The H&K P7 series pistols are all based on a unique squeeze-cocking design, and also utilize a unique gas-retarded blowback system to manage chamber pressure. Despite their unusual design, the P7 pistols are very popular among military and police forces in Europe, and they have a certain following in the US with police and civilian shooters as well as, to a certain extent, the Navy SEALs. The pistol is extremely safe to use, and is also extremely accurate for a combat handgun. The P7M8 (8-shot 9mm version) is one of the only pistols I can obtain perfect scores with on a combat qualification course without much practice or effort. I've not handled a P7M13 (the 13-shot 9mm version on which TM's Airsoft is based), or the P7M10 (10-shot .40 caliber), nor have I handled the P7K3 which is chambered for .380 ACP but has conversion kits to .32 ACP and .22 LR. That's not to say I haven't tried, but these handguns are expensive in real life (upwards of $1000 in most cases), so unless they're issued, not many of my acquaintances have them. Tokyo Marui's Airsoft version of the P7M13 retains all of the real weapon's mystique, and is a lot more affordable than the real thing...
Appearance
As usual, TM has done a great job on outward appearances with the P7. In fact, I'm tempted to say they've surpassed their regular standard for spring powered handguns. Almost every part, even though plastic, looks like it could have been taken off a real P7M13. The front of the grip (squeeze lever), the ambidextrous magazine catch, the takedown button, the sights, the trigger guard heat shield, all look like the real article. The grips are very well done. Tokyo Marui has added a fantastic feature to this to match the real P7 - a cocking indicator on the back of the slide. When the pistol isn't cocked, the indicator remains recessed inside the slide. When the pistol is cocked, the indicator protrudes from the back of the slide giving visual as well as tactile confirmation of the weapon's status. TM gets five cool points for this feature. The magazine, as usual for a TM spring pistol, is designed with the dimensions of the original in mind, and even bears H&K factory markings. Both sides of the slide appear to have milling marks running from front to back, much like most real P7s do. This adds a nice touch to the overall appearance. About the only negative as far as the appearance goes is the trigger. It's perfect dimensionally and functionally, but the sides look a little too shiny. Perhaps TM could have made it with a matte surface like the heat shield and it would have been better. But when you add the tracer unit onto this thing, it looks impressive. Almost makes you feel like you should change your name to Hans Gruber and have your men try to track down Bruce Willis.
Function
The P7 performs well here, just as any other Tokyo Marui spring pistol. The ambidextrous magazine catch works well and the magazine drops freely from the gun. Magazine insertion is also positive with no rattling. The slide stroke is short and easy. The spring is a bit stiff but the grip grooves on the slide provide enough purchase to cycle it easily. On a real P7, the front strap of the grip needs to be squeezed in order to cock the handgun. However, since on the Airsoft you have to cycle the slide to cock it, the front strap is the safety. It works in the same manner as the original in the sense that you need to squeeze the front of the grip in order to fire the pistol, but in other respects it's simply a safety. You can't pull the trigger if you're not squeezing the grip. The trigger pull is short and crisp, and feels nearly identical to a real P7's trigger pull.
So far, the TM P7M13 is the only Airsoft handgun that I've been able to fit the tracer unit on. For some reason, none of the other adapters match up. And still I had to rig up the tracer unit in an "improper" manner to make it fit. I assembled the tracer unit with the pistol adapter, but I reversed the adapter so the narrower end was sticking out. But let me tell you, with the tracer unit attached, this is one mean-looking pistol. The tracer doesn't affect functioning at all, and seems to improve accuracy a bit at seven yards. With the tracer unit attached, the pistol is really quiet due do the added weight attenuating some of the piston and spring noise. If you want a nice quiet close-up low light CQB pistol, this might be the thing for you. However, the tracer unit does not attach very securely (it's only held on by friction) so if you do a lot of rough-and-tumble CQB, you'd better either glue it in place (an expensive idea) or go without it.
Accuracy
The P7 is average as far as accuracy goes for a TM spring pistol. The groups I fired were centered but a few inches low of the aim point at seven yards. With the tracer unit attached, the groups tightened up a bit but were still shooting a little low. It would definitely be adequate for most indoor work.
Overall Impressions
TM's P7M13 is a good looking and very functional spring handgun. The accuracy is adequate for indoor work or perhaps even as a short-range backup for outdoor tournaments. It's also good in that the tracer unit will fit on it, and that alone is so much fun I have a hard time describing it in wholesome terms.