Issue 11 Preview – The P7 Revisited Keith Wood Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. Photography by Henry Z. De Kuyper Taking Another Look at the Squeeze-Cocking Combat Staple Gun In the mid-1970s, when 9mm handguns were busy growing fatter in both size and magazine capacity, Heckler & Koch’s engineers headed in the opposite direction. The German police’s search for a new standardized sidearm led to the development of the unique and innovative P7 PSP (Polizei-Selbstlade-Pistole, or Police Self-Loading Pistol). While the P7 enjoyed brief popularity in the United States, it is viewed as somewhat of a novelty these days with a devoted cult following. We decided to give the P7 another look and see if this retro-futuristic single-stack deserves a fresh start — and made a few modifications to improve performance along the way. While the P7 was innovative in many ways, it’s best known for its squeeze-cocking grip mechanism that gives it the “combat staple gun” nickname. Well, that and being the weapon of choice for Alan Rickman’s character in Die Hard. Unlike, say, a Glock or 1911, racking the slide to chamber a round in the P7 does not cock the striker or hammer. Rather, the pistol is cocked when the articulating frontstrap is gripped with sufficient force (about 12 pounds) to compress the internal springs and retract the firing pin assembly. Practically speaking, this means that the firearm is never cocked until the shooter is in the sequence of actually firing a round. Though this safety feature never caught on in other models, it does offer some real advantages. Anonymous anecdotes tell us of police officers who had their guns taken from them by bad guys who couldn’t figure out the mechanism, thus saving the officers’ lives. We’re not 100 percent sure this ever happened, but the concept is sound. The mechanism also provides an added margin of defense against potentially tragic accidental discharges by children, though we’re certainly not suggesting that the P7 is childproof. Finally, the P7 is the only semiautomatic handgun that this author would consider carrying with a loaded chamber shoved inside the waistband without a holster. As for the encumbrance of operating the mechanism, once you’re familiar with the P7, the squeeze-cocking motion is as second nature as disengaging the manual safety on a 1911 — you don’t even think about it. For the rest of this article, subscribe here: RECOIL Issue 11 Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
