Polish P-64

[acmax95]

A Polish P-64 in 9mm makarov has popped up for sale locally and I am tempted to pick it up. I have kind of wanted a Makarov type gun for awhile now and this one seems like a good price. The gun appears to be in good shape from the picture I have seen, and it comes with two magazines. They are wanting $195.

Is that a fair price? Are these good guns? Are there things to look out for on these pistols?

 

[towboat_er]

Nice gun. Not a bad price.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=135679

 

[harmon rabb]

Nice gun. Not a bad price.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=135679

Some misinformation in that thread. Yikes. The DA trigger pull is heavy with stock springs, but the SA pull is excellent. On par with a decent 1911. A simple spring swap and the DA trigger pull falls to 12lbs, which is really not that bad, and the SA trigger falls even more to about 3lbs.

They do kick like mules though.

They're generally reliable guns, and are the smallest of the 9x18 pistols. Makes a good cheap carry gun.

If you just want a piece of milsurp to take to the range though, I'd get a cz-82 instead, provided you don't already own one. Much more comfortable to fire.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Um, I've got one with a DA pull over 20Lbs
but the SA is light, I don't know about the geometry of the trigger, BUT respring is agreed to drastically reduce the DA pull, but it will also lighten the SA, AND that might take at 2.5 trigger in to bullseye/target zone.

 

[The Sarge]

I have three P-64's.
They are excellent/reliable CCW guns. My IWB holster swallows it up and I do not even know it is there.
$10 and 30 minutes will resolve any and all trigger/recoil issues with Wolff Springs.
They are very small and light. More punch than any .380. 7 rounds.

 

[harmon rabb]

Um, I've got one with a DA pull over 20Lbs
but the SA is light, I don't know about the geometry of the trigger, BUT respring is agreed to drastically reduce the DA pull, but it will also lighten the SA, AND that might take at 2.5 trigger in to bullseye/target zone.

Eh, if you haven't resprung yours out of fear of a 1lb SA trigger, don't fear. It doesn't lower it that much. Going to an 18lb hammer spring lowers the SA trigger from the 4-4.5lb range down into the 3-3.5lb range, which is what any high end carry 1911 is at anyway. It's really no big deal.

No idea why they were sprung that heavy from the factory.. and not sure of the geometry of the firing assembly that leads to such a large difference between DA and SA, but all in all, after the spring swap, it's a very serviceable carry gun.

 

[Pict]

I'm not crazy about the six-round magazine or the heel release, but it's a sturdy little gun that's easy to conceal. If you get it, you'll definitely want to do the spring as mentioned above. J&G has 'em for $179, so $195 isn't too bad if it's in nice shape:
J&G Page

 

[gearhead]

Mine was my EDC until I got the Taurus 709 Slim. The P-64 is slightly more pocketable than the 709 and only a couple of ounces heavier but I do like carrying the 9X19 and the Taurus packs one additional round. I relegated the P-64 to car gun status, I keep it in a pocket holster in the car when I'm at work so that I have a concealable handgun with me if I run an errand on my way to or from work. It's extremely reliable and very easy to carry.

 

[vellocet]

Here we go again. P-64. Advantages: small,reliable,well-made,cheap ammo,accurate,pretty inexpensive,fairly good design,fairly cheap mags.All in all a swell gun. Disadvantages: monster da trigger pull, awful recoil, forget the springs, they still snap bad,heel mag release, poor sights, crunchy safety, and lo-cap,the least of the problems. Um, and poopy grips. I have two and I really like them. If you can get it for that price out the door do it. I have no problem with the recoil on these pistols but if your hands are small or a girl might need to use it you might want something else. Just to mention, the first I bought was an old style with a bobbed hammer and the da pull on it is very light. Go figure. Good luck.