Polish P64 9mm Mak

I have a buddy with a P64. He was having trouble with the heavy trigger and I switched out the springs for a set of Wolff springs, made a big difference. I test fired a couple of magazine through it, by the end of the second magazine I was done. I have a couple of Bulgarian Maks and they were no where near as punishing on the recoil as the P64. The 64 would be a great carry gun, I carried my Bulgie Mak for several years.

I've had one for a few years, but haven't gotten around to shooting it. I do like its build quality. The trigger, as mentioned, is a workout in DA; in SA, it's so light I would hesitate to lighten it any more.

I'd like to someday compare its "harshness" to that of my EDC, a Kel-Tec PF9.

I've had my P64 for several years now (made in '76) and I find the fit and finish quite nice for military surplus. In single action, I find mine very accurate. Not so much in DA (though I know the 3,000lb DA pull can be improved).

These pistols are drop safe so long as the safety is engaged. There's at least one story of an accidental discharge after dropping with the safety disengaged. Just something to keep in mind.

These are wonderful pistols and I'm tempted to purchase a 2nd while they're still inexpensive.

I have one for my small collection of Kommie 9 x 18 pistols. It is a terrible design.

First and most importantly is the extremely heavy double action trigger pull. Estimates over 20 pounds are no unreasonable in the examples I have had over the years. Replacing the mainspring with one from Wolff helps and results in a very nice single action trigger pull.

The rest of the gun is also poorly designed. The front and rear sights are too small to be usable as a carry gun. Worse is there is no easy and cheap way to replace them with something better.

The gun is all steel meaning it is overly heavy for it's size. Small enough for a large pocket but it's weight will drag you down.

The gun hurts from recoil when it is shot.

So heavy double action trigger pull, small sights, heavy weight and hurts from recoil from a .380 power round. Even the Kommies turn out duds.

I bought one second-hand from LGS. Both the DA and SA pulls were ok.. If i still owned it I would not hesitate to use it for defense with Hornady XTP loads. Used it to trade up to R9 when used sample became available. No regrets in owning either gun.

I had a P64 for a number of years, it shot well for what it was. I could never get over just how brutal the recoil was on that pistol. I sold it.

I too have one for the 9x18 collection, they are great for the time period, except for the double action trigger, they're really pretty to me. I am also tempted to get a second while they're cheap. I do think the P-83 is easier to shoot, but to me, the recoil's not bad. The 9x18 is the upper limit of what should go in a small blowback breach.
I just have a thing for descendants of the Walther PP.
The P64 forum site has a lot of good info, FWIW.

After I replaced the springs, my p64 became one of my favorite guns. The recoil is there but so is the wonderful single-action trigger. Double action is still stiff but manageable. Accuracy is unmatched by any of my pocket pistols in .380 except maybe my Mauser Hsc. The p64 is my main car gun.

JohnMc mentioned the larger Polish P-83.
Do you guys/gals know about the P-83? They are also excellent guns of the same size as the actual Makarovs, but require P-83 magazines.

A sticky about these, at the top of the Mak forum on Gunboards you might find interesting.

Much better DA pull and recoil than the P-64.

The P-83 Wanad is a combloc pistol that makes extensive use of weldments and stamped parts. Very, very well made. There is a really good writeup on it over on Gunboards where the OP really gets into detail about construction methods, with good pics. Go give it a look. https://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?401013-Polish-P83-More-Than-Meets-The-Eye

I don't consider myself to be recoil sensitive, but the P64 has the most painful recoil impulse of any pistol I have ever fired. Even after doing all the mods suggested on the P64 forum page it always hurts.

I can shoot "Ruger only" .45 Colt loads out of a short barrel "Old-New" Vaquero, as well as hot .357 out of a K6S, and 9mm +P+ out of a G26, with no problem. The P64? Another story altogether.

Sovblocgunfan said:

The P-83 Wanad is a combloc pistol that makes extensive use of weldments and stamped parts. Very, very well made. There is a really good writeup on it over on Gunboards where the OP really gets into detail about construction methods, with good pics. Go give it a look. https://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?401013-Polish-P83-More-Than-Meets-The-Eye

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Might as well buy Bulgarian Makarov.

Sistema1927 said:

I don't consider myself to be recoil sensitive, but the P64 has the most painful recoil impulse of any pistol I have ever fired. Even after doing all the mods suggested on the P64 forum page it always hurts.

I can shoot "Ruger only" .45 Colt loads out of a short barrel "Old-New" Vaquero, as well as hot .357 out of a K6S, and 9mm +P+ out of a G26, with no problem. The P64? Another story altogether.

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I heard S&W 340PD with real .357 load is "dragon", but I ain't dumb enough to find out for myself.

Double action is horrendous. Single action is very smooth. Recoil on mine is no worse than my Shield 9mm. It is very accurate at 10 yds. Made in 1970. I did put a heavier spring on it. The only complaint I have is it throws the brass into the next county.

Edcnh said:

The only complaint I have is it throws the brass into the next county.

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Ain't that the truth!

If you can find one for around $200 they are a great buy in my mind! Cold War relic while also being a nicely made, all metal pistol. Handful to shoot but I don't find it as bad as many.

mongoslow said:

cocked and locked, dead trigger
View attachment 839596

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DANGER!!

This IS NOT a legit spot on the safety, it's "between" the safe and fire positions. If you gently press it towards fire (but not click it to that spot), it might fire. I've fiddled with mine (empty) a few times to confirm that. And given the very light SA pull, that's not something to play around with. Push the safety until it clicks into position, fire or safe.

Sovblocgunfan: I haven't had luck creating links. That "sticky" about the P-83 at Gunboards you linked is exactly what I tried to describe in remark #13.

The only slight disadvantage about the very rugged P-83 is that it can not not share mags with my Makarovs, which I knew in advance.

And my P-83s were a bit more enjoyable to shoot than the Bulgy and EG Makarovs. Also, this Polish series has DA pulls with less "stacking" than most Makarovs.

And some DA triggers on P-83s are better than in some East German Maks. I had two EGs.

lsudave said:

DANGER!!

This IS NOT a legit spot on the safety, it's "between" the safe and fire positions. If you gently press it towards fire (but not click it to that spot), it might fire. I've fiddled with mine (empty) a few times to confirm that. And given the very light SA pull, that's not something to play around with. Push the safety until it clicks into position, fire or safe.

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Thanks, I was hoping someone would mention that. The P64 safety is emphatically two position.
Mine is a 1974.
One poster stated that the sights are “horrible”...I don’t agree. They are low profile, but usable. I find the P64 an uncommonly accurate little pistol. In fact, the entire pistol almost seems to have a melt job to make it smooth and snag free, optimized for conceal carry. It is also very thin, carrying IWB easily
When I bought mine, nobody wanted them because they aren’t Makarovs. But I know the Poles make good weapons, and I like the PPK, so I figured for the $139 I saw them for at the gun show, I’d take a chance.

amd6547 said:

But I know the Poles make good weapons, and I like the PPK, so I figured for the $139 I saw them for at the gun show, I’d take a chance.

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Great price. I'd buy another if I could find a nice one under $200. I'm leery about Classic Arms "good to very good" ratings.

The P-64 is an excellent, very cool gun and so easy to conceal.

If they were more pleasant to shoot the average price certainly would be a good bit higher, due to the excellent quality, ruggedness, size and looks.