The HK P7-Family of Pistols

[@junglejim7664]

Before I joined the Canadian Army in 1988 I was pretty big into IPSC shooting with a customized CZ75 and a Glock 17. I was only shooting about 1,000 rounds a month but given I reloaded them on a single stage press it was a labour of love. After my basic training was complete, I had a few months before my trade training began so I was loaned out to Trials and Evaluations where they were starting a trial for a very limited number of pistols to replace the Browning P35 for MP use, close protection details , air Marshalls and General officers. They had gathered a number of different shooters to help in the testing process including RCMP, MPs and others. Among the pistols being evaluated was the P7 (M8 I think). It was the first time I had seen this exotic beast so I was anxious to give it a go. So, there I am taking part in the first relay after having selected the P7 as an experienced competitive shooter and when I load the pistol on command the knuckle of my right thumb depressed the disassembly button and in my excitement I managed to lift the slide when I pulled it back and watched in absolute HORROR after I released it as it slid off the pistol and fell forward of the firing line. To say I was embarrassed was an extreme understatement! Seems my "high grip" I used for competition was a tiny bit too high! None of the other shooters had this problem with the pistol so it made me feel very special and not in a good way!!!!! Anyways, the weapons technician we had on site disassembled the pistol and filed down the disassembly button to reduce the chance of some knucklehead being able to do what I managed on my first try to do. As I recall the pistol did very well for accuracy and reliability, other than my goof!

[@lkjh00on89]

Murphy's law

[@j.mangum7652]

HK P-7 has got to be still within the top 10 of best choices of CCA pistols. Dayumm! Spits casings like a rifle!

[@Chayonray]

I have a P7 and can testify to everything you say about it. Very accurate and it does get hot with extended shooting. Two things of interest that you didn't mention is that you can lock the slide back, although it isn't obvious. Also, the trigger is better than most H&K triggers. Excellent review Mr. Bartocci and thanks to Mr. Chen for his graciousness.

[@z50com]

I've wanted one of those since it 1st came out. In my opinion it's one of the best pistols ever made!

[@Laotzu.Goldbug]

@Cultural Relic Hi-Point C9. Has the same single stack mag, for capacity and a slim grip. Also has a fixed barrel.....

[@DEPORTMAN]

One of those personal regrets. Should have bought one years ago. Did shoot one that a friend of mine had. Awesome pistol. Way ahead of it's time. Also made an appearance in ARMAGEDDON...

[@crominion6045]

I used to have a demonstration video on VHS tape of the P7. As you said, they removed the extractor and the gun still worked fine. They also dropped it from great height and a few other stunts to show how safe it was. The squeeze cocker was certainly interesting, being both the way to cock the gun and to drop the slide after it locked back, but it does indeed have a lot of parts in it.

[@borkwoof696]

The P7 ,while utilizing a gas delayed system, is still recoil-operated

[@mabs9503]

"Hey everyone really likes this gun and they're selling very well despite the crazy price tag. What next?" "Stop making them forever." Thanks HK.

[@pistolperrynoya9469]

Dad has one and loves it, I love it too! Too bad they stopped making it, squeeze cocker and great trigger and super accurate! Keep up the great vids

[@lawrenceroot1795]

Years ago I had the PSP version. Absolutely the inherently most accurate handgun I’ve ever fired. The unusual manual of operations caused me to move on, but I do whsh I still had that one...

[@lkjh00on89]

Your videos are awesome. Love how you provide a detailed description of how the firearm functions and also list which militaries, police forces, teams, movies, etc. have adopted or used the firearm. I've always found the engineering and history of firearms the most fascinating and that's exactly what you cover in your videos.

[@3.2Carrera]

A pistol near and dear to my heart so thanks for making the video and I have to comment. I've owned several M7M8's, PSP's and one M13 over the years and carried them (M8) for about 10 years in a Kramer Horsehide holster. All 9mm, no 40cal. I'll second the comments that the bore axis is super low and it's nice and thin. Laser been accuracy is overused, but appropriate for this one. The gun tends to be a bit butt heavy and good holster retention is important. Putting my original one through it's paces, I did get it super hot after several mags. My solution was to get a second and alternate. I've retired or sold most of mine as parts availability and support is pretty much toast at this point. Possibly the high water mark in handgun design that will never be seen again. Other stuff- The M13 super fat in the butt and heavy when loaded and the most expensive in this group. Not as sleek as the single stacks. On that note, the PSP is the sleeper of the bunch with the smaller trigger guard and heel safety. They carry better IMO because of the longer slide contact caused by the shorter trigger guard. I had zero malfunctions in several thousand rounds overall. But I did have the takedown button spring bind on one of them and needed replacing, which prevented me from taking the slide off. That convinced me to start modernizing my carry guns to Glocks. But man was the HK an amazing piece of machinery. P.S. I think the Browning BDM may may have this one beat in reassembly.

