This video is a thorough review of Heckler and Koch's famous "squeeze-cocking" pistols, the P7 series, provided from my extensive background as an Armorer and Instructor of Heckler and Koch weapons.
Hi all, i used to carry a P7 1st generation for many years in Germany, a perfect carry gun, accurate and ready whenever you need it.... An interesting aspect of the Design was the designer Named Mr. Waeldele, which used to design sewing machines before he was hired by H&K , never designed a Firearm before. I have met him on the occasion of a meeting in the HK factory since we were intend to use the delayed blowback technology on one of our guns as well... There was no objection by HK... BTW, i am Joe Peters, the founder of the Peters Stahl Weapon factory, we used to build the Multicaliber pistols based on the 1911 frame capable to fire up to 8 different calibers by just cahnging barrel and magazine.... We produced the Springfield Armory OMEGA for SA in Germany in 10mm Auto caliber....
I'm only 1/3 of the way through the video as I type this comment, but I am amazed at the comprehensiveness in your explanation of the pistol's inner workings and function. Truly outstanding. Looking forward to watching more of this.
At 65 years, underdoing medical treatment over two years, some weeks ago I dug out my P7M13 Nickle from the safe having no idea this pistol had such value. So many thoughts running through my mind. At this juncture, I have much to think about after watching the entire video. At the very least I would like to ship my HK to you to have it professionally gone through, as it has less than 500 ads throught it. Mags have never been stored with rounds as it was never my primary defense weapon during my active service days long past. Stored, taken out to gawk at it, showed it off one or two times, bout it. Living in the great Mojave Desert, temps get seriously high here. The overheating quickly made my hands/grip slippery due to sweat. Lack of stippling made the handgun horrible to maintain on target doing tactical handgun drills. I sat it aside, an, the years went by. So did my career leading to burn-out (20). Never having any professional instruction in the use of HK probably contributed much as our Dept. Colt .45 was the cats meow for its time. Jeff Cooper fame. 80hrs classroom plus range time on the cities dime. 40hrs alone dry firing, draw stroke from work belt. Tons of liquid bandaid used. Sorry- Reminising I hope God and I can get well so I can decide where I shall go if I can shoot again, or, have to sell. I’ve thought maybe a camera might be all I need to shoot, especially these days I live… California. 10-7
@@teufelshundtactical - Thank you. It is Cal registered. I have no idea what regs are these days. I suppose I am allowed to ship to you via FEDX. I would takeout a rather large insurance (?) to accomplish this. Currently, I am not worthy, allowed, without full Ca. DOJ to buy, purchase gun or ammo ok’ed any longer.Meaning, background qualified.
I have a P7M8 and I think I’ve watched every other video about this gun on RU-vid. Then I seen this pop up in my recommended videos. 3 HOURS LONG!!!!! There is no way this guy will tell me more than Gun Jesus (Ian from Forgotten Weapons) hasn’t already told me. I’ll just start the video and rip it apart in the comments. Then after watching the whole video (beginning to end with a bunch of rewinding parts), I feel dumb. Sorry for even questioning your qualifications with the P7 Series handgun. I may get in contact with you to service mine. Great video. You truly are the King of the HK P7’s.
Mission accomplished with sharing the knowledge and experience. If you’re into other H&K’s, check out the rest of the channel for more of the same. And if you need service and support, you can reach me through the website for shipping instructions.
Well it took me 3 sessions to finally get to the end of this video but it was well worth it. I don't need to say that this is best reference video on the P7 as that is obvious. I say it, because it deserves it. Too bad, I'm not in a position to buy one of these fine tools. But the part of me that is absolutely intrigued by handgun design, definitely learned a lot of minutia.
Thank-you for all this training. I went through the whole presentation and will still need to repeat. This will help me enjoy and use my P7, and keep it functioning for me.
Boy am I'm glad I stumbled onto this video! I was stationed just outside of Stuttgart for almost six years and a couple of months before I left early 1984 I bought a P7. I got it at the Patch Barracks recreation center sporting goods shop and the dollar was very strong at that time so I only paid a few hundred bucks for the thing. Mine has the protruding magazine heel release serial number 525xx and it was proofed 03/83. A few years ago I added NIL grips. Plan on watching this video many times. GREAT JOB!
If I were to go back to America I'd use a P7 as an everyday carry if I could find one especially the M13 variant that who give 13 rounds on board instead of the basic 8, I've found the P7 to feel like each one is a custom build even though each one came off a production line with the trigger feeling smooth and you'd swear that it had been worked on.
