I FINALLY Got My Own P7M8!!!

[H&K 4 LIFE]

It started with shooting my uncles P7M8, then and there I knew I had to have one. He said "Don't duplicate, I already have one and you can shoot it anytime you like." A generous offer by a very generous man. Still, I knew in my heart I would have to eventually get one of my own. I held off for a long while and looked at NIB ones on the net ranging in price from $1200-$1500. :(

I went to the gun/toy store this fine morning, intending to buy a P2000sk 9mm LEM that was lightly used for about $750. It was a great deal with night sights and a HK leather holster I had never seen before. Too bad, already gone! I wasn't fast enough on that one. :)

Then I returned to my first love, inquiring about the P7M8 he had. Although he had 2 PSP's only display it was the M8 I was after. It was behind the counter and not on display. I had looked this gun over many times before and today was the day I broke down and bought it, I couldn't let it get away from me. He gave me such a good price on this gun I just couldn't refuse, I also couldn't bear to see it in someones hands other than my own. The HK bug had bit hard and was not letting go!

It is a NIB P7M8! The gun had never been fired before it was sent to Tripps to get a hardchrome done. :) It also has FACTORY night sights, comes with 3 matching hardchrome mags. and it is an older P7M8 before they started date coding them. This pistol also came with the original plastic box, German owners manual, and gas tube scraper tool. I paid $1075 for this pistol before tax! I kept telling myself "it's an investment". The other guy there buying a $1600 Desert Eagle also helped me justify my expensive but more much more practical purchase. ;)

I will post pictures when I get the chance. I am just so excited to own this fine handgun! HK is nothing but money and smiles! :) :) :)

[NvrenufRR]

Congrats!!
I just got myself a P7 M8 on Sat as well.
I had gotten the Blued version and no NS

I will be sending mine to Tripp research to have full hard chroming done as well, this has become a full time CCW addition, so wear is inevitable and Im never to thrilled with HK finishes in Blue.

Looking forward to seeing some pics!

[zipper046]

Nice job! Sounds like a great deal, can't wait to see the pic's.

z-

[HK1286]

That was a heck of a deal.

[Mark71]

Congrats on finally getting the P7M8! You got an amazing deal! Looking forward to seeing pics :).

[BanditSRT8]

Congrats on owning the best and at a great price!

Now go get some bang time in....

[glockthegg]

Wow, great find!!

[H&K 4 LIFE]

Here is my new P7M8! I can't wait to take it to the range, probably next Wednesday.

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/354/dsc01285hb4.jpg

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5925/dsc01286ii2.jpg

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5332/dsc01290ra1.jpg

Two matching mags. (3 total) original matching box and owners manual with gas tube scraper tool.

[Gerber]

Congrats. Looks great. Who needs money anyway? Just give it to HK.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

Oh yeah. I keep joking I may as well sign my bank account over to HK. :)

HK...the addiction continues.

[Mark71]

The gun looks great and exactly like mine :) The only thing needed now is a pair of Nill-Grips. Let us know how she shoots when you are able to get to the range.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

The gun looks great and exactly like mine :) The only thing needed now is a pair of Nill-Grips. Let us know how she shoots when you are able to get to the range.

Great (and sick) minds think alike! :) I was thinking about some Nill grips myself. What I really need next is an HKPRO Premium Membership, but that envolves using the dreaded Paypal. Wish you guys would take a credit card!

Should get to break it in next Wednesday. I was told I should allow for a break in period as the new finish makes the slide fit kind of tight. I was told to run it with light oil and to allow for a few malfunctions. Once the high spots wear down it should be good to go.

Any tips or expieriences on breaking in P7's that have been to Tripps for hard chrome are appreciated. :)

[Mark71]

Should get to break it in next Wednesday. I was told I should allow for a break in period as the new finish makes the slide fit kind of tight. I was told to run it with light oil and to allow for a few malfunctions. Once the high spots wear down it should be good to go.

Any tips or expieriences on breaking in P7's that have been to Tripps for hard chrome are appreciated. :)


My P7M8 has continued to be flawless since coming back from Tripps. I have put a few hundred rounds through her since and havn't had any issues. I clean the gun just as I had done before the HC finish. I use Weapon Shield CLP and applied a light coat on the slide/frame and that is it.

BTW what is the date code on the gun?

[H&K 4 LIFE]

Good to know and thanks for the advice. I considered lubing it up with Breakfree before I go, but I was told I want a little friction to loosen up the slide just a bit. It is tight right now and my dealer told me this when I was buying it. I figure I will run it with light oil and add the Breakfree if needed. Honestly, I don't forsee any real problems coming from this, just thought I'd ask anyway.

