Why the P7 is my favorite carry gun.
Manual of arms
The squeeze cocker is the most obvious feature of this gun. It permits a very safe mode of carry (uncocked) yet is incredibly fast into action with a very natural squeeze of the grip. Once depressed, the squeeze cocker only needs light pressure to remain cocked. Relax your grip, the gun decocks and is safe. Very intuitiative and natural, only different from every gun out there.
The squeeze cocker also serves as the slide release. With the slide back, pop a fresh mag in and squeeze the cocker: the slide releases and the gun is cocked, ready to go. I continue to think this is one of the most sublime features of this gun. No shifting grips to hit the slide stop or using the weak hand thumb.
The slide release is easy to access when deliberately locking the slide back but totally unobtrusive, 100% flush and snag-free.
The gun field strips faster and easier than a SIG or Glock. Pop the mag, lock the slide back, verify empty and push the left side button to lift the slide up and off. With the M8 the firing pin assembly can be field stripped by slightly cocking the gun (again, verify empty) and push turning on the bushing at the rear of the slide out pops the firing pin/striker unit.
Ergonomics
The gun has a very (to me) natural grip angle. Raise the gun and I am on target. P7s and 1911s do this for me whereas Glocks and S&W revolvers tend to point high. I know this is a matter of individual fit, but it works for me.
The slide sits low to the frame, in part due to the lack of a tilting barrel locking mechanism. As a result the gun seems to recoil more in a straight line back versus flipping or twisting up. Helps keep the gun on target and don’t need a compensator or muzzle porting to do it. (the HK USP 45 Compact has a rather high flipping recoil motion). Again, this is an individual perception, but one that works for me.
The mag release of both the M series and PSP are ambidextrous. The M series can be released with either the thumb and/or the forefinger of the shooting hand. The European mag release is accessed by the weekhand thumb. I think this mag release gets a raw deal. With very little practice I find it very fast – note you do not have to press thumb and drag out the mag. Hit the release and keep your hand clear and the mag will pop out with a force similar to an M series.
Design
The gas retarded blowback action dampens recoil and the fixed barrel makes the gun very accurate.
The fluted chamber ensures extraction with the extractor insuring positive and consistent extraction. A nice feature, because one part that breaks on a lot of gun designs is the extractor. Loose the extractor on the P7 and you are still in the fight.
Polygonal rifling increases muzzle velocity and cleans up easier.
On the M series the extended trigger guard means most winter gloves will clear it. Alternatively, I have no problem with light winter gloves and the shorter trigger guard of the PSP.
Safety
Squeeze it, its cocked. Relax your grip, its uncocked. Again, very natural and so simple that you don’t really have to “learn” it. While this contributes greatly to gun safety, adherence to the four general safety rules is the most important.
Quality Craftmanship
This baby is built. In deference to SIG P series and HK USP pistols, this is the best made factory gun out there. Not only great materials (you just know that slide is special from the look and feel of that steel) and great finishing detail but you also get a bunch of little extras. Like the slide top is serrated, the ejection port is beveled, the mag well is beveled, the front and backstraps are lightly stippled and the sights are not cheesy plastic ala Glock and are ready for night sight tubes. Plus the gun is dehorned for hand comfort.
Variants and Preferences
I don’t care at all for the P7M10 in 40. That is one I do not own. A big heavy chunky pistol with a really stiff recoil spring. Seems like the gas retarded action is a bit light for 40 and HK had to make it up with slide weight and a heavy spring. The weight distribution of a P7M8 or PSP is already a little top grip heavy, and the M10 makes it even worse. A downright unwieldy gun.
The P7M13, with its double stack mag is a bit chunky in the grip for me. Thick and straight like a brick, not at all like the curvaceous Browning High Power. Preban mags are REAL expensive - ~$125 each.
The P7M8 has the ideal grip size in combination with the angle. Feels great in the hand and the mag release, like all the M series guns, is typical American. Downside with the release is that it protrudes from an otherwise extremely flat gun. I find that the release pokes at me and abrades clothing when carrying. Also, I once accidentally popped a mag out while sliding into a car seat. Another plus for the M series guns is the inclusion of a plastic heat shield above the trigger guard. The gas port heats up when you fire a lot of rounds through it quickly. This is only a problem at the range as on the street you will most likely not be carrying 50 rounds on you. The heat shield helps a bit, but the gun still gets hot. The PSP lacks a heat shield.
The PSP is my favorite gun, hands down. The original design is still the best. Extremely flat an protrusion free. The butt mag release is not a problem for me because the whole damn gun is different. The PSP only lacks the heat shield and requires a tool to remove the firing pin/striker assembly. The trigger guard is shorter than the M series, but still long enough for my fingers and gloves. Plus I think the shorter trigger guard looks better.
My envisioned “product improved” P7PSP would include losing the finger hook on the trigger guard, adding the firing pin/striker assembly and the heat shield from the M8 and making the frame out of titanium. Alas, this will probably never happen. Nothing is perfect, but the P7 is a great gun.