Comparison - German Police Pistols (P5 vs P6 vs P7)

[@asathomas84]

I'm fascinated you experience more felt recoil with the P7. My experience shooting that gun was back-to-back with a Walther PPK in 7.65 mm, and the recoil was not all that dissimilar between those two. I was astonished how soft shooting the P7 was.

[@shazarad4127]

there is more to the term recoil than I probably mentioned - blowback pistols, both regular and gas retarded systems - are going to have a sharper impulse than the other systems in these pistols, the falling block and the tilting barrel action of the P5 and P6 respectively it is still impressive of the P7 that it manages to feel as "soft" as it does with 9mm, most guns cannot be blowback 9mm because of physics so the P7 is still respectable in that sense however, compared with other traditional 9mm designs the P7s recoil is harsh by comparison, that doesnt mean its overly uncomfortable or unmanageable but its just not as nice to me as others also, the comparison pistol you used (PPK in 32) is a very nice gun to shoot because that gun was designed for 32 in the beginning - if you shot a 380 PPK your mind would change quite quickly and illustrate my reasoning about recoil impulse and "feel"

[@asathomas84]

@@shazarad4127 I think that's why I was so amazed. The PPK in .32 is quite pleasant. I never expected the P7 to be comparable, let alone similar. I used to own a PPK and PPK/S in .380, and sold them both for my '68 PPK in .32. You can probably guess why. I have also shot the P5. Unfortunately, I don't remember the recoil impulse much as my experience was tainted by failures to extract and feed. I also shot it back-to-back with a CZ 75 Pre B, so my memory that day for soft recoil was definitely swayed in favor of the CZ. All that said I've been finding myself wanting to seek out a P5 again, hence me stumbling upon your video. Thanks for the comparison and taking the time to upload your thoughts.

[@StGCfiLife]

Thanks for this long promised video! I used the P7 today compared to the Arsenal Strike One 5 inch pistol and the P7 was a much better shooter for me.

[@thefleaflop]

Well done sir.... Great review of 3 great handguns.... Thanks.

[@StGCfiLife]

OK Shazarad, I finally had my showdown with the P5 and the P7. The P5 was lent to me today by my pal at the range. I had it last week, but only got 10 shots as it was late. Today I got about 25 shots, alternating with the HK P7. The P5 is a great shooter and the left side shell ejection is a neat feature. However, for me, the P7 leaves it behind in the dust in terms of accuracy and manual of arms. The first (rounds) iteration with the P5 impressed me, and was better than the P7. I had to take at least 5 shots to acquaint myself with both pistols. The P7 from round 6 onwards showed its class in terms of accuracy and really never looked back. No disrespect to the P5 which also did great though. They require very different trigger techniques. The P5 is more classical in that you can stage the trigger to the wall, then you compose yourself to fire off the round. The P7 is opposite. You do all your preps upfront as the trigger is light (like a match trigger, though it is stock) and very responsive, so will punish any lack of preparation with an errant shot. I do understand personal taste and to me its P7 all the way. Perhaps a modern pistol like the CZ shadow 2 can compete, but while that feels good, I found the P7 more accurate. I would NOT say no to a P5 though. It is an attractive and solid vintage pistol and a formidable offering in that segment. Nothing to me like my P7 though. Our local range champ tried them both (never tried a P5 before and a P7 only once before). The first shot of the P7 always seems to surprise him! In the end, he too prefers the P7 (I love that gun, he said) and is likely now infected and may try to get one (hard to find in CH, but cheaper than in the US). He like the P5 but didn't seem over-awed by it as a shooter, but he did like the unusual looks.

[@davidmcginnis4513]

"this thing will put bullets exactly where they need to go". I have one and that is true. Everything you said is true, but that is all you had to say about the P7.

[@StGCfiLife]

Thank you again for this great video. I am sure as more people watch it, they will understand how unusual it its to have all the German P's assembled in one place! I am sorry I missed out on that inexpensive P5. I put myself on a list at the gunshot if they ever get such a deal again.

[@StGCfiLife]

My pal at the range has a P5 and will bring it for me to try on Tuesday. He also has a P38 and I will ask him to take that along too. I tried his 9mm short Walther PP today and liked it. Shot pretty well.