The P7-M13 has become my everyday carry gun. The ~4lbs of weight (fully loaded and including two spare) absolutely disappears when using a Galco Miami Classic shoulder holster.
Thanks for making this awesome vid. Picked up a used M13 (KC) shortly before Thanksgiving of 2018 (came with 4 mags). Shot it and was really impressed. Bought a spotless NIB M13 (KB) shortly before Christmas that same year (also came with 4 new mags). My sons and range buddies all enjoy shooting my M13. I installed LDA target sights and Nill target grips on this range M13.
Amazing video! This is the one, if you are interested in the P7, and want a 3 hour training session on what it is and how to really run one, this is the place to start. Love it! Great work. One technical comment (that's academic), on the P7M7, .45 ACP, it was mentioned that the unit has a hydraulic recoil system, like the K3 does. And stated that was due to the higher pressure of the .45 ACP round. I assume that's in error, since .45 ACP is much lower pressure than 9mm, yes?
Whew, I made it through the whole thing! Thanks for such a thorough video, there were tons of little gems that I'd never heard/seen before. I'm picking up my first P7M8 from 10 day jail next week and I can't wait to take my first shots with it!
Glad you enjoyed it. Believe it or not, there is actually more information that I had to cut out simply because when I went to do final editing, I maxed out the available storage on my MacBook :)
Fascinating video and gun. Definitely an unusual look which has grown on me. Based on price alone, I don't think I'll be a buyer. And based on price, history and how collectible it is, I don't think I'd ever choose to carry it. Just too valuable to ever have to use and lose... Definitely an example of what defines HK, avant garde, complicated assembly and not a gun to be put away wet. Many thanks for the video
Back in the 90s I had a factory nickel plated M8 and it was super flakey. So I decided I wanted to get it hard chromed. I knew a lot about the gun so I was concerned that it might be hard to find someone who knew what they were doing. I called this outfit called Rebel refinishing and asked him how he would deal with the gas port/cylinder. He said "I GOT A BRUSH." I hung up and called another outfit (back then you just called everyone you found in the "shotgun news." Finally I found a guy who new what he was doing . It was scary!
For making this video: You are awesome! And I did learn a thing or two about my M13 from your fantastic video. My M13 has a rubber buffer of sorts behind the trigger. I didn't see it on any of your weapons so I guess it is a mod that had been added sometime after it left the factory. By the way - it is impressive how clean you keep your weapons.
Wow! I just found your you tube video on the P7! You just emailed me that you received my P7 for work. It’s great to actually see you and listening to your presentation.
“By the end of the video you might want one”, already there before I hit the play button. The need for a 2800 loan to buy one of those P7M13’s from you James is still there ;). -יהושוע שרודר
Comment from Germany on the P7: Based on my own experience, I can say that the P7 is one of the most unsafe pistols ever designed because it will fire if you accidentally cock it with the grip cocking while the trigger is pulled. This has happened repeatedly in Germany while using it in police service, even with a fatal outcome. My own experience happened in 1987. I shot a heavy boar at night on a meadow strip between a corn field and the forest, which immediately collapsed. After the shot I went to the wild boar lying quietly 30m away. Convinced that the boar was dead, I walked to the edge of the forest 5m away and leaned my rifle against a tree to have both hands free to gut the boar and then went back to the boar. When I was about 1.5m away, the boar suddenly and unexpectedly tried to get up again. I immediately grabbed my P7 in my pocket for the finishing shot. In the excitement, however, I somehow got stuck with the gun and grabbed it tighter. As soon as the pistol came out of the pocket, a bullet struck the ground two inches from the tip of my right foot. Despite my shock, I was able to finally kill the almost completely standing wild boar with a second shot in the head. What has happened: Due to the firmer grip, I had cocked the P7 unnoticed and then pulled the trigger when the pistol was free. Or I may have already pulled the trigger while pulling the pistol forcefully and cocked the pistol when it came free. But that doesn't matter for this unwanted shot in front of my foot, because it is inherent in the system of the P7 that you can accidentally cock the P7 if you grip it tightly or fire it if you cock it with the trigger accidentally pulled. Now one could criticize that I didn't carry the P7 in a holster, but the whole incident would not have happened at all with a DA/SA pistol, even if carried in a pants pocket. Just a week after the incident, I traded this insecure P7 towards the purchase of a new DA/SA pistol.
I love these very straight forward informational videos. Also a big fan of Small Arms Solutions video series as well. As of now, I'm almost through and very interesting. Thank you for sharing and compiling all this info and history.
On a side note... What is the technical reason why many extractors turn orange with time? I understand it has to do with the finish or heat treating but just to this part?
