i should have been more clear, i was referring to the P7 (what is often referred to as the PSP)
Why does the H&K P7 have such a strong following?
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i should have been more clear, i was referring to the P7 (what is often referred to as the PSP)
There are many pistols that work as well or better than the P7. But one thing they have that other don't, is their uniqueness. They are a bit odd - the gas delayed blow back action, the grip-cock design, ect. No other gun shares their design features. They are "different", and that is why they have such a strong following. They also happen to have a very attractive appearance. I wouldn't mind owning one myself, even if they do get to hot to handle. 
I own a P7M8 and P7SP and love them both. I actually prefer the PSP because when you carry the P7M8 as IWB holster the mag release lever is a little too long and i have found the magazine popped out a 1/2" on a few occasions after getting out of the car. The PSP with the heel release does not have the same problem.
I own Sigs, other HKs, M&P etc. No hand gun i have ever shot, shoots as well as the P7 in my humble opinion. And trust me i am not a crazy fanboy. It does have its negatives as far as being heavy but and possibly not as high of a capacity but if 8+1 doesnt solve your self defense problems you have bigger issues. There are plenty of other way more modern 9mm guns that carry same or less rounds such as Sig 239, Kahr series, Walther PPS, etc.
The P7 points extremely natural and has one of the lowest bore axis around. The recoil is non-existent and has a sweet trigger. I have handed this hand gun that shot 5" groups at 10yards with my Sig 239 and suddenly their groups shrink to half. Myself when i shoot it i make a ragged hole at 10 yards with the same gun where with my Sig 239 or Walther PPS i get about 2" groups.
I own Sigs, other HKs, M&P etc. No hand gun i have ever shot, shoots as well as the P7 in my humble opinion. And trust me i am not a crazy fanboy. It does have its negatives as far as being heavy but and possibly not as high of a capacity but if 8+1 doesnt solve your self defense problems you have bigger issues. There are plenty of other way more modern 9mm guns that carry same or less rounds such as Sig 239, Kahr series, Walther PPS, etc.
The P7 points extremely natural and has one of the lowest bore axis around. The recoil is non-existent and has a sweet trigger. I have handed this hand gun that shot 5" groups at 10yards with my Sig 239 and suddenly their groups shrink to half. Myself when i shoot it i make a ragged hole at 10 yards with the same gun where with my Sig 239 or Walther PPS i get about 2" groups.
Bentonville
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I had a P7 from 1980 and it was nice. It did get a little hot when at the range and the heel release was a little weird but it worked.
I loved it enough that I sold it to fund buying a P7M8. Then when I went to a gun store on whim and found a screaming deal on a P225 with k-kote and night sights. Shortly after HK discontinued producing them. The original plan was to use the HK as a duty gun but since my department didn't allow them at the time and even now they would except there is no longer a factory armorer's course there is no real way to use one on duty.
They are good guns but they have their issues like all guns.
I loved it enough that I sold it to fund buying a P7M8. Then when I went to a gun store on whim and found a screaming deal on a P225 with k-kote and night sights. Shortly after HK discontinued producing them. The original plan was to use the HK as a duty gun but since my department didn't allow them at the time and even now they would except there is no longer a factory armorer's course there is no real way to use one on duty.
They are good guns but they have their issues like all guns.
MikePGS
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I've never shot one, but they have a few features that intrigue me. Single stack, fixed barrel and the squeeze cocker "sound" like they would be cool on a gun. What doesn't sound cool is the reviews I've read where they say that after putting 50 or so rounds down the barrel it heats up and you have to let it cool down for a while.
Its the frame getting hot that bothers people, not the barrel. The gas system heats up the upper frame after rapid firing during a range session of fifty or so rounds. Either wear a shooting glove when practicing or put it down and shoot something else for a few minutes until it cools. Its a superior, carry firearm and unless you plan on getting into situations that require continuous 50 round rapid expenditures of ammunition, don't worry about it.
If you want an excuse not to spend the $500 a nice P7 PSP currently costs to acquire, well you have one.
If you want an excuse not to spend the $500 a nice P7 PSP currently costs to acquire, well you have one.
Kingofthehill
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They are just BEAUTIFUL!
blasphemer
Well, the P7 lovers can have a field day with me. I was intrigued by the design and thought it was a good pistol - until I bought one.
