Polish P-64 - What an accurate beast

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WardenWolf

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I've carried my Polish P-64 for well over 5 years now, though I admit I haven't shot it terribly much. I took it to the NRA range on Saturday and did some holster practice. Even after not having shot it for a year or two, I was still able to put all 7 rounds onto a chest-sized area at 30 feet, rapid fire.

Now, my P-64 isn't entirely stock. I've done some upgrades. I've switched to an 18-pound hammer spring and the heaviest recoil spring Wolff offers. I also installed Marschall Grips paudauk wood grips and painted the sites with SiteGlo sight paint. These upgrades turn it into an easy to shoot pistol with a pleasant trigger, and largely tame the recoil.

What can I say? For a pistol I paid $160 for 5 years ago, it's proven a reliable and effective piece. Even at the $260 current going rate, they're still a bargain. You get military reliability and better shootability than a Bersa or Ruger. And with the Underwood 9x18 +P rounds, you get both good expansion and optimum penetration.

I'll never feel undergunned with this thing. I have no doubts I could count on it to save my life in an emergency.
 
I am currently carrying a Polish P-83. I prefer it over the 64 as it is a little larger, and I have large hands, so it fits me better. Nothing wrong with the P-64 though, especially with a spring change.
 
Now, my P-64 isn't entirely stock. I've done some upgrades. I've switched to an 18-pound hammer spring and the heaviest recoil spring Wolff offers. I also installed Marschall Grips paudauk wood grips and painted the sites with SiteGlo sight paint. These upgrades turn it into an easy to shoot pistol with a pleasant trigger, and largely tame the recoil.
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Without pictures this post is worthless. ;)

How about a picture of it wearing the Marschall Grips? :D

I agree that the P-64 is a good conceal carry gun abet on the heavy side being all steel construction. :)
 
Great guns. Still a steal. Love mine. Now I need to score a P83 to keep the Makarovs from pushing it around .
 
Surplus Commie-Blocs are my new thing. I have a Bulgarian Mak, and just got a CZ-70 the other day. I also have an FEG AP22 (rimfire version of the PA-63.) The P-64 is definitely next on my list. I don't expect it to be long before I find one.
 
The P64 is an amazingly accurate pistol, especially given it's relatively compact size. Recoil is stiff and the hammer is prone to biting your hand but in my opinion they're an excellent value at $240 after tax. One thing to keep in mind with the P64 is that you should always keep the safety on if you carry a round chambered. There are no passive safeties on the P64 and a solid bump to the hammer with the safety off can and has caused them to fire.

This is one regard where most other surplus pistols like the PA63 and CZ70 have it beat.
 
Kiln said:
The P64 is an amazingly accurate pistol, especially given it's relatively compact size. Recoil is stiff and the hammer is prone to biting your hand but in my opinion they're an excellent value at $240 after tax. One thing to keep in mind with the P64 is that you should always keep the safety on if you carry a round chambered. There are no passive safeties on the P64 and a solid bump to the hammer with the safety off can and has caused them to fire.

This is one regard where most other surplus pistols like the PA63 and CZ70 have it beat.
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The holster I carry it in is sufficiently secure that I don't worry about it. It's not like I'm doing handstands. It's a Don Hume Makarov holster.

I'll try to get pictures tonight. I actually don't find the recoil stiff at all with the new grips. The recoil felt stiff with the older Marschall grips it had on it, but he seems to have improved them some. The gun's on its second set of Marschall grips; the finish on the others just wore out. I opted for a smooth, non-checkered finish this time so I can refinish it myself whenever the time comes. Turns out it's more comfortable, to boot.

I have a Bulgarian Makarov, PA-63, and P-64. I need to get a P-83. I'm kind of holding off on the CZ-82 due to its weight.
 
Sistema1927 said:
Don't let the weight of the CZ-82 put you off. It is probably the cream of the crop when it comes to quality, and the double stack makes it a real stand out.
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It's just too big and heavy for me to conceal. My friend had one, until an idiot range officer blew it up. He had a malfunction, the range officer came over, took his pistol, chambered another round, and fired without checking to see if the barrel was clear. It bulged the barrel and locked up the slide. The range wound up paying him the value of the pistol.
 
Pilot said:
I am currently carrying a Polish P-83. I prefer it over the 64 as it is a little larger, and I have large hands, so it fits me better. Nothing wrong with the P-64 though, especially with a spring change.
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what do you think of that P-83? it looks like its made out of sheet metal
 
all these old eastern block 9x18 pistols seem to be underrated.. many are well made, very accurate, brutally reliable, and 9x18 has the capabilities of providing both adequate expansion and penetration putting them above and beyond .380 for self defense.. its why im replacing both my 44 special bulldog and 45acp bersa with either a makarov (but ive considered the P-83 as well) as an everyday carry piece and i have absolutely no doubt the CZ-83 and the rest of these will also be added to the collection

great family of pistols that bring a level of accuracy, reliability, and effectiveness at a price point you just cant compete with
 
justin22885 said:
what do you think of that P-83? it looks like its made out of sheet metal
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The P-83 is very, very well built, and sturdy. It is made of stamped steel, but so were Sig slides for many years. It is my favorite pistol in 9x18, and I have Makarov PM's from every country except China.

