P7 or S&W Centennial?

[Fat Boy]

Howdy- I have been all over the map on handguns; owned and mostly traded several trying to find that one gun.

I have a good quality .357 revolver that will last my lifetime and give good service along the way. This gun will serve for defense, plinking/target, and hunting (if necessary)

I am trying to decide on my next purchase. I can buy either an H&K P7 (single stack, heel magazine release) or a Smith centennial (new edition) blue steel gun (wood grips)

I frankly get a little tired of loading the magazines on semi-auto's, and I do believe that in a "what if" situation (multiple bad guys) I could quickly exhaust my supply of loaded magazines, whereas a revolver can be reloaded by hand fairly quickly - compared to reloading magazines

From what I can tell, 9mm shells are cheaper than .38's, although not by too much.

The h&k has a real "cool" factor, but replacement magazines are expensive, and I don't know about finding a good h&k armorer...

I would love to hear opinions on which direction you would go with this decision and why.

My reason for purchasing this gun is for potentially defense but mostly shooting

Thanks!

 

[Loosedhorse]

Another easy question!

Get both! Everyone needs a Centennial, and P7s are like 1911s--if they get under your skin, you've had it.

Centennials main advantage is "carry it in the pocket, who cares about the pocket lint" portability and dependability. Heavy trigger and hard-to-see sights can be problems (consider Crimson Trace grips).

DO NOT get the re-issued Model 40s--some hands do not automatically depress the grip safety, and that's bad in a SD gun.

P7s main features are safety (let go and it's decocked) and accuracy (fixed barrel). I also like the fact that if you want to put it on a shelf, you can remove the firing pin in about 2 seconds and put it in your shirt pocket--goes back in the gun just as fast.

P7s heats up with a few magazines, so be aware of that. There have been ADs in PDs that issued the P7, so be advised that safe training and familiarity are important. H&K fully supports them right now with parts and service--but someday that will change.

REALLY, I have to choose one? Centennial. Been around since '52 and going strong. P7 had a good run, but didn't quite make 30 years.

 

[Khyron]

I frankly get a little tired of loading the magazines on semi-auto's, and I do believe that in a "what if" situation (multiple bad guys) I could quickly exhaust my supply of loaded magazines, whereas a revolver can be reloaded by hand fairly quickly - compared to reloading magazines

Thats why you carry spare magazines. If you are in some kinda gunfight where you empty your primary and 2 backups (what I carry) then you need to be looking for a way to extract yourself from that situation. Wouldn't want to be reloading my empty mags in a fight. Besides noone who daily carries would have loose rounds in their pocket for reloading mags with. If you are tired of loading mags get an upula mag loader. I bought one for my fighting pistol classes, it rocks, saved my thumb, and actually makes loading mags kinda fun. Oh and get the P7, its my daily summer carry and I love it

 

[5Wire]

You can pretty much always get a Centennial, there's bunches of 'em on Gus America and Gunbroker, just to mention two sites. P7s are increasingly less available and increasingly more expensive. I'm biased by my P7 M8 but it is one of the most efficient guns to handle and very accurate as well.

 

[9mmepiphany]

of the 2 you mention the P7 would be my first choice for your intended use.

they didn't used to have a problem selling NIB for $1000...it's too good a deal to pass up

extra mags aren't really that expensive, hold 8 rounds (50% more than the S&W) and are faster to used than a speedloader .

if you need a P7 smith, you can contact Bruce Gray at:

www.Grayguns.com

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Two things confuse me. First two highly disparate guns that really serve different purposes, and ...

I frankly get a little tired of loading the magazines on semi-auto's, and I do believe that in a "what if" situation (multiple bad guys) I could quickly exhaust my supply of loaded magazines, whereas a revolver can be reloaded by hand fairly quickly - compared to reloading magazines

Why would you not carry spare magazines that are already loaded?

 

[IMTHDUKE]

Just pick yourself up one of these and have fun.