Based
on this list of demands, Heckler & Koch started a thinking process
covering such a new requirement profile. Concerning the ammunition,
there was a cooperation with BAE Systems Royal Ordnance Defence,
Radway Green, UK. The
result can, without a doubt be designated as a milestone in small
arms technology. A new Multi-role Personal Defence Weapon in a new
calibre has been created with the designation MP7 (Personal Defence
Weapon) in the new 4.6 mm x 30 calibre. The MP7 is a perfect three
in one solution: It has the firepower of a submachine gun, the range
of an assault rifle and pistol like close combat dimensions.
Because
of the low weight, small dimensions and less than half of the recoil
of a normal 9 mm x 19 submachine gun the MP7 has the handling features
of a cal. .22 lr weapon. It is extremely easy to operate and to
control – Due to the low recoil impulse of the ammunition,
it is also very steady during burst fire. The rate of fire of the
MP7 is at 950 rounds/min. In connection with the brandnew 4.6 mm
x 30 calibre it exceeds all NATO requirements. The ratio of ballistic
power and recoil achieved is more than impressive and sets new standards
in the field of small arms. High
energy transfer into the target and penetration of the CRISAT protection
(1.6 mm of Titanium, combined with 20 layers of Kevlar) at a range
of 200 metres. Which is 4 times more than the NATO requirements
call for. Now lets talk about the airsoft TM MP7.
FIRST
IMPRESSION
TM
really snuck one on us. For once they didn't follow their usual
marketing ploy which consists of the following: Hint at a product,
set a release date, delay the release date, delay it again…then
by the time they release it, the hype has been built up and the
eager buyers snap up the first batch within days. This time, no
hype, no nothing, just PLOP, here's a new gun!
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Grip Down Sights Up
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Grip Up Sights Down
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This
new AEG is really unlike anything else TM has released before, well,
not quite, but let me get back to that. This gun is probably one
of the best equipped out of the box. TM has thrown in the usual
bag of bbs, manual, cleaning rod, loading tube, PLUS battery, charger,
a metal adaptor for mounting bigger flashiders and silencers, and
a set of M4 style flip up sights. Metal parts are abundant (keep
in mind that the real steel version is mostly synthetic): flip up
sights, mount rails, flashider, extendable stock, trigger, silencer
adaptor.
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Standard 20mm Side Rails for a Variety of Accessories
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Folding Grip Feels Solid Pushl Down the Switch to Release
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This
thing is light (1.3kg) and compact, just like the real version is
designed to be, and it's SOLID. No squeaks, no wobbles, no rattles,
it feels like what a gun should! Compared to a few other TM subcompact
releases like the G36 or P90, this thing is a few notches above.
If you've handled a TM G36C before, you'll notice that the gun makes
alot of squeaks and the stock is some what flimsy, overall the TM
G36C is a nice gun but it just doesn't have the same solid feel
as the TM MP7. So how does it feel, how does it shoot? Well, it
feels great. Its design reminds me of TM's own Uzi, and KSC's TMP.
Both of which are submachine guns that holds a magazine in the grip.
What sets the MP7A1 above the above mentioned guns are its feel
and ergonomics. Every gun lover knows that Heckler and Koch makes
good guns, and the Mp7 is no exception.
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Dummy
Charging Handle & Retractable Stock Release
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Pull
Back the Charging Handle to Access the Hop-Up Unit
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This
gun feels small and light, but it's super comfortable to point and
shoot. For those familiar with Mp5s, this thing will feel like an
old friend. The forward handle feels like that of the MP5K/ PDW,
and the extendable stock, while only allowing one extendable position,
extends out about as much as a MP5 extendable stock, so shooters
big and small should find it comfortable. The buttplate is rubberized,
so it won't slip off your chest or vest when you're moving and shooting.
The top rails allow mounting of all sorts of scopes, most likely
red dots or reflex scopes. I mounted an Aimpoint replica for testing,
and I found it an excellent pairing to this gun. The 2 side rails
allow mounting of lights and other accessories, I mounted a Insight
Technology M3 tactical light onto the side rail and I found it to
be a perfect fit. I was able to flick it on and off with a touch
of my thumb, very handy indeed!
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Dummy Charging Handle & Retractable Stock Release
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Retractable Stock Feels Solid Even When Extended
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This
gun is designed to be fired like a pistol AND a submachine gun.