[@33Luger]

Agree, I own the M13 and the M8 but prefer the PSP for carry.

[@handiediver]

I've got three of these. Carried them on my belt for decades. Impossible to overstate the accuracy and reliability. The complaint about overheating only comes from guys doing a torture test. A normal run of a few mags is fine (just make sure you have a good leather holster, not kydex.) Super low bore axis. Full four inch barrel, full size grip with oversize trigger guard. This this is great to hold on to; impossible for someone to rip it out of your hands. If I remember right, the New Jersey State Troopers carried the the high cap version for a few years in the mid '80s. Also has an awesome trigger but probably only 1911 guys can appreciate that sort of thing.

[@Chayonray]

Ditto on the trigger sir!

[@kd6pn]

Utah Highway Patrol carried the P7M13 for a short time. They liquidated them for $400 each, UHP marked. PSP still carried by Polizei in Bavaria, watch the Detektive on the news on the next Immigrant attack.

[@revmarcell6449]

NJSP carried the P7M8. They replaced it with a 9mm SIG.

[@davidmandell9909]

The P7M8 is my EDC firearm and I LOVE IT. Built like a tank, accurate, reliable and probably a phenomenal long term investment.....

[@handiediver]

@@davidmandell9909 Mine has served me for +30 years. The P7M8 is a great one, the P7PSP is pretty good too but I like the P7M8 just a little better. Glad you like yours.

[@ARGAR_GAMES]

I enjoy this channel, I can't own firearms in my country, but am very interested in how they operate and the engineering involved, which you explain very well.

[@bayertwin]

I own 3 of them..i love them..I even have the m10 in 40 S&W..it's a brick..

[@marzcapone9939]

Be a nice pistol for winter range visits, has a built in handwarmer ;-)

[@33Luger]

Your trigger finger does get a little callused on the top if you shoot it a lot.

[@kurtbergh]

You could do a video on your forensics experience, it sounds interesting.

[@ARGAR_GAMES]

This

[@LOUDcarBOMB]

To add on that, would like to know more on his experience at working at that crime lab in Wisconsin with the massive weapon collection he talked about. Would be interesting to hear about the weird and cool guns there like FW does at other places.

[@gmcenroe]

Nice review of the p7 series. I was fortunate to pick one up about 2 years before they stopped production. Thereafter I found some magazines on ebay for about $50 each. I love the accuracy and the compact size of the pistol. My only dislike is the high temp on the front of the trigger guard. Vedder holster also makes nice holsters for the p7m8. I'm never selling mine.

[@davidmandell9909]

I own a P7M8; it is a work of art......

[@mikebillman8089]

Die Hard... The p7m13 was not stainless but rather a nickel chrome plated finish.. The P7m7... Saw one at Shot in Vegas years ago. It was a .45acp prototype squeeze cocker.

[@lizzapaolia959]

Thank you for sharing your video. Very interesting background of your's. It's refreshing to have an educated person making these types of videos. German engineering and craftsmanship is second to none copied by many. Thank you again God bless 🙏

[@Tadicuslegion78]

So I’ve been making my way through the James Bond novels, those written by Ian Fleming and not, and this shows up in I think 2 of John Gardner’s novels because it was the cool new guy on the block at the time he wrote.

[@beretta92x93]

I have a new Walther CCPM2 and it has polygonal rifling in the M2 CCP.

[@raghnallmacaodh3220]

They were very accurate and comfortable to shoot.

[@thegolflife7565]

I almost got one of these a few weeks ago. For the price though I just thought about all the other options...

[@rustyshackleford17]

It's one of those handguns if H&K did the limited release production. They'd sell like hotcakes. But it's surprising how long the gun stayed in production due to it's cost and H&K being a .gov oriented manufacturer.

