The H&K MP7A1 is, unquestionably, a lethal weapon. It’s killed many a terrorist. It has killed the career of Jerry Tsai. And it nearly killed Recoil Magazine. But the lethality of this gun isn’t what makes it so cool — it’s the design. Whether or not you’re a fan of Heckler & Koch, you can’t say that they make ugly guns. They are to the gun world what Lamborghini is to the car world, producing overpriced supercars guns, the pictures of which are frequently pinned up on the walls of prepubescent boys. But is the gun functional as well as aesthetically pleasing? We just had to find out . . .
The MP7A1 falls into the category of a personal defense weapon or PDW. The idea is that you produce a firearm that’s as compact as possible, capable of being fired either single-handed or with a stock and has a massive magazine. The resulting PDW is ideally still capable of putting down the bad guys, but has the added bonus of being compact and portable — perfect for close quarters fighting or where size is a major consideration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDpkPTqZL7o
For decades, the MP5 has been the gold standard of PDW firearms. Its compact size and lightweight design (well, for the time) made it ideal for combat helicopter pilots and executive protection details all over the world. And the fact that it looked like pure tactical awesomeness didn’t hurt either.
But the MP5 has issues, namely that as the firearms manufacturing processes improved, the MP5 stayed the same. When most gun manufacturers moved to CNC-machined aluminum for their firearms, the MP5 remained a stamped and welded piece of sheet metal. When most manufacturers were doing pinned or screwed-on barrels, the MP5’s was still riveted in place. And while 9mm ammunition isn’t any less deadly than it used to be, new concepts in bullet design means that smaller and faster rounds can be substituted for the relatively slow and heavy 9mm cartridges. The world has pretty much left the MP5 behind and a replacement needed to be found.
H&K sensed that there was a need to update their PDW line, and so in 1999 they introduced the PDW. Yes, they really did just called it “the PDW.” Imaginative folks, those Germans. Two years later, no doubt after much ridicule, they changed the name to the MP7, and shortly thereafter the final version known as the MP7A1 was made available for sale to military and law enforcement organizations worldwide.
The best way to think of the MP7A1 is as a really short HK416 with some nifty features. The operating mechanism is pretty much the same — a short-stroke gas piston system is fed through a gas block (under the black body), which knocks back a bolt carrier with a rotating bolt. Even the cocking mechanism is similar to an AR-15, looking for all the world like a standard Stoneresque charging handle. But that’s where the similarities end.
While the MP5 used standard 9mm parabellum, the MP7A1 uses a proprietary 4.6x30mm round that’s similar in appearance and performance to FNH’s 5.7x28mm round. The idea is that the smaller diameter bullet travels at a fast enough velocity that the overall muzzle energy is as good as, if not better than, a 9mm round. At the same time it produces less recoil and allows the shooter to carry more of the lighter ammunition. It’s an attractive concept, and the reason FN’s P90 PDW uses a similar round.
My main issue with the MP7A1 stems from that choice of ammo. With the MP5, and specifically the MP5SD variant, you could take supersonic 9mm ammunition and (thanks to the integral suppressor) slow it down to subsonic speeds and nearly eliminate the report. With supersonic ammunition like the 4.6×30, the power of the caliber comes from its speed, not its size. So making a subsonic version would be like making a PG-13 edition of Penthouse.
All that speed has another drawback: sound. Without a silencer, the MP7A1 is somewhere between “uncomfortable” and “deafening” when fired. With a silencer the gun is hearing safe, but there’s no stealthiness at all to it.
Oh, and did I mention that since there’s only one firearm in the world that shoots this caliber of ammo? And that the ammo prices are sky high and chronically unavailable?
So, I don’t like the caliber. As for the gun itself . . .
There are some things I really love and some things I just hate. Let’s start with the plus side.
As far as the fire controls go, they’re great. The selector switch on this gun is brilliant, perfectly ergonomic and ambidextrous. Moving from one fire mode to the next comes with a tactile and audible click which lets you know when the setting has been engaged. Unlike the AK-47, slamming the selector all the way down in mid-panic will give you full auto instead of semi auto.
Another thing I like is the trigger. The latest versions feature a Glock-like split trigger that gives you a little more peace of mind, knowing that the trigger is unlikely to be accidentally pulled. Unless, of course, you’re a NYC police officer. Anyway, it’s an additional safety feature and I appreciate it.
While most of the levers and switches are nice, there are two that aren’t. The first is the bolt catch release, which is located above the trigger. It’s tough to activate and located in a really awkward position. I’m not sure how else H&K could have manufactured it, I just know that I don’t like it at all.
