Anyone know if these Polish P-64 Makarovs are any good?

[makarovnik]

If the parts were as plentiful as Makarov parts I would say I like my P64 better. Unfortunately that isn't the case. The recoil on my P64 was brutal until I installed a Wolff spring kit. That along with some rubber grips and now the recoil is manageable. The P64 is a little smaller but I can shoot it very accurately. The slide seemed to loosen up a little faster on my Russian Makarov. I think they are both good guns but there are more factory and after-market parts available for the true Makarov.

 

[Nimble1]

Have had one and carried it for a couple of years now. I did replace the trigger spring with a lighter one and the DA pull is much better.As other posters have said, it is very accurate and has quite a heavy recoil. Not pleasant to shoot alot but a nice little gun.

 

[destrux]

I have one that I use as a CCW. If you can't use the DA on it, you can carry it condition 3 (chamber empty, safety off, hammer down). Then when you rack the slide it's ready to fire. I wouldn't recommend it though. I carry mine with the chamber loaded, safety on. I have "gorilla" hands, so I can shoot it well in DA mode, and as previously posted, the SA is like butter (although mine has a short crisp SA pull). I tried that walther spring mod to make the DA lighter and didn't like it. It has a tendency to make the mags drop if you hold the gun tight during recoil because of the style of mag release on this gun (the mag release uses the mainspring for pressure). Plus it made the SA pull scary light (I measured 2 lbs). Too light for a CCW. Mine has also been very accurate and perfectly reliable with Fiocchi and S&B FMJ. The grips are crap though, the plastic cracks (and has sharp edges to begin with). I bought nice walnut grips for mine. They seemed to help with the recoil, which is horrible (as with any compact unlocked blowback handgun). Also, the loaded chamber indicator is nice. I paid $150 a few years ago for it. I was told it was a Polish makarov by the seller, I didn't know any better at the time. Overall I like it. It is an attractive gun, and the build quality is way above the price point (well, except for the grips).

 

[rkirchmeyer]

P64

I own two and if I could find another one I'd buy it. The P64 is VERY reliable. No jams whatever. Reliability is why the Polish police carried them for years. My only complaint are the rear sights are small. They are more precision sights, deadly at the range but harder to acquire quickly. BUT if you're in a hurry who's using sights anyway? I know some complain about the trigger pull in double action but you can buy trigger springs and recoil springs from Wolf that are very, very, easy to replace and it will lighten the pull quite a bit making the double action really smooth. Video directions for changing the springs are on the net. Girls may have a problem with the pull in DA but really it isn't a problem. If it is, spend a few bucks and change the dang springs. I did even though I didn't have any complaints about the pull and it did make a notable difference. The gun is made of all steel (except the grips). No plastic in the frame like the Kel-Tec which I believe contributes to the reliability. This is a very solid gun. I also own a Kel-Tec 380 P3AT but I like the P64 better. More steel = more weight so in the pocket you'll feel the difference but not in the holster. Ammo (9x18) is easier to find than .380 (9x17) or the 9mm (9x19) The gun is great. Don't hesitate to buy one if you like the price.

 

[Dr_2_B]

This thread has been resurrected more times than socialized medicine.

 

[ZombiesAhead]

From experience, I can say yes, the DA trigger is terrible but otherwise I like the feel and size of the gun. The weight helps with practical accuracy and it's a decent shape for concealed carry. I think it would be worth it for under $180 or so.

 

[spence]

who knows about RK-59 I think they are by feg . are they any good ,and where can I get one, how much?

 

[Dr_2_B]

The one time I looked at buying one of these things I found the double action trigger pull to be the Polish version of crimes against humanity.

 

[SniperStraz]

Would there be any way to remove the decocking feature so that the weapon could be carried cocked and locked? (Sorry if this is a stupid question, I'm not very familiar with decocking mechanisms.)

 

[Dr_2_B]

Sniper this P64 forum is pretty good. They'll answer your question, though I'm afraid the answer is 'no.'

http://p64.proboards.com/index.cgi

 

[SniperStraz]

Thanks Dr. 2 B.

 

[makarovnik]

I love mine. It kicks like a mule so I put in a stronger recoil spring, weaker main spring and slip-on rubber grips. It is now manageable and very accurate. I paid about $150 for mine brand new.

