The history of the P7 pistol from Heckler & Koch
The all-steel P7 pistol (with the original production name HK PSP) was developed in 1976 by the Oberndorf-based German gun manufacturer Heckler & Koch and went into series production at the end of 1979. This unusual handgun was widely used by police and special units, particularly in Germany. The GSG 9 and various state police forces used it for decades. It was also valued internationally, including by US law enforcement agencies and the Greek police. In the 2000s, it began to be replaced by more modern models such as the HK P2000, P30 and SFP9, all also made by Heckler & Koch. Nevertheless, the P7 is still considered a milestone in pistol construction and remains coveted among collectors and shooters. We at all4shooters.com have already published an article on the origins of the P7 family.
Even in its "retirement age", the P7 remained in demand: in 2002, Bavaria acquired 880 and Saxony 65 used examples of the pistol from Lower Saxony, which switched to the HK P2000 by 2006. In 2018, the HK SFP9 replaced the P7 as the service handgun of the Bavarian police. The military police used it for personal protection before it was replaced by the HK P30. The prison service in North Rhine-Westphalia also still had it in its inventory in 2004.
What did the designers do technically differently so that this pistol could be used in a wide variety of services for over a quarter of a century? The P7 was characterised by a polygonal barrel, an innovative gas-delayed blowback action and a unique cocking lever system designed to combine a high level of safety with rapid operational readiness: there is no manual safety as with other service pistols. The cocking lever on the front of the grip had to be pressed in first so that the striker could be cocked and released. This technique was perfectly manageable for experienced shooters in special units. However, those who rarely had to shoot with it, such as patrol officers, struggled with the function, which led to failure to fire, but also to a number of accidents and repeatedly drew criticism.
Over 5,000 euros for a P7 from Heckler & Koch?
The question of price is always individual and sometimes emotional. Especially when it comes to special pieces such as the Heckler & Koch P7, supply and demand now play a role in pricing that should not be underestimated. It is therefore not surprising that well-preserved pieces with a service gun history are traded at over 5,000 euros each. And there is still room for improvement, because according to our research, such Heckler & Koch pistols are now being traded by collectors for up to €7,000 and more. The reason for this is probably the ever decreasing number of pieces. As Hubert Bodächtel reports in the video, in recent decades, decommissioned pistols were not, as is often the case, "channelled into the civilian market", i.e. sold as used ex-service weapons to authorised private sport shooters, hunters and collectors, but rather destroyed and melted down. Anyone who can call a P7 from service stock and with the corresponding markings today therefore has a small treasure in their gun cabinet, depending on the model and serial number.
What successors did the Heckler & Koch P7 pistol have?
The Heckler & Koch SFP9 (Striker Fired Pistol, 9mm) is a modern service and operational striker-fired pistol that has been in production since 2014. It was developed as the successor to the P7 and other older HK models and is the current standard handgun of many German police forces, including the Bavarian police since 2018.
Technical specs of the HK SFP9
- Calibre: 9×19mm Luger (aka 9mm Parabellum)
- Magazine capacity: 15 to 20 rounds (depending on variant)
- Trigger: single action (striker-fired)
- Handle modules: Modular customisation with interchangeable backstraps and grip shells
- Safety: Automatic striker safety, trigger safety
- Ergonomics: optimised handle shape, two-handed controls
The SFP9 was specially developed for law enforcement, the military and sports shooters and offers high reliability, ergonomics and precision. In addition to German LEOs, international users also rely on this model. With the SFP9, Heckler & Koch has created a modern alternative to classic police pistols that is characterised by rapid operational readiness, safety and modularity.
