Advice for buying a P7?

[10S]

Other than the photos posted here of P7s, I've never seen one in person. What should I look for when buying one?

[spyder19]

Also what is it about the p7 that everybody RAVES about? Ive never shot or held one, and am curious because you guys are always praising them... I am heading to the range today, mabye ill check one out:)

[dobe]

For the size of the handgun, they are a nice CC weapon. They have a full 4'' barrel in a small (some would say heavy) package. They operate off of a gas retard type system. They rarely jam as long as the gas system is relatively clean.

The way they work is that there is a gas portal on the bottom of the barrel just beyond the chamber ( which is flutted by the way...will get back to that soon). A portion of the gas upon firing is diverted into the cylinder below the barrel, which in turn pushes against a piston, which in turn locks the slide in place until the pressure drops. After the pressure drops, the slide cycles.

Because there are no locking lugs above the bore, the bore axis is incredibly low. This keeps muzzle flip down to a minimum. Now, back to the flutted chamber. The flutes (you can see them by looking into the chamber, and they leave their marks on fired cases) eases extraction to the point that an extractor is not even needed. There is a video floating around, which demonstrates this. If you can find it, I think you'll be impressed.

The barrel is fixed, as there is no need for movement, since there are no locking lugs. This of course adds to accuracy. Also, this is truely a single action handgun with a pretty good trigger, which can be carried uncocked and put into a cocked single action mode quickly.

All in all, it is a nice weapon.

When buying a P7/PSP/P7M8, look for above normal wear that you would find on other autos. In additoin to above normal wear, look at the piston. The piston should have sharp edges, and hopefully will not be too carbon fouled. Cycle the P7 briskly by hand, and feel for any rough spots during the slide cycle. If you feel rough spots, this may be a carbon build-up, or it may be a dent or an out-of-round cylinder (the later happened to one of my P7M8's). Also check to make sure the piston is straight and not bent. This too will cause a sticky feeling when cycling the action.

If you can't get this resolved before you purchase, I would pass on that particular P7. Most of the time, it is just carbon build up, but that can be a bear to get out, if the P7 hasn't been maintained properly.

If you find one that has a plum slide, do not think it is damaged. HK's bluing process sometimes causes this, and I've heard everything from "HK's bluing process is inferior" to "The steel that HK uses is so hard that it will not take a good bluing". Nontheless, this pluming weilds its head after having been shot hot several times, but does not have anything to do with the condition of the handgun. Some people even like the color. Other than that, they are sound, and the only things I have ever heard of breaking is the drop safety catch spring. I've heard rumors of the firing pin assembly breaking, but not often.

Hope this helps.

[1Love]

Also what is it about the p7 that everybody RAVES about? Ive never shot or held one, and am curious because you guys are always praising them... I am heading to the range today, mabye ill check one out:)

I was the same way once. You just have to pick one up and shoot it for your self. :)

[ulose2]

It is a squeeze/cock gun. You have to squeeze the front portion of the grip in order for it to fire. I personally do not care for the gun. A fellow board member had one, I shot it numerous times and could not grow found of it. (It was very accurate)He did not care for it either and sold it. I love my HKs, however the P7 is something to be desired IMO..

[kayzap]

The things I really like about the P7 are.

Squeeze cocker. You carry one in the chamber but the gun is not cocked unless you squeeze the grip. There is no way mechanically possible way to AD unless you are griping the gun.

No safety/decocker. Because the guns not cocked until you grip it. No reason to shoot? Just release the squeeze cocker and the gun decocks can't shoot.

After you empty a mag the slide locks back. To close the slide just squeeze and it closes.

Ambi mag release on some models and heel release on the rest.

My favorite thing about the P7 is it's naturally accurate. Just point and hit.

Incredibally easy to disassemble. Push a button and slide and lift the slide and it's apart for cleaning.

You've heard about carbon build up. Disassemble as above and stick the HK scraper in and twist it a few times and the carbon is gone. Do that and clean the plunger every thousand rounds and you're set.

If you're a southpaw this gun is perfect for you.

[The_Crow]

Other than the photos posted here of P7s, I've never seen one in person. What should I look for when buying one?

One that says P7. They are all fantastic guns. Find one that you like and buy it.

[Sobriquet]

Advice for buying a P7? Sure. Do it. Now.

[Brpeters]

After a few months of listening to the P7 praise. I picked one up at my local gun shop. I have only put 200 rounds through it so far but it is everything I expected it to be. I went with the PSP.

[10S]

Thanks, dobe & others. Youtube has some good videos on the P7

[S197Shelby]

This is a helpful thread. I have been thinking of buying one to carry off duty but no one around here has one to shoot or look at. I at least would like to hold it and feel it before I spend the money. If anyone on here is in the Baltimore area with one let me know.

