HK P7 / PSP differences?

[Zak Smith]

I recently picked up a near-mint HK P7PSP for a good price. I've seen references to different styles of PSP's, in particular in reference to the style of mag release.

Who can point me to a list of how the PSP changed throughout its production?

The one I've got has a date code of - I think - 1981, and has a narrow-style mag release.

thanks
Zak

 

[Spieler]

Have you checked out HKPRO?

http://www.hkpro.com/contents.htm

 

[Peter M. Eick]

In the early 80's they switched to bigger grips and a larger mag release that is in the same position. My IA and IB have the narrow european style that sticks out my ID is an american style that has the bigger grips and is covered by the grips. Both are heal release units. My other ones are all american style. The nameing goes like this:

p7e (oldest european extended heal release)
p7u (universal, american style covered heal release)
p7-psp (universal style american covered butt release)
p7m8 (american style trigger guard release)

I ignore the rest of the p7 series.

Other comments are that the IA's are engraved lettering but the IB's and above are rollmarked. Kind of classy the engraved lettering.

Personally I shoot my IA/IB (P7E) better and more accurately then the rest of mine. The key is size of the grips.

Older picture, the collection has "grown" since then. Especially more magazines!

 

[Zak Smith]

Peter,

Thanks for that information. The one in your picture on the right is the P7E? I think that's what I've got (pistol not here right now).

Can the flush mag releases be retrofitted to the P7E?

thanks
Zak

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Yes and no. Yes it is the lower right hand one. Yes it can be swapped with new grips, but no not practically. You need to find a smith that can do it. The only guy I know who can do it is Sloan Fountain, 281-561-8447 at Fountain Firearms. He showed me what it would take to do, but it is a non-trivial switch. Call him up and ask what it would take.

Good luck, they are great guns.

By the way, the P7E is on the one that I shoot the best. The slightly smaller grips are easier to shoot with for me!

 

[9mmepiphany]

i also like the "e" mag release the best...the gun just seems more "compact" and neater. the original release is also faster/easier to use.

having the stocks extend down to shield the mag release requires that you align your thumb with the recess to activate the release. the "proper" release is to take a "milking" grip with the off thumb "across" the release. rocking forward releases the mag and the index finger is ready to pull it out if it sticks (the rest of the hand is ready to catch it if you are doing a "change with retention"

 

[Zak Smith]

Well, it turns out I prefer the narrow extended "e" type, so all is good.

I did call Sloan but he didn't know what was involved - said his brother might.

Now I'm looking for another P7E to match the one I just got

Anyone want to sell a P7E to a good, loving home?

-z