P-64, DAO modification
Posted: April 22nd, 2006, 3:16 pm
The P-64 meets my needs for a self-defense pistol, but I had always been concerned by the tremendous disparity between the DA and SA pull, especially with the 17# Wolff spring "fix". The SA pull is now about 3#. In a stressful encounter, the adrenalin would increase the risk of an unintentional discharge after the first shot, which could have disastrous consequences and serious legal ramifications. (This is why most police dept's mandate DAO pistols.)
I had a brainstorm I want to share with you all. By removing a few small parts, I have converted my P-64 to and excellent DAO pistol, with the option of quickly restoring it to original configuration if I wish.
If you remove the slide and look down, you will see a small coil spring riding on a guide rod. This spring puts tension on the SA sear. By driving the small cross pin out, you can remove the sear and sear spring. The guide rod now flaps around loosely. I remedied this by cutting a small finishing nail (.072 diam.) to just shy of 5/8" and inserting it in place, effectively preventing the guide rod from moving. You can't use the original pin, as it will cause the guide rod to impinge on the front edge of the hammer.
I just returned form the range after putting 100 rounds of Wolf, Brown Bear and S&B through my new DAO, and it functioned flawlessly! With the hammer quickly following the slide into battery, I was concerned about the possibility of a slam fire, but this didn't happen. I examined about 20 of the chambered rounds, and saw no dimpling of the primers.
I am not a gunsmith, and don't even play one on TV, so I can't warrant this modification. You will proceed at your own risk. Still, this procedure is for me and elegantly simple way of making my P-64 and effective DAO handgun for self defense.
I had a brainstorm I want to share with you all. By removing a few small parts, I have converted my P-64 to and excellent DAO pistol, with the option of quickly restoring it to original configuration if I wish.
If you remove the slide and look down, you will see a small coil spring riding on a guide rod. This spring puts tension on the SA sear. By driving the small cross pin out, you can remove the sear and sear spring. The guide rod now flaps around loosely. I remedied this by cutting a small finishing nail (.072 diam.) to just shy of 5/8" and inserting it in place, effectively preventing the guide rod from moving. You can't use the original pin, as it will cause the guide rod to impinge on the front edge of the hammer.
I just returned form the range after putting 100 rounds of Wolf, Brown Bear and S&B through my new DAO, and it functioned flawlessly! With the hammer quickly following the slide into battery, I was concerned about the possibility of a slam fire, but this didn't happen. I examined about 20 of the chambered rounds, and saw no dimpling of the primers.
I am not a gunsmith, and don't even play one on TV, so I can't warrant this modification. You will proceed at your own risk. Still, this procedure is for me and elegantly simple way of making my P-64 and effective DAO handgun for self defense.