[Shakey]

The P7M8, or P7PSP are compact, easy to conceal and accurate as all get out. The squeeze cock grip takes no time at all to get used to and makes the pistol extremely safe to carry. I bought my first sight unseen. I bought my second because of the first. :)

[Ken_In_Colo]

As others ahead of me have said "Buy it!".

It's the most accurate production carry gun ever made.
It's an H&K.

[p30fan]

S197Shelby,
If you're in the Denver area I'd let you try my P7 PSP.

I picked it due to all the praise I'd heard, but can't say I've fallen in love with it. Maybe a few more range sessions will change my mind. It doesn't seem well suited for extended shooting as it gets VERY hot - even when I'm rotating it with another pistol.

I'm not giving up on HK's though.... I'd like to try a 45C and P2000 in the LEM trigger variation.

[Sobriquet]

S197Shelby,
If you're in the Denver area I'd let you try my P7 PSP.

I picked it due to all the praise I'd heard, but can't say I've fallen in love with it. Maybe a few more range sessions will change my mind. It doesn't seem well suited for extended shooting as it gets VERY hot - even when I'm rotating it with another pistol.

I'm not giving up on HK's though.... I'd like to try a 45C and P2000 in the LEM trigger variation.

What don't you like about it, P30? Make sure you're not death gripping the squeeze cocker. Very little pressure is required to keep it squeezed in.

[nwusp45]

One bit of advise I would give is...when you find that gun that you believe is the right one....and you like the price....and it looks pretty good....and it seems like it hasn't been abused....BUY IT! Don't tell yourself you'll think about it and be back because when you do, it will be gone. The good ones at the right price usually don't sit around. Good Luck.

[benderx4]

Buy with confidence! Should you, God forbid, decide this gun is not for you, it is VERY easy to sell. They aren't made anymore and prices continue to rise.

My experience: Just like you, the more I got on the internet forums, the more I read about this HK P7 I had never heard about. In my case, the first one I found was a P7M8 marked for sale as if it were a PSP. I jumped on it! I took it home, got used to the manual of arms, took it apart, cleaned and lubed it, and then brought it to the range.

Mind you, I spent a career in the military and have been a gun enthusiast all my life. I've shot LOTS of different weapons over the years so my expctations were high. After shooting my first mag, I WAS HOOKED! My son was with me at the range, and he told me I turned around with this HUGE grin on my face. THAT was my first time. IN LOVE!

Today, I am searching for my 4th P7, this time a P7M13. I rationalize my obsession in that these guns are becoming collectables (think Python), and I can always sell them again should the need arise. Moreover, the ONLY downside to these guns, IMHO, is that they DO HEAT UP at the range. And they are so much fun to shoot, it's tough to shoot only a few mags.

Consequently, one must buy multiple examples so you can rotate through them at the range. (Yet another rationalization as to why I must buy many!) BTW, check out the differences between the P7 and P7M8 before your first purchase as they are fairly significant.

Good luck and have fun. If you were in Central Florida, I'd be happy to let you fondle and shoot mine. CDNN or Gunbroker are great places to find your first one, especially if you're looking for just the P7 model.

[p30fan]

Sobriquet,

Although I didn't notice it at the range, in subsequent dry firing, I think that is exactly what I was doing - gripping it too tightly. The pressure for the initial squeeze is greater than what's required to hold the cocker - it appears that I'll need to become accustomed to the pressure required for the initial squeeze vs. what's required to hold it.

I plan on doing some extensive dry firing it (with snapcap) before I take it to the range again, we'll see if that helps.

[benderx4]

These guys are the experts, but I believe it takes 12-14 pounds of force to initially squeeze the cocker, and then only 1-2 pounds to keep it cocked. Admittedly, the manual of arms takes some practice, but is SO worth it!

[This Just In]

[QUOTE=benderx4;679098]If you were in Central Florida, I'd be happy to let you fondle and shoot mine.QUOTE]

Benderx4,

I know your offer was to 10S, but I live in Lake Buena Vista and am also considering a P7 without ever having shot one. Can I take you up on your generosity the next time you go to the range? I'd really appreciate it! Drop me a line. jnorthrop@curaspan.com Thanks!

Justin

[thldorian]

the manual of arms takes some practice

You know I hear this from time to time.
But I have yet to find any hand gun, that you do not have to grip to fire.
If anything you have to remember less no levers to move nothing, Just get a grip.
And I'm fairly sure if you have need for it you will have a grip on it, if anything you may be griping too hard under stress.
So it just seems like a "no problem" to me. Anyway that is my 0.02.

Dorian

[benderx4]

Justin: I'd be happy to let you shoot my P7 one of these days. When I have a bit more time, I'll PM you with my personal info and we can set up a time and place. We can shoot in either Castleberry or Apopka - whatever works best for you. I'll bring a P7 and a P7M8. Let me know if you want anything else: USP45, USP45c, USP40c LEM, HK45, P30, P2000sk, Mark 23, HK4, etc. Still working on a HK9s and a P7M13.

Be forewarned: You're gonna love this gun!