Is the Mak. recoil notice. milder than a P-64?

[Ignition Override]

This is to highlight the same question in a guy's Mak. thread.
It is very difficult to remember the Mak., even though it was only a few months ago when both were tried out: a full magazine in each.

Having tried a friend's P-64 last, impressions of the Russian Makarov using factory ammo were blurred. I did not care for the P-64's snap.
The last handgun I tried was the Bersa Thunder (.380), but I can't remember the Russian Mak being nearly as pleasant to shoot.

To clarify, I'm a rifle guy and exposure to handguns has been only over the last several years, and fairly often but with a number of types and very random, sporadic.

 

[hAkron]

The Makarov pistol is a pleasant gun to shoot. The P-64 stings my hand a bit after just a few rounds. If you want the BEST gun to shoot in the 9x18 caliber, then you should look for a CZ 82.

 

[Pilot]

The Pistolet Makarov has less felt recoil than a P-64, or P-63 as it is a bigger heavier gun. You can even make the Makarov even more comfortable to shoot with Pearce grips, but it does make the grip a bit wider.

 

[Snowdog]

The difference in felt recoil between the Makarov and P64 is significant, IMO.

However, I do like the P64. Mine is surprisingly accurate thanks to that super light SA trigger. The DA trigger is another story.

 

[Hurryin' Hoosier]

The Makarov pistol is a pleasant gun to shoot. The P-64 stings my hand a bit after just a few rounds. If you want the BEST gun to shoot in the 9x18 caliber, then you should look for a CZ 82.

I would agree. The Pistolet Makarova is definitely more pleasant to shoot than the P64 CZAK (or the FEG P63), but the Cadillac of 9X18s is the CZ vz.82.

 

[Furncliff]

CZ 82....substantial steel frame, good ergo's, mine is accurate with cheap Brown Bear ammo, maybe the best trigger in it's class, still inexpensive, full service still available from CZUSA. Also available in .380 as the CZ83.

 

[Got_Lead?]

The Mak has a much heavier slide, hence much less slide slap at the end of the slide travel. I still think the Mak is pretty snappy, but not nearly so much as the p-64.

 

[MCgunner]

However, I do like the P64. Mine is surprisingly accurate thanks to that super light SA trigger. The DA trigger is another story.

A Wolff spring kit makes the gun quite shootable in DA, but the DA/SA transition still sux.

Marschal grips and the stiffer recoil spring made the P64 almost pleasant. With those torturous plastic grips, I had to wear a shooting glove. I can run 100 rounds through it bare handed no problem now.

Yes, the Mak is much lighter recoil, but the P64 is pocketable, though I rarely carry it cause it's weighs a bunch being all steel. It's funny, but my Kel Tec P11 in 9x19 is easier on recoil and only weighs 14 ounces....go figure. Guess it's the blow back operation of the P64 vs the delay blow back of the Kel Tec that makes the difference, but if I'm going to carry a DA/DAO pocket gun, the Kel Tec is the winner in my collection. I like the P 64, very accurate and pointable, though. I want a CZ.

 

[North Bender]

I'm sure the couple of posters above who mentioned a "P63" were referring to the Hungarian FEG "PA-63". Small difference but it helps in order to research the gun.

 

[Phantom Captain]

I have a P-64 and a Bulgy Mak. The recoil is noticeably less in the Mak. Honestly I'm a huge fan of the Makarov. Mine has never failed, never had a FTF or an FTE. It runs, it's accurate, and it's plenty of power IMHO.

They are fine pistols for the price and I'd never get rid of mine. It's in my top 3 of all time.