HK P7 owners help needed

Some here will remember that I recently bought a used, hard chromed P7, built in 1981. Not only a unique design, but accurate, safe and (insert dish of crow here) uber reliable. Lesson: never brag.

Well, this gun is at HK in Columbus, GA for service. It cost me $61 to ship it there via FedEx since HK doesn't extend warranty to second owners. FedEx tried to charge me over $200 one way when I advised them it had a $799 value....but, I digress. That's a whole other story.

I've been carrying the P7 and periodically shooting 50 rounds at the range without any issues. The last time at the range, I had brought the gun there unloaded. I loaded a mag, slammed it home, squeezed the grip cocker to slam the slide shut and chamber a round, and the slide would not close. After multiple attempts (squeezes) it finally closed. I repeated my efforts only to find the same binding, over and over. I thought better of trying to fire it, and never did that day. I broke it down to look for any obvious problem. Asked the armorer to also look it over. Neither one of us saw any broken parts. Decided to get HK to fix it.

I spoke to the HK technician and learned he was not able to duplicate my problem. He did some cleaning of the gas cylinder and measured all the specs. Everything is within spec and the gun is "pristine". He's keeping it a few more days to see if the problem reappears.

My questions to the assembled brain trust on KahrTalk are:

1. Ever heard of this problem and what was the cause and fix?

2. Would you shoot it and continue to rotate it into your EDC?

3. Would you sell it?

I have a new Sig 1911 RCS 4.25" which will be my primary carry until at least Summer. Back ups are a Sig P238 and Kahr PM9. The P7 is no longer critical. It does fit into my rotation as more concealable than the Commander sized slide/Officer grip SIG.

So, what do you think?

[O'Dell]

Although an HK fan, I don't know much about the P7 except I've always thought that they were rather complicated. The P7 is slightly taller, slightly narrower, and a inch shorter than the SIG. The weight is only about an oz different. I would think the SIG would carry almost as well, since length isn't a big factor in carry. Also the SIG is a 45 while the P7 is a 9mm. Even if I kept both, I think I would carry the SIG.

[Barth]

My questions to the assembled brain trust on KahrTalk are:

1. Ever heard of this problem and what was the cause and fix?
No.
(have heard that P7s are complicated handguns and expensive to fix.
Germans produce something like that - go figure - LOL!)

2. Would you shoot it and continue to rotate it into your EDC?
Shoot yes, rotate no.

3. Would you sell it?
Maybe, HK P7 is somewhat of a collectible.

I'm not carrying anything that's not 100% reliable.
I have a Sig P220 with a Bar-Sto that FTFs 1 in 200 rounds.
This performance, to me, is unacceptable.
(Gun is being worked on by a Sig Armorer as we speak. The third gunsmith to work on it)

BTW with the stock barrel the P220 is flawless

[ripley16]

Because, as you stated, HK has examined the pistol and found it in proper order, then we can offer no mechanical explaination. I would offer this though; because you also say you field stripped and probably removed the grip panels after this occured to look for a problem... I wonder if the gun was properly put together initially, before your trip to the range. Were the grip panels on correctly? If not, they can interfer with the slide. Some folks new to the P7 will mistakenly attempt to put the grips on with the slide already on the frame.

Were you using the slide release catch to hold open the slide or inserting an empty mag? Could the slide release have caught somehow, not releasing the slide?

This would be a good question to pose at http://www.hkpro.com/forum/hk-handgun-talk/
That's recognised as the site with the HK "brain trust".

[Barth]

Best Answer Vote

Because, as you stated, HK has examined the pistol and found it in proper order, then we can offer no mechanical explaination. I would offer this though; because you also say you field stripped and probably removed the grip panels after this occured to look for a problem... I wonder if the gun was properly put together initially, before your trip to the range. Were the grip panels on correctly? If not, they can interfer with the slide. Some folks new to the P7 will mistakenly attempt to put the grips on with the slide already on the frame.

Were you using the slide release catch to hold open the slide or inserting an empty mag? Could the slide release have caught somehow, not releasing the slide?

This would be a good question to pose at http://www.hkpro.com/forum/hk-handgun-talk/
That's recognised as the site with the HK "brain trust".

Now that's a nice informative answer.
I need an attitude adjustment - LOL!
Lot's os stress at work these days.
But no excuses, everybody has their cross to bare...

[Longitude Zero]

Keep it for the "collector" value and carry the SIG.

[Bawanna]

If you give up on it and decide to part ways I'd like a shot. I always wanted one if only because I was intrigued by them.

Some go for serious big money around here, probably every where. I'm told they are kind of like T9's too, made kind of in batches and or shipped in batches so they can be plentiful for a bit and then dry up and hard to find.

