This is part of a limited (1000?) run for the US market - so I hear. Comes with a certificate of authenticity so you know it's a real HK and not a Ruger, or something. According to HK's press release:

"FIRST TIME IMPORTED BY HK USA
The P8 A1 Now Available in Limited Quantities

The P8 A1 pistol is the standard sidearm of the German Armed Forces, or Bundeswehr. The P8 A1 is based on the HK USP (Universal Self-loading Pistol) handgun, which was adopted by the Bundeswehr in 1994.

The P8 A1 has a unique configuration specifically for the Bundeswehr. These changes include: translucent magazines, a reversed safety/decocker lever (down indicates ‘safe’, and up indicates ‘fire’ – the opposite of the standard USP), and the ‘S’ and ‘F’ letters are printed on the frame instead of onto the lever. Further, the P8 A1 has a traditional lands-and-grooves barrel instead of a polygonal barrel. Includes an authenticity certificate."

Does seem like a solidly built gun, although a bit heavy and bulky by 2026 standards. Anyone else familiar?

Nice...VERY!

I had one. It’s a very cool variation. Basically, HK allocated some of the production for US commercial sale. It’s the real deal and the main “feature” (aside from the obvious differences between a P8 and any other USP) is that it’s an official HK USA import (not 3rd-party like B&T or TAI) and comes with certain extras. However, I wonder if the entire idea to do this was a result of HK Oberndorf wanting to sell off extra P8A1s given the Bundeswehr has switched to a new pistol.

Oh man I want one so bad. That would go great with my current collection of HK's.

I am starting to see these a lot locally near me at a few gun shops. It is a neat gun but the safety feature just seems awkward.

The opaque magazines are quite nice and a great idea that really works. Congrats.

I hope Germany surpluses off all their P8A1 mags to the US market.

It is a nice variant in the USP lineup.
My only reason for not acquiring one is the backwards safety.
I've spent enough time with SAO semi automatics with the "correct" fire & safe positions that I worry under stress, I would click that safety in the wrong direction.
Ultimately that reasoning is why my HK P7M8 was traded away. It was completely different from everything else in my safe.

How much $$$$$$$$$

quote:

Originally posted by cee_Kamp:
It is a nice variant in the USP lineup.
My only reason for not acquiring one is the backwards safety.
I've spent enough time with SAO semi automatics with the "correct" fire & safe positions that I worry under stress, I would click that safety in the wrong direction.
Ultimately that reasoning is why my HK P7M8 was traded away. It was completely different from everything else in my safe.

The P8 A1 is a DA/SA Pistol, and you don't need to use/operate the safety function anyway. Just put it in the Fire position after decocking, and it will function just like any other DA/SA Pistol from HK, or SIG for that matter.

That said, not all firearms are intended to be used/fired 'under stress'. Definitely not all of mine...Whether they're DA/SA, SAO (Striker fired and Hammer Fired), LEM, Squeeze-Cocker P7s, they're all good, and ALL have a place in my collection! Just sayin'

Back when I had a USP I ran it cocked and locked. As I ride the top of the thumb safety ( as is customary with a 1911) a few times I had the unfortunate occurrence of inadvertently decocking the gun during a firing string. Up for fire would be a bit too weird for me.
The USP however is a great rugged platform, chunky but so what

quote:

Originally posted by captain127:
Back when I had a USP I ran it cocked and locked. As I ride the top of the thumb safety ( as is customary with a 1911) a few times I had the unfortunate occurrence of inadvertently decocking the gun during a firing string. Up for fire would be a bit too weird for me.
The USP however is a great rugged platform, chunky but so what

In my USPc in .45 I swapped out the detent plate to a Variant 9 to prevent an accidental decocking of the pistol. I also carried, and still carry, cocked and locked.

I have seen a good amount of these over the last 6-9 months and when I was looking at them initially I found the safety to be quite awkward and the trigger heavier than I would have expected so I went for the standard USP and couldn’t be happier.

Congrats though it is a really cool piece and should not lose value, I just prefer the other V1 design.

quote:

Originally posted by Dawes:

The P8 A1 has a unique configuration specifically for the Bundeswehr..... Further, the P8 A1 has a traditional lands-and-grooves barrel instead of a polygonal barrel.

What is the advantage and disadvantage of each type barrel?

not sure what the hk imported ones cost, but i grabbed one a few years ago for 8 bills. i forgot who the importer was. stuck a jet funnel on mine.

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:

quote:

Originally posted by Dawes:

The P8 A1 has a unique configuration specifically for the Bundeswehr..... Further, the P8 A1 has a traditional lands-and-grooves barrel instead of a polygonal barrel.

What is the advantage and disadvantage of each type barrel?

A Wiki description of polygonal rifling:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygonal_rifling

There are a couple of threads on the HK forum that vigorously discuss the differences and which to purchase, should you need more opinions.