[@skepticalskeksis221]

I’ve wanted a SS with wood grips for a decade. For a collector condition example the price is just crazy. However for some scratched and worn shooters I’ve seen them for just over 2k.

[@mcantu197]

btw, the Walther CCP (at least the M2 version) also has polygonal rifling

[@timrobinson6573]

The Walther CCP has Polygonal rifling.

[@servicerifle16]

Always wanted one of these, shame they're so expensive.

[@Laotzu.Goldbug]

I remember earlier this year, the HK social media guy was doing his usual trolling, and I think that they were selling a calendar or something, and he told everyone that if we purchased them all by a specific date, HK would resurrect the PSP. Of course, the deadline was never met, and I doubt that they were going to anyway, but the whole episode really got people hot in the pants

[@33Luger]

I bought mine for about $600 decades ago. Still my daily carry piece.

[@33Luger]

One of mine was used by the Lower Saxony police, the other by the German Border Guard. Used but still $600.

[@appliedperformance773]

I’m not a collector at all but I want one of these. Local shop has a walther tp in 25acp thats also a cool little gun.

[@fee_lo8346]

I’ve been looking for one of these for a long time. Finding one in California is very hard.

[@ThePerfeckted]

If I have to shot it to a point that slide gets too hot my life is in big trouble or maybe just shooting for fun. I can't see a true defensive situation where I won't use my rifle first. My 2 cents. I always like your video Very informative..

[@tdotson66]

Outstanding video review. Thanks for posting.

[@Satchmoeddie]

An $800 pistol in 1978 dollars. I have an M10 .40 S&W P7 that obviously holds 10+1 of .40 S&W, and an M13 P7 staggered double stack. My versions have the heat shields. Delayed blow back pistols tend to shoot rather soft and nice. The CCP is a fabulous little gun, and it's not $3500.

[@davidherbst]

It's ironic that, despite the fact that I has an astounding number of parts, it field strips down to three pieces: slide assembly, frame/barrel assembly, and spring.

[@hardtarget2359]

Love those P-series HK's!

[@Lawiah0]

"Welcome to the party, pal!"

[@joeltan2416]

1968 H&K P7M8, MAG RELEASE ON THE REAR BUTTOM OF THE GRIP. GERMAN OBSOLETE HANDGUN.

[@franciscopadilla4525]

Zero dislikes, hell yeah

[@MongooseTacticool]

"Kraut Space Magic" :)

[@Mythicalmage]

Do you think the gas system could be used again albeit without the (seemingly) overly complex grip-safety-cocking mechanism?

[@handiediver]

Nearly identical gas delay system in the Walther CCP (the only other pistol to utilize this type system).

[@davidherbst]

Free_Folk um, actually…the Chinese type 77B also uses it. Also, the Steyr GB uses a version of the same concept, with a flange on the barrel acting as the piston, and the inside of the slide serving as the cylinder.

[@handiediver]

@@davidherbst Thanks, I didn't know that. :-)

[@davidherbst]

Cultural Relic yes!

[@bernizauchy661]

Ist die Schnellste beste und sicherste...leiste nicht drücken kein Schießen..

[@bernizauchy661]

Muss leider verkaufen.... Bin nicht erfreut.Aber jetzt sind noch gute Preise...Werde es sicher bereuen... Pistole ist wie neu...300 Schuss... Habe aber noch Steyer GB alls Ersatz.... Gruß an alle HK Fans....Berni aus Austria......

[@SmallArmsSolutions]

Ja

[@Opus_Lover]

Does the HK P7M10 have a polygonal barrel?? I know that both P7M8 & P7M13 have a polygonal barrel.

[@truthjunkie9218]

I bought a Glock from a guy a couple years ago that offered to sell this pistol to me for $1500. $4k now? wonder if he still has it.

[@thekeystonekid8687]

If Walther can make the CCP for cheap, then HK can make a decent modern P7 with a polymer frame for under a grand. Put that new US factory to work.

[@kirilbellic3602]

HK exploits the civilian obsession with elite brand-naming. "SEALs use is bro" "GSG9 bro" "Buy elite, be elite"

[@archstanton2411]

Who makes the work bench?

[@ronsmith9251]

I kick myself for not buying one of these years ago.

[@redcat9436]

The P7 is the most overrated firearm that I have ever owned.

[@davidmandell9909]

I don't believe for a second you own one because you wouldn't make such a stupid comment if you did..........