This gun is apparently one of the very old models that was made before HK started date coding them. About what year could I consider a pistol like this being made? I was guessing early 70's, because my uncles is date coded '77 so they definatly had date codes by then.

Also, I was told Cobra gunskins make a nice P7 holster. Can anyone comment on that, or holsters for the P7M8 in general?

[Geohans]

Not sure about the date code business; your slide says "made in Germany," and IIRC that means post-1990. Maybe someone here or at the Cult knows for sure. Hard to imagine the date code would disappear, tho. . . . could be an interesting mystery.

[flpimpn]

Where did you get this treasure from and what range are you going to on Wed? Let me know and I'll meet you there with a few boxes of 9mm as a congratulations present =)

[H&K 4 LIFE]

It doesn't appear that the date code was hard chromed over, there is no outline of it even. If it did disappear under the hard chrome, it's gone! The other side is laser etched "HK Inc. Sterling VA" and this, although slightly dim, is still very visable. I find it hard to believe that an engraved date code would disappear when the laser etching didn't.

Does "HK Inc. Sterling VA." help with deciphering the production date? Also, a 16-****** serial number.

Also, my uncles P7 is actually '94 (KE), it's his Walther PPK/S thats marked '77 (HH). (Ooops) :)

[CrippledPidgeon]

Well the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, so I'd assume that IK or KA would be the first date codes with Germany printed.

My IF dated M8 (as do all the other P7M8s in the World of HK page) actually has its date code printed on the right side of the frame right by the serial number, so if it was not milled off, that's where it would be. Other differences are that my slide release button has a concentric ring design rather than your grid pattern, and the location of "9x19mm" has changed location from in front of Heckler and Koch to behind with the model name dropped, although it does have the P7M8 written on the grip panels.

According to the symbols page, the 16 prefix was added within the last 10-15 years, also corresponding to a post '90 (KA) manufacturing.

If the date code is somehow missing, then the best way to find out the manufacturing date is just to call up HK and read off your serial number.

[Geohans]

The date mystery could be very interesting! Have you seen "The Lives of Others" (Das Leben des Anderen)? Another German mystery from the same time frame. Perhaps your story will turn out to be equally romantic. . . . .

[CrippledPidgeon]

Here's something else I thought of later.

I somehow doubt that the hard chrome had anything to do with the disappearance of the date code, rather my guess is that the date code was polished off of the gun. While it is on the opposite side of the gun from a USP, it is obvious. On the right side of the frame, right above the heat shield, there should be the serial number, M8, the eagle logo, the date code, and then the stag horn.

But given that the flats of his P7 have been polished (my frame is definitely not that shiny) it's probable that the printing on the left side of his frame was only partially smoothed over, and the right side was completely polished smooth.

But again, yea.. Give HK a call and ask them to run your serial number. That'll give you a manufacturing date right away.

[sfguard]

Darn that does sound like a great deal

[CheddarB]

man I wish I knew somebody with one of these.. I would love to shoot one..looks great...nice purchase..a gun shop here had one for 899 used... it seems you got a deal..new+ hard chrome.

[cueist]

It doesn't appear that the date code was hard chromed over, there is no outline of it even. If it did disappear under the hard chrome, it's gone! The other side is laser etched "HK Inc. Sterling VA" and this, although slightly dim, is still very visable. I find it hard to believe that an engraved date code would disappear when the laser etching didn't.

Does "HK Inc. Sterling VA." help with deciphering the production date? Also, a 16-****** serial number.

Also, my uncles P7 is actually '94 (KE), it's his Walther PPK/S thats marked '77 (HH). (Ooops) :)



Congrats on your P7M8.

Your M8 is a early 1990's P7M8:
1) It has the 16-prefix.
2) The slide removal button is checkered instead of circled.
3) "9mmx19 is after Heckler & Kock etc... (in the 1980's the P7M8 with 9x19 was at the front end of the slide)

I hope that helps you.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

Thanks for the help and kind words guys. I know I got a hell of a deal on this one. I can't wait to go shooting next Wed!

man I wish I knew somebody with one of these.. I would love to shoot one..looks great...nice purchase..a gun shop here had one for 899 used... it seems you got a deal..new+ hard chrome.

Not to mention factory night sights and 3 mags. ;)

Congrats on your P7M8.

