New P-64 and range report

[1984Landcruiser]

New member here who recently found a P-64 for sale at my LGS. It was dated 1974 and was in good shape, with only some bluing loss near the muzzle (looks like holster wear). It came with an extra mag and a very nice holster. Asking price was $300, and I got it for $250. I’ve read about the painful recoil and DA pull problems and all of the possibilities as to spring swaps and new grips, but I wanted to try it out with OEM parts before considering changes. So took it to the range yesterday and loaded it up with some Makarov rounds. I was prepared for punishing recoil and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t all that bad. I did experience a double fire twice (once in each of the first two mags), but as I worked on my grip and trigger pull method that did not happen again. I went through a box of 50 PPU rounds and my hand didn’t hurt nor did I experience any slide bite. No soreness today either. Overall, it was much more pleasant to shoot than my Walther PP in 380 (which has a stout kick and horrible slide bite if I’m not careful as to how I hold it). It shot decent groups in SA mode (perhaps a tad low and to the left of POA). I only tried one shot in DA, which didn’t go so well, as by the time I finally tripped the hammer my hand was shaking so bad from the ridiculous pull that who knows where my round went.

So, after one go at the range, I’m not sure that I need different grips or new springs. I’ll never shoot this thing in DA, and the SA trigger pull seems fine with the OEM parts. I don’t think I’d ever carry this pistol with a round in the chamber, as my basic philosophy is that I’d rather rack a round when/if needed.

What do y’all think, are new Wolff springs really needed?




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[Granpooba]

New member here who recently found a P-64 for sale at my LGS. It was dated 1974 and was in good shape, with only some bluing loss near the muzzle (looks like holster wear). It came with an extra mag and a very nice holster. Asking price was $300, and I got it for $250. I’ve read about the painful recoil and DA pull problems and all of the possibilities as to spring swaps and new grips, but I wanted to try it out with OEM parts before considering changes. So took it to the range yesterday and loaded it up with some Makarov rounds. I was prepared for punishing recoil and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t all that bad. I did experience a double fire twice (once in each of the first two mags), but as I worked on my grip and trigger pull method that did not happen again. I went through a box of 50 PPU rounds and my hand didn’t hurt nor did I experience any slide bite. No soreness today either. Overall, it was much more pleasant to shoot than my Walther PP in 380 (which has a stout kick and horrible slide bite if I’m not careful as to how I hold it). It shot decent groups in SA mode (perhaps a tad low and to the left of POA). I only tried one shot in DA, which didn’t go so well, as by the time I finally tripped the hammer my hand was shaking so bad from the ridiculous pull that who knows where my round went.

So, after one go at the range, I’m not sure that I need different grips or new springs. I’ll never shoot this thing in DA, and the SA trigger pull seems fine with the OEM parts. I don’t think I’d ever carry this pistol with a round in the chamber, as my basic philosophy is that I’d rather rack a round when/if needed.

What do y’all think, are new Wolff springs really needed?




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Welcome to the forum and happy that you are enjoying your new toy. I have three of them, but then again, I am Polish, thus the P-64 is an addiction for me.

Wolff springs are an individual preference. Two of my P-64's have the springs. One does not. The one that does not is so pristine that it can not be determined if it was ever fired, even once. If you seen it, you would think that it just came off of the factory assembly line direct to me.

Now for the other subject of carrying with a round in the chamber. You have just opened up a big can of worms as you will find many opinions of carry with one not in the chamber, to why carry if you do not have one in the chamber.

Well this person has carried both ways. At first I always carried with one in the chamber. But, lately I choose to carry with one not in the chamber. My only reasoning is that if I am confronted in a defensive situation, I would hopefully have time to first take care of those with me and take cover as I am not looking for a gun fight. And while taking cover, I would have time to chamber a round, for defense if need be.

Many folks out in the real world will disagree with me, while other will also agree. To me, it only comes down to individual preference. Simple, simple

Once again welcome and enjoy.

