I've spent more trigger time (and dollars) on the H&K P7, with Trijicon tritium sights the latest addition. I'm also waiting for the Wolff spring pack, which is an assortment of recoil springs in different weights, so I can find an optimal one to go with the ammo I choose.
After my last session with the P7, I realized I've shot better from Round One with this weapon than with even the other handguns that I've had more experience with. This is about half a box of 115gr ball at the traditional seven yards. When I forget the proper position on my finger on the trigger, I throw the shots down and left. Still, this is better than anything I've done with another centerfire handgun.
If this is the handgun I shoot the best, then it becomes the cornerstone of my program to idiot-proof my concealed-carry "system". I know nothing is safe from the "universal idiot", but in this case, I want to stack all the odds in my favor in case I become the idiot in a crisis.
It shoots and handles better than my previous leading candidate, the SiG P239. The inline striker and recoil spring around the barrel, rather than under it, makes for a barrel barely above the trigger finger. And the "squeezer" mechanism gives my last three fingers some work to do, taking away some of the work that the trigger finger would have to do.
I've decided to go with a handgun that shoots significantly better for me than any others, despite all of them having some fine features. And at the range it would be used (ghod forbid), a hot 9mm will do the job just fine.
Something in the overkill range, however, is the .45ACP 200gr +P round. One round through the Glock convinced me I could never tolerate firing it in a handgun. Fortunately, I have my 922r-compliant H&K faux-UMP that can handle it reasonably well.
Regular 230gr ball ammo was no problem. Then I re-zeroed the Eotech for the new round at 50 yards. Yow!
I don't know how much velocity was increased by firing in the 16-inch barrel, but the round was really LOUD, and the recoil was about that of an AK47, rather noticeable. I know it was louder than the guy next to me, who was firing an AR15. People who smirk at the 9mm would get that smirk wiped away by the .45 +P round.
Still, after I got things dialed in (it helps to remember the difference between left and right), I was able to shoot a decent group at 50 yards. And that was with the horrible trigger pull they designed into it.
Still, it makes a handy, if pricey, camp carbine, and introduced me to the weird wonderful world of 922r compliance. Since then, I've had a come-to-Jesus meeting with my Norinco AKMS, which is now on the straight-and-narrow path of technical legality. This is the BATFE equivalent of a theological discussion of how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, but here you get ten years in the slam if you interpret their scriptures wrong. Best to stay safe and throw in a few extra marked American parts to be safe.
Thanks again for a very informative post.
Thanks for that. As you know, I’m in the market and spent yesterday morning with Big’ at our local range. We took the first of the NRA classes and now we’re ‘qualified’ to buy in our Ever So Free State.
Really glad to hear your mother is home and getting better.
Nice target, glad you found one that you like. Seems like there is always one gun that we shoot better than the others, right from the get-go. The HK has an admittedly cool factor going for it as well. Keep us posted on the recoil spring testing.
It's my go to 9mm, but in the P7M8 variant, which has a plastic heat shield in the trigger guard area, and a magazine release in the "traditional" spot, not the heel of the grip.