Korriphila HSP 701: Precision, Personality, and a Touch of Obsession

Key Takeaways:

• The Korriphila HSP 701 isn’t just a pistol — it’s a passion project wrapped in steel: It wasn’t built to win military contracts or dominate the market. It was made by a guy (Edgar Budischowsky) who cared deeply about doing things right, no shortcuts. And somehow, that shows in every single part of it.
• Precision isn’t a marketing term here — it’s literally baked into the DNA: From the rotating barrel to the hand-fitted internals, this gun was engineered with the kind of attention to detail you rarely see anymore. It shoots like a dream and feels like something made just for you — because honestly, it probably was.
• In a world of mass production, the HSP 701 is a reminder that soul still matters: It’s not flashy. It’s not tactical. It’s just… right. And that makes it more than a collectible — it makes it a story worth holding onto.

There’s something quietly captivating about a firearm built with absolute precision — the kind of precision that doesn’t shout but whispers, “I was made right.” And if you’ve spent any time in the world of high-end pistols, you’ve probably heard murmurs about the Korriphila HSP 701.

It’s not just a gun. It’s a statement — and kind of a love letter to old-school craftsmanship and German engineering at its obsessive best.

Now, I get it — calling something a “statement” sounds dramatic. But spend a little time with the HSP 701, or even just read up on it, and you’ll see what I mean. This isn’t a mass-produced workhorse. It’s something else entirely. Something rarer, a little enigmatic. And weirdly enough, kind of emotional in its appeal.

Let’s dig into what makes this pistol so special — from the mind behind it, to its strange but brilliant mechanics, to why it’s still turning heads decades after it first showed up on the scene.

The Korriphila Backstory: Built on Obsession

First things first — Korriphila isn’t a household name. That’s not by accident. This wasn’t a brand trying to flood the market or win military contracts. It was a passion project. A niche company, started in Germany, built around the singular vision of one man: Edgar Budischowsky.

If you know that name, it’s probably from his earlier work — the TP70 or the TP22. But the HSP 701? That was his magnum opus. His no-compromise gun. Think of it as the mechanical equivalent of a handmade violin. Every part tuned. Every line is intentional.

Budischowsky wasn’t designing for speed or volume. He was designing for feel. For balance. For performance that holds up even under the kind of scrutiny only collectors and competition shooters bring to the table.

And man, did he deliver.

What the HSP 701 Actually Is

At a glance, the Korriphila HSP 701 looks… unassuming. It’s not flashy. No gold inlays or skeletonized gimmicks. But once you pick it up, something clicks. Literally and figuratively.

This is a semi-automatic pistol, chambered in .45 ACP. Not your typical European caliber — but that’s kind of the point. Budischowsky designed this to be powerful, precise, and weirdly elegant in how it handled all that force.

It’s got a locked breech with a rotating barrel — a system that’s rare, complex, and frankly overbuilt for most shooters’ needs. But again, this wasn’t made for “most shooters.”

The build is all steel. No polymer shortcuts. Each gun was hand-fitted, tuned, and tested. Production was super limited — we’re talking just a few hundred made — which only adds to its mystique.

Let’s Talk About That Rotating Barrel

So, about that mechanism. The rotating barrel system isn’t common — and for good reason. It’s tricky to manufacture and not easy to service if you don’t know what you’re doing.

But when done right? It’s smooth. Like, absurdly smooth.

Here’s the deal: Instead of tilting back like most semi-autos, the barrel of the HSP 701 rotates to unlock. That rotational motion soaks up some of the recoil energy, making the shot feel softer, more controlled. Especially in .45 ACP, that matters.

It’s a mechanical flex — Budischowsky showing off not just what he could build, but what he could make work reliably. And decades later, it still holds up.

Materials Matter — and This One Doesn’t Skimp

There’s no plastic here. No MIM parts. No cutting corners. The frame, the slide, the barrel — all machined from solid steel. The kind of thing that makes modern production guns look like toys.

Even the magazines feel like they were built with pride. Seven-round single stack, designed to feed .45 ACP with zero drama.

