....My Heckler & Koch P7 PSP Pistol....

THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL PAGE DEDICATED TO THE P7 FAMILY OF PISTOLS.

I have no affiliation with Heckler and Koch, and they are not connected in anyway with this page. The information here was gathered by myself, or other P7 shooters. Please use caution when using this information, and realize that it only strictly applies to the guns that were evaluated. If you use any information recommended here, you do so at your own risk. I assume no liability for any actions taken by you as a result of the information contained on this page.

If you would like to contact H&K their information is:

Heckler & Koch, INC.; 21480 Pacific Blvd.; Sterling, VA 22170, USA; tele.: 1-(703) 450-1900

P7 PSP: 9mm Luger, 8+1 shot ... vs. ... P7M8: 9mm Luger, 8+1 shot (newer model)

In doing some research before aquiring my P7 PSP, I ran into many sources that claimed the P7 PSP and the newer P7M8 to be basically the same gun. In Duncan Long's otherwise wonderful text "HK's Handguns" (ISBN 087947-153-0, from Desert Publications P.O.Box 1751 El Dorado, AR 71731-1751 USA) he claims on pg. 26 "the P7M8 is virtually identical to the P7 (PSP)....the only distinction between the P7 (PSP) and the P7M8 is that the latter guns are probably a bit newer, having been made since the introduction of the P7M13". {The PSP in the parentheses are mine, but can be implied from what was written earlier in the P7 section}

I have had both guns, side by side at the range, and I can tell you there are some differences.

Here then is a chart I have compiled of the differences between the P7 PSP and the P7M8. If I have missed anything that anyone notices, please feel free to e-mail me and I will make the appropriate modification
 

In addition to the preceeding list, the P7M8 has a rib under the gas piston system which extends all the way to the muzzle end of the gun, that the PSP does not have.

Because of the longer trigger guard on the P7M8, manufacturers say you need different holsters for each gun. For a "perfect fit" this is true, but actually (depending on the holster) you might be able to get away with using the same one for either model. Because of the differences in the magazine release systems, the magazines are not interchangeable.

In my owners manual, the PSP is said to stand for "Police Self-loading Pistol", and indeed, while there are some differences between the PSP and the modern M8 version, they operate using the same mechanism, are roughly the same size/weight, and have basically the same profile.

The P7 design pistols are (in my opinion) the easiest guns to get into action, and make totally DEAD when then action is over. Known as "SQUEEZE COCKERS" these guns have several safeties that make the gun TOTALLY unable to fire until the frontstrap of the grip AND the trigger are squeezed. I have even seen video footage (H&K's own P7 video available as a double feature with Benilli Shotguns, available from any H&K authorized dealer for (at this date) $8.00 US) of a P7M13 that had it's grip duct-taped into the squeezed position and then dropped with a chambered (primer only) round. Because the trigger transfer bar was not engaged, the pistol did not fire. These are truly safe guns.

I have only seen one jam in firing using a P7 pistol (it was in a friend's M8, not my PSP), and I believe that was due to the one particular reload that was being shot at the time. These pistols are known to be VERY jam free. They feature a gas-delayed blowback system that allows for a HIGHLY accurate pinned (non moving) barrel, and a magazine geometry that feeds the rounds STRAIGHT into the chamber, virtually eliminating the need for a feed ramp. Also the P7 series of pistols has a fluted chamber that allows gasses to eject the fired cases. In the video I illuded to above, there are scenes where the ejector is actually removed from the pistol, and it is fired repeatedly and normally. The video states that the "ejector aids in smooth ejections and to get unfired rounds out of the chamber".

Anyone considering the P7 series of pistols is urged to buy and read Massad F. Ayoob's landmark text "The Semiautomatic Pistol in Police Service and Self-Defense" (Police Bookshelf, P.O. Box 122; Concord, NH 03302-0122 USA; ISBN 0-936279-07-9). In this book, Ayoob discusses the few shortcommings and the major attributes of this fine pistol, including the reasons why he feels that this pistol is the Most Reliable Semiautomatic Pistol (his words).

As for concealed carry, these guns are very good. The single stack magazine makes them very slim, and a number of custom holster manufactures have designed holsters to get the grip pulled tightly into the body. Wild Bill's Concealment Holsters even offers an IWB holster called the Extream Heat that was designed around the P7 series of pistols to get the most of the short slide inside the pants, and the butt of the grip high and tight into the body. The extream cant of this holster even makes it suitable for SOB (small of the back) use. About the only modification to the P7 pistols I would like to see, as far as concealment goes, is an idea proposed by my good friend (and former champion Shilouette shooter) Bob Bajor. Bob suggested that the P7 series would indeed be the absolute BEST carry arm if the frame were machined from titanium instead of steel. Of course this would increase the already somewhat prohibitive cost of the pistols, but would make it the lightest, most reliable defense caliber concealment handgun.

I am somewhat saddened to have to say that H&K no longer stocks "Betalight" night sights for the PSP series. They do have tritium nightsights for the M8, M10, and M13 models. A call to Trijicon assured me that they will be able to put their justly famous nightsight tubes into the existing sites on any P7 PSP pistol for around $140.00 US.

The Heckler & Koch P7 Series

P7 PSP: 9mm Luger (parabellum), 8+1 shot, single stack magazine

P7M7: .45ACP, 7+1 shot, single stack magazine ***NEW*** click on the P7M7, Now I have pictures and some info...

P7M8: 9mm Luger (parabellum), 8+1 shot, single stack magazine

P7M10: .40S&W, 10+1 shot, double column magazine

P7M13: 9mm Luger (parabellum), 13+1 shot, double column magazine

P7K3: Convertable, Has barrels and magazines for .22 LR, .32 auto, and .380ACP

Interesting HK Related Links:

• P7 page
• Unofficial P7 page
• CFI page (commercial)
• Gil's Guns
• Catalog
• Unofficial USP page
• Remtek HK page

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