Thanks for a great and educational video never seen anybody with more passion for this awesome pistol I own three of this guy’s hopping to get more in a future 😊
If HK would just restrict themselves to the M8 and the M13 in 9mm, they could sell them for MSRP of circa $2,000 and they would sell like hotcakes. This is especially true if they did just a few tweaks, like polymer/alu mix frame, night sights, modern protective finish on the slide, updated grip and voila, instant classic.
Outstanding video. I have a PSP and a K3 I picked up on consignment at a small gun store a couple of years ago. I'm having issues with the PSP cocking, so I intend to review the internal mechanisms sections of the video several times. I probably won't be able to repair it myself, but I hope to be able to narrow down the issue.
I’ve owned and still own The H&K P7M8 Will working on Patrol was the first time ever shooting the H&K P7M8 most accurate ,Best ever Germany Pistol EVER MADE …
That was THE most definitive review I’ve seen about any pistol let alone my favorite. Thank you very much. By the way, what holsters do you run for concealed carry? I just came across a Galco Royal Guard for the P7 I like very much. Paid a pretty penny for it too - used but in nice shape.
I have a p7m8 that I sent to robar to be Mp3 back in 2003 ,due to the fact that some of the Finnish was wore off from daily carry . I have fired thousands of rounds with out fail . It still looks great with that finnish. I also have a m13 which also has thousands of rounds through it , also with out fail. I just acquired a USP Expert which I think is ok , but doesn’t hold a candle to my P7s. Great vid. Thanks .
Great video. Took forever to watch the whole thing, but still great content. Picked up an old p7 a few years ago and have shot it only a few times. The lack of parts is one of the reasons it mostly sits. Has anyone explored the idea of 3d printing replacement parts for these? Or would the abs not hold up to the stress? Also, you mention reloads, and not trying it unless you know what you're doing. Do you reload your own ammo, and if so do you have a round cooked up that you like for your p7?
Glad you enjoyed the video. If you can believe it, I actually had to cut it short, as I ran out of available storage space. I still have most parts, but yes, as I continue servicing the pistols, at some point they will dwindle down. I only shoot quality, factory ammunition, with Speer Lawman 115 TMJ being my preference.
No sense of humor? By the way, all joking aside, I did appreciate the in-depth video. I've always heard HK was an outstanding gun manufacturer. My brother in law was an army Ranger in Viet Nam, where he used the Colt M-16 I believe. so he knows guns pretty well. Nowadays he really likes the HK's.
James, I have a P7 imported through HKI-Trussville AL. From watching your video, it appears to be a Police Trade in as per the grips (slight thumb swell). I can't seem to find the year of manufacture information as it doesn't have a date code that I can find anywhere on the pistol. It's marked with the serial#363XX to the right of that is a boxed (Possible BWB Marking) symbol with a 415 and to the right of that an "NDS" circled, but nothing else on that side of the slide. The stampings are somewhat crude under very high magnification. Would you have any idea of the year or any other possible information?
I have a psp and I love it. The nicest gun I own. I have to tell you about a strange occurrence that has happened to me twice. I removed the magazine and attempted to remove the round in the chamber. I cycled the slide and the round flew out, rotated 180 degrees, fell back into the chamber and the slide then stuck the round in the barrell backwards. Very strange.
I absolutely want one of these, but that last chunk of this video going over all the specific cleaning procedures, make it sound as delicate as an AR... I treat the USP more like an AK... I literally just cleaned the USP last year for the first time since the late 90's when new. Hmm...
Do you have access to the replacement white sight inserts that H&K used to sell? I can’t find them anywhere. Also, do you have a video of replacing the sights on a P7 PSP? Is it fairly cut and dry or do I need a specific tool(s)? Thank you, and Thank you for this awesome video!
Replacing sights is as simple as drifting out the old ones with a hammer and punch and drifting the new ones in. I do not sell parts outside of service and do not have the white inserts anymore.
What a fantastic resource you have provided. I just watched your video after scrolling past it so many times. I know it's not an HK, but would you ever do a video on a Steyr GB?
@@teufelshundtactical Understandable that you would stick with what you specialize in and care for. I'll probably look through a few of your videos; I really love interesting handguns and the Germanics really delivered.
Fantastic video. I bought my first P7M8 in the early 1990s (it was a like-new 1988 gun) and now I’m up to owning a total of five P7’s so far. My Chantilly M8 is my daily carry gun. You said you were going to cover the P7’smade after the “last 500”. I have a friend who has a very late serial number one that was made after the last 500. But that section was missing from your video. Did I miss something?
