You’re standing in the middle of a range or a gear shop, looking at a Heckler & Koch MP7, and thinking, "I can definitely make this work as a backup." It’s small. It’s light. It basically looks like a chunky pistol with a folding stock. But honestly, actually figuring out how to carry MP7 as secondary without it beating your thighs into a pulp or snagging on every piece of nylon you own is a massive headache.
Most people assume you just slap a single-point sling on it and call it a day. That is a mistake. A big one. If you've ever tried to run with a four-pound submachine gun dangling between your legs, you know exactly why. It’s not just about weight; it’s about footprint and accessibility. Whether you are a professional end-user looking for a PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) solution or a high-end enthusiast trying to optimize a kit, the "secondary" label for an MP7 is a bit of a misnomer. It's more of a specialized companion.
The MP7 occupies a weird space in the ballistics world. It’s chambered in 4.6x30mm, a caliber designed specifically to punch through body armor that traditional 9mm rounds just whistle past. Because of that specific role, carrying it isn't like carrying a Glock 19. You have to account for the bulk of the 20 or 40-round magazines and the fact that the receiver is significantly wider than any handgun.
The Holster Problem: Why Standard Kydex Fails
If you want to know how to carry MP7 as secondary effectively, you have to start with the holster. Most people think "secondary" and immediately go to a drop-leg rig. Stop right there. A drop-leg holster for an MP7 makes you move like a pirate with a wooden leg.
💡 You might also like: Anchorage Temperature: What Most People Get Wrong About Alaska Weather
The weight distribution is all wrong.
Instead, look at specialized rigs like those from S&S Precision. Their WeaponLink systems are basically the gold standard for this. It’s not a holster in the traditional "bucket" sense. It’s a literal peg-and-catch system. You mount a small "stud" to the rail of the MP7, and that stud clicks into a low-profile catch on your belt or plate carrier. This keeps the weapon tight against your body. When you need it, you don't "draw" it upward; you pop it out. It’s fast. It’s secure. And most importantly, it doesn’t flop around when you’re moving at a dead sprint.
There's also the London Bridge Trading (LBT) options, which are more traditional fabric holsters. These are "okay" if you're standing still, but they lack the rigidity needed for real kinetic movement. If you’re serious about this, you’re looking for a setup that keeps the weapon vertical and high on the thigh or tucked right against the side of your plate carrier.
Sling Management is Not Optional
You can't just throw a generic Magpul sling on this thing and expect it to work. When the MP7 is your secondary, the sling’s job isn't to hold the gun while you shoot it—the sling’s job is to keep the gun out of the way while you’re using your primary.
A lot of guys use a "bungie" style single-point sling attached to the rear plate of the MP7. This allows for a quick transition, but the gun will swing like a pendulum. To fix this, you need a retention catch. Basically, you use a magnetic or velcro "catch" on your belt. You drop the MP7, it hangs from the sling, and you slap it into the catch so it stays put.
🔗 Read more: For: The Part of Speech Everyone Uses Wrong
Think about the physics here. The MP7 is roughly 16 inches long with the stock collapsed. If that's hanging from your shoulder, the muzzle is bouncing off your kneecap every time you take a step. It’s annoying. It’s loud. It’s a great way to trip.
Magazine Placement: The Real Estate War
Carrying the gun is only half the battle. You have to carry the ammo too. 4.6mm magazines are long and skinny. They don't fit in standard 9mm pouches, and they definitely don't fit in 5.56 pouches.
If you're carrying the MP7 as a secondary, your "real estate" is already limited by your primary mags. Most successful setups involve placing MP7 mags on the "weak side" of the cummerbund or using a sub-load on the thigh opposite the holster.
- 20-round mags: These are flush-fit. Great for the mag that stays in the gun while it’s holstered.
- 40-round mags: These are what you actually want to fight with. They are long. If you put them on your chest, you won't be able to lay prone.
- Horizontal mounting: A pro tip is mounting one or two 40-rounders horizontally across the back of your belt. It’s an easy reach with either hand and keeps your front profile slim.
The "Over-the-Back" Method
Some specialized units carry the MP7 as a secondary by mounting it directly to the back of their plate carrier. This is strictly for when the MP7 is a "mission-specific" tool—like if you need a suppressed option for a specific room but plan on using a rifle for everything else.
The downside? You can't reach it yourself.
You need a teammate to pull it for you, or you have to take your vest off. Obviously, for 99% of people, this is a terrible way to how to carry MP7 as secondary. But it’s worth mentioning because it highlights the biggest issue: the MP7 is just big enough to be a nuisance.
👉 See also: Doberman Dog With Tail: Why the Natural Look is Taking Over
Weight and Fatigue
Let’s talk numbers. A loaded MP7 with an Aimpoint Micro and a suppressor weighs about 4.5 to 5 pounds. That doesn't sound like much until you add it to a 10-pound rifle, 20 pounds of armor, and 5 pounds of water.
Every ounce matters. If you're going to carry this as a secondary, you have to subtract weight elsewhere. Maybe you carry fewer rifle mags. Maybe you ditch the side plates (don't actually ditch the side plates). The point is, you can't just "add" an MP7 to a full kit and expect to be as mobile as you were before.
Honestly, some people realize that a Glock 17 with a chassis system like a Flux Defense Raider is actually a better "secondary" because it’s lighter and uses common mags. But it doesn't have that 4.6mm "spice."
Environment Matters
Where are you? If you're in a vehicle, a hip-mounted MP7 is a nightmare. It catches on the seatbelt, the door frame, and the steering wheel. For vehicle ops, the "chest-mounted" or "sling-only" carry is superior. You want the gun in your "workspace"—the triangle between your chin and your hips.
In open terrain, the hip is better. You want your chest clear so you can get low to the ground.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but there is a "wrong-size-fits-most" answer, which is hanging it off a cheap sling and hoping for the best.
Actionable Steps for Your Setup
If you are setting up your kit today, follow this progression to ensure you aren't fighting your gear:
- Ditch the single-point sling unless you have a dedicated belt retention clip like the S&S Precision WeaponLink.
- Use 20-round magazines for the initial load-out. It reduces the profile of the gun while it's holstered, preventing snagging on brush or doorways.
- Center-of-gravity check: Mount the holster as high on your leg as possible. If it's swinging near your knee, it's too low. The top of the receiver should be level with your belt line.
- Prioritize the transition: Practice drawing the MP7 while your primary is still on its sling. If the two guns tangle, you need to adjust the length of your primary's sling or move the MP7 further back on your hip.
- Heat management: Remember that if you've been firing the MP7 and then "holster" it as a secondary, that suppressor or barrel is going to be hot. Ensure your holster choice won't melt or burn your leg.
Carrying a PDW as a secondary is a massive commitment in terms of weight and training. It’s not just "carrying a bigger pistol." It’s managing a second weapon system. Start with the retention, worry about the magazines second, and always, always test your range of motion before heading out. If you can't climb a fence or sit in a chair without the gun getting in the way, your setup isn't finished yet.