Your M8 is a early 1990's P7M8:
1) It has the 16-prefix.
2) The slide removal button is checkered instead of circled.
3) "9mmx19 is after Heckler & Kock etc... (in the 1980's the P7M8 with 9x19 was at the front end of the slide)

I hope that helps you.

Thank you cueist, that was a big help indeed! :)

[Ken_In_Colo]

Great looking gun. At that price you couldn't NOT have bought it.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

Here's something else I thought of later.

I somehow doubt that the hard chrome had anything to do with the disappearance of the date code, rather my guess is that the date code was polished off of the gun. While it is on the opposite side of the gun from a USP, it is obvious. On the right side of the frame, right above the heat shield, there should be the serial number, M8, the eagle logo, the date code, and then the stag horn.

But given that the flats of his P7 have been polished (my frame is definitely not that shiny) it's probable that the printing on the left side of his frame was only partially smoothed over, and the right side was completely polished smooth.

But again, yea.. Give HK a call and ask them to run your serial number. That'll give you a manufacturing date right away.

I think cueist has answered my question adaquetly about the approximate date of manufacture. However, just for clarification, the Eagle is still there. On my pistol it is not located on the trigger frame but on the right side of the slide next to the serial number. Just though I'd put that out there.

[CrippledPidgeon]

As I said in my slightly long-winded reply...

There would be two sets of eagle marks and two sets of serial numbers. One set is on the slide, the other set is on the frame. The slide will just have the serial and eagle. The frame will have the serial, eagle, date code, and stag horn.

So since you said that you have nothing printed on the frame, your date code was definitely polished off for the chrome refinish. I suggest calling HK if you want a more exact date.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

As I said in my slightly long-winded reply...

There would be two sets of eagle marks and two sets of serial numbers. One set is on the slide, the other set is on the frame. The slide will just have the serial and eagle. The frame will have the serial, eagle, date code, and stag horn.

So since you said that you have nothing printed on the frame, your date code was definitely polished off for the chrome refinish. I suggest calling HK if you want a more exact date.

Ah, I understand now. Thank you CrippledPidgeon for the information. I'm not too concerned with getting an exact year of manufacture, early 90's is fine with me. :)

[Jungo2]

H&K,

Beautiful pistol and a great deal. I recently acquired my own P7M8 and it is currently at Tripp for a refinish. I love the polished flats on your pistol, but I'm going with the Satin Cobra Chrome over the entire pistol. I should have it by next week.

We've established that your P7 was manufactured about 15 years ago. Just curious, as you have factory installed night sights, are they still effective (after 15 years) in the dark or have they completely dimmed?

Regards

[AviatorDave]

Great (and sick) minds think alike! :) I was thinking about some Nill grips myself. What I really need next is an HKPRO Premium Membership, but that envolves using the dreaded Paypal. Wish you guys would take a credit card!

Should get to break it in next Wednesday. I was told I should allow for a break in period as the new finish makes the slide fit kind of tight. I was told to run it with light oil and to allow for a few malfunctions. Once the high spots wear down it should be good to go.

Any tips or expieriences on breaking in P7's that have been to Tripps for hard chrome are appreciated. :)

I'm sure they'd accept a check too.

But that sure is a pretty P7M8. I've got one with some worn off bluing that I use for a CCW, I may send it to Tripps place one of these days.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

...We've established that your P7 was manufactured about 15 years ago. Just curious, as you have factory installed night sights, are they still effective (after 15 years) in the dark or have they completely dimmed?...

Suprisingly, they still have some life left in them. The left rear dot is noticeably dimmer than the right rear dot and front sight dot, but as I examined the pistol in a dark room last night I could still see all three dots just fine. :)

[AviatorDave]

Suprisingly, they still have some life left in them. The left rear dot is noticeably dimmer than the right rear dot and front sight dot, but as I examined the pistol in a dark room last night I could still see all three dots just fine. :)

That's about expected, they should be slightly less than half as bright as new assuming they were installed when the gun was made, as I think tritium as a 12+ something year half-life.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

The ones on my M8 are still glowing bright enough to see in the dark with no problem. They're certainly not Trijicon bright, but they're not new like my Trijicons either. If all my other pistol's night sights look this good in 12-15 years I will be pleased. :)

[H&K 4 LIFE]

Well today I woke up and decided it was a nice enough day to go shoot outdoors at a local range to try out my new P7M8. I purchased 100 rounds each of WWB 115gr. FMJ and Blazer Brass 115gr. FMJ (about $18 for 100rnds. from Walmart). I took with me the P7M8 and my G19 just for laughs.