The former is achieved by excellent weight balance and light weight.
When the flip up sights are folded down, they act as "3 dot"
style pistol sights. While the gun still feels a bit big and heavy
as a pistol, it nevertheless allows you to use it as such. Because
this gun has no blow back, it's pretty stable to shoot. I was able
to achieve 2" groupings with 0.25g BBs at 5M, which is nothing
to sneeze at.
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20mm Side Rails Come Standard on the MP7
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Dual-use Flip Up Front and Rear Sights
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When
used as a SMG, the shooter can flip up the M4 style sights, which
has a trident in the front, and a loop in the back, exactly as found
on an M4/ M16. With these sights flipped up, forward handle down
and the stock extended, I was again able to shoot 2" groupings,
but this time at 10M. This is an excellent good point and shoot
gun, probably one of the best, if not THE best AEG for CQB out there.
It gets even better when you mount an aimpoint or a holosight onto
it.
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20mm Side Rails Come Standard on the MP7
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Dual-use Flip Up Front and Rear Sights
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I did
find one pet peeve with this gun; that is the cumbersome magazine
changes. The small mag release is ambidextrous and it's located
on the side of the trigger guard. I couldn't drop the mag with my
thumb or my shooting finger no matter how hard I tried. For one
thing, the mag is plastic and has very little weight, so it doesn't
just fall out even while the mag release button is pressed. The
other thing is the location and size of the mag release, it's more
pistol than rifle. Mag changes would have to be a 4 to 5 second
affair even with practice. An Armalite it is not.
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Dual-Stage Glock Style Metal Trigger
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Ambidexturous Selector Switch and Dummy Safety
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What
about upgrading it for outdoor skirmishes? Well this is a big unknown.
This gun's internals are the same as those found in another one
of TM's recent releases, the NBB Automatic Electric Pistol, the
G18C. If you paid attention, that release also came with its own
battery and charger. It's no coincidence that they have the same
internal system and the same power source. These guns use a 7.2v
500mAh battery. (Which take approx 2 hrs to charge with the supplied
wall charger) Another neat feature that TM has implemented is an
auto cut-off safety function, the battery power is cut off when
the selector switch is on Safe, this should completely eliminate
the risk of an accidental discharge when the gun is on safety mode.
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Remove the Front Section to Access Battery Compartment
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7.2V 500mah Rechargeable Ni-Cad Battery Slides Right In
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Bullet
velocity was measured at approx 250 fps using 0.2g bbs, which is
comparable to most stock AEGs, but it's a far cry from upgraded
AEGs most would encounter at an outdoor game. The ROF is not quite
as fast as a M4 with a mini 8.4v battery, but it's still adequate,
but with only 7.2v pumping the gearbox, one shouldn't expect super
high ROF neither. At this point, this gun doesn't seem like it's
upgradeable. I highly doubt a 7.2v 500 mAh battery can crank a stiffer
spring, and the durability of the internals is unknown at this point.
May be further down the road an aftermarket company or two would
release upgrade kits and upgraded batteries of some sort, but only
time will tell.
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With the Sights Down and the Grip Up feels just like a pistol
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Ultra Compact Weapon Ideal for CQB Applications
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CONCLUSION
In conclusion, I'd say buy this gun if you want a compact and solid
SMG. It has excellent ergonomics, it looks great, and you get a
lot of goodies for your money. It's probably the best SMG for CQB
out there right now. But if you want an outdoor gun, you should
look elsewhere. Does one need to buy other accessories to make it
better? You'll probably need a couple extra mags, as of now, there's
no hicap, but I'd imagine TM to release one soon. An extra battery
or two might be wise.
The
battery has a low capacity with only a 500 mah rating. It also has
its own plug/ socket design, so an adaptor would probably be needed
when using an after market charger. Aside from that I'd recommend
a good holosight or red dot scope and a good tactical light. It
already comes with 2 side 20mm rails, unlike the G36C and the P90
with which you'd have to purchase the rails aftermarket. A metal
body wouldn't be available and necessary for this gun. What do I
hope to see made for this gun? I'd like to see metal magazines,
both high and low capacity. Higher voltage/amperage batteries, and
internal upgrade kits of some sort.