The other downer is the magazine release, which is the standard European style. That means the release button is located on the triggerguard and not on the grip. For the MP7 series, magazines are inserted directly into the pistol grip like any common handgun. That keeps the gun much shorter since you don’t need a separate magazine well. But the resulting system is tough to use, specifically when reloading a mag. Despite a lot of practice, I couldn’t find a simple and fast way to get my fingers to hit that release properly. It was intuitive with the MP5, but with the MP7A1 it just plain sucks.
One feature that doesn’t suck, however, is the built-in vertical forward grip. It’s a simple addition to the gun, but one that makes a ton of sense. It gives the shooter the option of trading a little extra bulk for a much more controllable hold, and that I applaud. Also not sucking: the telescoping skeletonized stock. These guns aren’t about pinpoint accuracy at distance. They’re made for hosing down close range targets. Which makes getting a solid cheek rest irrelevant. However, if you’re looking for accuracy, the gun delivers that in spades.
We had a plate rack set up about 50 yards away and every time we shot it with the MP7A1 we hit it. The PDW also reliably set off the little packages of tannerite that we had placed at the end of the range, making a rather nice ka-boom sound. Even with iron sights, it was pinpoint accurate.
In short, the ergos of firing the gun are excellent. It feels right in your hands and conforms to your body perfectly as you take your shots. The trigger is crisp and light, and the reset is present enough for government work. As for recoil, its practically nonexistent.
But flip that gun over to full-auto and throw a can on it, and you start having some problems. The gun produces an enormous level of back pressure, which causes a small cloud of exhaust to form right under your nose. After about 10 rounds its bad enough that you can’t really breathe anymore. In short, it blows.
Despite the epic blowing, the lightweight projectile makes for an extremely soft-recoiling firearm which is perfect for small kids. In semi-auto mode, that is. Until they’re big and strong.
Is the MP7A1 perfect? Nope. Far from it. But its slick design, light recoil and high rate of fire make it excellent for taking out bad guys and looking cool at the same time. The MP7A1 is currently in service with the Navy SEALs and other special forces groups, and for good reason. But if I had my choice, I’d probably pick something else.
Heckler & Koch MP7A1
Specifications
Caliber: 4.6x30mm HK
Barrel: 7.1″
Size: 25.1″
Weight: 2.65 lbs. empty
Operation: Short stroke gas piston
Capacity: 40 round box magazine
MSRP: No gun for you!
Ratings (Out of Five Stars):
All ratings are relative compared to the other weapons in the gun’s category.
Accuracy: * * * * *
It’s amazing the level of accuracy you can get with a grain of rice shot through a 7-inch barrel.
Ergonomics: * * * *
Mostly great, but the magazine release is annoying and so is the bolt catch.
Ergonomics Firing: * * * *
I hate to admit it: perfect. Right up until the point you can’t breathe any more.
Customization: * * * *
Tons of rail space for your tactical pleasure, but not so much on the aftermarket.
Overall Rating: * * * *
Despite my personal gripes, it’s a good gun. It works, it kills bad guys (and bad journalists’ careers), and looks stunning. But it’s not my cup of tea.
Vedder is one of several celebs (Natalie Maines is another) who supported freeing the ‘West Memphis 3’ who were sentenced to life in prison for killing 3 young boys and later released on an Alford plea where they were allowed to plead guilty but maintain their innocence. The three victims weren’t killed with a gun or guns.
Proprietary round = no bueno
I actually found some of these at academy a few months back during the panic. American eagle at $.50 a round. I almost bought a box for novelty and I should have. 3 weeks later the box was gone. Either a PD or someone came and bought it or academy begged federal to refund their purchase towards overpriced 9mm at the time.
“Glorified G” off of Pearl Jam’s second album VS. He’s had this opinion on guns for a long time.
Loving the gun reviews, keep them coming!
Stuff that’s extraordinary proprietary is a bad idea in general–software, guns, whatever.
Maybe this doctor forgot the “do no harm” portion of the Hippocratic oath?
Oh wait, that’s means “do no harm” while practicing medicine as a doctor.
Ya, I just checked, there’s nothing in the Hippocratic oath about guns.
Damn it Nick, if you get to play with and then review the Beretta M93R next, that’s it. We will all hate you.
Is the safety/selector ambidextrous or still just on the right side of the weapon like the MP5s?
I hated that. You had to learn to keep your thumb on the “wrong” side of the grip. was way awkward to me for a long time.
i chased my cousin around his yard with a pipe after he shot a .22 over my shoulder. does that count?