[Ketchman]

Landcruiser, welcome aboard. As Granpooba stated you will indeed find LOTS of opinions on carry methods. I carry with one on the pipe and the safety off. I have also installed the springs and I have the 20lb recoil spring and 17lb hammer spring. 17lbs is much heavier than any double action revolver ever issued to any police force and they were considered very safe for how many years? Also a trigger pull that heavy is a safety of it's own as the trigger pull is soo long and deliberate that only a intentional, complete pull of the trigger can result in a discharge in my opinion, except in the case of pocket carry without a holster which I consider a major no no.
As far as the springs, I recommend them very much if for nothing more than your pistol is 45 years old and if those are the original springs, well they may be in need of replacement just due to age. And get the multi spring pack so you can experiment on which weights are best suited to you.
Hope this helps, and we all hope you enjoy your time here on the boards.
By the way, nice shooting and that is a good looking gun.

[GuitarmanNick]

Welcome sir.

I am the proud owner of two 1970 P64s. One needed the Wolff springs and one did not. Both appear to be refurbished, but some old parts were reused. I am guessing that one had the springs replaced during the rebuild.
Both have the same 3# SA pull and around 12# DA pull. On DA that is not bad so I carry with one in the pipe and the safety on. I train to turn the safety off and fire when at the range.
Racking a round into the chamber requires more noise than might be prudent in some situations. Clicking off a safety draws much less attention. If you have ever been in a gun battle, you will know the element of surprise could be what saves a life.

[Curly1]

Welcome to the forum.

Hoping you have time to charge your weapon could be deadly choice.

What if you have to use one or both hands to create separation from an attacker at close range while you draw?

Plenty of utube vids out there showing how fast an attacker can cover ground to get to you.

Here's a couple of examples.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fjMpn7 ... e=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwCl9bfz-8Y

[Granpooba]

Awwwwwwwwwwww ........ I see that the Ole Can of Worms is open again.

Thus, I will add that my favorite carry firearm is not the P-64, but the RUGER LCP, which has NO safety and loaded with Critical Defense ammunition. I have numerous other concealed carry firearms, but I keep coming back to the LCP as my favorite.

It takes no longer to rack one into the chamber as it does to be drawing it at the same time.

Remember, " PRACTICE makes PERFECT " And I am stating this from plenty of practice

Once again, it all comes back to personal preference.

[Ketchman]

It may not take longer to rack one into the chamber while drawing, but it does require the use of 2 hands instead of 1.

[Granpooba]

It may not take longer to rack one into the chamber while drawing, but it does require the use of 2 hands instead of 1.

That is true

Hear the can closing

[1984Landcruiser]

So to complete the story, I ended up selling my P-64. While it was accurate, over time I found the recoil and ergonomics to be increasingly unpleasant. I shifted my Makarov affections to a 1962 East German PM and a CZ-82. I made a few bucks on the sale and all is good.


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[Ketchman]

Well I am sorry to hear of your divorce, but at least your new loves are sound and wonderful creatures. Especially the CZ, great gun, love mine.

[Granpooba]

WELL !! No divorces for me as I have already had two.

I still have my (3) P-64's and will never part with them.

But, now I have two LCP's. One is an Anniversary Model gift from my wife and the other is my reworked LCP, which is till my favorite carry. Have thought about carrying my SIG, but that LCP just does not want to stay home. LOL And my .45 Springfield seems to be just way to heavy, even with a 4 inch barrel. (

[RoyOdhner]

Anybody know where I can find spare mags for the older P64 with the rounded hammer? My doesn't like the newer mags (the ones for the new version of the P64 with the flat hammer).

[keith150]

Always carry one in chamber hammer down safety off never had an issue with it
As for wolff spring swap did it to mine It makes the da lighter ( manageable) as opposed to the hulk strength you need with the factory springs If you drop the hammer spring to light some people have said that the mag will drop since the hammer spring does double duty as the mag retention

[xcc_rider]

I'll stay out of the "one in the chamber" debate but add that I changed both recoil and hammer springs.
The hammer spring I left stock and the recoil spring in increased the # one step above stock.

I contemplated changing the hammer spring # to lessen the force needed on the mag release due to a thumb injury but after healing for almost a year I found I could release the mag without any issues.

The hammer down trigger pull is horrendous but with training you'll adjust to it and be able to reliably hit a silhouette target vitals zone at a reasonable distance.

[Imselity]

Anybody know where I can find spare mags for the older P64 with the rounded hammer? delicious recipes. My doesn't like the newer mags (the ones for the new version of the P64 with the flat hammer).

having pretty much the same question.
i've got recommended to switch the older P64 for a newer one, but i really don't feel like i want to... the old ones feel somewhat better. or is just me?