The Heckler & Koch P7 is a German-made 9x19mm semi-auto pistol designed by Helmut Weldle and was produced from 1979 to 2008 by H&K GmbH with the P7M13 being a more modern variant of the P7 that features a double-stack magazine and was produced until 2000.
After the Munich Olympics Massacre, the German police forces decided to replace their Walther PP (which was chambered in the weaker .32 ACP cartridge) with a similarly sized but more effective pistol that is chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum. The requirement for the new firearm was to weigh no more than 1,000g or 35oz, not exceed 180 x 130 x 34mm in size, and have a muzzle energy of no less than 500 joules and a service life of at least 10,000 rounds. The pistol was also to be fully ambidextrous, safe to carry around with a loaded chamber (both holstered and concealed in a person's pocket), and be able to be quickly drawn and instantly ready to fire. After a competitive bid, the German police forces selected three pistols: the Swiss-made SIG Sauer P225 (designated the P6), and two German designs: the P7 (officially designated the PSP) and the Walther P5.
The PSP (Polizei-Selbstlade-Pistole) or P7 series started production in 1979 and shortly after was adopted by the German Federal Police's counter-terrorism unit (GSG-9) and the German Army's special forces. The P7M13 is the P7's counterpart that is equipped with a double-stack magazine and a 13-round capacity. This variant of the P7 was submitted as H&K's offering to the US Army XM9 pistol trials as a potential replacement for the aging M1911 pistol, but ultimately lost to the Berreta M9. Another variant known as the P7M13SD was produced in limited numbers exclusively for German special forces, featuring a longer threaded barrel that is paired with a sound suppressor. The P7M13 was produced until its discontinuation in 2000. It was also popularized in the movie "Die Hard" as the handgun of choice for the notorious movie villain. A unique and sophisticated pistol for a menacing criminal mastermind!
The VFC P7M13 is a fully licensed, high-quality 1:1 gas blow-back Airsoft pistol replica of the aforementioned pistol variant. The P7M13 is a full-metal construction, with the slide being made of aluminum, while the internals, especially the high-stress parts, are made using steel. The lower grip is also a full-metal construction and is equipped with polymer grip panels, making the whole assembly highly robust and durable, while keeping an overall lightweight profile. The VFC P7M13, much like its real-steel counterpart, is equipped with a unique grip cocking mechanism native to the P7 design, where the large grip cocking mechanism on the front strap of the handle must be squeezed in order to prime the striker. This also acts as a subsidiary safety feature, as the P7 platform does not have a safety switch in the traditional sense. The grip cocker also doubles as the slide catch, which, when the last round is fired and the slide locks back, you simply squeeze the grip to release the slide. The P7M13 also features an ambidextrous magazine catch that is right next to the trigger guard, allowing users to easily manipulate the pistol with either left or right hand. The pistol also comes with a full-metal, 16-round green gas-powered magazine.
Overall, the attention to detail, especially with the highly unique squeeze cocking mechanism, makes the VFC/Umarex P7M13 a must-have pistol, especially for fans of unique and obscure guns. Even the box that it comes in is a near exact replica of how H&K would package the real P7M13 and sold to customers.
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