H&K P7 pistol: Groundbreaking Reliability

The Heckler and Koch P7 was and still is a remarkable design. Along with the Glock and Sig designs, it helped pave the way for widespread acceptance of a semi-automatic pistol within both police and civilian circles (who had heretofore used the-then-more reliable revolver). The P7 PSP represented the older style and original design which incorporated a heel catch for the magazine. Along with the very excellent Sig P225 , the P7 won contracts as WG Police pistol in the late 1970s. Subsequent US models, namely the P7M8 (8 rd mag) and M13 (13 rd mag) had the mag catch relocated to the more desirable rear trigger guard location, a much needed synthetic heat guard above the trigger guard (didn't help much), and lanyard loop. The gun was innovative in many areas most of which were downright reliability for all kinds of 9mm ammunition, not just ball (FMJ) ammo. The near vertical feeding magazine, a reliable (but hot-to-the-hand!) gas-delayed blowback system, and thus stationary barrel contributed to both the reliability and accuracy of the P7. Additional groundbreaking features include low bore axis, three dot combat sights, and a unique supposedly speed enhancing squeeze cocking/safety lever. Truth be told it's an overly complex and unneeded design that did not stand the test of time (see it around anywhere these days...nope?) with I did not prefer in shooting. However the reliability of the gun gained favor with the West German Police who issued this gun as the PSP and had good success with it. Also the WG GSG-9 and other special weapons teams loved their P7s and used it for years. However it never gained a stronghold or widespread acceptance by US Law Enforcement mainly due to its high cost, even in the 1980s. Upsides would include accuracy, polygonal rifling, reliability, low recoil, and durability. Downsides would be high cost, weight (P7M13 is 30 oz), generation of uncomfortable frame heat during rapid fire, and low magazine capacity. But the P7 remains a trailblazer auto pistol that changed the way we think of autos, transforming the American law enforcement and civilian carry landscape from one of revolvers to one of autos.

Nutnfancy Likability Scale: 6 out of 10

** Thanks goes to VanWagenen's in Provo, Utah, USA for hosting this review. Without them it would not be possible. This is another "combat" review by Nutnfancy i.e. an impromptu, non-scripted, non-researched review of the weapon using my existing knowledge. Some details and omissions should be expected.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• heckler
• koch
• p7m8
• p7m13
• west
• german
• police
• sig
• p225
• p226
• auto
• pistol
• gsg-9
• swat
• glock
• 17
• 9mm
• squeeze
• cocker
• massada
• handgun
• service
• beretta
• m92

[nissanis1]

glockglockglockglockglocklgock­glockglockglockglockglockglock­glockglockglockglock and GLOCK

[billieguitar]

Hey nut, actually, the P7 is blowback operated like most selfloadings (e.g. Glock). It's just gas delayed - so it still uses recoil forces, it just slows them down using the gas peressures, a cylinder and a piston.

[bmx65]

@09ThunderOne Yeah he does. He compares a lot to the Glock simply because Glocks get a lot of things right. He does love other pistols Now though. He is really getting into 1911's, which is more my neck of the woods.

[AMC2283]

it's hans gruber's gun. i'm going to count to 3--there will not be a 4--give me the code.

[helipilo]

Ex German Military Police Officer speaking with at least 10000 rounds spend. Video brings back memories. I live now in Canada. The HK P7 was the very first gun i've purchased in Canada.It was a lot of money but hell, in Germany nobody owns a privat handgun. I took the P7 to pass my Black Badge for IPSC. I am not using it for competitions because of the 8 round magazines. Still a lot of fun since nobody at my Gun Club ownes one. BIG EYES all the time.

[yamrz500]

Great video and yes these are sweet guns i have a brand new in box unfired one,And all H&K'S are expensive but what guns not now days!! And most people are confused the glock was not the first polymer pistol The H&K VP70Z was well before the glock was concieved 19 shots of 9MM it's an awesome shooter once you learn to shoot it Glocks are like Harley Davidson they are a dime a dozen I'll stick with my H&K!!

[09ThunderOne]

You really like glocks don't you?

[bloat1968]

I have a friend who's retired NJ State Police and he told me he and his fellow troopers LOVED their P7s. They were well trained and has no problems with the squeeze cocker mechanism. In one well publicized incident, a perp got a hold of a trooper's gun and, because he didn't know how the squeeze cocker worked, was unable to fire the gun. He never had time to learn either because the trooper retrieved his pistol and then shot the perp with it.

[glock2026]

Always wanted a hk p-7 since hans gruber had in die hard . In 2008 after seeing this video it was a psp b grade with 2 magazines . Ber get your wallet out if u want more mags. I like the decocker just dont sqeeze it cant shoot ( pretty much a dummies gun) only reason squeeze cocker was not replicated was cost ,it made p-7s expensive still to this date.

[Wabaanimkii]

@jakkd07

Taken directly from wikipedia.