[@kylewood8327]

Cool pistols..I’ve got a Sig P225 but still trying to find a P7.

[@TheCharlesAtoz]

The hammer on the P6 is for the armorer to know whether the pistol was dropped or not. I own one as well. If you had the barrel throated a bit you'll be able to shoot HP with no problem, but spending anymore money on the P6 might be diminishing return.

[@shazarad4127]

I have spent enough money on that pistol as is, and is the only one Ive sunk that much cash into just to get it to function how I want and even then Im still not 100% satisfied with it old guns like this are very much a money sink and a diminishing returns

[@TheCharlesAtoz]

I got a Fire Dragon barrel from the place you mentioned, lady was super nice. I must have 12 magazines, Pachmyr grips and adjustable sites. I might get the trigger adjusted a bit, but more than likely a cerakote and new trigger and hammer. Why not, it shoots great.

[@shazarad4127]

@@TheCharlesAtoz yes the lady at EFK was very helpful, both of them in fact, the first one I talked to no longer works there but her replacement was just as nice so props to them for good customer service I am against permanently modifying my old pistols though because of their historical value, especially as a complete set like what I have so a cerakote job is out of the question

[@StGCfiLife]

People at my club are underwhelmed by the P5. I could have gotten one this summer for $450 but was late. The P7 M13 is among the best I ever used. Only the Sig P210 compares so far.

[@Manfred-cf9rn]

😮😱!!

[@richvest7212]

You left out the pp super

[@StGCfiLife]

The controls were meant to keep the gun from catching on clothes.

[@StGCfiLife]

LOVE the trigger. You have to almost pull the trigger "vertically". You can use weightlifter gloves with fingertips exposed. You have to train with it more to get top performance. Mine is from 1986. The controls are wonderful. Takedown is easy. RTFM. The manuals are online for free.

[@shazarad4127]

do you mean the P7? Im sure I could get better with it, but I have to ask myself do I really want to spend my valuable 9mm and time on a pistol that I dont enjoy already versus one I actually do enjoy and are already good with? If 9mm was cheaper and more available, I might be more inclined but at the moment I have to be choosy with what I run my limited ammo through

[@StGCfiLife]

@@shazarad4127 Good point. 9mm is relative cheap here. The P7 is snappy, but oh boy it feels solid and is deadly accurate at 25m. It outshoots my 5inch barrel Arsenal Strike One at 50m!

[@windmill2252]

The small hole just in front of the rear aimsight suggests it's an ex police service pistol. (it means it has a extra / enhanced spring to avoid accidental discharge when dropped). Do you have any idea where the pistol originally came from ? As far as production is concerned 50+% went to Dutch law enforcement. The wood grips were never used .

[@StGCfiLife]

P7 controls were meant to be snag free. The accuracy comes from the fixed barrel, poly rifling, stock match trigger and very low bore axis with the 110 degree angle. For me its fun to shoot and its not so hot here and we can't mag dump at my range. I don't mind using weightlifting gloves which have finger tips free. Try a grip with the tight squeeze with the left hand and medium light grip with the right hand and kinda orient your trigger figure vertically rather than horizontally for the trigger pull. Be light and gentle with the trigger pull and do all your "composition" beforehand. Trigger set and pull ONLY as the very last thing. Tell me if this makes a difference for you. As for the P6, I can't say. My nickel P225 seems to have a modded trigger as DA is not very heavy. Perhaps 8 pounds and pretty nice!

[@chrissanchez9935]

Thank You for the interesting video. 👍

[@richvest7212]

P6 best of the bunch by far

[@soyelmasguapo]

Don't forget HK P9 used by Antiterrorist Response Unit GSG9 of the German Federal Police, and "Saarland German Lander" State Police. 😁

[@fritzkuhne2055]

looking forward to your review of P1 to P4 ;D

[@shazarad4127]

hah, some day...some day

[@fritzkuhne2055]

@@shazarad4127 your halfway there dude. just a question of time and number of pawn shop visits ^^

[@nastymkfan]

Beautiful guns.

[@jimhovater8755]

Where'd you get the grips for the P5?

