I just found out today that a local establishment has 2 HK P7s in their used gun inventory. They are selling each for $635, and I was wondering if this is a good price. I believe they are the PSP variant, rather than the M8, but I could be wrong. There is some definite wear as far as the external bluing is concerned, but everything inside looks good. I had gone in to see if there were any good USPs, and did not expect to run across these. The fellow I spoke with stated that they had been sitting on the shelf for a few weeks now. I guess the P7 just isn't "pretty" enough for most of the casual buyers.
HK P7 Question
- Thread starter Drizzt
- Start date
P7 is a weird gun. It's not particularly light, accurate, comfortable, powerful, etc., but those who have them love them. Mine is a p7M13 (the double stack version), and it is an excellent gun. Some (like me) prefer the P7M13 for it's high capacity, but you have to balance that against the thick grip. The P7M8 is the standard model, but some prefer the P7PSP (with the mag release under the butt of the gun) because they claim the mag release on the P7M8 digs into their sides when they carry the gun in a holster.
About the price, check to see if it's a refurb. You can tell by the mill mark on the right hand side of the slide where they grind away the police insignia. Even if it is a refurb, 635 ain't bad.
About the price, check to see if it's a refurb. You can tell by the mill mark on the right hand side of the slide where they grind away the police insignia. Even if it is a refurb, 635 ain't bad.
That's an interesting comment because my P7 is EXTREMELY accurate. P7s are generally regarded to be dead-nuts accurate, probably because of the fixed barrel (blowback), low bore axis and great ergonomics. The grip safetycocker took a few rounds to get used to, but now I can fire that gun faster and more accurately than any other I own. Love the trigger and there is no DA/SA sillyness, every shot is SA because of the grip cocker. My only complaint is that the PSP, M8 and M13 are 9mm whereas the rare and pricey P7M10 is .40 SW. PSP is a single stack design, just like the M8, so the frame is not as bulky as the M13
GunBroker has a 98% PSP manufactured in 1980 listed for $800. Ask to disassemble and look at the gas piston, it will be discolored but should be smooth without galling or scratches. Also, ask to take the grips off (one screw, gently lift front edge of grips and push forward) to check for rust in the inner workings.
Check out the P7 forum on Park Cities, there you'll learn the true value of this outstanding handgun:
http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum&f=10
GunBroker has a 98% PSP manufactured in 1980 listed for $800. Ask to disassemble and look at the gas piston, it will be discolored but should be smooth without galling or scratches. Also, ask to take the grips off (one screw, gently lift front edge of grips and push forward) to check for rust in the inner workings.
Check out the P7 forum on Park Cities, there you'll learn the true value of this outstanding handgun:
http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=forum&f=10
$635 is a very good price for any P7 variant in good shape.
Heavy, with proprietary controls, yet slim, compact, ultra-reliable, super accurate and blessed with a great trigger, the squeeze cockers are fantastic pistols. I've owned two. The first one I had to sell to scrape up some cash; I cried, literally, and bought another as soon as I had the dough.
Heavy, with proprietary controls, yet slim, compact, ultra-reliable, super accurate and blessed with a great trigger, the squeeze cockers are fantastic pistols. I've owned two. The first one I had to sell to scrape up some cash; I cried, literally, and bought another as soon as I had the dough.
Walther P99
New member
Drizzt (Do'Urden ?) P7
The P7 is a great gun, they're fairly compact (although not that light) and the constant SA trigger-pull is a plus.
However, the biggest thing you need for the P7 is STRONG hands. Did you hold the cocker down and see if it's comfortable? I loved my P7 but my hands are weak and I had a hard time holding the cocking lever down for any length of time; at the range, I found myself unknowingly releasing the lever due to my hand involuntarily relaxing, rendering the gun inoperable. As a result, I had to sell it.
Most people don't have this problem, but I just want to bring it to your attention so you'll be aware of it before you make any purchases.
Good luck in your decision.
