ooh, p7? i've always wanted one of those. what are the shortcomings?
Expensive. Even the one-time surplus W. German police models with the Euro-style heel magazine release are going for north of $1200. U.S. style ones with the grip magazine release $1600 on up it seems.
Gas blowback piston area can get fouled with crummy ammo.
No lead ammo, should shoot jacketed ammo because of the gas ports, and because of the polygonal rifling.
Out of production. Parts and replacement stuff is expensive. Magazines are expensive. HK was never able to get them design-processed to make them in bulk. They all took hand-fitting which added to their expense.
The delayed blowback gas-locked action gets very hot in the trigger guard in sustained fire/range practice. I'm not up on the variants, but newer ones have a plastic pad or guard on the top of the trigger guard hole to protect you somewhat from the hottest part where the piston is, but conducted heat will get everywhere.
Could be considered somewhat large/heavy for a single-stack 9mm.
However, they're built like Swiss watches, and are extremely accurate with the fixed barrel and light trigger pull from the squeeze-cocking taking up the slack, and they have a very low bore axis making for very pleasant recoil management and quick follow-up and target re-acquisition.
Other than the heat from rapid fire/sustained fire, most people consider them pretty dreamy to shoot.
I really wish I had one, and the time a club member let me try his it lived up to it's reputation to be sure. Although I don't want it so much I'd pay current prices on them. Although if I ever see one in decent shape for under $700, I'd be willing to miss a car payment or short the mortgage for one month to get it.
