Just bought a P64 and I have some questions....

[Nakanokalronin]

I just bought a P64 made in 1971. I got to choose between 2 different P64s at my LGS and the differences don't quite line-up with what is online or at the Unofficial P64 source.

Mine is made in 1971, the other is 1969. Mine has the round hammer, longer feedlip on the magazine and a different trigger pull meaning it starts the pull sooner. It seems to be shoot a little and holstered somewhat.

The 1969 has the shorter feedlips, round hammer and sloppy trigger travel before it starts the pull ,but seemed to be in almost unissued or rearsenaled condition.

The problem is, the only info I can find says the older short feed lip mags and round hammer are from 1969 and earlier and the longer feedlip mags and triangular hammer are from 1972 and beyond. Since mine is from 1971 with a round hammer, modified trigger and long feedlips, does it fall somewhere as a transition pistol? I'm worried that I might have feed problems and not have a shorter feed lip magazine on hand to modify mine.

ETA: I'm picking it up in a couple days so no pictures or range time as of yet, but it seems the magazines are of utmost importance when it comes to feeding and the year of the P64 itself.

 

[ssyoumans]

Just got back from the range shooting mine for the first time. Ordered it off of AimSurplus. Local Academy Sports carries their Monarch brand for $9.99. No problems, pretty snappy. Make sure you have a good grip on it, my buddy got slide bite pretty good.

The double action is insane, and the single action on mine is gritty but very light, like under 3 lbs light.

Very accurate at 21', 1.5" 5 shot groups for such tiny sights is pretty good.

Mine is a 1974, so I don't think I'll be able to help ya though. If you need any pics, let me know.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Thanks for the reply

I already have a Wolff recoil and hammer spring ordered to decrease the DA pull and improve the recoil. I may get some wood grips down the line but the magazine transition is the thing I'm wondering about most of all. Having owned quite a few small,light weight guns in bigger calibers, I think I'm prepared for the recoil.

 

[MCgunner]

The thing recoils way more than you'd think. Mine has the Wolff kit in it and it made DA usable if still a bit stiff. I can actually hit with it in DA now. The SA is so light, though, the transition takes concentration. I often double tap it though I don't want to. There is no trigger reset spring in the kit, so you'd have to make one if you wanted to improve the transition. It's superbly accurate. Mine shoots 3" 25 yard rested groups right to POA with the ball stuff and maybe a half inch high with Silver Bear JHP. It also points rather naturally for me. It's a great little all steel pocket pistol, even if it's a might heavy for a pocket. It's flat, though, and doesn't print.

I've got the Marschal wood grips on mine. They're a great improvement over the plastic ones. I had to wear a shooting glove with the thing or it'd cut the web of my hand inside 50 rounds. No longer a problem with the wood grips. They also sort of funnel the mags in, kind of a built in mag well funnel with the grips on it.

 

[Olympus]

They are great little guns. I have one myself. I wouldn't worry about feed problems until after I shot it. You're putting the cart before the horse.

Do a Google search for the Unofficial P64 Resource Forum (or something like that). TONS of knowledgeable people about the P64 over there. They can provide you with more information than you can believe. Great folks!

 

[Nakanokalronin]

I'll defiantly need to shoot it first but was wondering if someone else might have a 70 or 71 with mixed features. I like those Marschal grips and was thinking about getting a checkered set down the road.

I did check out the Unofficial P64 Source a few times over the weekend before I even went to my LGS. The 69 and 72 years seem to be the change years but for some reason, the 70 and 71 years are not mentioned.

 

[GA400]

forum link

nice guys over here, very helpful
http://www.p64resource.com

I picked up one a few months ago, fun little gun, great for IWB carry, imho. I carry mine in a Don Hume holster made for ppk. it fits perfectly.

 

[Snowdog]

I like mine as well. I've carried it on occasion for kicks, though I haven't any doubts it would hold up its end of the bargain if I had to use it for defense for two reasons: it's accurate and reliable. Not much in terms of "power", but enough I'm sure.

Mine does recoil quite a bit more than the Baikal IJ-70 I had or the Cz-82 I have now. However, the SA trigger on mine is so incredibly light that it's very easy to hit what I'm aiming at.

Mine is fed a diet of 94gr Silver Bear JHP for both plinking and defense (on the rare occasions I carry it). It performs much like a flat-nose FMJ as it doesn't expand from my experience, which isn't necessarily a bad thing considering it's only 94 grains. It cuts nice holes in paper targets and costs around $10/50, so that's the route for me.

I hope you enjoy your P64. They appear to be very well made pistols.

 

[Shadow 7D]

mine didn't beat up my hand and while it recoil, it wasn't that bad, but then I just tried to roll with it and not 'force' a stance.