The P7 is a great gun, they're fairly compact (although not that light) and the constant SA trigger-pull is a plus.
However, the biggest thing you need for the P7 is STRONG hands. Did you hold the cocker down and see if it's comfortable? I loved my P7 but my hands are weak and I had a hard time holding the cocking lever down for any length of time; at the range, I found myself unknowingly releasing the lever due to my hand involuntarily relaxing, rendering the gun inoperable. As a result, I had to sell it.
Most people don't have this problem, but I just want to bring it to your attention so you'll be aware of it before you make any purchases.
Good luck in your decision.
Grip pressure
One thing to remember with the P7 is there are two grip pressures required for the cocking lever. The initial grip pressure to cock the P7 is about 5 pounds. But to hold it cocked only takes about 1 1/2 pounds of grip pressure.
So, the trick is to squeeze to cock and then ease back on the grip pressure until its just enough to keep it cocked. I find the grip pressure to keep it cocked is the same pressure I use on my other pistols.
If one maintains the 5 pounds of grip pressure for an extended period, hands will likely tremble and accuracy will suffer.
And yes, I am a P7 cheerleader.
LW
One thing to remember with the P7 is there are two grip pressures required for the cocking lever. The initial grip pressure to cock the P7 is about 5 pounds. But to hold it cocked only takes about 1 1/2 pounds of grip pressure.
So, the trick is to squeeze to cock and then ease back on the grip pressure until its just enough to keep it cocked. I find the grip pressure to keep it cocked is the same pressure I use on my other pistols.
If one maintains the 5 pounds of grip pressure for an extended period, hands will likely tremble and accuracy will suffer.
And yes, I am a P7 cheerleader.
LW
lonegunman
New member
If they are in decent shape, $635 is a bargain, and I would buy both.
I have had very good results with accuracy from the one and only P7 I have shot, on par I would say with good 1911s.
The pressure required to operated the squeeze cocker really is minimal, after the initial squeeze.
I have had very good results with accuracy from the one and only P7 I have shot, on par I would say with good 1911s.
The pressure required to operated the squeeze cocker really is minimal, after the initial squeeze.
Walther P99
New member
I realized the initial pressure to squeeze the lever is greater than the amount needed to hold it down, but that still didn't help me. I thought the 1.5lb to maintain would be easy when I bought the gun.
Also, I didn't have the full pressure ('initial' amount) maintained for an extended period while shooting (I let off some after lever was depressed), just the amount to hold down...
I think it's due to the fact that my hands are very weak; even the 1.5 pressure for only short periods caused my hands to tire quickly. And, as a result, I missed out on one of the best handguns around.
Again, if you're comfortable with the action, definitely buy it, you won't regret it.
Also, I didn't have the full pressure ('initial' amount) maintained for an extended period while shooting (I let off some after lever was depressed), just the amount to hold down...
I think it's due to the fact that my hands are very weak; even the 1.5 pressure for only short periods caused my hands to tire quickly. And, as a result, I missed out on one of the best handguns around.
Again, if you're comfortable with the action, definitely buy it, you won't regret it.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Not particularly accurate?
Every P7M8 or M13 I've ever shot has shot RINGS around every other handgun I've ever used.
The things are tack drivers, pure and simple.
$635 sounds like they are rebuilds, but that's still a good price for a rebuild.
Every P7M8 or M13 I've ever shot has shot RINGS around every other handgun I've ever used.
The things are tack drivers, pure and simple.
$635 sounds like they are rebuilds, but that's still a good price for a rebuild.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Incursion,
IIRC, I think the cocker takes about 12 pounds of pressure to cock it, but only 3 to 5 pounds to keep it depressed.
Sort of like a compound bow.
IIRC, I think the cocker takes about 12 pounds of pressure to cock it, but only 3 to 5 pounds to keep it depressed.
Sort of like a compound bow.
lonegunman
New member
As someone else has noted, it only takes about 1.5 lbs to keep the cocker squeezed. I believe this is stated in the manual for the p7 as well.