It was love at first trigger pull! The first rested group I shot at 75ft. all hit within the oval Shoot-N-C that I stuck to a K5 sillouette target. I am not used to shooting at this distance, typically I shoot at about 8 yards, this is the only reason why I chose to rest the gun. Furthurmore, I only really intended to check for function and reliability on this trip and was more concerned with this then I was about accuracy. I put about 50 rounds of each type of ammo through the P7M8 without so much as a hiccup! Every mag. worked flawlessly except the 8th round was a hard squeeze to fit into each of the mags., but this will no doubt get better with time. I lubed the gun and mags. prior to going with nothing but a light coat of Hoppes oil. Needless to say, I am very pleased with it's performance.

Next Wed. I am still going to shoot indoors and hope to concentrate more on accuracy at a distance I am comfortable with now that I am certain the gun works perfect. :D

[H&K 4 LIFE]

Yesterday my uncle and I paid a visit to the local indoor shooting range. I bought with me my G26, Browning Buckmark, and the P7M8. We purchased a bunch of 9mm WWB from Walmart prior to going. And when I say a "bunch" I mean close to 1000rnds., mainly to feed my uncles full-auto UZI addiction. :)

The first target with the P7M8 told me alot. Although I was aligning the pistols sights properly with the center of the sillouette, the pistol continued to shoot towards the right. Having fired other P7s on many occasions before and knowing that the P7 is a "point and click" pistol I knew someting was not right. Upon firing it from a rested postion at the head of the sillouette and piercing it's right ear when aligned with the center of the head, I concluded the pistols sights needed adjusting. I examined the sights and sure enough the rear sight was sitting slightly towards the right and I found this to be the obvious cause of the problem. The employees at my local range were happy to oblidge me with a little help and drifted the sight for me ever so slightly to the left with a brass punch and hammer. Upon going back downstairs and shooting some more, the pistol was shooting dead on and proved the sight alignment was corrected. One can only reason that the sights were never re-zeroed after the hard chrome was applied.

During one target, I fired the P7M8 until it was pretty warm, I was shooting it sometimes as fast as I could reload all three mags. At other times I would give it a cooling period and shoot one of the other pistols we had with us as well. All told round count was probably around 100 and maybe more but honestly I wasn't counting.

The following is a target shot with the P7M8 at about 30-35ft. AFTER the sights had been corrected. Keep in mind the few low shots were the first ones fired and I chocked this up to transistioning from the Glock to the P7, as the sights are much lower on the Glocks. Once I adjusted my sight picture and quit dipping the front sight too low, the pistol simply refused to miss. Sub-one inch groupings are abundant and clearly evident. I am exceedingly happy with this pistol!

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4791/dsc01294cs3.jpg

Thanks for looking, questions and comments appreciated.

[JibbaJabba]

Nice shooting. cant wait to get mine :)

[CrippledPidgeon]

During one target, I fired the P7M8 until it was pretty warm, I was shooting it sometimes as fast as I could reload all three mags. At other times I would give it a cooling period and shoot one of the other pistols we had with us as well.

i've actually managed to put 96 rounds through my P7M8 without giving it a rest before it got too hot to shoot with my bare hands. But the awesome thing was that I only needed to wait a couple minutes and I could go back to shooting again.

[H&K 4 LIFE]

Thanks for the comments guys, keep them coming. I'd love to hear from everyone.

CP, I probably put close to 60-70 rounds through it consecutively, only pausing to reload my three mags every 24 rounds. Theres no doubt in my mind I could have kept shooting it but there were other pistols I wanted to play with too before we ran out of 9mm...like the P2000 9mm LEM and the SIG 229SCT 9mm. :)

[JibbaJabba]

I take it your p7m8 is the electroless nickel version?

[H&K 4 LIFE]

I take it your p7m8 is the electroless nickel version?

Hard chrome by Tripps actually. :D

[CrippledPidgeon]

Thanks for the comments guys, keep them coming. I'd love to hear from everyone.

CP, I probably put close to 60-70 rounds through it consecutively, only pausing to reload my three mags every 24 rounds. Theres no doubt in my mind I could have kept shooting it but there were other pistols I wanted to play with too before we ran out of 9mm...like the P2000 9mm LEM and the SIG 229SCT 9mm. :)

Yea, it was really only bad starting from rounds 80-85. And to be honest, my heat tolerance isn't that great :P

[JibbaJabba]

Hard chrome by Tripps actually. :D

Looks damn nice IMHO