new H&K gun choice
- Thread starter jwyngate
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XavierBreath
Member
So you will get the number of responses you deserve, I moved your post to it's own thread.
HK makes good, reliable firearms. Try to shoot the pistols or at least an example of the pistols before you buy. Your choices are rather esoteric for a first time buyer, and very different from each other. Unless you are already familiar with them, you may want to see just how well they perform in your hands.
I would advise you to shoot a lot of different handguns before settling on the one you will purchase.
HK makes good, reliable firearms. Try to shoot the pistols or at least an example of the pistols before you buy. Your choices are rather esoteric for a first time buyer, and very different from each other. Unless you are already familiar with them, you may want to see just how well they perform in your hands.
I would advise you to shoot a lot of different handguns before settling on the one you will purchase.
nalioth
Member
It's like riding a bicycle.jwyngate said:
"Size matters not" - Yodajwyngate said:
I know ladies who love their 1911s. I know ladies who drink the koolaid and only carry small 'ladylike' guns (whatever those are).
It ain't the caliber, it's where the bullets end up.
Better to carry a small calibered gun than to leave the large calibered one at home.
Better accurate hits with the small caliber than misses with a larger one.
You can't go wrong with H&K. Both your choices are fine ones.
As mentioned, shoot a few different ones (including your choices) and find out if they're 'right' for you.
After that, practice, practice, practice.
Gunnerpalace
Member
Pretty much what Xaivier said, go out and try everything to get a feel for it,most ranges will let you rent pistols, I would think running one magazine through should be good enough to get a feel but somebody should come along with a better way of trying them out.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
orchidhunter
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- 237
jwyngate, My advice to both women and men, is give the Revolvers some thought. orchihunter
If your planning on using the gun for SD and choose the P7 make sure that is all you carry and shoot. It has a weird method of operation that needs to become second nature.
That said, it is a great pistol and one my wife really liked. Big money though.
That said, it is a great pistol and one my wife really liked. Big money though.
I agree with Bubba. Make sure you actually like the P7 before you commit to it. You must squeeze the grip to cock, and maintain that squeeze in order to stay cocked. I don't like it one bit, which is probably why the Germans no longer use the system.
The PS9 is an okay pistol, but not my favorite.
Might I ask why you have decided on these two vintage pistols? There are many more pistols out there that will easily fill the need of a compact 9mm pistol and are in current production with lots of manufacturer support and accessories available. H&K has shyed away from the compact concealed carry market lately which is a shame. Sounds like you might want to consider a Sig P239 9mm:
The PS9 is an okay pistol, but not my favorite.
Might I ask why you have decided on these two vintage pistols? There are many more pistols out there that will easily fill the need of a compact 9mm pistol and are in current production with lots of manufacturer support and accessories available. H&K has shyed away from the compact concealed carry market lately which is a shame. Sounds like you might want to consider a Sig P239 9mm:
I've never shot the P9S, but my P7M8 is easily one of my favorite handguns. Yes, it's a little unusual, but the fact is, it's also pretty natural, after you try it. HK really produced a gem in the P7 series, and the gun is easily my most accurate handgun. It's also very controllable, and not too hard to conceal.
No longer made, the gun is very pricey though, as I'm sure you know. The current wave of P7 PSP imports is probably going to dry up soon, and with it, their low prices (if you can call 500 for a used gun "low").
HKPro and Park Cities Tactical websites are where most of the P7 junkies hang out...
No longer made, the gun is very pricey though, as I'm sure you know. The current wave of P7 PSP imports is probably going to dry up soon, and with it, their low prices (if you can call 500 for a used gun "low").
HKPro and Park Cities Tactical websites are where most of the P7 junkies hang out...
I won't try to steer you to a different choice as you have seemingly already done some homework. Some gun forum posters have a tendency to try to steer people to their personal choices, which I think can be a bad thing, if well intentioned.
I highly recommend the P7M8. I carry one as a backup to my 1911 and as a primary when I cannot hide the 1911, or when riding my motorcycle.
The pistol goes from completely safe to single-action ready instantly. The low bore axis minimizes muzzle flip. The trigger is good. The accuracy is match grade due to the fixed barrel. The ergonomics are good. The squeeze cocker requires about a 12-pound squeeze to engage but requires only about 3 pounds to keep it engaged, less than needed to keep the gun in your hand.
If you are concerned about storage issues with children, the pistol can be made inert in about 10 seconds through removal of the striker assembly without the need for tools. The squeeze cocker also makes the pistol less of a hazard around small children in the unthinkable event they may get their hands on it.
There is nothing to snag on clothing, and the weapon is very flat and thin which makes it easier to carry concealed. The trigger guard easily works with gloves (which is why I carry it on my bikes). Both of mine have been completely reliable.
Downsides are:
They are a bit heavier than a polymer pistol, magazines are expensive (but quite reliable), and they do get rather warm with long range sessions. That's not to mention the various opinions about 9 mm rounds, but you can easily use +P loads in the P7M8, as the gas system self-regulates.
You need a well designed holster to properly carry the weapon because it is a bit top heavy in a holster. I have Alessi IWB holsters for both of mine and they are as close to perfection as possible.
Do a web search for "cult of the p7", which will lead you to a forum where you will find excellent additional information.
I highly recommend the P7M8. I carry one as a backup to my 1911 and as a primary when I cannot hide the 1911, or when riding my motorcycle.