I was referring to a series of pistols that came in from Germany for “rebuild”, most of which showed date codes outside the “official” production window. I did a video showcasing these ahead of their sale.
@@teufelshundtactical my friend’s M8 is 16-13496x and has an AH date code. I did some research years ago and I’m pretty sure it was after the last 500. I always wondered what the last M8’s serial number was. I’ll look for the video you referenced above, hope it’s still on your channel
Magnum would have been much better with a nice little P7 . i love the detail and the hard work you put into these videos . i do have a question. My P7 night sights are done . Can i use the Sights from my HK 45 for the P7? I put suppressor sights on the 45 and have a fresh set as a spare .
Truly fascinating. Have you considered a video about the P7's designer, his bio and factory production of the pistol. I suppose this might be covered in the H&k tome or perhaps in Germany museum, or the Gray Room ? You filming subjects from the Gray Room would be great. Any plans in future for VP70z presentation? Thank you for your expertise and passion. CD in New Hampshire 👍
Incredible Video!!! I came in knowing a little And this has been extremely educational. Thank you for making this Video. For Future reference how would one contact you best on the HK? I own two P7M8, one from 1984 IE and the other I was able to purchase in 2008. Its new in the box never fired 1-500 last productions.
Can you let me know why some K3’s have a USA prefix and some do not? The whole K3 thing is kind of a mystery. Would love to get one but don’t want to jump in for several thousand dollars without a comprehensive overview. Do you have a video on that K3 topic?
Awesome video. Gave me such a deep insight on a iconic weapon. I do have a question, I own a P7m13 that was chromed and stainless. Job was decently done but would like to restore it to its original version. Can you help with that. Thank you
Can you damage the weapon by pulling the trigger back, releasing the squeeze cocker, and then releasing the trigger in a fashion such as you would on a more traditional firearm like in the instance of testing the trigger reset tolerance or other manipulations that could compromise the weapon system?
There is not trigger reset with the P7 series like you have on a more modern pistol, but the distance to pull and release is short and the trigger is light and smooth.
@@teufelshundtactical But I’m good to go if I release the grip then the trigger, right? BTW where can I get on of those piston Go/No Go gauges? Thanks Devil.
Did the P7 cleaning video get taken down? You mention near very end of this one that you made one explaining why sonic cleaning is verboten etc. But I cannot find it. TIA!
Sir, can you tell me what the serviceable lengths of a P7 PSP recoil and magazine spring are? Trying to insure they are more than the minimums recommended. Many thanks, Mark.
I don’t have a spec range, but when I complete services, I compare them against the length of brand new examples I have in my parts supply. If I notice a significant difference in length, I replace them.
Extra hot smg ammo, gas system does not like it. Use regular pressure ammo. Mine was 1991/2 made. P pistol 5 Walther ,P6 Sig Sauer, to preplace .32acp sidearms after 1972 Munich.
I'm still 1/6th of the way in this amazing video, but around 30:00 when you describe the operation of sear bar and trigger, after the first shot, it's not clear to me how the trigger resets. Is there an interaction between slide and part of the sear bar that raises the latter, keeping the firing pin backward and pushing the trigger forward? The video shows the bar already up and hypothetically catching on the firing pin, but the missing link is what brought back the sear bar, resetting the trigger. Sorry for the nit-picking, but there's so much detail in the video that I thought it's worth asking. (Apologies if it's explained further in the video, I'm watching it bit by bit, trying to focus on each piece of info)
OK. Seen the disconnector function at about 59:00. This clears the doubt: the trigger is disconnected under recoil allowing the sear bar to raise on its spring force and the trigger can't release the firing pin until the trigger finger allows it to reset. I just had to be patient.
Thank you! The P7M13 was my first firearm in 1992 and now I have 2 more M8s in my collection, still absolutely love them! Very grateful for this video!
If you mean that your rear sight should have it, but it is missing, it can be replaced. If instead, your rear sight is flush without having a screw as part of the design, it is a newer model where the front and rear sights were redesigned without the screw and roll pin.
I really need the owners manual if you or someone has an extra I’d buy or trade for one .. I have everything for mine but a owners manual ThankYou in advance joe
@@cgdeery No. And if you watch my P7M8 repair video, you’ll see that having a replacement barrel is nothing if you don’t have the barrel and drill press needed for installation.
I hear you. I had to replace the barrel (worn - bullets started flying sideways all over the range). The smith opted to cut down and mount a schultz larsen rifle barrel in mine. A hammer forged replacement barrel wasn't available. So now, I'm suddenly without flutes and the gas retard setup. Luckily it still operates likes a charm.