Any HK P7 fans?

[odyssey1]

Hello All,

This is my first post but I've been following these boards for awhile now.

Just when I though I was content with my small collection, I got the itch for another one, the HK P7.  I missed out on CDNN's last sale of german trade ins and have been on the hunt for one since.  This is only going to be a range gun.  I've got other guns to fill other roles.  It's just one of those itches I need to scratch and I've got the green light from the wife to purchase one. 

The following is what I currently have:
Colt Python
S&W 617
S&W 642 Powerport
Ruger Security Six
Springfield Trophy Match
CZ SP-01 (with Kadet .22 conversion kit)
Glock 19

Wouldn't you all agree that an HK P7 would fit in?  To me it's just one of those neat guns to have and something to show others.  I fired one recently and fell in love with the accuracy, ergonomics and low recoil.  Years ago I passed up buying a P13 for $800 and now I see the prices have skyrocketed.

To those out there who have one, what steered you towards your purchase?  Was it the coolness factor?  Was it because Hans Gruber had one?  Was it the ergonomics and accuracy?

I live in Chicago so no CCW here but I have my Florida and Utah Licenses so I always carry, when legal, out of state.  For those times, the G19 rides in an MTAC holster and the 642 rides in a Nemesis pocket holster.  The other guns are my range toys.

Any feedback on this gun would be greatly appreciated as well as any possible leads here in the Chicagoland. 

Thanks everyone!  This is an awesome forum.

[shooter32]

Welcome odyssey1,

HK P7 does have the cool factor and would make a good addition.
When you get it please post some porn "picture" of them ALL..

Stop by the Cafe the new members intro.

[tombogan03884]

The HK P7 is the only pistol I have ever seen get a negative review in a gun magazine. Years ago Soldier of Fortune ran an article about it that ended with a photo of the author throwing the pistol over the berm. HK customer service seems to get very poor marks from civilian customers as well, also in recent years HK has begun placing RFID chips in some of their pistols, I don't know if the P 7 is one of the models effected.
All that being said, I understand completely about "the itch".    Have fun scratching. 

[2HOW]

The HK P7 is the only pistol I have ever seen get a negative review in a gun magazine. Years ago Soldier of Fortune ran an article about it that ended with a photo of the author throwing the pistol over the berm. HK customer service seems to get very poor marks from civilian customers as well, also in recent years HK has begun placing RFID chips in some of their pistols, I don't know if the P 7 is one of the models effected.
All that being said, I understand completely about "the itch".    Have fun scratching. 

Source for the RFID chip please.

[tombogan03884]

Source for the RFID chip please.

It was mentioned on one of Tom Gresham's Podcasts, So I asked about it here, I can't find the link now and I just spent a 1/2 hour trying different search terms. But as I remember someone posted a photo of the chip under the back strap, seemed like EVERY ONE had heard about it but it was the first I had heard of it.
Hopefully some one else can find the link because I also had the link to the proper "Gun Talk" segment.

[Sponsor]

[SigShooter]

I've been looking at them myself. Frankly, the P7 series is the only HK I have interest in having someday. I like the P7M8 the best, since it has the finger-paddle release instead of the european heal-sytle. But, if you're not going to carry it or combat practice, the regular P7 would be a good choice. They are more common, allowing you to pick the one you want for the price you're willing to pay.

[Abouttime]

I bought a used P7M8 a couple of years ago. Once the grip is squeezed, the trigger pull is very light. Easy to hold on target. I find it is weighted strangely for carry. All in all... I love the gun and my son would love to take it off of my hands... so I guess that is two endorsements. Check out www.hkpro.com for lots of information about the whole lineup of products... including all the P7 variations. Enjoy!

[Jackel]

ugghh. this is uglier than frost bitten trench foot.

[Rob Pincus]

I know some guys who swear by them and I know some who hate them.

The standard line is "If you're going to carry a P7, don't shoot anything else"... this because of the very unique feel and procedures involved in the pistol.

While working with the German Polizie, I've had a fair number of students with these guns and you certainly can become very capable with one.

They can be finicky with ammo, they do get hot when you shoot rapidly. On the up side, I have seen 2 occasions where the extractor broke and they still operated fine while being shot (can't unload or clear malfunctions normally, however). I think it is more significant that two extractors broke than that they still fired/functioned afterwards.

Now, to your question: Hell Yeah! Add one to the collection!

-RJP

[Combat Diver]

When I gradulated basic in 83', I had to choose between a NIB Randall SS M1911A1 in .45 or a used electroless nickeled P7 in 9x19mm.  I went with the P7.  Only ammo mine didn't like was CCI Blaser with the aluminum case.  The P7 was very accurate and once I shot against Delta guys in Germany who had their tricked 1911s and I had my P7 during a bowling pin shoot.  Well I didn't clean house but was in the top 5 out of 50 shooters.  After a dozen years or so I traded it to a friend of mine for a NIB Browning 1886 Carbine.  Still miss that pistol.  I never had any muscle memory problems switching between the P7, 1911/Coonan or frame mounted safeties ie P38/M9.

CD