The P-83's are available at very attractive prices right now, and worth every penny and then some.
 
Of my three 9x18 handguns the CZ-82 is the most accurate and best shooter. Last week I put 48 rounds (4 12 round magazines) into one ragged hole in the X and 10 ring of bullseye target shooting from 7 and 10 yards.

My CZ-82 is a soft shooting gun. However it is neither fish or fowl for American shooters. On the large side for conceal carry and too small for duty carry by leos.

The P-64 is a hard shooting gun, at least for my soft hands. The recoil hurts the web of my hand but it's size makes it a conceal carry option.
 
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Pilot said:
The P-83 is very, very well built, and sturdy. It is made of stamped steel, but so were Sig slides for many years. It is my favorite pistol in 9x18, and I have Makarov PM's from every country except China.

The P-83's are available at very attractive prices right now, and worth every penny and then some.
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i'll have to check them out, i have no doubt they function well.. its the stamped/sheet metal construction that interests me but in a good way, i like the fact its able to use simple, economical techniques to achieve the same end goal as competing pistols.. i may just have to add one to my collection
 
stonecutter2 said:
My P64's are great. Haven't carried them, though. What kind of holster do you use?
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I use a Don Hume Makarov holster, but many Walther PPK holsters should work as well as long as they're long enough or open-ended. The P-64, externally, has almost the exact same dimensions as the PPK. The only difference is the barrel is around 1/4" longer. The Don Hume holster only cost $25, but it's lasted me over 5 years at this point and is comfortable. It's the holster I've always gone back to even after trying other alternatives.
 
justin22885 said:
all these old eastern block 9x18 pistols seem to be underrated.. many are well made, very accurate, brutally reliable, and 9x18 has the capabilities of providing both adequate expansion and penetration putting them above and beyond .380 for self defense.
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You say the 9x18 cartridge is "above and beyond .380 for self defense". I'm looking at the chart for Wolf ammo and it shows the 9x18 cartridge with a 94g bullets traveling at 1014 fps., with 215 ft.lbs. of energy. The Wolf .380, with a 91g. bullet is moving at 1010 fps. with 204 ft. lbs. of energy, 9 ft. lbs. of energy less. I don't consider that to be a significant difference.

No doubt there are hotter loads for both, is the differential really that great even with hotter loads?

For a really large change in velocity and energy one would have to go to the Tokarev 7.62x25 cartridge. It's 86g bullet is clocking 1590 fps with 483 ft. lbs. of energy. Obviously, those are huge increases over the other two.
 
Speedo66 said:
You say the 9x18 cartridge is "above and beyond .380 for self defense". I'm looking at the chart for Wolf ammo and it shows the 9x18 cartridge with a 94g bullets traveling at 1014 fps., with 215 ft.lbs. of energy. The Wolf .380, with a 91g. bullet is moving at 1010 fps. with 204 ft. lbs. of energy, 9 ft. lbs. of energy less. I don't consider that to be a significant difference.

No doubt there are hotter loads for both, is the differential really that great even with hotter loads?

For a really large change in velocity and energy one would have to go to the Tokarev 7.62x25 cartridge. It's 86g bullet is clocking 1590 fps with 483 ft. lbs. of energy. Obviously, those are huge increases over the other two.
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the 9x18 is higher pressured than the 380, wolf ammo is almost ALWAYS anemic no matter which caliber.. i think the hottest 9x18 ammo was the czech military ammo which i believe measured out to a chamber pressure of about 25kpsi.. i doubt anyones going to load up 9x18 ammo to these pressures from the factory, and unless you REALLY know what youre doing it would be unwise to do so yourself because without the right pistol and the proper springs to prevent the slide from impacting the frame too hard you risk damage to the pistol and yourself..

1150-1200 and about 290-300ft/lbs should be possible which is only slightly less energy than wolfs anemic 9x19 ammo

and sure 7.62x25 has more energy and velocity, but 9x18 makarov and the 9x18 ultra its a ripoff of represent the maximum performance youre going to get out of a concealable unlocked straight blowback action
 
While the cartridge pressure specs may be higher for the 9x18, in the real world, they're still loaded very similarly. I checked Fiocci, Prvi, S&B, Winchester, and Hornady Critical Defense, and they're all still pretty close. Generally in the range of 1000 fps and 200 ft. lbs. of energy for both cartridges. Wolf is right in the same range as the other manufacturers.

The difference would not be enough for me to choose one cartridge over the other. I don't believe anyone is making a 9x18 the size of a Ruger LCP, so I'd have to stick with the .380 for best concealment.

The P-64 is a great gun for the price, but I see no significant difference in it's performance over a similar sized .380.
 
Love these guns. Have the P64, P83 and a Bulgarian Makarov. They are all accurate and just work. Waiting to find a nice CZ82 one of these days. Have not seen any sales of those lately accept gunbroker and those prices are too high. Hoping J&G or AIM or Classic gets some in soon. If not then maybe I will get a FEG if I find one of those. Would really like the double stack of the CZ though.
 
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