More P7 Info

J

jaughtman

New member
So, our discussion on the P7 last week got me thinking, since there is all kinds of thoughts and theories on why the slides on some P7's turn the plum/purplish color. I reached out to HK customer service (no idea on why I did not do this years ago) and they confirmed that it is NOT a refinish, but simply the result of the finish and the metal reacting to each other - not a new finish. So, HK states that the slides on those simply change color over time. This might be old knowledge to most of you long-term P7 fans, but thought I would add the official line from HK if you had not heard it.

Jaughtman
 
I had heard it was a reaction between the slide and the bluing process, possibly involving heat treatment. One of mine has a plum slide, the other does not
 
I had heard it was a reaction between the slide and the bluing process, possibly involving heat treatment. One of mine has a plum slide, the other does not
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Correct. That is basically what HK customer support told me.
 
Different phenomenon, P7 is Funny German Steel, M16 is aluminum.

I had a gun come out of bluing with a purple cast. It was changing to a bronze color with age. At the time I thought it looked odd and had it reblued but now I wish I had left it.
 
I had a gun come out of bluing with a purple cast. It was changing to a bronze color with age. At the time I thought it looked odd and had it reblued but now I wish I had left it.
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Yes, I had contemplated getting my first P7 (years back, when I was a newbie to the things) reblued due to the plum slide. Now I am thankful I left it as-is.
 
It does not take a hard hold once you have it cocked, my arthritic Mother could squeeze and hold it.

My main complaint was that it took me a while to establish the reflexive squeeze on the presentation. Then if I shot a conventional gun, it went away and I had to regain it. Acceptable if I meant to shoot P7 exclusively, but a large pain in "rotation."
 
It always seemed the biggest proponents of the plum coloring being evidence of refinishing were people who owned P7s without plum slides; they were smug about their guns being "original" and presumably more valuable.

When I had a P7 with a plum slide, I also had a P239 with a beautifully bright plum hammer that was obviously a piece that would not have been refinished.
 
I would have no argument at all with what HK told you. Consistent with my humble experience; sometimes happens during the bluing process. Not necessarily an indication of a reblue. My particular HKP7M8, purchased new in the '80s and unrefinished, has not turned plum. If it does, it will not bother me in the least. I've owned and/or seen Rugers, Colts, SIGs, HKs, etc. plum or going plum. I have a German SIG P210, purchased new a few years ago, that looks to me like the frame is starting to turn plum. Previously had a Swiss 210 that turned plum. Did I mention pistols turning plum don't bother me in the least;)
 
Jim Watson said:
Different phenomenon, P7 is Funny German Steel, M16 is aluminum.

I had a gun come out of bluing with a purple cast. It was changing to a bronze color with age. At the time I thought it looked odd and had it reblued but now I wish I had left it.
Click to expand...


French Steel not German. It’s in one of the P7 Armorer’s Manual.


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I believe the purplish hue is due to the Boron in the alloy reacting to the heat treat and coating.


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