Aside from being a lot bigger and heavier than most folks think, the thing is overengineered to heck and back. The squeeze cocking, rather than being an advantage, is a drawback, requiring that the shooter give it his attention at all times to make sure the gun is operational. Relax just a bit, lose focus a bit, and the gun will uncock and require a hard, long squeeze to get it back to shooting condition.
It is not like a grip safety, which has little tension and is squeezed automatically; that cocker requires a deliberate effort to function. I admit I have never been in a gun fight, but if I am, I want to be able to concentrate on the opponent, his actions, my aim and any danger area from my shots. I DON'T want to have to think about keeping a death grip on my gun.
I didn't mention the delayed blowback system, because in general it works OK; the heat is a problem only in extended firing and would have no impact in a police or defense gun.
Jim
Aside from being a lot bigger and heavier than most folks think, the thing is overengineered to heck and back. The squeeze cocking, rather than being an advantage, is a drawback, requiring that the shooter give it his attention at all times to make sure the gun is operational. Relax just a bit, lose focus a bit, and the gun will uncock and require a hard, long squeeze to get it back to shooting condition.
It is not like a grip safety, which has little tension and is squeezed automatically; that cocker requires a deliberate effort to function. I admit I have never been in a gun fight, but if I am, I want to be able to concentrate on the opponent, his actions, my aim and any danger area from my shots. I DON'T want to have to think about keeping a death grip on my gun.
I didn't mention the delayed blowback system, because in general it works OK; the heat is a problem only in extended firing and would have no impact in a police or defense gun.
Jim
it sounds like you were over squeezing your P-7
the cocking lever requires about 12 pounds to squeeze...like a firm handshake...and only about 3-4 pounds to maintain in that condition...like a compound bow...death gripping it only makes you tired, i hold it with light pressure from my middle finger
it is a very reliable action, the fluted chamber will let it continue function and eject empty cases if the extractor should break
IMTHDUKE
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Some just don't have good taste in guns....they think a broomstick is a beauty.
Some appreciate it....some don't. It's a bit pricey, but not terribly so.
It IS different. It is classy. It is exceptionally accurate. It does take some getting used to. It is not a Glock. It is not a 1911. It is not for everyone.
I have one, a PSP. I will probably buy another. And perhaps another.
It IS different. It is classy. It is exceptionally accurate. It does take some getting used to. It is not a Glock. It is not a 1911. It is not for everyone.
I have one, a PSP. I will probably buy another. And perhaps another.
As said here they are very accurate, super reliable and very durable (except for the heating issue), but the reason I've never loved them is that grip is SO BIG relative to the gun that I could never conceal it well. And, other guns are much more ergonomic for me. It's definitely one of those guns where if you have the money and it feels good to you, you can't go wrong.
The H&K P7 series was one of the very last of the standard low capacity 9mm handgun designs produced for Military, Police, and civilian applications.
One of the last designs produced as an all steel handgun when aluminum and plastic was beginning to become the gold standard of handgun production materials and dimensioned in a size that both complimented the cartridge employed and allowed the gun to be used for multiple purposes such as sport, defense, target shooting, comfortable concealed or open carry and display.
The P7 series represents the pinnacle of old world firearms production techniques and deserves a place in any collection for that reason alone.
One of the last designs produced as an all steel handgun when aluminum and plastic was beginning to become the gold standard of handgun production materials and dimensioned in a size that both complimented the cartridge employed and allowed the gun to be used for multiple purposes such as sport, defense, target shooting, comfortable concealed or open carry and display.
The P7 series represents the pinnacle of old world firearms production techniques and deserves a place in any collection for that reason alone.
a real collection should have all three of the guns that took part in the trials following the 1968 Olympics in Munich
the P-5 (made by Walther) has been available in the past and is the most expensive of the group
the P-6 (police version off the Sig 225) is currently available as trade-ins
the P-7 (what we refer to as the PSP) is what we're talking about here
the P-5 (made by Walther) has been available in the past and is the most expensive of the group
the P-6 (police version off the Sig 225) is currently available as trade-ins
the P-7 (what we refer to as the PSP) is what we're talking about here
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