Most don't like to part with them.

Personally I'd give it another chance, do the things mentioned read what HK has to say and give it another chance.

[O'Dell]

[I][B]My questions to the assembled brain trust on KahrTalk are:


2. Would you shoot it and continue to rotate it into your EDC?
Shoot yes, rotate no.

3. Would you sell it?
Maybe, HK P7 is somewhat of a collectible.

I'm not carrying anything that's not 100% reliable.
I have a Sig P220 with a Bar-Sto that FTFs 1 in 200 rounds.
This performance, to me, is unacceptable.
(Gun is being worked on by a Sig Armorer as we speak. The third gunsmith to work on it)

BTW with the stock barrel the P220 is flawless

Sorry about the "failure" of your P220.

My 1996 build German P220 has been flawless through 1000's of rounds, but I didn't change the barrel.

[Barth]

Sorry about the "failure" of your P220.

My 1996 build German P220 has been flawless through 1000's of rounds, but I didn't change the barrel.

Your post lacks sincerity my friend - LOL!
I still have the factory 45 barrel and will use it if I have too.
My black stainless Nitron P239/357 is factory stock and also flawless...

[Jeff00042]

As a long-time P7 owner, I've found the folks at www.parkcitiestactical.com very helpful. Go to their "Cult of the P7" forum and post.

[Rainman48314]

As a long-time P7 owner, I've found the folks at www.parkcitiestactical.com very helpful. Go to their "Cult of the P7" forum and post.

Thanks, I'll register and try there. I've already found one post elsewhere suggesting that crud in the piston cylinder will make the gun bind the way mine did.

The technician at HK told me he found my gun full of crud in the piston cylinder and advised I should use the special tool. The fact is I clean after every 50-75 rounds and I bought a tool. I may need to be more aggressive with it to be sure I reach the bottom of the cylinder. The reason HK can't duplicate the problem is that their first step was to clean the gun. My tool may not be to spec as well.

[Barth]

Thanks, I'll register and try there. I've already found one post elsewhere suggesting that crud in the piston cylinder will make the gun bind the way mine did.

The technician at HK told me he found my gun full of crud in the piston cylinder and advised I should use the special tool. The fact is I clean after every 50-75 rounds and I bought a tool. I may need to be more aggressive with it to be sure I reach the bottom of the cylinder. The reason HK can't duplicate the problem is that their first step was to clean the gun. My tool may not be to spec as well.

Yup, Yup,
The P7's unique gas-delayed blowback locking system
requires the gun be absolutely clean to operate properly.
I forgot all about that.

[ripley16]

The technician at HK told me he found my gun full of crud in the piston cylinder and advised I should use the special tool.

I'm surprised this turned out to be the problem, especially in light of the fact that you have a scraper. You may want to try Slip 2000 Carbon Killer as a cleaning agent for both the piston and cylinder. It's very effective in getting them both clean without much elbow grease. HK says to use the scraper every 500 rounds. My P7 has gone longer than that between scraper use without any problems, but I am meticulous in brushing the cylinder and I always soak the piston to get it as clean as possible.

If the cylinder was that caked with crud, that means the gun has quite a few rounds through it, that or a previous owner shot lead reloads, a definite mistake in a P7.

Your P7 will be returned in very good condition. HK normally checks the guns out and only sends them back in perfect shape. Their customer service has vastly improved over the years.

FWIW; I'd trust the gun to carry, once it is in proper condition and properly maintained, it will operate with uber reliability.

[Rainman48314]

I'm surprised this turned out to be the problem, especially in light of the fact that you have a scraper. You may want to try Slip 2000 Carbon Killer as a cleaning agent for both the piston and cylinder. It's very effective in getting them both clean without much elbow grease. HK says to use the scraper every 500 rounds. My P7 has gone longer than that between scraper use without any problems, but I am meticulous in brushing the cylinder and I always soak the piston to get it as clean as possible.

If the cylinder was that caked with crud, that means the gun has quite a few rounds through it, that or a previous owner shot lead reloads, a definite mistake in a P7.

Your P7 will be returned in very good condition. HK normally checks the guns out and only sends them back in perfect shape. Their customer service has vastly improved over the years.

FWIW; I'd trust the gun to carry, once it is in proper condition and properly maintained, it will operate with uber reliability.

Hk has not given a final opinion yet. They're gonna play with it a few more days. I scraped every cleaning (50-70 rounds) and got nothing out of the cylinder. I have the American made tool which combines with the firing pin tool. I am the third owner (W. German Police, a private US Citizen and me). I'll look for Slip2000