 

[Nimble1]

I'll just add to what many others have said, the P64 kicks like hell,stock trigger is atrocious, but it is very accurate! Replace the trigger spring and the pull becomes acceptable. Its a pretty neat carry gun .

 

[Drgong]

the PA64 and the PA-63 are both decent guns, but to be blunt, I find the DA of the nagant Revolver more pleasing then a PA out of the box, and by the time you put in springs, new grips, and so on, you could of had a real Mak.

I owned a PA-63 for a short while, traded it away for a steal of a deal on a J-frame, I wouldn't mind having another one for the right price, but this right price is more $125 or less.

 

[makarovnik]

I think my spring kit cost all of $15 including tax and shipping.

$150 + $15 = less than a used makarov and my P64 was brand spankin' new.

 

[Solidus-snake]

Im thinking about buying one off a buddy of mine, they seem nice n small, affordable ammo, and accurate. Was gonna carry it as a backup pistol.

All this I hear about the trigger, in a high stress situation with adrenaline pounding in your veins, would you really even feel the heavy trigger? I doubt it.

 

[woad_yurt]

Solidus-snake:

After you try that trigger pull, see if you still stand by your statement above. It's really heavy. Some folks have trouble getting off the first shot. I've seen two females that couldn't shoot the thing without using both index fingers. That said, Wolff has a $10 spring that takes five minutes to install and solves all.

 

[Sgt. Stiglitz]

Polish P-64

I have one and a CZ-82. Yes the double action pull is very hard but they do loosen up. Single action is great. I think that any parts you might break on one, any good Gun Smith could make. They are simple. Wolf makes spring kits for them. Dont go cutting coils off any of the springs. I Chrono'd some Silver Bear 95gr FMJ's out of my P-64 the other day. I even caught some Speer 90gr Gold Dot HP's and Hornady 95gr XTP's I loaded with 4.1grs of WW-231. Out of the P-64 you get with Silver Bear 95 gr FMJ's, barrel length 3.33"below:







972fps
941
884
1013
984
980
954........

Out of the CZ-82 you get with the same load of 4.1 WW-231:

1144fps
1122
1111
1095

Factory 95Gr FMJ's are below out of the CZ-82. Barrel Length
97 mm or 3.8”


1050fps
1088
1067
1137
1085
1137
1125
1095
1138
1117
1109
1089

I didn't Chrono the reloads out of the P-64 but I imagine they go around a 100fps slower than the CZ-82. Maybe next range day I will chrono some out of the P-64.

Factory Silver Bear FMJ's come out looking almost ready to be used again after being shot into water........Unlike the Speer and Hornady HP's that really do expand.

The P-64 and a Walther PPK fed the same weight bullets shoot so close to the same speeds there really isn't any difference between the too. Out of the CZ-82's longer barrel, you get more bang out of the 9X18 by about an extra 100-125 fps.

 

[ronbuick]

I just bought one and was wondering if the mags are the same between the two, thanks

Ron

 

[TehK1w1]

No, they will not interchange.

 

[ronbuick]

that sucks

 

[Fiv3r]

Good luck with your new P-64. I love mine. Shoots cheaper than .380, but goes anywhere I can't take a full sized handgun. I hate the double action, but this is generally just a back up gun so drawing a wracking it Israeli style is fine for me. it's the gun I pack when I don't feel like packing a gun

Accurate and built like a little tank (weighs as much as one too). Ammo is generally available to boot. I know the lil' P-64 has supplemented my shooting with the .380, .45acp, 9mm, etc in short supply at times.

 

[makarovnik]

I own one and it is accurate and reliable. The double action is stiff but the mainspring has to be heavy to help with slide travel and heavy recoil. The recoil is NASTY but can be made slightly better with heavier recoil spring and rubber grips.

 

[ronbuick]

just went on the Wolff spring site and they sell different lb. springs for the recoil and also for the hammer DA pull, very inexpensive so when the p-64 arrives, after shooting I will move some springs around and see what differences their are in all the actions, I think a heavier recoil spring hopefully will cut down on the recoil! we will see, but need to shoot her first, thanks

Ron