[@shazarad4127]

grips4u.net

[@servicerifle16]

I use to have a P6 but since traded it. I have a P7 PSP in pretty good condition, I don't think it was issued out to an officer. I do not have a P5 but I do have a commercial P5 Compact. I would like to get the fullsize P5 one day.

[@shazarad4127]

Id like to try a P5 compact someday as well but Im not interested in paying the price for one

[@servicerifle16]

@@shazarad4127 P5 Compact is very smooth and to me handles like a full size pistol. Dimensionally it's almost the same size as the regular P5, just most of the sharp edges are removed especially around the muzzle and most of them have a button mag release except for the early ones that have the heel release. The sights are a white three dot variety.

[@StGCfiLife]

@@servicerifle16 They have a shorter barrel though...

[@servicerifle16]

@@StGCfiLife not by much, the P5 has a 3.5 inch barrel and the P5C has a 3.1 inch barrel.

[@StGCfiLife]

@@servicerifle16 Yes, that is what I remember. P6 is 3.9 inches and P7 is 4 inches.

[@StGCfiLife]

Dont forget there is also the SIG Arms guns that are 100% Swiss.

[@shazarad4127]

that is true, those usually comes with an appropriate price tag to match

[@StGCfiLife]

@@shazarad4127 In the US yes, but in CH the lesser vintage SIGs are cheap. Not the P210 though.

[@geadkins966]

Where did you get the wooden grips for your P5? I would like to get some my P5.

[@shazarad4127]

Grips4u.net is where I get mine, great place

[@hastings_clf]

I'm new to guns and want a german police pistol but I have not come across a good place to find them, tried looking on gun broker, guns international with a little luck, but wondering if there is some place better. Please help me if you know, thanks.

[@shazarad4127]

honestly I found most of these just in local shops, so I dont have much advice beyond what youve already tried

[@hastings_clf]

@@shazarad4127 thanks, I'll keep looking. Great video btw.

[@jimmymcclure4549]

Pretty good assessment. Just as I would have thought they would stack up. All Sigs suck. That is my professional opinion. And I mean compared to many of the other Military ?Police grade firearms. I consider them to be in the class of say Rock Island Arms, Kimber, Taurus, etc. Not really military/police grade guns but decent guns for other pursuits. The HKp7 I think was always over rated kind of like a Colt Python. I would take the Walther P5 over both the others easily and swap it for a Glock the first chance I got.

[@gracedagostino5231]

So, what you're saying is the Glock is better than all the guns you mentioned? I love my 3 Glocks, but I certainly wouldn't swap my Python, Kimber, Sig 220, 229, or Walther P38 for a Glock.

[@jimmymcclure4549]

@@gracedagostino5231 I didn’t realize that is what I was saying but yes I guess your right of all the ones mentioned by me ,you and the KZbinr I would swap any of them for a Glock. I own a lot of handguns. 68 or so. I don’t own any Sigs or Kimbers or Rock Islands or Tuarus. I have owned some in the past but that is the past. Bought experience is the best experience.

[@gracedagostino5231]

@@jimmymcclure4549 Don't get me wrong I love Glocks, and usually will defend them when other KZbinrs put them down. I own 35 Handguns, but I have to say my Glock 30, is probably the most accurate pistol I own, or at least in my hands. The funny thing is, I have small hands, and that thing feels like a brick in my hand, not comfortable at all. Most of my other guns feel great in my hand. That stock Glock 30 Gen 3 45acp, is an absolute tack driver in my hands. Just goes to show grip comfort is overrated, when it comes to shooting. I inherited the gun from my father, as I would never have bought a gun with that fat of a grip.

[@jimmymcclure4549]

@@gracedagostino5231 I agree too much is made about “ergonomics” a word I am almost as tired of as “tactical”. Grip feel has very little to do with how a gun shoots.

[@fideauone3416]

Then you don't know shit like this guy who thinks he is some kind of expert I guess.

[@StGCfiLife]

the P225 shoots better than the P6.

[@fresatx]

Wow..Nice. You got them all with the pretty wood grips?? You suck bro!.... Lol

[@richvest7212]

Just my cents the p7 is a unique piece of crap

[@jimhovater8755]

So help me: If another 'youngster' (I'm 63) says 'back in the day', one more time...

[@davidmandell9909]

This guy is delusional: the greatest pistol ever made is the HK P7.....