I know that they are rare because they were pretty darned expensive, but I am wondering if anyone out there carries a Heckler & Koch P7 pistol.
I was reminded of them by the glowing article in this month's NRA magazine. The P7 series was well favored. Now as of 2006 they are discontinued (because according to the article, the need they addressed is addressed more cheaply by modern DAO autos).
I was shown one when I was in the market for my first handgun, back in 1993. It was too rich for my blood.
I'd carry my "PSP," but I can't under my current LE agency policy. It's a great gun with the sole drawbacks being it getting hot to handle after firing two mags and having insanely expensive mags (I can't really complain here, P9S mags are more expensive....ugh).
Someone on the P7 Cult page of the Park Cities Tactical forum asked the same question and dozens of folks there carry their P7s daily. I'm sure a few folks here do to.
I sure wish I could obtain one in .40 (was that the P7M10 or 13, I always forget), NOT used, at a reasonable price. That's probably just a pipe-dream and always will be. Even IF I could get one that's brand new-in-box, it sure wouldn't be inexpensive, now would it? :frown:
I have allways wanted one , but so far wont pay the tarrif for should i it would most likely be the m8 vairiant ... Its on my list , but not at the prices they bring , will take a deal or one of them trades where everyone concerned is convinced they won lol .
problem with packing a P7 (especially a P7M10) is that you're packing a very expensive and somewhat irreplaceable firearm.
your carry piece has to be looked at as though its disposable because in reality it is (you use it, it'll end up in a police evidence locker and you may never see it again ... and if you do it'll be rusty).
So I'm not too keen on the idea of loosing an irreplaceable $3500 pistol (in the case of an M10) if I have to shoot some miscreant.
Certainly not right after the encounter, but the same thing can be accomplished with a $300-$500 pistol ... loss of what amounts to an heirloom pistol would just add insult to injury.
However if you can afford it, its a damn good carry piece (any of the P7s).
I own the P7M8, bought used NJ SP turn-in that was factory re-furb'd and H&K ground off the logo (I guess it was the SP logo) on the slide
Great gun, damn expensive and the mags are outrageously expensive (especially for low-cap 9mm).
Add that to the fact that you'd get 2nd degree burns after reholstering (if the holster didn't melt to the gun and your skin), and it makes a poor carry piece IMNSHO.
Wow. Maybe a few misunderstandings/misconceptions here. The P7 series was designed as a police side-arm. If you envision shooting 250 consecutive rounds in a battle- you probably should have brought a Glock!:wink: Seriously, in an extended range session, yes, you can burn your a**, but in real-world usage its a non-issue.
Price. $3500?!?! Someone is hard-core gouging, or has a special sn#, or lots of accessories. Average is $1200, with bargains of $700-900 to new-issue at $1300. Just have to look around.
If you get one, get it chromed (or similar) for EDC. I've owned 3. I've "reconsidered" my battery of late, and realized I had too much $$ in higher-end toys- I've shifted to cheaper, all-weather and terrain durability, and multiples. If you want a P7, they are a joy, and well worth the $$. Just be sure you know how it fits your perceived needs. FWIW, it may only carry 9 rounds of 9mm, but it's about the only 9mm that makes an adequate club, close in!:ahhhhh:
I have two of the PSP guns in my possesion. One is blue the other hard chrome with nite sights.. I've had about 10 of them over the years, including the P7M8 guns. The least expensive one I bought was 375.00 back in 1980. I've not paid more than 650.00 for any of em.. Guess I've been quite lucky.
BTW, these little guns shoot like no tomorrow, and I'd stake my life on em
I own many pistols and the P7M8 is the most accurate I own. It is compact, and conceals well with a proper holster. It has a fluted chamber, so the gun should keep working even if the extractor breaks. The delayed gas blowback system is self-regulating, so it can handle virtually any ammo. The trigger pull is always a light single action pull. As soon as you release your grip on the pistol it cannot fire -- the P7M8 is an extremely safe firearm. The P7M8 is very controllable on doubles and during rapid fire. My P7M8 has never has a FTF or FTE, and I know it will always do its job -- my P7M8 is dead reliable.
Yes, the P7M8 is expensive. Yes, the mags are steep. Yes, it will heat up eventually, but it was designed as a defensive carry pistol, not an IPSC gun. IMHO the P7M8 is worth every penny. It is a classic in both design and function.
I carry either a P7M8 or a PSP at times when I'm not carrying a 1911 or a BHP. Then sometimes I carry my little Kahr PM9 or a G-26. My S&W Model 19 likes attention too. So many guns, so little time.
I sure don't worry about losing a nice piece if , God forbid, I ever have to defend my life. If I ever do, I hope I have one of my custom 5" 1911s. Full steam ahead and damn the torpedos...Tom
Well an ironic twist of fate today! (see my post above in this thread)
I was working a gun show for our state association when I spotted two factory P7M8 mags on a vendor table. I asked, expecting a price like $50 each. He says $38 each but if I want both, he'll give them to me for $66 OTD! Led to a "quick draw" of cash! :danceban:
So now I have 4 mags for that gun and I can start to think of it as a potential carry gun (but still think I prefer my S&W 1911 - I just shoot it more accurately than any other gun I own).
When I'm not carrying my j-frame it's the M8....The HP is still my favorite 9 of all time but I can't carry a single action.....but I feel well armed with 9 rounds of 147 SXTs....
I've heard the grip decocker takes time to get used to and could interfere with your basic style if you use another type of weapon from time to time. I'll stick with my USP Compact. Even the safety flips down to fire like a 1911. I don't like surprises.
I had one years ago and let it go in a moment of weakness. Did some work for the boss at the gunshop and got paid with a P7M8 last week. It's one of the "purple slide" guns, but it shoots. I'm carrying it, although in a nylon holster for now, waiting on my Fist. Spares in an old mag pouch I had laying around in my old-holster-box. Ammo is 124gr Hydra Shoks. Thinking about, but not comitted to, refinishing the slide.
I've had three of them over the years [ 2 m8's and an m13 ]. Haven't had one for about 6 years now.
I got rid of all the single stack 9mm's long ago. The 9mm's strength is to be carried double stacked with lots of ammo on board IMO.
The P7 series was one of three guns adopted from trials for a new counter-terr handgun after the Munich massacre. The Walther P5, and the Sig [ P6 ], later renamed the 226 were the other two adopted.
P7's are sweet, very accurate with the fixed barrel like ppk's and such. The M13 model was much too bulky and heavy to carry everyday.
Well, my long-winded post from before disappeared.
I really don't want to type it all in right now, but here are the highlights:
-I like 'em.
-I carry one sometimes, usually when I don't feel I can conceal a bigger gun (1911 or HiPower) well, but sometimes just because I want to carry the P7.
-I find it to be one of the easiest, if not THE easiest gun to shoot well (and shoot well fast).
-Reports of P7 negatives are often exaggerated.
By that, I mean:
1) They heat up, but it takes 50+ rounds to do so, and the hot spot isn't someplace you usually touch anyway (no more of a problem than a revolver barrel).
2) The cocking lever is no big obstacle. It takes about two magazines to get used to, and then you have it. I switch between a couple other guns as my needs change, but haven't had trouble with it being "too different".
3) They are heavy for their size. Maybe a little, but a comparable size gun is the Sig P239 weighing only about 2-2.5 ozs less, and the P7 has a steel frame.
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