In this episode, we're taking a look at the MP7. The MP7, or 'Maschinenpistole Sieben' is a weapon that makes its debut appearance in Modern Warfare 3. It's a German weapon, manufactured by Heckler und Koch - and while designated as an SMG in-game, can be better described in real-life as a 'Personal Defence Weapon', or PDW. Personal Defence Weapons have largely displaced the submachine gun and machine pistol in their roles with rear echelon troops - with their ability to better penetrate body armour, they retain effectiveness where standard pistol calibres might prove ineffective. They have has found a place in the hands of special forces units, as well - replacing weapons such as the M4 carbine on missions that require manoeuvrable close-range power. The MP7 can trace its design roots to the H&K G36 - as both weapons share the same gas-operated action. The short-stroke piston replaced H&K's trademark roller-delayed blowback system, as employed in the G3 rifle, and MP5 submachine gun. H&K's first attempt at a Personal Defence Weapon was a modification of the MP5 - in 1991 the MP5K-PDW variant was introduced, in an attempt to fulfil a NATO requirements for such a weapon. Lacking the ability to pierce body armour, however, the MP5K-PDW saw limited success. The Belgian FN P90, introduced in the same year as the MP5K-PDW, performed slightly better. Similar to the MP7, it uses a higher-velocity, smaller calibre cartridge for effectiveness against armoured targets - and an unusual top-loading magazine configuration. Other Personal Defence Weapons include the Russian PP-2000: chambered for 9mm Parabellum rounds but taking advantage of specially-designed ammunition; The Knight's Armament Company PDW - designed to be familiar to those trained on the M4 platform; and the Magpul PDR: a futuristic compact bullpup that fires NATO 5.56 ammo and takes standard mags. These weapons, including the MP7, all share similar characteristics: thei