OK a lot of people think these are neat little pistols but have little actual experience with them. The fact that a new P7M8 currently retails for about $1,400.00 is probably a big reason few people have a lot of experience with one.

However a few have recently been imported at affordable prices and some may be considering a purchase but would like to know more about them.

First things first there are 3 basic 9mm P7s (The P7PSP, The P7M8 and P7M13 - There is also a P7M10 but you won't likely see one).

The vast majority of imports are the P7 PSP which was the original P7.



The P7 looks like your average single action striker fired automatic.



Looks however are decieving. It is what is known as a squeeze cocker. On the front grip strap is a cocking lever which when depressed cocks the weapon.



When engaged the firing pin becomes visible from the rear and the P7 then functions like most single action striker fired autos. The main difference is unlike a Glock or Steyr M the P7 can be decocked simply by releasing the cocking lever. It is also safer to carry with a round in the chamber than say a Glock which has the safety on the trigger.

And it is fast. HK notes "The P7 can be drawn, cocked and fired accurately faster than any other pistol."

When the cocking lever is NOT engaged the weapon will NOT fire. This makes it a ideal carry gun for in the event that the weapon is taken from you more often than not someone unfamiliar with it will not be able to fire it.

The P7 is standard issue to the NJ Highway Patrol and they did a study (1996 if I remember correctly) where they had approx. 12 (again recalling from memory) instances of weapons being taken from troopers and NONE were successfully fired.



Like most autos the slide locks open when empty but the P7 has no slide release. Simply engaging the squeeze cocker drops the slide. When done with a fresh magazine inserted the weapon is now loaded and ready to fire in a single action. Releasing the squeeze cocker renders the weapon loaded and safe to carry.



The P7 is simple to strip into very few parts. Remove the magazine and push the dissasembly button on the rear and the slide can be removed by depressing slightly to the rear. It is reassembled in the reverse order.

In the photo what looks like a guide rod protruding from the front of the slide is actually a gas tube. All P7s are gas delayed blowbacks.



Another often overlooked feature is the slide lock. Directly behind the trigger is a small lever that when engaged will lock the slide open when no magazine or a loaded magazine is inserted.

If the above model the M8 (rather than the PSP shown) magazine release would be in the usual place.



The magazine release on the PSP is found in the usual European location on the heel. In addition to the behind the trigger mag release the P7M8 also has a heat shield above the trigger guard. Because it is gas operated ALL P7s (the PSP especially) get hot after a few magazines. Not a great SHTF gun for this reason alone but a wonderful carry weapon.

But here is the BIG DEAL about all P7s.



The barrel is pinned to the frame. Rather than held in place by a bushing the pinned barrel makes the P7 on of the most accurate guns ever made. My P7 easily outshoots my Beretta M9, HK USP and Sig P226, even with it's 4" barrel. One wonders what a theoretical target model P7 with a 5 inch barrel could do.

In short the P7 makes a wonderful carry gun. It is slim and compact (except the M10 & M13 models which have a double stack magazine and wider grip), very comfortable to grip and has a wonderfully natural point and shoot quality to it.

While I wouldn't recommend a new one to most people given the $1,400 price tag, if you can find a used one in decent condition for 2/3 or less it would be a very good purchase.

Ever held one?

I can engage the squeeze cocker with a single finger. And like a compound bow, once engaged can be held with even less pressure. Even with the suggested 'complicated contraption' I can easily outshoot all my other handguns.

The P7M8 (US version) has the mag release in the usual place so it's no different from any other US gun. Do you also hate the Walther PP/PPK because of the heel mag release?

You should really see one in person.

great reference post, steyr.

i do like the machining quality of the pistol, but the grip feels very un-natural in my hand. i also like the fact that it is not made from polymer.

i couldn't tell you which models are available in my market, but i see these (used) in the $650-800 price range and no one buys them.

1982. I've only seen them flush on a few P7s. I think it may have been a feature on guns meant for US import.


CAMPYBOB, the P7 is really a pre poly gun. It was HK (not Glock) who did the first poly gun with the VP70.

Also spend some time with one. Once you become accustomed to the gun you may realy like it. It is a very unique action so it does require soe period of adjustment.

That said the decocker and slide release on my Beretta M9 vs. Sig226 are reversed. When I switch from one to the other I have to get reaccustomed to the new gun. It doesn't make eitehr one a bad gun. I love my Sig but there have been times I have meant to drop the slide and engaged the decocker to no effect.

I believe they are actually West German police guns. Fairly certain teh NJ troopers carry the M8 or M13 and the bulk of these are PSPs.

Ameshawki, outrageous prices are nothing new for out of production HK handguns. The P9 is about as expensive and the P9S Comp brings in as much as $2,000.

If they discontinued USPs tommarow you would probably see prices double within 5 years.

Great assessment.

As I noted not a SHTF gun. For taking on entire platoons I'd want something with a 15+ mag capacity. [:D]

But I can see where Euro SWAT type would employ the P7. Rarely will you have more than a handful of targets in a hostage sitation and first shot placement is critical.

But I think it makes a better carry gun than duty weapon. For professional use I could see it being a fallback gun for a large frame full capacity auto.

[size=6]NO![/size=6]

That was a mistake on my part. I was meant to refer to the P9s Comp and then talk about the VP70.

The VP70 is worth about $450 in Exc. condition but would probably only be of interest to a HK collector.

Really sorry and really glad you helped me catch that.

Maks don't have a polygon barrel and they are built like a Mexican watch. [;)]

I only asked because your description seemed to indicate a lack of familiarity.

Your suggestion that a firm grip, or that it cannot be operated with the weak hand didn't seem to coincide with my experience.

In fact in the photo of the squeeze cocker engaged I am holding it at a rather awkward angle, taking the photo with my free hand and engaging the squeeze cker with my thumb only.

Given that I am confident that any shooter can operate it without affecting point of aim with either hand. Their accuracy speaks for their ability to be held properly.

[b]It was thin...[/b]

i remember it as being thin, also, now that you mention it.

don't dog that makarov, steyr. they are really fine pistols. i enjoy the mak's i own.