the PSP and the second P7M8 since I first posted**). It feeds and fires anything I have ever put through it.
- Very safe (esp if dropped)
- Very durable
- Easy to clean once you know how

For the sake of complete disclosure, I should also point out
- They're EXPENSIVE
- They're unusual. It's hard to find leather & other accessories. For leather, there are VERY good options, just not a lot of them.
- They're probably about to go out of production (HK seems to have decided to get out of making steel guns and I can't blame them)
- They get HOT when firing for prolonged periods

That's the short version.

The bottom line on $$$$ seems to be that this pistol costs @ twice as much as other very high quality competitors (a Glock or a Sig or a Beretta is more than adequate for most of our needs). I got around that by buying a refurb (@ $620) which is still the cost of a NIB Sig. Also, I'm not judging this gun "against" other pistols. I'm judging it on its own. The bottom line for performance is that I hit more accurately and with greater speed using this pistol than any other I own. I now have two refurb P7M8s and a P7 PSP bough NIB. I would grab a NIB P7M8 for under $1100. I really enjoy the P7 and plan on keeping it on my hip for a long time to come.

Feel free to e-mail me with any specific questions.

Hope this helps a bit.

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Best,
- Jawper
 
I have one and I think they are great pistol. My has been shot little over 13,000 rounds now and I have not had one failure to feed or fire yet (knock on wood). It is also one of my most accurate handgun and first handgun I was able to shoot under 1" at 25 yards (with Federal 9BP). It was my primary carry gun for few years.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>I wonder if Meprolight makes sights for the P7?[/B][/quote]

They do (well Trijicon does) but my P7 is a refurb and I love it. I have the Brown purplish hue to the re-bluing but I like it.

Mine never jammed but I hesitate on dry-fire because it may damage the firing pin.



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"Get rid of that nickel plated sissy pistol and get yourself a Glock" - Tommy Lee Jones
 
I have Meps on my P7 so I guess that it is safe to say they make them. I like them a lot and see no reason to criticize them. I had them installed by my dealer as I don't see the advantage of sending it away and having the tubes replaced as some have done (ala Trijicon). I don't know if Trijicon makes off the shelf replacements, I could never get a straight answer on that one, but the one P7 I have seen with Trijicons was obviously sent somewhere as it had a printed Trijicon trademark added to the slide.

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Aloha!
John
 
I truly love these pistols. They're extremely pointable, slim and snag-free (although heavy for their size in this polymer era), they have the nicest trigger out of the box this side of a 1911, and accuracy that is on par with any 9mm save maybe the P-210. My P7M8 is probably my favorite pistol. BTW, they're extremely uncommon in the used gun market; owners tend to hang on to them. The supply of remans from HK is finite, and prices on them have already started rising, so if you have a bad P7 jones going, now is a good time to do something about it...

Plus, there's the "don't see yourself coming and going" factor... ;)

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"..but never ever Fear. Fear is for the enemy. Fear and Bullets."
10mm: It's not the size of the Dawg in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog!
 
It just doesn't get any better than the P7. I have several, and they are my favorite pistols. Ergonomics are suberb, they shoot extremely well with a multiplicity of loads, and they're very small for full sized service pistols. Reliability is top notch. They could benefit from a more durable finish than blueing, but that's easy enough to rectify. If you don't have one, I'd give one a try. If nothing else, they hold their value very well, too.
 
Ok, ok you all got me going now. Looks like I'm going to have to pay full price though 1149 for a nib P7m8 or 850 for a used one. No one in this area has ever heard about the refurb one's and unless I want some major headaches for the next couple of months I need to buy in state.

Thanks for your comments everyone.
 
Don't like 'em. I think they are way overpriced for what you get. They are heavy, and the grip is very similar to my Glock 21 (BIG), and in a 8 round 9mm that just doesnt cut it. On the good side, it's got a nice trigger and balance. If it were $350 cheaper it would be ok, but I think they are more status symbol than anything.

All IMHO,
BB

[This message has been edited by BB (edited September 24, 2000).]
 
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