The pistol goes from completely safe to single-action ready instantly. The low bore axis minimizes muzzle flip. The trigger is good. The accuracy is match grade due to the fixed barrel. The ergonomics are good. The squeeze cocker requires about a 12-pound squeeze to engage but requires only about 3 pounds to keep it engaged, less than needed to keep the gun in your hand.
If you are concerned about storage issues with children, the pistol can be made inert in about 10 seconds through removal of the striker assembly without the need for tools. The squeeze cocker also makes the pistol less of a hazard around small children in the unthinkable event they may get their hands on it.
There is nothing to snag on clothing, and the weapon is very flat and thin which makes it easier to carry concealed. The trigger guard easily works with gloves (which is why I carry it on my bikes). Both of mine have been completely reliable.
Downsides are:
They are a bit heavier than a polymer pistol, magazines are expensive (but quite reliable), and they do get rather warm with long range sessions. That's not to mention the various opinions about 9 mm rounds, but you can easily use +P loads in the P7M8, as the gas system self-regulates.
You need a well designed holster to properly carry the weapon because it is a bit top heavy in a holster. I have Alessi IWB holsters for both of mine and they are as close to perfection as possible.
Do a web search for "cult of the p7", which will lead you to a forum where you will find excellent additional information.
jos2f
Member
I'm going to be the person everyone hates by offering up a different gun that you aren't considering:
The P2000SK (or regular P2000 if you don't want a compact)
Ergonomics fit my hand very well. DA/SA can be had which is nice for lighter trigger pull.
Good luck with your choice!
The P2000SK (or regular P2000 if you don't want a compact)
Ergonomics fit my hand very well. DA/SA can be had which is nice for lighter trigger pull.
Good luck with your choice!
IMTHDUKE
Member
As to the above post...I agree...the P2000SK may have a better hand fit for a small hand and is adjustable.
1911 Shooter
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- Feb 22, 2006
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- 18
used, refurb HK PSP P7, about 600. dollars.
+1 on the P7 PSP NOT the P7M8. The M8 has a funky mag release and I've never cared for it. The P7 is a brilliant shooter and the grips is a little larger but its flat and points very naturally. The trigger reach is short and there are no other controls to worry about so the size of the grips doesn't hinder anything. They are killer accurate but they are also require a tad more cleaning than other makes because of the gas system. Teh downside to the P7 is that mags are very expensive and getting harder to come by. If you can find one that comes with a few spare mags I would snatch it up and go have fun shooting.
The P9S is a very big pistol for a 9mm and the decocker is a bit strange.
The P7's are much smaller and once you figure out the squeeze cocking thing... they are really sweet shooting pistols.
Magazines for both are pricey. Both are very well made and would suit you well.
The P7's are much smaller and once you figure out the squeeze cocking thing... they are really sweet shooting pistols.
Magazines for both are pricey. Both are very well made and would suit you well.
oneounceload
member
My wife got me a P7 for my birthday - she actually likes it better than any others of hers or mine - the squeeze cocking is no big deal - give the grip a good squeeze and no problem.......
357wheelgunner
Member
Original Poster:
You really need to go handle different H&K (if that's the brand you want to buy) handguns and find one that fits you well. Great choice in caliber! You might also look at Sigs while you're out, you might find something you like there, and their quality and reliability are as good as H&K.
They're the tiny pea shooters carried by most men who carry guns, because they were convinced that they needed a "carry gun" and that they couldn't possibly carry a service sized pistol.
You really need to go handle different H&K (if that's the brand you want to buy) handguns and find one that fits you well. Great choice in caliber! You might also look at Sigs while you're out, you might find something you like there, and their quality and reliability are as good as H&K.
They're the tiny pea shooters carried by most men who carry guns, because they were convinced that they needed a "carry gun" and that they couldn't possibly carry a service sized pistol.
benderx4
Member
WOW!! Excellent choices!! I'm very intrigued as to how you distilled all the available choices out there down to these no-longer-made, but outstanding handguns? Fixed barrel?
Like most folks, I would HIGHLY recommend the P7/P7M8 over the P9S. (I've got 7 of them.) Did you know that to decock the P9S, you must pull the trigger? Done properly, iti's not big deal, but it can be very disconcerting.
Find yourself a nice clean P7 or variant, get used to the manual of arms (squeeze cocker, etc), and then practice, practice, practice!
Good luck!
P.S. I also highly recommend the HK P30 and the P2000SK!
Like most folks, I would HIGHLY recommend the P7/P7M8 over the P9S. (I've got 7 of them.) Did you know that to decock the P9S, you must pull the trigger? Done properly, iti's not big deal, but it can be very disconcerting.
Find yourself a nice clean P7 or variant, get used to the manual of arms (squeeze cocker, etc), and then practice, practice, practice!
Good luck!
P.S. I also highly recommend the HK P30 and the P2000SK!
Guns and more
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I'd also try the H&K P-30.
Made for smaller hands, even has different grip panels to make it smaller.
It has the best slide release ever.
It has the best mag release (once you get used to it)
It has the easiest slide to rack of any gun I have.
and it never fails.
It's like a Mercedes of firearms.
Made for smaller hands, even has different grip panels to make it smaller.
It has the best slide release ever.
It has the best mag release (once you get used to it)
It has the easiest slide to rack of any gun I have.
and it never fails.
It's like a Mercedes of firearms.
IMTHDUKE
Member
I have one and agree 110%.
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