Unless it’s a matter of safety, I don’t say anything. Mainly, because I don’t feel I’m all that qualified to do so. However, I *welcome* folks offering to help me out. My son and I were out in the forest shooting, and several AFA cadets were there, one of whom was a firearms instructor at the Academy (who was probably no more than half my age). They spent probably half an hour with us, helping us with stance fixes and letting us shooting their toys. First time I’d shot a slide-trigger equipped AR-15. My, my, that was a great, fun day!
For the most part no, if they are not asking for help / advise I just let them do their thing. If it looks like they may be in danger of hurting themselves or others I step in pretty quick. I am not a technique expert by any means but I understand gun safety. The last time I stuck my neck out and gave unsolicited advice it was to a girl holding a 357 magnum she had clearly never fired before with the hammer back and about a inch an a half from her teeth. She had a nice smile and I figured she wanted to keep it. She was a little indignant at first but after she fired the first round she understood why my advice was good.
If it’s a safety issue or if I see someone struggling I ask if I can show them a few things.
I wish most men understood they aren’t good enough shooters to teach their women, and the “instruction” they are giving is often detrimental. I once intervened when a guy’s girlfriend was about to get slide bite; “if you hold it like that you’re going to hurt your thumbs”…dude got pissed off. After that, I’m less likely to offer any advice to couples because male posturing comes into play. Shooting guns is a manly thing in their minds, and showing them in front of their girlfriend/wife that they don’t know what they’re doing undermines their machismo.
Conversely, parents out teaching their kids have been the most receptive to “do you mind if I show you a few things?”
If they are doing something unsafe I intervene immediately. If they are brand new to IDPA and they are on the stage that I am the Safety Officer for I give them some pointers for the match but never for their technique unless they ask me. I tell every new shooter that comes up to my stage. “Relax. The buzzer is going to go off and you’re going to feel an adrenaline dump but relax. This is your first match, you are not going to win so have fun, be safe and shoot accurately. When you are done shooting I’m going to give you commands, the clock stops with your last shot so do not be in a hurry to do any step, you are not being timed on your reholster.”
Otherwise no. Not unless they ask for it after we BS for a bit.
YUM…just YUM.
F*CK the Blackhawks! I DANCED when the St. Louis Blues whipped they asses last night… and I also hate the Blues.
What REALLY would have been interesting is if somehow the Luger in .45 had been chosen. Now that would be crazy…
The US Army was seeking out and testing “self loading” handguns as early as 1899 or before, which is generally prior to the Moro Insurrection (although there had been sporadic fighting ever since the conclusion of the Spanish-American War in 1898).
The Moros probably amplified the Army’s desire for a powerful “auto” handgun, but the demand was already there.
Sounds like he forgot the 1st rule of any firearms discharge that arouses police suspicion, STFU.
Makes sense to me. In the AF I have gone through the basic Self-Aid and Buddy Care (SABC) training and while the emphasis was for use in a deployed environment the focus also evolved while I was an instructor to include mass casualty/basic emergency care as well. In any emergency there will be people who are injured and any responding to that even should be prepared to render aid until the next highest level of competent medical care arrives.
As a side note, two of the three AF Security Forces (SF) individuals I have worked with in the last 2.5 years were also certified EMT-Bs. maybe that is because of the broader mission SF has beyond LE but it also just strikes me as good thinking.
I suspect alcohol was involved.
Idiot.
Chamber that in 5.56 and now we are talking.
Fact: the NY Times are a bunch of poo poo faces.
See how easy that was…
Just put fact in front of some nonsensical statement and it’s automatically true.
Ariel Castro hanging himself made Cleveland a little safer. This not so much. If they tossed 350 perps in the pot with the guns I would think Cleveland would be a lot safer.
Quit ragging on video games. I understand it’s vaguely off-putting but there doesn’t seem to be any harm in getting started with guns from there.
I was raised by people that were very anti gun and here I am. I learned everything I knew about guns from one screen or another. It’s been a bumpy ride but now I EDC a sig mk25 every day, no days off.
As for the 93R, it’s almost got it all. Its rare (mystique), this one is gorgeous and it has a great background. It’s not very practical but we all know the “need” discussion is bull anyway.
Maybe IMI can do for machine pistols what they did for bullpups.
I love how on that big, evil gun graphic, the three largest segments are the P90, the grenade, and the M1 Carbine. The former two are illegal for civilian purchase, and the latter is a WW2 relic that has likely never killed anyone in the US.
http://solidarityshorts.org
the mp7 round will it go through a AR 450 60 mm 11.5X15″ STEEL plate?. if concealed in a carrier vest with multiple layers of soft armor?. like front : NIJ level 2 soft panel.- NIJ LEVEL 3 A SOFT. – +old panel of Russian Kevlar soft and then the AR 450 steel plate. so 4x obstructions of multiple layers just asking love the science of all this when S.H.T.F.