The grips? Usually custom-fit to the owner’s preference. The sights? Adjustable, of course. Even the trigger is a marvel — adjustable for pull weight, crisp as you’d expect from something this lovingly crafted.

And here’s a little detail I love: the trigger guard is squared off, angular, kind of industrial looking. But it fits the gun. It tells you, right from the jump, “Hey, I’m not here to follow trends.”

Shooting the HSP 701: It Just Feels… Right

Taking the HSP 701 to the range is like stepping into another era — one where every part of a gun was expected to be tuned by hand.

The recoil? Manageable, almost surprisingly so. That rotating barrel and steel weight combo soak up a lot of the snap. It tracks flat. The sights return naturally. You don’t have to fight it.

It doesn’t try to impress you with bells and whistles. Instead, it impresses you by doing exactly what it’s supposed to do — every single time — with zero fuss. And honestly, that’s pretty rare these days.

This thing wasn’t built for speed reloads or rail-mounted optics. It was built for shooting. Plain and simple.

Maintenance — Yes, You’ll Want to Baby It

Let’s be clear: this isn’t a Glock. It’s not made to be dunked in mud and dragged through the woods without a second thought.

The HSP 701 is a precision instrument. It likes to be clean. Lubed. Respected.

Disassembly isn’t difficult, but you’ll want to take your time. The tolerances are tight. Think Swiss watch, not Ford pickup.

But take care of it, and it’ll reward you with decades — maybe generations — of top-tier performance.

Customization: Not Just an Option, a Feature

One of the cool things about the HSP 701 is how personal it can become. Most were built to order — hand-fitted, custom-tuned.

You could request trigger pull weights, sight setups, grip sizes. Some models even came with optional finishes or engraving (though they’re rare).

This wasn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of pistol. It was made for people who knew exactly what they wanted and were willing to wait — and pay — for it.

That’s part of what makes each surviving example a little different. A little… lived in. Even if it’s barely been fired.

Collectibility: Why This Gun Costs a Fortune Now

Because so few were made — and because those few were so damn good — the HSP 701 has become something of a holy grail among collectors.

You don’t see them pop up often. When they do, they tend to fetch serious money. Not just because of the performance, but because of what they represent: the idea that one guy, working in Germany, decided to build a pistol exactly the way he thought it should be built.

No shortcuts. No compromises. Just engineering purity.

It’s hard to put a price on that kind of conviction. But collectors sure try.

The HSP 701’s Weird Cultural Footprint

This gun never saw military service. It wasn’t used in any famous shootouts. And yet, it carries a weird sort of prestige.

Mention it in the right circles, and people perk up. It’s like bringing up an obscure jazz album that only serious musicians know about. Respect flows instantly.

It shows up at gun shows — usually behind glass. Sometimes in private collections, surrounded by engraved Colts and rare Lugers. And every now and then, it gets written about, like we’re doing here.

Why? Because it’s rare. It’s good. And it’s got soul.

Why It Still Matters

Here’s the truth: we live in a world of mass production. Speed and scale are the name of the game. And hey, that’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with buying a reliable $500 pistol off the shelf.

But the HSP 701 reminds us that there’s another way. That a firearm can be built like a musical instrument — to feel right, not just function. That performance and personality can coexist.

That sometimes, the best things are the ones that nobody rushed.

Final Thoughts (Or, Why I Keep Thinking About This Gun)

Have you ever had something stick in your head? A song, a smell, maybe an old car you saw once? That’s what the HSP 701 is like for me.

I’ve held one. Shot one. Cleaned one. And I still catch myself thinking about it.

It’s not perfect. It’s not cheap. It’s not “tactical.” But it’s one of the finest examples of what happens when someone cares enough to make something that lasts, not just physically, but in people’s minds.

So yeah, maybe I’m romanticizing it a bit. But honestly? I think it deserves it.

TL;DR, If You’re in a Hurry:

• Designed by Edgar Budischowsky — a guy who cared way too much (in the best way).
• .45 ACP, locked breech, rotating barrel. Runs smooth, shoots straight.
• All steel, hand-fitted, limited production. This ain’t mass-market stuff.
• Built for feel, not flash. And it shows.
• Rare, collectible, weirdly soulful.

Frequently Asked Questions