Polish P64 or Hungarian R61

I don't have or know anything about the Hungarian R61 but the p64 with a change of springs is a winner. Without the spring replacement the double-action pull is really hard, something like 23+ lbs.

I use my p64 as a carry gun and a truck gun and like it a lot.

I have a good number of handguns chambered for 9x18 including the P64 and FEG R61. Both function fine and are the smallest handguns in that caliber. Between the two the FEG R61 would be my pick. Even though it is smaller than the FEG PA63 and lighter than the P64 the recoil is less harsh with the R61. This topic comes up sometimes on the Makarov forums and most folks agree.

Since I own 1, P64

It seems the R61 are a little harder to come by, so command a higher price. So that should carry down to resale value in the future. If that's a factor.

I've never owned a R61, but I've had a SMC918. I liked it a lot. Still have a P64. But if I had an either/or choice, I'd go with the R61.

The P64 is proof that even the Commies can produce a turd. It is all steel which makes it heavy, the sights are very small and as mentioned the double action trigger pull is very heavy even with replacement mainspring. In addition the recoil hurts when it is shot.

I own about 5 different 9x18's. The P64 is one of my least favorites. Sounds wimpy but mine hammers the web of your shooting hand. While reliability is not an issue, it is just not fun to shoot. I have two FEG Maks. One of them is the 9x18 SMC not sure if this is equivalent to the R61. But, it feels better than the P64 to me. One thing to be aware of is spare parts. If you are going to shoot this pistol a lot I would check on parts availability. I have had good luck with all my FEG weapons.

Please note, these are MY, my, MY experiences and your mileage may vary.

P-64 hammers suck for single-thumb drawing.

P-64 has a grip-heel mag release which is one of the worst versions of an already terribly design feature to begin with.

I find them (mine) to be un-naturally pointing, unlike a Walther architectures R61.

The sights are strangely hard to ID and align in firing.

Mags are quite difficult to come by.

DA is quite possibly the WORST that I have ever owned - in fact, almost certainly the worst. That second-joint flesh pinch on my trigger finger is horrible.

I'm sure there's more but suffice it to say that I have ZERO general satisfaction in my interactions with my P-64 even as I recognize that it is quite well made. I'd trade mine for an R61 in a heartbeat!

Todd.

I have a FEG BR61, and the trigger guard broke at the slide release lug. Then a short while later the extractor took off for parts unknown. They are only held in place by spring pressure, and if the spring gets crudded up in the channel, the extractors are wont to fly.

It shares parts with the PA-63, but they were nearly unobtanium when it happened ten years ago. I notice Numrich appears to have the parts stocked now, but under the name Kassnar PA-63, which I imagine must have been the original importer. FEG, of course, is long gone.

In the same time span, the ejector on my PA-63 broke. It left me with the impression that these guns were not up to the shooting demands of American enthusiasts, but were rather meant to be carried often and shot rarely.

I also have a P64, and it is a brute in comparison. The extractor is twice as wide as the FEG. After the Wolff mainspring replacement, the DA pull went from ridiculous to doable. The SA trigger is rather nice. I still occasionally carry the P64, but not the FEGs.

ApacheCoTodd said:

P-64 hammers suck for single-thumb drawing.

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I carry my P-64 with the hammer down and safety off. It would take Magilla Gorilla to inadvertently fire the DA action.

Dain Bramage said:

I carry my P-64 with the hammer down and safety off. It would take Magilla Gorilla to inadvertently fire the DA action.

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That's true. An interesting side effect is incredible safety!

I was initially intrigued by what a fine, slim and snag-free carry it might be - weight not withstanding. Ultimately (if they were still cheap) they'd be a great gun to tune the hell out of into a single-mag fall-back carry gun. Again, if weight is not factored in. Probably the most *feels loaded* when it's not, gun that I currently own.

Todd.

I have a P64 and as others have stated the double action pull is horrendous. The gun is actually quite accurate at 10-12 yds considering the tiny sights. I only use it as a range toy so I don’t even bother shooting it double action. Never shot an R61.